Related Cases

[001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/001,721, filed on 30 March 2020, the contents of which are all incorporated by reference.

Background

[002] Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) may be used as a harmful and potentially harmful chemicals (HPHC) reduced alternative to smoking tobacco. In an e-cigarette, a mechanism reduces a liquid (“e-cigarette fluid,” “e-fluid,” “e-liquid,” or “vaping fluid”) into a smoke-like mixture of air and tiny droplets (an aerosol) which material is then inhaled by the user. Any active constituents in the vaping fluid may then be absorbed by the lungs like real cigarette smoke. Because e-cigarettes do not produce smoke, other terms have been developed to describe using the devices (e.g., “vaping ”) The most common type of e-cigarette has a heating element causing the vaporization of the e-fluid to create an aerosol. Other types of e-cigarettes may use mechanical production of the aerosol (e.g., a piezoelectric diaphragm vibrating at ultrasonic speeds to directly form an aerosol from the e-fluid, similar to a misting humidifier).

Brief Summary of Disclosure

[003] In one example implementation, a method for making a container for use with an electronic vaporization device may include but is not limited to filling a first section of a plurality of sections of a container with a liquid, wherein the first section is configured to be coupled to a heating element. A second section of the plurality of sections may be filled with a solid material, wherein vapor of the liquid in the first section, when vaporized by the heating device, flows through one or more channels connecting the first section and the second section to pass through the solid material in the second section for inhalation.

[004] One or more of the following example features may be included. A third section of the plurality of sections may be filled with a second solid material, wherein vapor of the liquid in the first section, when vaporized by the heating device, flows through one or more additional channels connecting the third section and the first section to pass through the second solid material in the third section for inhalation. The container may be a closed container that is not re-fillable. The solid material may include a derivative of a natural tobacco plant. The solid material may include a derivative of a natural tobacco plant from which nicotine is removed. The solid material may be cut up into a plurality of pieces prior to being filled into the second section. The solid material may be ground up prior to being filled into the second section. The solid material may be packed as a cylinder and wrapped with a mesh sheet made of heat-resistant material to form a roll prior to being filled into the second section. The solid material may be pressed into a film and the film may be rolled to form a roll prior to being filled into the second section. The second section of the plurality of sections may be made of a porous ceramic material containing the solid material. The liquid in the first section of the plurality of sections may include at least one biologically suitable carrier, wherein the at least one biologically suitable carrier may include at least one of propylene glycol, glycerin, water, alcohol, 1,3-propanediol, nicotine, organic carboxylic acids, fatty acids, reducing sugar and sugar esters.

[005] In another example implementation, an apparatus may include but is not limited to a container for use with an electronic vaporization device. The container may include a plurality of sections. A first section of the plurality of sections may be configured to contain a liquid, wherein the first section may be further configured to be coupled to a heating element. The container may include a second section of the plurality of sections that may be configured to contain a solid material. The container may include one or more channels connecting the first section and the second section, wherein vapor of the liquid in the first section, when vaporized by the heating device, flows through the one or more channels to pass through the solid material in the second section for inhalation.

[006] One or more of the following example features may be included. The container may include a third section of the plurality of sections configured to contain a second solid material, and the container may further include one or more additional channels connecting the third section and the first section, wherein vapor of the liquid in the first section, when vaporized by the heating device, flows through the one or more additional channels to pass through the second solid material in the third section for inhalation. The container may be a closed container that is not re-fillable. The solid material may include a derivative of a natural tobacco plant. The solid material may include a derivative of a natural tobacco plant from which nicotine is removed. The solid material may be cut into a plurality of pieces. The solid material may be ground up material. The solid material may be packed as a cylinder and wrapped by a mesh sheet made of heat-resistant material to form a roll. The solid material may be pressed into a film and rolled to form a roll. The second section of the plurality of sections may be made of a porous ceramic material containing the solid material. The liquid in the first section of the plurality of sections may include at least one biologically suitable carrier, wherein the at least one biologically suitable carrier may include at least one of propylene glycol, glycerin, water, alcohol, 1,3 -propanediol, nicotine, organic carboxylic acids, fatty acids, reducing sugar and sugar esters.

[007] The details of one or more example implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other possible example features and/or possible example advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. Some implementations may not have those possible example features and/or possible example advantages, and such possible example features and/or possible example advantages may not necessarily be required of some implementations.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[008] Fig. 1 is an example diagrammatic view of a container for use with an electronic vaporization device according to one or more example implementations of the disclosure; and

[009] Fig. 2 is an example flowchart of a process for making a container for use with an electronic vaporization device according to one or more example implementations of the disclosure.

[0010] Like reference symbols in the various drawings may indicate like elements.

Detailed Description

System Overview:

[0011] Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) may be used as an HPHC-reduced alternative to smoking tobacco. In an e-cigarette, a mechanism reduces a liquid (“e- cigarette fluid,” “e-fluid,” “e-liquid,” or “vaping fluid”) into a smoke-like mixture of air and tiny droplets (an aerosol) which material is then inhaled by the user. Any active constituents in the vaping fluid may then be absorbed by the lungs like real cigarette smoke. Because e-cigarettes do not produce smoke, other terms have been developed to describe using the devices (e.g., “vaping.”) The most common type of e-cigarette has a heating element causing the vaporization of the e-fluid to create an aerosol. Other types of e-cigarettes may use mechanical production of the aerosol (e.g., a piezoelectric diaphragm vibrating at ultrasonic speeds to directly form an aerosol from the e-fluid, similar to a misting humidifier).

[0012] Some devices may have nicotine salt formulations for aerosol delivery. This may deliver a strong head buzz to satisfy nicotine cravings. However, these devices may still deliver nicotine to users, although reducing the harmful byproducts of smoking, but such approaches may help people quit smoking but not quit nicotine. Additionally, unflavored nicotine salt formulations may provide users an artificial/chemical taste, not perceived pleasant or well accepted by users. This may have led to hundreds of added flavors in the e-liquid, many of which contain chemical substances that have not been fully understood regarding their inhalation toxicity and thermal stability. As well, artificially flavored e-liquids have been criticized as being the primary cause of the teen vaping epidemic.

[0013] Some nicotine liquid formulations for e-cigarette are not nicotine salt based. Such liquid formulations may contain only nicotine freebase. The freebase formulations may fail to provide sufficient satisfaction for nicotine craving at low levels, and they may also be too harsh to inhale when the concentration of nicotine is too high.

[0014] 3. Generally, all heat-not-bum (HnB) products may contain nicotine from processed tobacco. Direct heat, e.g., around 350° C is typically applied to the tobacco stick to release nicotine and flavor, which may release unwanted harmful and potentially harmful chemicals (e.g., HPHC). Although the level of HPHC released from HnB products may be as low as 5% of what is released from burning cigarettes, it is still higher than e-cigarettes. Nicotine and flavors delivered from tobacco sticks may not be consistent throughout the course of use as it may be heated multiple times until replaced, thus there is no guarantee to release the chemicals from the tobacco sticks evenly from the first puff to the last.

[0015] With some devices, non-natural tobacco materials may be used, part of which contains nicotine. Although claimed to achieve cessation of nicotine addiction by using artificial intelligence (AI) to adjust nicotine delivery to users, the device may still use nicotine as the addictive substance. Artificial flavors are likely required to make users more willing to use the products due to the chemical taste of the formulation. [0016] Generally, the use of de-nicotinized combustible cigarettes may still deliver as much of the harmful and potentially harmful chemicals including, e.g., CO, aldehydes, tar, etc., as in normal cigarettes, all of which are the toxins known to be responsible for increasing smokers’ chance of cardio disease and cancers.

[0017] As will be discussed below, the present disclosure may include a device for vaping that delivers the user a nicotine-like satisfaction without nicotine and full experience of tobacco in order to achieve cessation of nicotine addiction. In some implementations, as will be discussed below, the present disclosure may take advantage of electronic vaporization technology and natural materials. A "cartridge" or similar container usable for vaping may be designed to include a biological suitable carrier solution and a de-nicotinized solid material produced from natural tobacco. The solid material may be, e.g., in the center (core), and the compartment(s) around the core may contain liquid. As such, some example and non-limiting advantages of the present disclosure may, provide ease of nicotine cravings without supplying nicotine to users, provide e-cigarette's natural tobacco aroma that is most similar to cigarettes, eliminate the need of artificial flavors to make e-cigarettes more palatable, thus cutting the suspected source of teen (or other age group) vaping epidemic, reduce HPHC levels compared to HnB products, allow a low nicotine e-cigarette when using nicotine containing liquid in the cartridge, should the smokers wish to switch away from cigarettes but choose to keep minimal nicotine intake as personal lifestyle, as low nicotine products may reduce the addiction level.

[0018] As discussed above and referring also at least to the example implementations of Figs. 1-2, a method for making a container for use with an electronic vaporization device may include but is not limited to filling 200 a first section of a plurality of sections of a container with a liquid, wherein the first section is configured to be coupled to a heating element. A second section of the plurality of sections may be filled 204 with a solid material, wherein vapor of the liquid in the first section, when vaporized by the heating device, flows through one or more channels connecting the first section and the second section to pass through the solid material in the second section for inhalation.

[0019] As also discussed above and referring also at least to the example implementations of Figs. 1-2 an apparatus may include but is not limited to a container 100 for use with an electronic vaporization device. Container 100 may include a plurality of sections. A first section of the plurality of sections may be configured to contain a liquid, wherein the first section may be further configured to be coupled to a heating element. Container 100 may include a second section of the plurality of sections that may be configured to contain a solid material. Container 100 may include one or more channels connecting the first section and the second section, wherein vapor of the liquid in the first section, when vaporized by the heating device, flows through the one or more channels to pass through the solid material in the second section for inhalation.

[0020] In some implementations, a container (e.g., pod, cartridge, etc.) may be used with an electronic vaporization device, such as those noted above. For example, and referring at least to the example implementations of Fig. 1, an example cross-view of a container (e.g., container 100) is shown. In the example, container 100 is an e-cigarette pod-like cartridge that is attachable to a vaporization chamber of an e-cigarette (shown as attached to container 100), but any type of container for use in an electronic vaporization device may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In some implementations, container 100 may be a closed container that is not re-fillable. That is, in some implementations, container 100 may be a closed container (e.g., a pod with prefilled liquids that is not re-fillable by users) including two (or more) sections, described further below; however, it will be appreciated that container 100, and/or the individual sections, may also be refillable/replaceable. Notably, container 100 should preferably have at least two separated chambers/sections (discussed below), while typical pods for other e-cigarettes have only one section containing one type of e-liquid.

[0021] In some implementations, container 100 may include a plurality of sections. For instance, a first section (e.g., also referred to as section 102 or first section 102) of the plurality of sections may be configured to contain a liquid, wherein the first section may be further configured to be coupled to a heating element (e.g., heating element 104). In some implementations, the first section of a plurality of sections of a container may be filled 200 with the liquid. For example, the liquid in the first section of the plurality of sections may include at least one biologically suitable carrier, wherein the at least one biologically suitable carrier may include at least one of propylene glycol, glycerin, water, alcohol, 1,3 -propanediol, nicotine, organic carboxylic acids, fatty acids, reducing sugar and sugar esters. In some implementations, the biological suitable carrier solution may include a composition including one of 100% propylene glycol (PG), 90% PG and 10% vegetable glycerin (VG), 80% PG and 20% VQ 70% PG and 30% VQ 60% PG and 40% VQ 50% PG and 50% VQ 40% PG and 60% VQ 30% PG and 70% VQ 20% PG and 80% VQ 10% PG and 90% VQ and 100% VG. In some implementations, the preferred compositions of PG/VG may include, e.g., 60% PG and 40% VQ 55% PG and 45% VQ 50% PG and 50% VQ 45% PG and 55% VQ 40% PG and 60% VG. However, it will be appreciated that other combinations of PG/VQ as well as other types of biological suitable carrier solutions, may also be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In some implementations, the outer section (e.g., section 102) may be a chamber storing a biologically suitable carrier, and/or may contain other dissolved vaporizable ingredients, for example, nicotine, organic carboxylic acids, fatty acids, reducing sugar, sugar esters, etc., depending on the actual application. Second section 102 may also contain flavorants. Section 102 generally may be made of food grade plastic. Fig. 1 shows a cross-view of container 100, so section 102 may be the same outer wall of container 100’s outer chamber. Section 108 shows the liquid filled in the outer chamber (e.g., section 102).

[0022] In some implementations, container 100 may include a second section (e.g., second section 106A and also referred to as section 106A) of the plurality of sections that may be configured to contain a solid material. In some implementations, container 100 may be cylindrical, rectangle prism, or any 3D structure similar to the two mentioned. In some implementations, the walls may be constructed by food grade plastic. In some implementations, second section 106 A of the plurality of sections may be filled 204 with the solid material. For instance, in the center (or the "core" section such as section 106 A), there may be a solid material. In some implementations, the solid material may include a derivative of a natural tobacco plant, which in some implementations, may be a derivative of a natural tobacco plant from which nicotine is removed (e.g., de-nicotinized tobacco). In some implementations, nicotine may be removed from tobacco by, e.g., supercritical C02 washing, temperature controlled solvent extraction, and/or heat-cool processing on tobacco plant, after such processes, the nicotine content of the processed tobacco material may be reduced to, e.g., less than 1% of the original level. It will be appreciated that any process of removing nicotine from tobacco may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some implementations, the solid material may be a non-natural tobacco base, but may use sugar, esters, natural tobacco flavomoids, acids, pectins, etc.

[0023] In some implementations, the solid material may be pressed into a thin film or rolled into a roll or pressed on a heat-resistant substrate such as ceramic, glass fiber, polymer, silicon, or stainless steel. The solid material may be de-nicotinized tobacco leaves grinded into powder, then blended with propylene glycol or glycerol or mixture of them or any biological suitable carrier solution to form a paste. The paste may be pressed on to the substrate to form a thin film by casting, or extruding, or any other suitable techniques. Drying of the thin film may be required. The thin film may then be inserted into the section 106 A. The thin film may be molded into a cylinder prior to being inserted into section 106A. In some implementation, the substrate material may be formed into a long cylinder first and the solid material paste may be pressed on the exterior of the cylinder to form a coated roll by casting, or extruding, or any other suitable techniques. The coated roll may be dried prior to being inserted into container 100. The coated roll may be cut into a suitable size and then inserted in section 106A. In some implementations, the solid material may be de-nicotinized tobacco leaves cut into small pieces and wrapped in mesh material of ceramic, glass fiber, polymer, silicon, or stainless steel. The mesh wrap may be rectangular pouches or rolled into a cylinder, and then inserted in section 106A. This may still provide a similar effect as it contains example ingredients of a tobacco aroma but may not have a complete tobacco sensory profile. For example, in some implementations, the solid material may be cut up 204 into a plurality of pieces prior to being filled into second section 106 A, and in some implementations, the solid material may be ground up 206 prior to being filled into second section 106 A. For example, the de-nicotinized solid material may be cut to small pieces or grinded. In some implementations, the solid material may be packed 208 as a cylinder and wrapped 210 with a mesh sheet made of heat-resistant material to form a roll prior to being filled into second section 106A. For example, the grinded de-nicotinized tobacco may be tightly packed as a cylinder and wrapped by a mesh sheet made of heat- resistant material to form a roll, which may then be placed into second section 106A. In some implementations, the solid material may be pressed 212 into a film and the film may be rolled 214 to form a roll prior to being filled into second section 106A. For example, the grinded de-nicotinized tobacco may also be pressed into a thin film using hydraulic force, and then rolled to form a roll, which may then be placed into second section 106 A.

[0024] In some implementations, second section 106 A of the plurality of sections may be made of a porous ceramic material containing the solid material. For example, the de-nicotinized tobacco may also be filled in a rectangle/cubic/cylindrical space which may be made of porous ceramic material. The porous ceramic material may be that commonly used in e-cigarette pods and is produced typically using polymeric sponge material by the ceramic manufacturer. It will be appreciated that any heat-resistant (with temperature tolerance to at least 800° C) porous material may be used.

[0025] It will be appreciated that while only two sections are discussed (i.e., first section 102 and second section 106A), other sections may also be included without parting from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, there may be multiple second sections 106A and section 106B) containing the same or varying solid materials and/or multiple first sections 102 containing the same or varying biological suitable carrier solutions, such as those noted above. For instance, in some implementations, container 100 may include a third section (e.g., third section 106B) of the plurality of sections configured to contain and be filled 216 with a second solid material. The second solid material may be any combination of the solid materials discussed throughout with regard to second section 106, as well as different solid materials. Similar to second section 106A, third section 106B may also be configured to be coupled to the same or different heating element 104 (e.g., such as a standard lithium battery powered e-cigarette heating element/coil/atomizer, etc.).

[0026] In some implementations, container 100 may include one or more channels (e.g., channels 108) connecting first section 102 and second section 106A, and/or third section 106B and first section 102, wherein vapor of the liquid in first section 102 and/or third section 106B, when vaporized by heating device 104, flows through channels 108 to pass through the solid material in second section 106A and/or second solid material in section 106B for inhalation. For example, in some implementations, first section 102 and/or third section 106B may be connected to heating element 104. In some implementations, there may be a wick (e.g., wick 107) extended from section 102, and the coils of heating device 104 may be wrapped around wick 107, allowing the heating device to heat the liquid and form a vapor. Once activated, heating element 104 may heat the liquid in first section 102 up to, e.g., 250°C. The liquid may be vaporized and the vapor may pass through channels 108 and then into second section 106A and/or 106B (e.g., via the porous structure of section 106A and/or 106B) to thereby pass through the solid materials (e.g., de-nicotinized tobacco) in second section 106A and/or second solid material in third section 106B. The hot vapor may bring out natural flavornoids, acids, sugars, esters, and other volatile substances from the de-nicotinized tobacco (or other solid material). The combination vapor may deliver the aroma from natural tobacco and may be similar to a natural throat hit, which may provide a perception of smoking to the users while subsequently reducing cravings of nicotine. As such, in some implementations, container 100 may still vaporize the liquid part (normally), however, the hot vapor generated may be used to bring out volatile substances from the de- nicotinized tobacco material in the solid material section (second section 106A). In some implementation when porous material (ceramic or silicon or polymer) is used for the section 106 A, channel 108 connects both the section 102 and the section 106 A so that liquid can flow to the solid material coated porous material. The heating coil has been built in the porous material during material fabrication, and porous material may be heated to vaporize the liquid absorbed on it. The vapor may bring out volatile substances from the sold material section.

[0027] It will be appreciated that while a de-nicotinized tobacco is described as the solid material and/or second solid material, the solid material and/or second solid material need not be de-nicotinized, nor does the solid material have to be tobacco. It will be appreciated that any herbal material, or dried fruit, etc. that is safe for vaping may be used. Additionally, in some implementations, section 102 may use a nicotine containing liquid, such that a new type of e-cigarette may contain low level nicotine but still deliver sufficient head rush and natural tobacco aroma and strong throat hit. In some implementations, section 106A and/or 106B may contain two different solid materials. For example, in some implementations, 106 A may include de-nicotinized tobacco, and 106B may include aromatic herbal material to provide a mixed flavor of products. While this may or may not be a true nicotine addiction cessation, this may still be a unique tobacco product providing smokers a choice. [0028] It will be appreciated that while container 100 may be used as described above, in some implementations, container 100 may also be, e.g., used to fill in a disposable e- cigarette, filled in a pod that may be sealed and installed by a vapor onto a multi-use e- cigarette, manually filled into any open-system, e.g., a MOD or a tank vaporizer by the user, etc. As such, the use of a closed system container for an e-cigarette should be taken as an example only and not to otherwise limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0029] It will be appreciated that while container 100 is shown with all of the sections parallel to each other (i.e., side by side), various other configurations are possible. For example, first section 102 and third section 106B may be in plane with second section 106A (i.e., all three sections in a line). As such, the specific configuration of container 100 in Fig. 1 should be taken as an example only and not to otherwise limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] It will be appreciated that any of the steps in the flowchart or description may be done out of order or concurrently. For example, the solid material may first be packed, then inserted in the center of the container 100 at section 106, and then the liquid in the first section may be filled with the liquid, and container 100 may then be sealed. As such, the order noted in the flowchart and description should be taken as example only and not to otherwise limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0031] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the language “at least one of A, B, and C” (and the like) should be interpreted as covering only A, only B, only C, or any combination of the three, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps (including those noted in flowcharts and not necessarily in a particular order), operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps (including those noted in flowcharts and not necessarily in a particular order), operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0032] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents (e.g., of all means or step plus function elements) that may be in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications, variations, substitutions, and any combinations thereof will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The implementation(s) were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various implementation(s) with various modifications and/or any combinations of implementation(s) as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0033] Having thus described the disclosure of the present application in detail and by reference to implementation(s) thereof, it will be apparent that modifications, variations, and any combinations of implementation(s) (including any modifications, variations, substitutions, and combinations thereof) are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure defined in the appended claims.