Vaping Reservoir Refill Assembly With Child-Proof Leak Lock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic vaping devices face challenges in providing a leak-free and child-proof refill system for pre-vapor formulations, as current solutions often result in leakage and unintended access to the formulation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a refill container and reservoir system featuring interlocking rings with grooves and protrusions, a spring-loaded ball valve, and a chimney support, which ensures secure mating and prevents unauthorized access or leakage by using a ball valve assembly and flexible material components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a simple opening is provided in the reservoir for refilling, then ease of operation is improved, but leakage and unintended access occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of refillingVSAvoidleakage and unintended access

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ball valve is pre-positioned in the opening and the spring is pre-loaded to automatically close the valve when the refill container is removed, preventing leakage before it occurs. The interlocking rings are designed with alignment features that automatically position the valve correctly during assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ball valve acts as an intermediary element between the reservoir opening and the external environment, controlling fluid flow. The spring-loaded ball mechanism mediates between the need for easy refilling and the need to prevent unintended access by requiring specific rotational force to open

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a secure locking mechanism is added to prevent leakage and unauthorized access, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak-free operationVSAvoidrefill system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: interlocking rings for mechanical connection, ball valve for fluid control, and spring for actuation. Each component performs a specific function, making the overall system more manageable despite increased complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple functions are merged into the ball valve assembly: it serves as both a leak prevention mechanism and a child-proof safety feature. The interlocking rings combine structural support with the locking function, reducing the need for separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a ball valve assembly is implemented to control formulation flow, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled formulation flowVSAvoidrefilling operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ball valve transitions from a static closed position to a dynamic open position during refilling. The spring-loaded mechanism allows the ball to move automatically in response to pressure changes, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable flow control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The ball valve assembly is designed to self-regulate during refilling. When the refill container is properly attached, the mechanism automatically opens the valve to allow formulation flow, then automatically closes it when refilling is complete, requiring minimal user intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution provides a leak-free, spill-free, and child-proof refill system that ensures secure filling of electronic vaping devices, preventing exposure to the pre-vapor formulation until the interlocking rings are correctly aligned and mated, thus enhancing safety and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

The refill container may further include a ball valve in a neck of the opening and a crown adjacent the spring loaded ball. The ball valve includes a spring loaded ball

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring-loaded ball valve mechanism: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The first interlocking ring includes at least one of a groove and a protrusion therein. The interlocking ring is configured to mate with a second interlocking ring attached to a reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11528781B2Reservoir filling system for an electronic vaping device

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC

AI summary

A reservoir refill system for an electronic vaping device includes a refill container and a reservoir. The refill container contains a pre-vapor formulation. The refill container includes a body, an opening in the body, and a first interlocking ring including at least one groove or at least one protrusion therein. The reservoir is configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation and includes a reservoir body, an opening in the reservoir body, and a second interlocking ring including at least one groove or at least one protrusion therein at an opening of the reservoir. The first interlocking ring is configured to mate with the second interlocking ring so as to release the pre-vapor formulation from the refill container to the reservoir.