E-vaping Cartridge Absorbent Wick for Consistent Vaporization

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Solution Overview

Problem

E-vaping cartridges and tanks face limitations in retaining and efficiently vaporizing pre-vapor formulations due to the absence of absorbent materials around the chimney, leading to inconsistent vapor production and waste of the formulation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating one or more layers of absorbent material, such as gauze or fibrous materials, within the e-vaping cartridge's annulus reservoir and around the wick, which communicates with the heater to control the wicking rate and ensure consistent vaporization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If no absorbent material is used around the chimney, then the cartridge structure remains simple, but the pre-vapor formulation is not retained efficiently leading to waste and inconsistent vaporization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepre-vapor formulation retentionVSAvoidcartridge structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies porous absorbent materials (gauze or fibrous material) around the chimney to retain the pre-vapor formulation through capillary action. The porous structure allows the formulation to be held and slowly delivered to the heater, preventing waste while maintaining a relatively simple cartridge structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent material acts as an intermediary between the reservoir and the heater, facilitating controlled transfer of the pre-vapor formulation. This mediator ensures consistent delivery to the heater while preventing direct contact that would cause rapid depletion and waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If absorbent material is added around the wick and chimney, then vapor production consistency improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor production consistencyVSAvoidcartridge assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The use of porous absorbent materials provides reliable and consistent vapor production through controlled capillary action. The materials are positioned around the wick and chimney to ensure steady formulation delivery to the heater, improving reliability of vapor output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The cartridge is designed as a disposable unit with integrated absorbent materials. This approach simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for complex assembly and disassembly processes, as the entire cartridge including the absorbent materials is replaced when depleted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Loss of substance

If gauze or fibrous material is placed in the reservoir, then the pre-vapor formulation is retained better, but the cartridge cannot be manually refilled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation retentionVSAvoidrefillability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Porous absorbent materials are used to retain the pre-vapor formulation through capillary action, preventing leakage and improving retention. These materials are integrated into the cartridge structure, which is designed as a sealed, disposable unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The cartridge is designed as a disposable product that cannot be refilled. This eliminates the complexity of designing refill mechanisms and ensures consistent formulation retention throughout the cartridge's intended lifespan. The entire cartridge is replaced when the formulation is depleted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The use of absorbent materials within the e-vaping cartridge enhances the retention and controlled delivery of pre-vapor formulations to the heater, improving vapor production consistency and extending the cartridge's operational life by preventing premature depletion.

Implementation Method 1

The heater may be in fluid communication with the reservoir via a wick (or other structure offering a capillary action)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

Incorporating one or more layers of absorbent material, such as gauze or fibrous materials, within the e-vaping cartridge's annulus reservoir and around the wick

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a heater configured to vaporize a pre-vapor formulation that is communicated by the wick from the first annulus reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS20250009022A1E-vaping cartridge with first reservoir and second reservoir in fluid communication with each other

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC

AI summary

The e-vaping cartridge includes a housing, a first reservoir and a second reservoir defined within the housing, the first reservoir and the second reservoir being in fluid communication with each other, a first tube at least partially defining a central passage, the first tube defining at least one first hole that provides fluid communication between the central passage and the first reservoir, and a wick and a heater in communication with the central passage, distal ends of the wick extending through the at least one first hole and into the first reservoir.