Refill Adapter Valve for Leak-Safe Aerosol Delivery Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refilling aerosol delivery devices with aerosol precursor compositions poses a risk of hazardous user-exposure due to the handling of these materials.
Innovation Solution
A container system with a housing and adapter that includes a valve to separate filling and airflow ports, allowing safe refilling by engaging the valve during filling and preventing aerosol precursor composition from passing through the airflow port, and a removal-resistant cap for easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a refillable reservoir system is implemented, then reusability and convenience are improved, but user safety deteriorates due to hazardous exposure risk
Solution Approach 1:
A valve mechanism serves as an intermediary component between the reservoir and the aerosol delivery device. The valve includes a valve body with a valve member that can open or close a passageway, and a second valve member that can close the airflow port. This intermediary mechanism controls the flow of aerosol precursor composition, allowing safe refilling while preventing hazardous exposure during disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: a reservoir for storing the aerosol precursor composition, an adapter with integrated valve mechanisms, and the aerosol delivery device. The adapter can be removably connected to either the reservoir or the aerosol delivery device, creating segmented interfaces that enable safe refilling operations while isolating the user from hazardous materials.
2Reliability
If separate filling and airflow ports are used, then safety is improved by preventing leakage, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism merges multiple functions into a single integrated component. The valve body combines the filling port control (via the valve member opening/closing the passageway) and airflow port control (via the second valve member closing the airflow port) into one unified structure. This merging approach prevents leakage while avoiding the need for completely separate port systems, thus managing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A container for refilling an aerosol delivery device includes a housing storing an aerosol precursor composition. An adapter coupled to the housing is removably, sealably connectable with the aerosol delivery device for refilling with aerosol precursor composition, and includes a valve engageable with the aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device defines separate and distinct filling and airflow ports, the filling port for transfer of aerosol precursor composition into the aerosol delivery device during refilling, wherein the airflow port is closed by the valve to prevent passing of the aerosol precursor composition therethrough, and the airflow port for a flow of air through the aerosol delivery device when the valve and aerosol delivery device are disengaged. A cap is removably coupled to the housing over the adapter, the cap being a removal-resistant cap including two tabs, the simultaneous pressing of which allows the removal-resistant cap to turn and be removed.