DEVICE FOR VAPORIZING LIQUID
A device comprises a housing, a vaporization zone, a power source assembly, and a first connecting member. The housing comprises a first air flow path enabling flow of air from entry of the air into the housing to exit of the air from the housing. The vaporization zone provided in the housing to vaporise the liquid is disposed in the first air flow path. A power source assembly operably coupled to the housing comprises a second air flow path enabling the flow of air from entry of the air into the housing to exit of the air from the housing. The first connecting member establishes a fluidic communication between the first air flow path and the second air flow path and comprises a flexible member. The flexible member is deformable and reform-able, to compensate for gap between the housing and the power source assembly when coupled.
The subject described herein, in general, relates to an electronic cigarette. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to configuration for achieving desired and consistent air flow volume and pressure drop across the electronic cigarette; while ensuring necessary flow and pressure conditions at the different sub-sections of the electronic cigarette.
BACKGROUND ARTElectronic cigarettes (e-cigarette) are electronic devices that stimulate the feeling of smoke and have widely been used to replace the conventional tobacco cigarettes. E-cigarette includes a battery-powered atomizing device to atomize e-liquid containing nicotine or other active ingredients when activated by a user. In most e-cigarettes, the power source and the liquid carrying housing are separate contraptions. While the power source may be a rechargeable device, the liquid carrying housing could be a frequently replaced or refilled part. Atomizers of some e-cigarettes are manually activated by user operated switch. In other cases, when the user simulates a smoking action by inhaling the e-cigarette, one or more sensors automatically detect puffing and activate an atomizer. The atomizer comprises a wick configured to absorb e-liquid stored in a liquid storing chamber. The e-liquid absorbed by the wick is then fed to a connected heating element for the conversion of the e-liquid to vapor or aerosol form, upon activation of the heating element. When a puff is initiated, the user applies suction pressure, which draws ambient air into the e-cigarette. This air is mixed with the vapour and this mixture is inhaled by the user. The space wherein the conversion of liquid into vapour and the mixing of air and vapour takes place, is frequently termed as the vaporization zone. However, certain disadvantages are associated with the conventional e-cigarettes such as undesirable and inconsistent draw effort by user, undesirable and inconsistent air-intake volume and constraints related to regulation of air flow and pressure conditions at the different subsections of the e-cigarette.
In conventional rechargeable e-cigarettes, an inlet for entry of air exists (by design or default) between a (liquid carrying) housing and a power source assembly when coupled. A gap may be formed on coupling the housing and the power source assembly, through which the air enters into the housing during puffing. However, there may be a scenario that the gap formed may not be consistent resulting in more or less air entry into the housing and also resulting in higher or lower draw effort of the user. Even if we consider consistent vapour production, an inconsistent air-intake volume would lead to differing air-vapour mixing ratio, thereby changing the smoking perception. If the air intake is too much, the inhaled mixture gets extra-diluted and non-satisfying. On the other hand, if the air is too less, the inhaled mixture could be much hotter than desired and even burnt taste may be observed. This may be due to lack of air, which plays a vital role in the cooling of the heating element, within the vaporisation zone. Further, if the draw effort is too high, a user may feel tired during vaping and if the draw effort is too less, a user may feel empty air sucking.
Further, different sub-sections of the e-cigarette have different requirements of air flow and pressure conditions. For example, at the vaporisation zone, the existence of negative static pressure (relative to atmosphere) plays a very vital role in the operation of e-cigarette. The absorption of liquid by the wick from the chamber is based on the quantum of this negative pressure at the vaporisation zone. High negative pressure at the vaporisation zone enables the wick to speedily draw more liquid from the chamber, while negating the pressure variation inside the liquid storage chamber. When a puff is initiated, the suction pressure applied by the user is also transmitted to the vaporization zone, which helps in maintaining a somewhat consistent liquid supply to the wick, Functioning of an air-flow sensor could be another example. An air-flow sensor usually has a minimum threshold requirement of negative pressure for activation. Note that the air flow sensor is usually located at the power source assembly and hence, experiences the suction pressure only after it has been reduced (in magnitude) at the vaporization zone and at the gap between the housing and the power source assembly. If this pressure drop is high at the vaporization zone or the gap between the housing and the power source assembly is large, the resultant negative pressure at the air-flow sensor may not even reach the threshold value; thereby causing failure in activation of the sensor and consequently the heater. Countering manufacturing and coupling tolerances, while balancing the three inter-related aspects of ensuring high pressure drop at vaporization zone, achieving sufficient air-intake volume and realizing threshold negative pressure at the air-flow sensor, leads to design constraints in conventional e-cigarettes, in such a scenario, it is difficult to achieve optimal puffing draw-effort and optimal vapour-air ratio.
While the vaporization zone and the air-flow sensor have negative static pressure requirements, some applications may require few components of the housing to be exposed to normal atmospheric pressure even during puffing cycle. One such application could be for pressure equalization at the liquid storage chamber. Conventional e-cigarettes have limitation that the section of the housing in proximity to the power source assembly is exposed to suction pressure during puffing.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical ProblemIn light of the foregoing, there is a need of an improved device, that regulates the air flow and pressure condition for the complete e-cigarette as well as for the individual components; while achieving optimal draw effort and air-vapour ratio for the user.
Solution to Problem Technical SolutionIn an embodiment, a device for vaporising liquid is disclosed. The device comprises a housing, a vaporization zone, a power source assembly and a first connecting member. The housing comprises a first air flow path enabling flow of air from entry of the air into the housing to exit of the air from the housing. A vaporization zone is provided in the housing to vaporise the liquid, wherein the vaporization zone is disposed in the first air flow path. A power source assembly is operably coupled to the housing and comprises a second air flow path. The second air flow path enables flow of air from entry of the air into the power source assembly to exit of the air from the power source assembly, for the air to eventually enter the first air flow path. A first connecting member is configured to establish a fluidic communication between the first air flow path and the second air flow path wherein, the first connecting member comprising a flexible member. The flexible member is deformable and reform-able, to compensate for gap between the housing and the power source assembly when coupled. The device further modularly comprises of a throttle member and a flow controller to achieve appropriate flow and pressure condition within the over device and individual components.
Advantageous Effects of InventionEmbodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description. The drawings show illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments are described in enough details to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter, However, it may be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be utilized, or structural and logical changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as a limiting sense.
In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a non-exclusive “or”, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B”, “B but not A”, and “A and B”, unless otherwise indicated.
It should be understood, that the capabilities of the invention described in the present disclosure and elements shown in the figures may be implemented in various forms of hardware, firmware, software, recordable medium or combinations thereof.
OverviewA device for vaporising liquid is disclosed. The device comprises a housing, a vaporization zone, a power source assembly, and a first connecting member. The vaporization zone is provided in the housing to vaporise the liquid, wherein the vaporization zone is disposed in a first air flow path. The power source assembly is operably coupled to the housing and comprises a second air flow path. The first connecting member is configured to establish a fluidic communication between the first air flow path and the second air flow path wherein, the first connecting member comprising a flexible member. Further, the first connecting member compensates for the gap that may be formed on coupling the housing and the power source assembly and hence, prevents any gain or loss of the air during the fluidic communication between the first air flow path and the second air flow path. The power source assembly comprises an airflow sensor, wherein the airflow sensor detects the attributes related to inflow of air into the device and sends a signal to the printed circuit board, which in turn may enable supply of power to the heating element. The device further comprises of a throttle member and a flow controller to modularly control pressure and flow condition in the overall device and its individual components.
Construction of the DeviceWe begin by referring to
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vaporization zone 306 and a base 308 and a throttle 310. The housing 200 defines a chamber 312, which may be configured to store the liquid. Further, the liquid stored in the chamber 312 may be any liquid that serves the purpose of the present invention. The liquid stored in the chamber 312 is vaporized in the vaporisation zone 306 for inhalation. An air flow path, which may be referred to as the first air flow path may be defined in the housing 200. The first air flow path enables the air to flow from the inlet, such as the first inlet 204 and a second inlet 206, to the suction orifice 322. The vaporisation zone 306 may be disposed in the first airflow path. The wick 302 is configured to draw liquid from the chamber 312 by capillary action. The liquid absorbed by the wick 302 is heated by the heating element 304. The heating element 304 may be a coil, a wire or any heating means that serves the purpose of the disclosed subject matter. The liquid on being heated by the heating element 304 is vaporised, which is inhaled by the user. The axis of the wick 302 and the heating element 304 is disposed perpendicularly to a central axis or longitudinal axis 320 of the housing 200. However, it may be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be practised even if the axis of the wick 302 and heating element 304 is disposed in-line with the longitudinal axis 320. Further, the housing main body 230 comprise of a cavity 1204, relevance of which is discussed later.
Further referring to
The suction orifice 322 proximally aligns with the opening 110 of the cap (shown in
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In an embodiment, referring again to
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During a puff, the negative static pressure in the vaporisation zone 306 is achieved by reducing the dimension of the first air flow path at the throttle member 310 relative to the dimension of the first air flow path at the wick 302. The number, size and spatial distribution of the apertures 402 and slit 406 in the throttle member 310 can be varied to regulate the draw effort and air volume intake inside the device 100 to better suit user requirements. Since the throttle member 310 is a modular component, end of line customization can be easily achieved to cater to differentiation needs (relating to puffing patterns of consumers) of the diverse markets.
Power Source Assembly 500 and Holder 104Having discussed the housing 200 in detail, we now discuss the power source assembly 500 in detail. Notably, the housing 200 and the power source assembly 500 may be configured to be operably engaged by a user. In some use cases, the housing 200 may be replaced once the liquid is sufficiently depleted, whereas the power source assembly 500 is recharged and reused. Therefore, the two are configured to be readily dis-engagable and re-engagable by the user.
Referring to
In an embodiment, a second air flow path may be defined in the power source assembly 500. The second air flow path may be defined as the air flow path defined to allow the air entering the power source assembly 500 to exit the power source assembly 500, wherein after exit, the air enters the first air flow path defined in the housing 200. Referring to
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In an embodiment, the air flow sensor 514 may have a sensing portion at one side and a neutral portion on the other side. The sensing portion of the air flow sensor 514 is away from a surface of the PCB 516, while the neutral portion of the air flow sensor 514 is towards the surface of the PCB 516 and is exposed to the atmospheric pressure. The air flow sensor 514 detects the pressure difference between the sensing portion and the neutral portion.
Referring to
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In an embodiment, the power source assembly 500 and the housing 200 are coupled via a first connecting member (600a, 700a), and a second connecting member (600b, 700b). Hence, the connecting members may establish fluidic communication between the first air flow path defined by the housing 200 and the second air flow path defined by the power source assembly 500. The first and the second connecting members (600a, 600b, 700a, 700b) comprises a flexible member. The flexible member may be deformable and reform-able to compensate for a gap that may be formed between the housing 200 and the power source assembly 500 when coupled. The various embodiments of the first connecting member are discussed below.
Referring to
In an embodiment, the device 100 comprises a second connecting member 600b (not shown in FIG). The construction of the second connecting member 600b is similar to the first connecting 600a and hence not repeated.
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In an embodiment, the device 100 further comprises a second connecting member 700b (refer
In the foregoing description, the housing 200, the powers source assembly 500 and the connecting members 600a, 600b, 700a and 700b were discussed in detail individually. We now move on to discuss the overall operation of the device 100 and the fluidic communication between the first air flow path of the housing 200 and the second air flow path of the power source assembly 500. The discussion henceforth would be based on the connecting members 700a and 700b but would be equally applicable for the alternate embodiment of connecting members 600a and 600b.
Referring to
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On coupling the housing 200 and the power source assembly 500, the projected portion 702a of the first connecting member 700a extends beyond the first rim 705a of the funnel shaped member 704a, wherein at least a part of the projected portion 702a is received into the first air flow path. This is not a necessary condition for fluidic connection but could he preferable from other considerations. The funnel shaped member 704a is usually soft and prone to mechanical damages and the projected portion 702a may serve as a protection for the funnel shaped member 704a during operating conditions. Further, the first rim 705a presses against the housing 200 and surrounds the first inlet 204 of the first air flow path (as discussed earlier as well in reference to
During puffing, a suction force is applied by the user from the opening 110, which is sequentially transmitted to the suction orifice 322, then to first air flow path, then to the connecting members 700a and 700b, then to the second air path, then to the air vent inlets 506 and 508, and lastly to the holder inlets 111 and 112. During this fluidic communication, the connecting members 700a and 700b compensates for the coupling gaps that may be formed between the housing 200 and the power source assembly 200 and hence, prevents any gain or loss of the air. The air flow sensor 514 in the power source assembly 500 senses negative pressure at the sensing portion and hence sends signal to the PCB 516 to send power to the heating member 304. In the complete fluid circuit, the throttle member 310 and the flow controllers 555 and 556 regulates the overall pressure drop and air flow into the device. Further, the throttle member 310 regulates the negative pressure and air flow distribution at the vaporization zone 306; while the flow controllers 555 and 556 regulates the negative pressure at the air flow sensor 514. The modularity of the design with individual members as the throttle member 310 and the flow controllers 555 and 556, provides necessary degrees of freedom for end of line customization of product for differentiation needs of the market.
Referring
Furthermore, the symmetrical arrangement of the first stream path 314a and the second stream path 314b within the base, allows the main stream path 318 to be centrally aligned to the central axis 320.
Though we have presented two streams each at the power source assembly 500 and the housing 200, it may be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art that the invention presented above needs at least one stream each at the power source assembly 500 and the housing 200. In such a case, only one connecting member would be required. However, in such a case, the ability of the housing 200 and power source assembly 500 to couple in a “two-way coupling” arrangement could be achieved only if the air outlet from power source assembly 500, the corresponding air inlet into the housing 200 and the corresponding connecting member are centrally aligned to the central axis 320.
Referring
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The second air flow path establishes fluidic communication with the first air flow path via the connecting member (such as the first connecting member 700a). During puffing, a suction force is applied by the user from the opening 110, which is sequentially transmitted to the suction orifice 322, then to the main stream path 318, then to the third air flow channel 906, then to the first connecting member 700a, then to the fourth air flow channel 908, then to the second air vent inlet 508 and lastly to the first holder inlet 112. Subsequently, air flows in a reverse manner i.e. entering the device 100 through the first holder inlet 112 and exiting the device 100 from the opening 110. The throttle member 310 and second flow controller 556 comes in the path of above-mentioned suction/air flow route. The sensor air flow channel 518 is in fluidic communication with the third air flow channel 906 and hence the air flow sensor 514 gets activated when a puff is taken.
Furthermore, the first air flow channel 902 is isolated from the first air flow path, and the second air flow channel 904 is isolated from the second air flow path. The air entering the power source assembly 500 from the first air vent inlet 506 flows towards the first air flow channel 902 from the second air flow channel 904. In addition, the pressure condition at the first air flow channel 902 can be completely isolated from the puffing action of the user i.e. the first air flow channel 902 can experience atmospheric air pressure (rather than suction pressure) even during puffing. The availability of air at atmospheric pressure at the first air flow channel 902 at all times (including during puffing) may have several applications.
Referring
Furthermore, the third air flow channel 906 within the base 308 is spatially off-set from the central axis 320, which leads to one sided entry of air into the vaporization zone 306. An ordinary person skilled in art would appreciate that, ideally, the air flow condition of all sections of the wick 302 and heating element 304 inside the vaporization zone 306 should be similar Hence, in order to compensate for the sideways entry of air inside the vaporization zone 306, the exit of vapour-air mixture outside the vaporization zone 306 has been taken from the main stream path 318 which is off-centred in an opposite manner.
One-Way Coupling ArrangementAfter discussing the possibility of “two-way coupling” arrangement for embodiments as shown in FIG, 8 and the need of “one-way coupling” arrangement for alternate embodiments as shown in
Referring to
Though user-friendly manner of achieving “one-way coupling” arrangement is shown in
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In
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Further, the base sub-assembly (
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The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of undesirable and inconsistent draw effort and air-intake volume of the conventional systems by eliminating the inconsistent gap between the housing 200 and the power source assembly 500 through use of one or more flexible connecting members (700a, 700b, 600a, 600b). Unlike conventional systems, the present invention provides a well-defined air flow and suction path, along with modular components (throttle member 310 and flow controllers 555, 556) to regulate air flow and pressure conditions of the overall device and the relevant sub-sections (vaporization zone and air-flow sensor). The modular design provides substantial opportunities for economical customization of the device 100 at the end of manufacturing operation. Further, an alternate embodiment (
It shall be noted that the processes described above are described as sequence of steps; this was done solely for the sake of illustration. Accordingly, it is contemplated that some steps may be added, some steps may be omitted, the order of the steps may he re-arranged, or some steps may he performed simultaneously.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing front the broader spirit and scope of the system and method described herein. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description. It is to he understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. It is to be understood that the description above contains many specifications; these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the personally preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.
Claims
1. A device for vaporising liquid, the device comprising:
- a housing comprising a first air flow path enabling flow of air from entry of the air into the housing to exit of the air from the housing;
- a vaporization zone provided in the housing wherein the liquid is vaporized, the vaporization zone disposed in the first air flow path;
- a power source assembly operably coupled to the housing, the power source assembly comprising a second air flow path enabling entry of the air into the power source assembly to exit of the air from the power source assembly, for the air to eventually enter the first air flow path; and
- a first connecting member establishing fluidic communication between the first air flow path and the second air flow path, the first connecting member comprising a flexible member, which is deformable and reform-able, to compensate for gap between the housing and the power source assembly when coupled.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible member is a spring, the first connecting member further comprising:
- a casing member defining a through hole; and
- a head comprising a conical portion; wherein,
- at least a portion of the head is received by the casing member;
- the head rests on the spring, wherein the position of the head relative to the casing member varies based on extent to which the shape of the spring has changed; and
- at least a portion of the conical portion of the head is received into the first air flow path.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible member is a funnel shaped member defining a first rim of larger diameter and a second rim of the smaller diameter, wherein the first rim presses against the housing and surrounds the air inlet of the first air flow path.
4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connecting member comprises a projected portion, wherein the projected portion extends beyond the first rim of the funnel shaped member, wherein at least a part of the projected portion is received into the first air flow path.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power source assembly comprises:
- an air flow sensor; and
- a first sensor air flow channel in fluidic communication with the second air flow path; wherein,
- suction of air via the first air flow path causes air to be drawn from the second air flow path and the first sensor air flow channel; and
- suction of air from the first sensor air flow channel causes the air flow sensor to detect pressure drop.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
- a wick provided in the vaporization zone;
- a throttle member defining one or more apertures, the throttle member provided below the wick along the first air flow path, wherein the throttle member reduces the dimension of the first air flow path relative to the dimension of the air flow path at the wick to increase the negative static pressure relative to atmosphere at the vaporization zone.
7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the housing comprises:
- a chamber for holding the liquid;
- a base defining at least a portion of the first air flow path, wherein the base is positioned in between the chamber and the power source assembly, when coupled, wherein the throttle member is assembled to the base.
8. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
- a second air vent inlet for entry of air into the power source assembly;
- a second flow controller located proximally to the second air vent inlet and defining plurality of apertures, wherein the second flow controller throttles the entry of air into the second air flow path.
9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein,
- the first connecting member is mounted on the power source assembly.
10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein,
- the power source assembly comprises a pair of pogo pin connectors;
- the housing comprises a heating element; and
- supply of power to the heating element is via the pogo pin connectors.
11. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
- a chamber for holding the liquid; and
- a base defining at least a portion of the first air flow path, wherein the base is positioned in between the chamber and the power source assembly, when coupled;
- wherein,
- the first air flow path comprises a first stream path and a second stream path;
- the first stream path and the second stream path are defined in the base;
- air flowing via the first stream path and the second stream path conflux within the base;
- the second air flow path comprises a third stream path and a fourth stream path;
- air passing via the third stream path enters the first stream path; and air passing via the fourth stream path enters the second stream path.
12. The device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a second connecting member, wherein,
- the first connecting member establishing fluidic communication between first stream path of the first air flow path and the third stream path of the second air flow path; and
- the second connecting member establishing fluidic communication between second stream path of the first air flow path and the fourth stream path of the second air flow path.
13. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein,
- the first stream path and the third stream path are symmetrical to the second stream path and the fourth stream path about a central axis;
- coupling the housing and the power source assembly by rotating one of the housing and the power source assembly by 180 degrees about the central axis results in establishing fluidic communication between the first stream path and the fourth stream path, and the second stream path and the third stream path.
14. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein,
- the housing comprises a chamber for holding the liquid;
- the first air flow path comprises a main stream flow path defined within the chamber between the vaporization zone and a suction orifice;
- the main stream flow path is offset about a central axis of the device.
15. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
- a chamber for holding the liquid;
- a base defining at least a portion of the first air flow path, wherein the base is positioned in between the chamber and the power source assembly, when coupled, wherein the base comprises a first air flow channel; and
- a second air flow channel defined in the power source assembly; wherein,
- the first air flow channel is isolated from the first air flow path;
- the second air flow channel is isolated from the second air flow path; and
- air passing from the second air flow channel enters the first air flow channel.
16. The device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a second connecting member, wherein,
- the first connecting member establishing fluidic communication between the third air flow channel of the first air flow path and the fourth air flow channel of the second air flow path; and
- the second connecting member establishing fluidic communication between first air flow channel and the second air flow channel.
17. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing and the power source assembly are configured to be assembled with the housing and the power source assembly being oriented in only a one-way coupling direction.
18. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
- a cap;
- a holder receiving the power source assembly completely and the housing partly;
- wherein either the housing or the cap or both comprise a first coupling provision and the holder comprises a second coupling provision, wherein the first coupling provision is configured to be coupled with the second coupling provision only when the housing and the power source assembly are oriented in the one-way coupling direction.
19. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein,
- the cap defines a first tapered edge;
- the first tapered edge is the first coupling provision;
- the holder defines a second tapered edge;
- the second tapered edge is the second coupling provision; and
- the first tapered edge aligns with the second tapered edge when the holder and the cap are oriented in the one-way coupling direction.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 30, 2019
Publication Date: Jun 9, 2022
Applicant: SHENZHEN NEXT VAPE TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED (Shenzhen)
Inventors: Bill MO (Shenzhen), Hitesh DUBEY (Shenzhen)
Application Number: 17/605,228