Reservoir-Less Vaping Cap and Wick Assembly Without Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

E-cigarettes pose health risks and explosion hazards, and there is a need for safer alternatives that provide community and stress relief without the dangers associated with traditional vaping devices.

Innovation Solution

A reservoir-less vaping-alternative device with a housing, cap, and valve assembly that uses a wick soaked in a non-toxic fluid, allowing air to interact with the wick upon application of a partial vacuum force to produce vapor without electronic components, thus eliminating explosion risks and using natural flavorings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If e-liquid is stored in a reservoir and pumped to the heating element, then the device can function as a traditional vaping device, but the device complexity increases and potential for harm increases due to leaks, spills, and improper disposal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the reservoir and pumping mechanism from the device, extracting the problematic components that caused leaks, spills, and disposal issues. The e-liquid cartridge is replaced with a dry powder cartridge that eliminates the need for liquid storage and pumping systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs disposable dry powder cartridges that are discarded after use, eliminating the need for complex refillable reservoir systems. This disposable approach simplifies the device structure by removing pumps and liquid containment mechanisms, while users simply replace cartridges rather than maintaining complex liquid management systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Productivity

If e-liquid is heated to generate inhalable aerosol, then vaporization function is achieved, but harmful factors increase due to formation of harmful substances and lack of quality control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor generationVSAvoidharmful substances
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the e-liquid from liquid to dry powder form. This parameter change allows the material to be heated and inhalable without forming the harmful condensates and aerosols associated with liquid e-liquid heating, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of heating liquid e-liquid (which creates harmful aerosols and condensates) into a beneficial process by using dry powder that can be heated to produce inhalable particles without the same harmful byproducts. The dry powder formulation inherently prevents the formation of harmful substances while maintaining the vaporization function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If users control dosage by filling their own cartridges, then adaptability increases, but manufacturing precision decreases and quality control is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosage controlVSAvoiddosage precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-filling cartridges with precise dosages during manufacturing before reaching the user. This ensures manufacturing precision and quality control are maintained while still allowing users to control their overall dosage by selecting how many cartridges to use or how frequently to use them, thus maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the total dosage into multiple discrete cartridges, each containing a precise pre-measured amount. This segmentation allows users to control their total dosage by selecting the number of cartridges used, maintaining adaptability, while each individual cartridge maintains manufacturing precision through controlled filling processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of substance

If e-liquid cartridges are refilled and reused, then loss of substance decreases, but reliability decreases due to contamination and improper disposal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvee-liquid wasteVSAvoidproduct safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable cartridges that are designed for single use and then discarded. This eliminates the reliability issues associated with refilling and reusing cartridges, such as contamination and improper disposal, while minimizing loss of substance through precise dosing that reduces waste. The cartridges are designed to be environmentally responsible for single-use applications.

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 device provides a safe, non-toxic, and explosion-proof vaping experience that simulates the sensation of traditional vaping while reducing health risks and community interaction, using natural flavorings and organic materials.

Implementation Method 1

The liquid solution is then pumped to a heating element and vaporized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

The vapor is then delivered to the user with the help of a fan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow transport: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4203736B1Reservoir-less vaping-alternative devices and related methods
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 CAPNOS INC
  • EP4203736B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4203736B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4203736B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

Described herein are reservoir-less vaping-alternative devices. A device may include a housing defining a first cavity therein and including a valve assembly. The first cavity of the housing is in fluid communication with an environment external to the housing via the valve assembly. A device may further include a cap defining a second cavity and a first end defining a first aperture, and a second end defining a second aperture. The first end is for interaction with a mouth of a user and the second end is reversibly couplable to the housing. The cap cavity is in fluid communication with the housing cavity when the second end of the cap is coupled to the housing. A device may further include at least one wick pre-soaked in a fluid and positioned in the cap.