A cartridge for a vaping system

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention comprise a cartridge (10) for a vaping system (1), a vaping system (1) comprising the same, and a method (2) of assembling the vaping system. In a first aspect, a cartridge (10) for a vaping system (1) comprises: a chamber (11) for containing a vaporisable substance; extending from the chamber, a projection (12) for delivering the vaporisable substance to a detachable heater (20), the projection (12) having a channel (121) configured to establish fluid communication between the chamber (11) and the detachable heater (20); a collar (13) slidably engaged with the projection (12); and coupled to the collar (13), a flexible membrane (14) having a through-thickness slit (141); wherein the collar (13) is operable to slide between first and second positions along the projection (12), wherein when the collar (13) is at the first position, the projection (12) is in a retracted position in which it does not deform the flexible membrane (14), resulting in the through-thickness slit (141) being in a closed state, thereby covering an end (122) of the projection (12), and when the collar (13) is at the second position, the projection (12) is in an extended state in which it deforms the flexible membrane (14), thereby forcing the through-thickness slit (141) into an open state through which the end (122) of the projection (12) passes for engagement with the detachable heater (20).

Description

[0001] A CARTRIDGE FOR A VAPING SYSTEM

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of vaping systems, and in particular to a cartridge for a vaping system, a vaping system comprising the same, and a method of assembling the vaping system.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Disposable vaping devices (also known as cartomizers) are typically single-use devices comprising a chamber containing a predefined quantity of a vaporisable substance (such as an e-liquid), a heater for vaporising the vaporisable substance, a source of electrical power (such as a cell or battery) for powering the heater, and a mouthpiece for the user to inhale the vaporised substance. Cartomizers typically provide a more convenient means for vapour delivery than reusable vaping systems — a reusable vaping system typically involves refilling its chamber with e-liquid, whereas a cartomizer is typically disposed of once its predefined quantity of e-liquid is spent, and subsequently replaced with another cartomizer. Additionally, cartomizers typically have a smaller form factor than reusable vaping systems, making cartomizers more suited for portable usage.

[0006] With each cartomizer that is disposed, an electrical power source and heater are disposed along with it. These components typically comprise recyclable materials (such as the metals used in the electrical wiring and the resistance heating element, for example). Depending on the manner of disposal, these recyclable materials may be difficult to recover for subsequent recycling.

[0007] Recently, cartomizer systems comprising a cartridge and a detachable heater have been developed in an attempt to reduce the amount of unrecovered recyclable materials — once the predefined quantity of e-liquid in the cartridge is spent, the detachable heater is detached from the cartridge, and is subsequently attached to a replacement cartridge.As will be appreciated, to enable the e-liquid to flow into the detachable heater, the cartridge typically comprises a flow channel. However, this flow channel is at risk of leaking e-liquid when the cartridge is not attached to the detachable heater.

[0008] The present invention seeks to alleviate or mitigate this issue.

[0009] SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] Aspects of the present invention comprise a cartridge for a vaping system, a vaping system comprising the same, and a method of assembling the vaping system.

[0011] In a first aspect, there is provided a cartridge for a vaping system, comprising: a chamber for containing a vaporisable substance; extending from the chamber, a projection for delivering the vaporisable substance to a detachable heater, the projection having a channel configured to establish fluid communication between the chamber and the detachable heater; a collar slidably engaged with the projection; and coupled to the collar, a flexible membrane having a through-thickness slit; wherein the collar is operable to slide between first and second positions along the projection, wherein when the collar is at the first position, the projection is in a retracted position in which it does not deform the flexible membrane, resulting in the through-thickness slit being in a closed state, thereby covering an end of the projection, and when the collar is at the second position, the projection is in an extended state in which it deforms the flexible membrane, thereby forcing the through-thickness slit into an open state through which the end of the projection passes for engagement with the detachable heater.

[0012] The collar and flexible membrane may therefore together form a lid that is slidable along a projection (a shaft, for example) of the cartridge. To open the lid — and thus reveal the end of the projection for engagement with the detachable heater — the lid may be slid along the projection (away from the end of the projection, for example) from a first position to a second position. As the lid slides towards this second position, the end of the projection pushes against the lid’s flexible membrane, causing the through-thickness slit to open up, and thus enabling theend of the projection to pass through the flexible membrane via the opened slit. To close the lid — and thus conceal the end of the projection when the cartridge is not attached with the detachable heater — the lid may be slid along the projection (towards the end of the projection, for example) from the second position to the first position. As the lid slides towards the first position, the end of the projection retracts through the lid’s flexible membrane. In response, the flexible membrane recovers its original configuration in which the through-thickness slit is closed, and in doing so provides a seal over the end of the projection to prevent / reduce the extent of leakage of the vaporisable substance from the cartridge.

[0013] Preferably, the collar may comprise one or more protrusions configured to slidably engage the projection; and the projection may comprise one or more obstructions configured to contact the protrusions of the collar when, in response to the collar being slid towards the end of the projection, the collar reaches a predetermined position along the projection, thereby preventing the collar from disengaging the projection.

[0014] The protrusion(s) of the collar and the obstruction(s) of the projection may provide a longer lasting seal over the end of the projection — the interference between the protrusion(s) and obstruction(s) prevents the lid from disengaging the projection when the cartridge is not attached to the detachable heating element.

[0015] Preferably, the collar may comprise: an inner shell slidably engaged with the projection; an outer shell for handling by a user; and a plurality of ribs extending between the inner shell and the outer shell. This “shell and rib” structure may be beneficial in that it provides a lightweight yet mechanically robust collar.

[0016] Preferably, when the collar possesses this shell and rib structure, the flexible membrane may be coupled to the collar via an over-moulding process, the flexible membrane being moulded around the plurality of ribs. In this arrangement, the ribs may provide the dual benefit of improving the mechanically robustness of the collar while also providing a strong coupling between the collar and the overmoulded flexible material. As a result, fewer components are required tomanufacture the lid — rather than a separate coupling means being employed, part of the structure of the collar may act as the coupling means.

[0017] Optionally, the collar may be made of a rigid plastics material. Examples of rigid plastics materials include poly(lactic acid), PLA; acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ABS; and polycarbonate, PC.

[0018] Optionally, the collar is biased towards the first position. This way, it may be ensured that the lid remains closed when the cartridge is not attached to the detachable heater, thereby preventing accidental leakage of e-liquid.

[0019] Preferably, an upper bound of the flexible membrane’s service temperature range is greater than or equal to 250 degrees Celsius. As is known by the skilled person, service temperature range (also known as service temperature) of a material / component is the range of temperatures at which the material / component can function optimally without compromising its structural integrity. As will be appreciated, when the cartridge is attached, the flexible membrane may be in close proximity to the detachable heater (whose temperature may exceed 190 degrees Celsius when in use). Thus, to extend the lifespan of the lid, it may be beneficial to obtain a flexible membrane whose service temperature range has an upper bound (also known as the maximum service temperature) which is greater than or equal to 250 degrees Celsius.

[0020] Optionally, the flexible membrane is made of a platinum-cured two-part silicone rubber. This material advantageously possesses a service temperature of -60 to 250 degrees Celsius.

[0021] Optionally, the cartridge may comprise: a mouthpiece for delivering vapour to a user; and a duct configured to establish fluid communication between the mouthpiece and the detachable heater. This way, the number of components used in a cartomizer system may be reduced — rather than assembling the system from a cartridge, a detachable heater and a detachable mouthpiece, the cartridge itself may have an in-built mouthpiece, meaning that the only additional component for the system would be a detachable heater.Optionally, the cartridge comprises the vaporisable substance. This would make the cartridge more suitable for a “plug and play” use case scenario, where the user may obtain the cartridge, attach it to their detachable heater, and immediately use the resulting cartomizer system. An example of a vaporisable substance may be a foam material soaked in a vaporisable liquid such as an e-liquid, for example.

[0022] Optionally, the projection comprises a magnetic material for magnetic engagement with the detachable heater. This way, it may be ensured that the cartridge remains attached to the detachable heater when the cartomizer system is being used by the user, thereby preventing accidental leakage of e-liquid and / or potential bum risks.

[0023] In a second aspect, there is provided a vaping (or cartomizer) system, comprising: a cartridge according to the first aspect; and a detachable heater configured to engage the projection of the cartridge.

[0024] In a third aspect, there is provided a method of assembling a vaping (or cartomizer) system, comprising the steps of: obtaining a cartridge according to the first aspect; obtaining a detachable heater configured to engage the projection of the cartridge; sliding the collar towards the second position, thereby forcing the through-thickness slit into the open state through which the end of the projection passes for engagement with the detachable heater; and while the collar is at the second position, engaging the end of the projection with detachable heater.

[0025] In a fourth aspect there is provided a cartridge for a vaping system, comprising: a body, comprising: a chamber for containing a vaporisable substance, a heating element for vaporising the vaporisable substance, and a channel for delivering the vaporisable substance to the heating element, the channel being configured to establish fluid communication between the chamber and the heating element; extending from the body, a projection for attaching the cartridge to a detachable power source, the projection comprising an electrical connector electrically coupled to the heating element and configured to electrically engage the detachable power source; a collar slidably engaged with the projection; and coupled to the collar, a flexible membrane having a through-thickness slit; whereinthe collar is operable to slide between first and second positions along the projection, wherein when the collar is at the first position, the projection is in a retracted position in which it does not deform the flexible membrane, resulting in the through-thickness slit being in a closed state, thereby covering an end of the projection, and when the collar is at the second position, the projection is in an extended state in which it deforms the flexible membrane, thereby forcing the through-thickness slit into an open state through which the end of the projection passes for electrical engagement with the detachable power source.

[0026] As with the cartridge of the first aspect, the collar and flexible membrane may together be thought of as a lid that is slidable along a projection (a shaft, for example) of the cartridge. To open the lid — and thus reveal the end of the projection for electrical engagement with the detachable power source — the lid may be slid along the projection (away from the end of the projection, for example) from a first position to a second position. As the lid slides towards this second position, the end of the projection pushes against the lid’s flexible membrane, causing the through-thickness slit to open up, and thus enabling the end of the projection to pass through the flexible membrane via the opened slit. To close the lid — and thus conceal the end of the projection when the cartridge is not attached with the detachable power source — the lid may be slid along the projection (towards the end of the projection, for example) from the second position to the first position. As the lid slides towards the first position, the end of the projection retracts through the lid’s flexible membrane. In response, the flexible membrane recovers its original configuration in which the through-thickness slit is closed, and in doing so provides a seal over the end of the projection to prevent / reduce the extent of damage to the projection’s electrical connector when not in use.

[0027] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] Embodiments of the present description will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figures 1A and 1B schematically illustrate a vaping system according to embodiments of the present description;• Figures 2A and 2B depict a cartridge according to embodiments of the present description;

[0030] • Figures 3A to 3C depict a series of snapshots showing a cartridge in a perspective view in different phases of opening according to embodiments of the present description;

[0031] • Figures 4A and 4B schematically illustrate a collar of a cartridge according to embodiments of the present description;

[0032] • Figures 5A to 5D schematically illustrate a flexible membrane of a cartridge according to embodiments of the present description; and

[0033] • Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of assembling a vaping system according to embodiments of the present description.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] A cartridge for a vaping system, a vaping system comprising the same, and a method of assembling the vaping system are disclosed. In the following description, a number of specific details are presented in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present description. It will be apparent, however, to a person skilled in the art that these specific details need not be employed to practice the present invention. Conversely, specific details known to the person skilled in the art are omitted for the purposes of clarity where appropriate.

[0036] Turning now to Figures 1A and 1B, in embodiments of the present description, a cartridge 10 for a vaping system 1 comprises: a chamber 11 for containing a vaporisable substance; extending from the chamber 11, a projection 12 for delivering the vaporisable substance to a detachable heater 20, the projection 12 having a channel 121 configured to establish fluid communication between the chamber 11 and the detachable heater 20; a collar 13 is slidably engaged with the projection 12; and coupled to the collar 13, a flexible membrane 14 having a through-thickness slit 141; wherein the collar 13 is operable to slide between first and second positions along the projection 12, wherein when the collar 13 is at the first position (depicted in Figure 1A), the projection 12 is in a retracted position inwhich it does not deform the flexible membrane 14, resulting in the through-thickness slit 141 being in a closed state, thereby covering an end 122 of the projection 12, and when the collar 13 is at the second position (depicted in Figure 1 B), the projection 12 is in an extended state in which it deforms the flexible membrane 14, thereby forcing the through-thickness slit 141 into an open state through which the end 122 of the projection 12 passes for engagement with the detachable heater 20.

[0037] As mentioned previously, the collar 13 and the flexible membrane 14 may together be thought of as a lid that is slidable along the projection 12. In particular, the collar 13 is slidably engaged with the projection 12 and, depending on the position at which the collar 13 is located along the projection 12, the through-thickness slit 141 of the flexible membrane 14 (coupled to the collar 13) may be opened or closed, thereby revealing the end 122 of the projection 12 for engagement with the detachable heater 20 or concealing the end 122 to prevent / reduce the extent of leakage of the vaporisable substance from the cartridge, respectively.

[0038] Figure 1 A depicts the cartridge 10 when not attached to the detachable heater 20. In Figure 1A, the collar 13 is located at a first position along the projection 12. At this first position, the end 122 of the projection 12 does not deform the flexible membrane 14. The flexible membrane 14 may be formed such that the through-thickness slit 141 remains in a closed state until subjected to a force sufficient to deform the flexible membrane 14, at which point the through-thickness slit 141 may open. Given that the end 122 is not deforming the flexible membrane 14 when the collar 13 is at this first position, the through-thickness slit 141 remains in a closed state. As a result, the flexible membrane 14 provides a seal over the end 122, thereby preventing / reducing the extent of leaking of vaporisable substance contained within the chamber 11 when the cartridge 10 is not attached to the detachable heater 20.

[0039] Figure 1 B depicts the cartridge 10 when attached to the detachable heater 20. In Figure 1B, the collar 13 is located at a second (different) position along the projection 12. This change in position has been caused by sliding the collar 13 along the projection 12 from the first position (as depicted in Figure 1A) to thissecond position. When the collar 13 is slid towards this second position, the end 122 of the projection 12 pushes against (that is, applies a contact force to) the flexible membrane 14. In response to being subjected to this contact force, the flexible membrane 14 deforms, thereby causing the through-thickness slit 141 to transition from the closed state to an open state. When in this open state, the through-thickness slit 141 forms an aperture, and the end 122 of the projection 12 passes through this aperture. As a result, the end 122 is no longer sealed by the flexible membrane 14, but rather exposed so that it may subsequently be engaged with the detachable heater 20 (as depicted in Figure 1 B).

[0040] As will be appreciated, to conceal the end 122 (after the cartridge 10 has been detached from the detachable heater 20), the collar 13 may be slid along the projection 12 from the second position back to the first position. When the collar 13 is slid towards the first position, the end 122 retracts through the aperture formed by through-thickness 141 until it no longer applies contact force sufficient to deform the flexible membrane 14. As a result, the flexible membrane 14 returns to its original form / shape, thereby closing the through-thickness slit 141 (that is, allowing the through-thickness slit 141 to return to its closed state).

[0041] Figures 2Aand 2B provide alternative views of the cartridge 10 when not attached to the detachable heater 20. As seen in these Figures, and as mentioned previously, when the collar 13 is at the first position, the through-thickness slit 141 is in the closed state due to the projection 12 not deforming the flexible membrane 14.

[0042] Figures 3Ato 3C depicts the process of opening the through-thickness slit 141 by sliding the collar 13 along the projection 12. As seen in these Figures, and as mentioned previously, as the collar 13 slides away from the end 122 of the projection 12, the end 122 pushes against and deforms the flexible membrane 14, thereby forcing the though-thickness slit 141 into an open state. When in this open state, through-thickness slit 141 forms an aperture through which the end 122 of the projection 12 passes for engagement with the detachable heater 20.Embodiments of the present description provide a cartomizer cartridge whose connector may be concealed until such time that a detachable heater is to be attached. This way, the risk of e-liquid leakage from cartomizer cartridges when not in use may be reduced or even eliminated.

[0043] In embodiments of the present description, the cartridge 10 comprises the chamber 11 for containing a vaporisable substance. The chamber 11 may be thought of as a cavity formed within the body of the cartridge 10, this cavity being suitable for containing a quantity of vaporisable substance (such as an e-liquid). As will be appreciated, the body of the cartridge 10 (comprising the chamber 11) may be formed of any material and by any manufacturing means the skilled person deems appropriate. As one entirely non-limiting example, the body of the cartridge 10 may be formed via injection moulding using a rigid plastics material such as PLA, ABS, PC or the like.

[0044] Optionally, the chamber 11 comprises the vaporisable substance. This would make the cartridge 10 more suitable for a “plug and play” use case scenario, where a user may obtain the cartridge 10, attach it to their the detachable heater 20, and immediately use the resulting cartomizer system. Again, this is entirely optional — it will be appreciated that the cartridge 10 may be manufactured and distributed to a third party which may then fill the chamber 11 of the cartridge 10 with a vaporisable substance prior to sale.

[0045] An example of a vaporisable substance contained within the chamber 11 may be a foam material soaked in a vaporisable liquid such as an e-liquid, for example. However, the skilled person will appreciate that other vaporisable substances may be used to fill the chamber 11 of the cartridge 10.

[0046] In any case, the chamber 11 of the cartridge 10 is for containing a vaporisable substance.

[0047] In embodiments of the present description, the cartridge 10 comprises the projection 12 extending from the chamber 11. The projection 12 has the channel 121 configured to establish fluid communication between the chamber 11 and thedetachable heater 20, thereby making the projection 12 suitable for delivering the vaporisable substance to the detachable heater 20.

[0048] The projection 12 may be thought of as a shaft which extends from the chamber 11 and which enables attachment of the cartridge 10 to the detachable heater 20. The channel 121 may be thought of as a fluid conduit via which the vaporisable substance may travel from the chamber 11 to the detachable heater 20 (when attached to the cartridge 10), this conduit being formed within the projection 12.

[0049] As will be appreciated, the projection 12 (comprising the channel 121) may be formed of any material and by any manufacturing means the skilled person deems appropriate. As one entirely non-limiting example, the projection 12 may be formed via injection moulding using a rigid plastics material such as PLA, ABS, PC or the like. The projection 12 may be a separate part to the body of the cartridge 10, and may be coupled to cartridge using any attachment / coupling means the skilled person deems appropriate. Examples of such attachment / coupling means include adhesives, welding, screws, and the like. Alternatively, the projection 12 and the body of the cartridge 10 may be formed as one monolithic part.

[0050] In any case, one end of the channel 121 is in fluid communication with the chamber 11, and another end of the channel 121 is configured to establish fluid communication with the detachable heater 20 when attached to the cartridge 10. It is in this way that the projection 12 is configured to establish fluid communication between the chamber 11 and the detachable heater 20, and thereby be suitable for delivering the vaporisable substance to the detachable heater 20.

[0051] As mentioned previously, the collar 13 is slidably engaged with the projection 12. It may be beneficial to prevent the collar 13 from disengaging the projection 12, as such disengagement would increase the risk of the vaporisable substance leaking from the projection 12.

[0052] Given this, it may be preferable to obstruct the collar 13 from travelling beyond a predetermined position along the projection 12 when being slid towards the end122 of the projection 12. This may be achieved by providing the collar 13 with one or more protrusions 131, and providing the projection 12 with one or more obstructions 123. The obstruction(s) 123 may be arranged to obstruct the motions of the protrusion(s) 131 when the collar 13 reaches the predetermined position along the projection 12. The resulting interference between the protrusion(s) 131 and the obstruction(s) 123 prevents the collar 13 from sliding beyond the predetermined position and disengaging the projection 12.

[0053] As depicted in Figure 1A, the predetermined position (where the protrusion(s) 131 and the obstruction(s) 123 interfere with each other) may correspond to the first position. However, this predetermined position may be any position along the projection 12, so long as such position does not obstruct the collar 13 from sliding towards the first position. Otherwise, through-thickness slit 14 would not be able to return to its closed state.

[0054] In more general terms, in embodiments where the collar 13 comprises the protrusion(s) 131, the projection 12 may comprise one or more obstructions 123 configured to contact the protrusion(s) 131 of the collar 13 when, in response to the collar 13 being slid towards the end 122 of the projection 12, the collar 13 reaches a predetermined position along the projection 12, thereby preventing the collar 13 from disengaging the projection 12.

[0055] The obstruction(s) 123 may be thought of as one or more elements disposed on an external surface of the projection 12 (an internal surface being in contact with the vaporisable substance when it travels from the chamber 11 to the detachable heater 20 when in use). These elements may extend radially outward from an axis of the projection 12 to provide a contact face for contacting the protrusion(s) 131. As will be appreciated, the obstruction(s) 123 may be formed of any material and by any manufacturing means the skilled person deems appropriate. As one entirely non-limiting example, the obstruction(s) 123 and the projection 12 may be formed as one monolithic part via an injection moulding process.

[0056] In any case, it may be beneficial to prevent unintentional detachment of the detachable heater 20 from the cartridge 10, as such unintentional detachmentwould increase the risk of the vaporisable substance leaking from the projection 12, as well as present a potential bum risk (the detachable heater 20 may fall onto the user’s body and cause a skin bum, for example).

[0057] One way to prevent unintentional detachments may be to size the projection 12 and an engagement port of the detachable heater 20 to achieve a transition fit between the projection 12 and the detachable heater 20. For example, the projection 12 may be manufactured within a first tolerance range, and the port of the detachable heater 20 may be manufactured within a second tolerance range. These first and second tolerance ranges may be selected from a table of tolerance grades (such as those found in ISO 286) to achieve a transition fit. This transition fit may provide enough friction and / or contact force between the projection 12 and the detachable heater 20 to prevent the detachable heater 20 from unintentionally detaching due to its own weight. However, the magnitude of the friction and / or contact force should also be low enough for a user to intentionally detach the projection 12 from the detachable heater 20 with their hands.

[0058] Alternatively, the projection 12 may optionally comprise a magnetic material for magnetic engagement with the detachable heater 20. Accordingly, the detachable heater 20 may comprise magnetic material for magnetic engagement with the projection 12. Thus, when the projection 12 is engaged with the detachable heater 20, the magnetic force of attraction between the projection 12 and the detachable heater 20 may prevent to prevent the detachable heater 20 from unintentionally detaching due to its own weight. However, the magnitude of the magnetic attraction force should also be low enough for a user to intentionally detach the projection 12 from the detachable heater 20 with their hands. The skilled person may use whichever (combination of) magnetic material(s) they deem appropriate. This magnetic material may come in the form of a separate part, which may be fitted to the projection 12 using any attachment / coupling means deemed appropriate, for example. Alternatively, the magnetic material may be incorporated within the projection 12. For example, magnetic material may be added to molten plastics material prior to injection moulding of the projection 12.In any case, the projection 12 establishes fluid communication between the chamber 11 and the detachable heater 20 when attached to the cartridge 10, thereby enabling the vaporisable material to travel into the detachable heater 20 to be vaporised.

[0059] In embodiments of the present description, the cartridge 10 comprises the collar 13 slidably engaged with the projection 12, wherein the collar 13 is operable to slide between first and second positions along the projection 12. As mentioned previously, the collar 13 and the flexible membrane 14 may together be thought of as a lid that is slidable along the projection 12. As such, the collar 13 may be thought of as the part of the lid which a user may manipulate (by sliding it along the projection 12) to open or close the lid, and thereby reveal or conceal the end 122 of the projection 12.

[0060] The first position may be thought of as the position of the collar 13 along the projection 12 at which the flexible membrane 14 (and in particular the through-thickness slit 141) is closed, thereby sealing the end 122 of the projection 12. The second position may be thought of as the position of the collar 13 along the projection 12 at which the flexible membrane 14 (and in particular the through-thickness slit 141) is opened by the end 122, thereby revealing the end 122 for engagement with the detachable heater 20.

[0061] Figures 1A and 1B are used to further illustrate how the sliding of the collar 13 affects the opening orclosing of the through-thickness slit 141. Figure 1 A depicts the collar 13 as being located at a first position along the projection 12. At this first position, the end 122 of the projection 12 does not deform the flexible membrane 14, and so the through-thickness slit 141 remains in a closed state. As a result, the flexible membrane 14 provides a seal over the end 122. Figure 1 B depicts the collar 13 as being located at a second (different) position along the projection 12. This change in position has been caused by sliding the collar 13 along the projection 12 from the first position (as depicted in Figure 1A) to this second position. When the collar 13 is slid towards this second position, the end 122 of the projection 12 pushes against (that is, applies a contact force to) the flexible membrane 14, thereby causing the through-thickness slit 141 to open. When inthis open state, the through-thickness slit 141 forms an aperture, and the end 122 of the projection 12 passes through this aperture. To conceal the end 122 after having been revealed, the collar 13 may be slid along the projection 12 from the second position back to the first position (as depicted in Figure 1 A). When the collar 13 is slid towards the first position, the end 122 retracts through the aperture formed by the through-thickness slit 141, thereby allowing the through-thickness slit 141 to return to its closed state.

[0062] As will be appreciated, the collar 13 may take on whichever shape / form the skilled person deems appropriate, so long as the collar 13 comprises a through-hole for receiving the projection 12, this through-hole being configured to establish slidable engagement between the collar 13 and the projection 12. As one non-limiting example, the surface of the through-hole may be in sliding contact with the external surface of the projection 12, thereby making the collar 13 slidably engage the projection 12. As will be appreciated, the through-hole permits the end 122 of the projection 12 to pass through it when the collar 13 is slid towards the second position along the projection 12, thereby enabling the end 122 to push against the flexible membrane 14 for opening the through-thickness slit 141.

[0063] Preferably, the collar 13 may be shaped / formed in a manner similar to that depicted in Figures 4A and 4B. This is to say that in embodiments of the present description, the collar 13 may preferably comprise the inner shell 132 slidably engaged with the projection 12; the outer shell 133 for handling by a user; and a plurality of ribs 134 extending between the inner shell 132 and the outer shell 133. Put differently, the inner shell 132 forms the through-hole configured to establish slidable engagement between the collar 13 and the projection 12, the outer shell 133 provides a surface for the user to handle and manipulate (that is, slide) the collar 13 along the projection 12, and the ribs 134 provides a structural connection between the inner shell 132 and the outer shell 133 such that movement of the outer shell 133 (in response to user manipulation) causes the sliding of the inner shell 132 along the projection 12. This “shell and rib” structure of the collar 13 is beneficial in that it provides a lightweight yet mechanically robust collar comparedto, say, a solid toroidal / annular collar, for example. This is because comparatively less material is being used to form this shell and rib structure.

[0064] As mentioned previously, and as depicted in Figures 4Aand 4B, the collar 13 may comprise one or more protrusions 131 configured to slidably engage the projection 12. It should be noted that the protrusion(s) 131 may or may not be implemented with the shell and rib structure depicted in Figures 4A and 4B — the protrusion(s) 131 are equally applicable to other forms / shapes used for the collar 13.

[0065] In any case, the protrusion(s) 131 may be disposed on the surface forming the through-hole of the collar 13. For example, the protrusion(s) 131 may be disposed on the inner shell 132. As a result, the protrusion(s) 131 (instead of the through-hole surface itself) may be in sliding contact with the external surface of the projection 12, thereby making the collar 13 slidably engage the projection 12. As will be appreciated, the protrusion(s) 131 may be formed of any material and by any manufacturing means the skilled person deems appropriate. As one entirely non-limiting example, the protrusion(s) 131 and the collar 13 may be formed as one monolithic part via an injection moulding process.

[0066] As mentioned previously, in embodiments where the collar 13 comprises the protrusion(s) 131, the projection 12 may comprise one or more obstructions 123 configured to contact the protrusion(s) 131 of the collar 13 when, in response to the collar 13 being slid towards the end 122 of the projection 12, the collar 13 reaches a predetermined position along the projection 12, thereby preventing the collar 13 from disengaging the projection 12. Given this, the protrusion(s) 131 may be thought of as one or more elements disposed on the through-hole surface of the collar 13 and extending radially inward toward an axis of the collar 13 to provide a contact face for contacting the obstruction(s) 123. The protrusion(s) 131 may be arranged to contact the obstruction(s) 123 when the collar 13 reaches the predetermined position along the projection 12. As will be appreciated, just as the protrusion(s) 131 may be in sliding contact with the external surface of the projection 12, the obstruction(s) 123 may be in sliding contact with the through-hole surface of the collar 13.As will be appreciated, the resulting interference between the protrusion(s) 131 and the obstruction(s) 123 prevents the collar 13 from sliding beyond the predetermined position and disengaging the projection 12. This predetermined position (where the protrusion(s) 131 and the obstruction(s) 123 interfere with each other) may correspond to the first position (as depicted in Figure 1A). However, this predetermined position may be any position along the projection 12, so long as such position does not obstruct the collar 13 from sliding towards the first position. Otherwise, through-thickness slit 14 would not be able to return to its closed state.

[0067] As will be appreciated, the collar 13 may be formed of any material and by any manufacturing means the skilled person deems appropriate. Optionally, the collar 13 may be made of a rigid plastics material. This rigid plastics material may be one of poly(lactic acid), PLA; acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ABS; and polycarbonate, PC, for example. Optionally, collar may be formed by injection moulding this rigid plastics material, for example. As will be appreciated, these are entirely non-limiting examples of suitable materials and manufacturing means.

[0068] In any case, to ensure that the through-thickness slit 141 remains closed when the cartridge 10 is not attached to the detachable heater 20, and thereby prevent accidental leakage of e-liquid, the collar 13 may optionally be biased towards the first position. As will be appreciated, the collar 13 may be so biased by using any biasing means the skilled person deems appropriate. For example, a helical spring may be coupled between the body of the cartridge 10 and the collar 13, and when the collar 13 is slid towards the second position, the helical spring compresses, thereby storing elastic energy. When the user lets go of the collar 13, the helical spring may expand (due to the release of the stored elastic energy) and push the collar 13 towards the first position. As will be appreciated, this is an entirely non-limiting example of suitable biasing means.

[0069] In any case, the sliding of the collar 13 is what ultimately causes the through-thickness slit 141 of the flexible membrane 14 to be opened (to reveal the end 122 for engagement with the detachable heater 20) or to return to its closed state (toconceal the end 122 to prevent e-liquid leakage when the cartridge 10 is not in use).

[0070] In embodiments of the present description, the cartridge 10 comprises the flexible membrane 14 coupled to the collar 13. Flexible membrane has the through-thickness slit 141 , which opens or closes depending on the position of the collar 13 along the projection 12. In particular, in embodiments of the present description, when the collar 13 is at the first position (as depicted in Figure 1A), the projection 12 is in a retracted position in which it does not deform the flexible membrane 14, resulting in the through-thickness slit 141 being in a closed state, thereby covering (or concealing) the end 122 of the projection 12, and when the collar 13 is at the second position (as depicted in Figure 1 B), the projection 12 is in an extended state in which it deforms the flexible membrane, thereby forcing the through-thickness slit 141 into an open state through which the end 122 of the projection 12 passes (thereby revealing the end 122) for engagement with the detachable heater 20.

[0071] As mentioned previously, the collar 13 and the flexible membrane 14 may together be thought of as a lid that is slidable along the projection 12. As such, the flexible membrane 14 (and in particular the through-thickness slit 141) may be thought of as the part of the lid which opens or closes in response to the sliding of the collar 13 along the projection 12, thereby revealing or concealing the end 122 of the projection 12.

[0072] As will be appreciated, the through-thickness slit 141 is a slit (a cut, for example) through the thickness of the flexible membrane 14. This slit enables the formation of an aperture / opening in the flexible membrane 14 when the end 122 of the projection 12 pushes against the flexible membrane 14 (due to the collar 13 being slid towards the second position). When this aperture / opening is formed (that is, when the through-thickness slit 141 is in the open state), the end 122 passes through this aperture / opening. As a result, the end 122 is no longer sealed / concealed by the flexible membrane 14, but rather exposed so that it may subsequently be engaged with the detachable heater 20 (as depicted in Figure 1 B).As mentioned previously, the flexible membrane 14 may be formed such that the through-thickness slit 141 remains in a closed state until subjected to a force sufficient to deform the flexible membrane 14 (such as when the end 122 of the projection 12 pushes against the flexible membrane 14 in response to the collar 13 being slid towards the second position). When subjected to such a force, the through-thickness slit 141 may open (that is, may be forced into an open state).

[0073] As will be appreciated, the flexible membrane 14 may be formed of any material and by any manufacturing means the skilled person deems appropriate. As one entirely non-limiting example, flexible 14 membrane may be formed via injection moulding using a natural or artificial rubber. The through-thickness slit 141 may subsequently be formed by cutting through the thickness of this newly moulded rubber membrane. The use of a rubber material may provide the elastic resilience to enable the through-thickness slit 141 to remain in the closed state until subjected to the pushing force of the end 122 of the projection 12 in response to the collar 13 being slid towards the second position. However, other flexible materials and / or other manufacturing means are envisaged within the scope of the present description.

[0074] Preferably, an upper bound of the flexible membrane’s service temperature range is greater than or equal to 250 degrees Celsius. As is known by the skilled person, service temperature range (also known as service temperature) of a material / component is the range of temperatures at which the material / component can function optimally without compromising its structural integrity. As will be appreciated, when the cartridge 10 is attached to the detachable heater 20 (as depicted in Figure 1 B), the flexible membrane 14 may be in close proximity to the resistance heater of the detachable heater 20 (whose temperature may exceed 190 degrees Celsius when in use). Thus, to extend the lifespan of the lid, it may be beneficial that the flexible membrane 14 be made of a material whose service temperature range has an upper bound (also known as the maximum service temperature) which is greater than or equal to 250 degrees Celsius.

[0075] Optionally, the flexible membrane is made of a platinum-cured two-part silicone rubber. This material advantageously has a maximum service temperature of 250degrees Celsius, and more generally possesses a service temperature of -60 to 250 degrees Celsius. This wide service temperature range makes platinum-cured two-part silicone rubber suitable for scenarios where the cartridge 10 is not attached to the detachable heater 20 and may be exposed to ambient temperatures below 0 degrees (in colder climates / seasons), for example.

[0076] In any case, flexible material 14 may be coupled to the collar 13 using any attachment / coupling means the skilled person deems appropriate. Examples of such attachment / coupling means include adhesives, welding, pins, and the like.

[0077] Turning now to Figures 5A and 5B, in embodiments where the collar 13 has a “shell and rib” structure (as depicted in Figure 4A), the flexible membrane 14 may be coupled to the collar 13 via an over-moulding process, the flexible membrane 14 being moulded around the plurality of ribs 134. By over-moulding the flexible membrane 14 around the ribs 134, the ribs 134 may act as a fixture for securely coupling the flexible membrane 14 to the collar 13, thereby preventing unintentional detachment of the flexible membrane 14 from the collar 13. The skilled person knows what the process of over-moulding entails, and so details shall be omitted for brevity’s sake.

[0078] Figure 5C provides a view of the over-moulded flexible membrane 14 by itself. As will be appreciated, this view is merely illustrative, as once the flexible membrane 14 is over-moulded onto the collar 13, it cannot be detached from the collar 13 without causing permanent damage to the collar 13 and / or the flexible membrane 14. As seen in Figure 5C, the flexible membrane 14 comprises a plurality of holes which each correspond to the location of a respective rib 134 of the collar 13. Thus, it will be appreciated that when the flexible membrane 14 is over-moulded onto the collar 13, the material of the flexible membrane 14 (a rubber material, for example) envelopes / surrounds each rib 134 for a secure coupling between the flexible membrane 14 and the collar 13.

[0079] Figure 5B provides another view of a “shell and rib” collar 13 (as depicted in Figure 4B) having an over-moulded flexible membrane 14.In any case, in response to the collar 13 being slid along the projection 12, the flexible membrane 14 may be opened (to reveal the end 122 for engagement with the detachable heater 20) or may return to its closed state (to conceal the end 122 to prevent e-liquid leakage when the cartridge 10 is not in use).

[0080] In embodiments of the present description, the cartridge 10 may comprise: the mouthpiece 15 for delivering vapour to a user; and the duct 16 configured to establish fluid communication between the mouthpiece 15 and the detachable heater 20. This way, the number of components used in a cartomizer system may be reduced — rather than assembling the system 1 from the cartridge 10, the detachable heater 20 and a detachable mouthpiece, the cartridge 10 itself may have in-built the mouthpiece 15, meaning that the only additional component for the system would be the detachable heater 20.

[0081] The mouthpiece 15 may be thought of as an aperture around which a user places their lips to inhale vapour generated by the detachable heater 20 (when attached to the cartridge 10), this aperture being formed within the body of the cartridge 10.

[0082] The duct 16 may be thought of as a fluid conduit via which vapour may travel to the mouthpiece 15 from the detachable heater 20 (when attached to the cartridge 10), this conduit being formed within the body of the cartridge 10. In particular, one end of the duct 16 is in fluid communication with the mouthpiece 15, and another end of the duct 16 is configured to establish fluid communication with the detachable heater 20 when attached to the cartridge 10. It is in this way that the duct 16 is configured to establish fluid communication between the mouthpiece 15 and the detachable heater 20, and thereby be suitable for delivering the vapour from the detachable heater 20 to the mouthpiece 15 for inhalation by the user.

[0083] As seen in Figures 1A and 1 B, in embodiments of the present description, the vaping system 1 comprises the cartridge 10 as described elsewhere herein, and the detachable heater 20 configured to engage the projection 12 of the cartridge 10.As a non-limiting example, the detachable heater 20 may comprise a housing containing a resistance heater that is electrically coupled to a source of electrical power (such as a cell or battery). The resistance heater may comprise a filament of material whose resistance to the flow of electrical current through it causes the filament to heat up. Given this, when the electrical power source provides electrical current to the resistance heater, the filament of the resistance heater heats up, thereby being operable to vaporise the vaporisable substance flowing from the cartridge 10 (when filled and attached to the detachable heater 20, that is).

[0084] In any case, the detachable heater 20 may comprise an engagement port configured to receive the end 122 of the projection 12, thereby facilitating attachment of the cartridge 10 to the detachable heater 20 (as depicted in Figure 1B).

[0085] As mentioned previously, to optionally provide a transition fit between this engagement port and the projection 12, the projection 12 may be manufactured within a first tolerance range, and the port of the detachable heater 20 may be manufactured within a second tolerance range. These first and second tolerance ranges may be selected from a table of tolerance grades (such as those found in ISO 286) to achieve a transition fit. This transition fit may provide enough friction and / or contact force between the projection 12 and the detachable heater 20 to prevent the detachable heater 20 from unintentionally detaching due to its own weight. However, the magnitude of the friction and / or contact force should also be low enough for a user to intentionally detach the projection 12 from the detachable heater 20 with their hands.

[0086] Alternatively or in addition, in embodiments where the projection 12 comprises a magnetic material for magnetic engagement with the detachable heater 20, the detachable heater 20 may comprise magnetic material for magnetic engagement with the projection 12. In this case, when the projection 12 is engaged with the detachable heater 20, the magnetic force of attraction between the projection 12 and the detachable heater 20 may prevent to prevent the detachable heater 20 from unintentionally detaching due to its own weight. However, the magnitude ofthe magnetic attraction force should be low enough for a user to intentionally detach the projection 12 from the detachable heater 20 with their hands. The skilled person may use whichever (combination of) magnetic material(s) they deem appropriate. This magnetic material may come in the form of a separate part, which may be fitted to the detachable heater 20 using any attachment / coupling means deemed appropriate, for example. Alternatively, the magnetic material may be incorporated within the detachable heater 20. For example, magnetic material may be added to molten plastics material prior to injection moulding of the housing of the detachable heater 20.

[0087] Turning now to Figure 6, in embodiments of the present description, a method 2 of assembling the vaping system 1 comprises the following steps:

[0088] • obtaining the cartridge 10 as described elsewhere herein (step S21); • obtaining the detachable heater 20 configured to engage the projection 12 of the cartridge 10 (step S22);

[0089] • sliding the collar 13 towards the second position, thereby forcing the through-thickness slit 141 into the open state through which the end 122 of the projection 12 passes for engagement with the detachable heater 20 (step S23); and

[0090] • while the collar 13 is at the second position, engaging the end 122 of the projection 12 with the detachable heater 20 (step S24).

[0091] Regarding steps S21 and S22, a user may purchase the cartridge 10 and the detachable heater 20 from a store, for example. The cartridge 10 and the detachable heater 20 may be sold separately, or together as the vaping system 1 , for example. As such, steps S21 and S22 may be carried out simultaneously or separately. Indeed, step S21 may be carried out after step S22 — the user may purchase a new the cartridge 10 while already being in possession of a detachable heater 20 (obtained via a previous purchase).

[0092] Regarding steps S23 and S24, the user may slide the collar 13 towards the second position along projection, thereby revealing the end 122 of the projection 12 for engagement with the detachable heater 20. At this point (that is, while the end122 is revealed), the user may push the end 122 into the detachable heater 20, thereby attaching the cartridge 10 to the detachable heater 20. This assembled vaping system 1 may now be used to provide vapor for the user to inhale.

[0093] While the above discussion has focussed on a cartomizer system comprising a cartridge filled with e-liquid and a detachable heater for attachment to the cartridge, it will be appreciated that the technical benefits afforded by the projection 12, the collar 13 and the flexible membrane 14 may be realised in other manners.

[0094] For example, the cartridge 10 may comprise a heating element for vaporising the e-liquid, and the projection 12 may comprise an electrical connector to electrically engage an external power source (such as a detachable cell or battery). The electrical connector may be electrically coupled to the heating element so that electrical power from the detachable power source may be used to power the heating element (or to charge an integral cell / battery of the heating element). To reveal this electrical connector, the collar 13 is slid along the projection 12 from the first position to the second position, thereby forcing the through-thickness slit 141 of the flexible membrane 14 into an open state through which the electrical connector passes for electrical engagement with the detachable power source.

[0095] Hence more generally, in embodiments of the present description, a cartridge for a vaping system may comprise: a body, comprising: a chamber for containing a vaporisable substance, a heating element for vaporising the vaporisable substance, and a channel for delivering the vaporisable substance to the heating element, the channel being configured to establish fluid communication between the chamber and the heating element; extending from the body, a projection for attaching the cartridge to a detachable power source, the projection comprising an electrical connector electrically coupled to the heating element and configured to electrically engage the detachable power source; a collar slidably engaged with the projection; and coupled to the collar, a flexible membrane having a through-thickness slit; wherein the collar is operable to slide between first and second positions along the projection, wherein when the collar is at the first position, the projection is in a retracted position in which it does not deform the flexiblemembrane, resulting in the through-thickness slit being in a closed state, thereby covering an end of the projection, and when the collar is at the second position, the projection is in an extended state in which it deforms the flexible membrane, thereby forcing the through-thickness slit into an open state through which the end of the projection passes for electrical engagement with the detachable power source.

[0096] As mentioned previously, the collar and flexible membrane may together be thought of as a lid that is slidable along a projection (a shaft, for example) of the cartridge. To open the lid — and thus reveal the end of the projection for electrical engagement with the detachable power source — the lid may be slid along the projection (away from the end of the projection, for example) from a first position to a second position. As the lid slides towards this second position, the end of the projection pushes against the lid’s flexible membrane, causing the through-thickness slit to open up, and thus enabling the end of the projection to pass through the flexible membrane via the opened slit. To close the lid — and thus conceal the end of the projection when the cartridge is not attached with the detachable power source — the lid may be slid along the projection (towards the end of the projection, for example) from the second position to the first position. As the lid slides towards the first position, the end of the projection retracts through the lid’s flexible membrane. In response, the flexible membrane recovers its original configuration in which the through-thickness slit is closed, and in doing so provides a seal over the end of the projection to prevent / reduce the extent of damage to the projection’s electrical connector when not in use.

[0097] As will be appreciated, all details previously discussed with respect to the cartridge 10, the detachable heater 20 and the vaping system 1 — including but not limited to the materials, manufacture and assembly thereof — are equally applicable to aforementioned cartridge and detachable power source embodiment, mutatis mutandis.

Claims

26CLAIMS1. A cartridge for a vaping system, comprising:a chamber for containing a vaporisable substance;extending from the chamber, a projection for delivering the vaporisable substance to a detachable heater, the projection having a channel configured to establish fluid communication between the chamber and the detachable heater;a collar slidably engaged with the projection; andcoupled to the collar, a flexible membrane having a through-thickness slit; wherein the collar is operable to slide between first and second positions along the projection, whereinwhen the collar is at the first position, the projection is in a retracted position in which it does not deform the flexible membrane, resulting in the through-thickness slit being in a closed state, thereby covering an end of the projection, andwhen the collar is at the second position, the projection is in an extended state in which it deforms the flexible membrane, thereby forcing the through-thickness slit into an open state through which the end of the projection passes for engagement with the detachable heater.

2. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein:the collar comprises one or more protrusions configured to slidably engage the projection; andthe projection comprises one or more obstructions configured to contact the protrusions of the collar when, in response to the collar being slid towards the end of the projection, the collar reaches a predetermined position along the projection, thereby preventing the collar from disengaging the projection.

3. A cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the collar comprises:an inner shell slidably engaged with the projection;an outer shell for handling by a user; anda plurality of ribs extending between the inner shell and the outer shell.

4. A cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the flexible membrane is coupled to the collar via an over-moulding process, the flexible membrane being moulded around the plurality of ribs.

5. A cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the collar is made of a rigid plastics material.

6. A cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the collar is biased towards the first position.

7. A cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein an upper bound of the flexible membrane’s service temperature range is greater than or equal to 250 degrees Celsius.

8. A cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible membrane is made of a platinum-cured two-part silicone rubber.

9. A cartridge according to any preceding claim, comprising:a mouthpiece for delivering vapour to a user; anda duct configured to establish fluid communication between the mouthpiece and the detachable heater.

10. A cartridge according to any preceding claim, comprising the vaporisable substance.

11. A cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the vaporisable substance comprises a foam material soaked in a vaporisable liquid.

12. A cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the projection comprises a magnetic material for magnetic engagement with the detachable heater.

13. Avaping system, comprising:a cartridge according to any preceding claim; anda detachable heater configured to engage the projection of the cartridge.

14. A method of assembling a vaping system, comprising the steps of:obtaining a cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 12; obtaining a detachable heater configured to engage the projection of the cartridge;sliding the collar towards the second position, thereby forcing the through-thickness slit into the open state through which the end of the projection passes for engagement with the detachable heater; andwhile the collar is at the second position, engaging the end of the projection with the detachable heater.

15. A cartridge for a vaping system, comprising:a body comprising:a chamber for containing a vaporisable substance,a heating element for vaporising the vaporisable substance, and a channel for delivering the vaporisable substance to the heating element, the channel being configured to establish fluid communication between the chamber and the heating element;extending from the body, a projection for attaching the cartridge to a detachable power source, the projection comprising an electrical connector electrically coupled to the heating element and configured to electrically engage the detachable power source;a collar slidably engaged with the projection; andcoupled to the collar, a flexible membrane having a through-thickness slit; wherein the collar is operable to slide between first and second positions along the projection, whereinwhen the collar is at the first position, the projection is in a retracted position in which it does not deform the flexible membrane, resulting in the through-thickness slit being in a closed state, thereby covering an end of the projection, andwhen the collar is at the second position, the projection is in an extended state in which it deforms the flexible membrane, thereby forcing the through-thickness slit into an open state through which the end of the projection passes for electrical engagement with the detachable power source.

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