Vaping Pod with Pressure Regulator Protection

Abstract

To avoid e-liquid being expelled from a pod due to air pressure differentials between the interior and exterior of a pod, a pressure regulator such as a valve can be introduced into the pod. To prevent e-liquid moving adjacent to the pressure regulator and being expelled during pressure regulation, a barrier impermeable to the e-liquid is introduced into the pod to prevent movement of the e-liquid. This barrier may be air permeable and e-liquid impermeable, and may in some embodiments take the form of a mesh with apertures small enough that the surface tension of the e-liquid does not permit movement of the e-liquid through the mesh under normal circumstances.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is the first application for the instant invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to a pod for use in a vaping system, and more particularly to a pod having a vent between the interior of its reservoir along with a mechanism to hold air near the vent for use in conjunction with an electronic cigarette or vaporizer.

BACKGROUND

Electronic cigarettes and vaporizers are well regarded tools in smoking cessation. In some instances, these devices are also referred to as an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS). A nicotine based liquid solution, commonly referred to as e-liquid, often paired with a flavoring, is atomized in the ENDS for inhalation by a user. In some embodiments, e-liquid is stored in a cartridge or pod, which is a removable assembly having a reservoir from which the e-liquid is drawn towards a heating element by capillary action through a wick. In many such ENDS, the pod is removable, disposable, and is sold pre-filled.

In some ENDS, a refillable tank is provided, and a user can purchase a vaporizable solution with which to fill the tank. This refillable tank is often not removable, and is not intended for replacement. A fillable tank allows the user to control the fill level as desired. Disposable pods are typically designed to carry a fixed amount of vaporizable liquid, and are intended for disposal after consumption of the e-liquid. The ENDS cartridges, unlike the aforementioned tanks, are not typically designed to be refilled. Each cartridge stores a predefined quantity of e-liquid, often in the range of 0.5 to 3 ml. In ENDS systems, the e-liquid is typically composed of a combination of any of vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, nicotine and flavorings. In systems designed for the delivery of other compounds, different compositions may be used. In some systems, the e-liquid may be a carrier for cannabinoids such as one or both of cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These cannabinoid based e-liquids may also contain terpenes, and use carriers based on vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol, while in some embodiments, the e-liquids may not have flavorings and may be based on different carriers than vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol.

In the manufacturing of the disposable cartridge, different techniques are used for different cartridge designs. Typically, the cartridge has a wick that allows e-liquid to be drawn from the e-liquid reservoir to an atomization chamber. In the atomization chamber, a heating element in communication with the wick is heated to encourage aerosolization of the e-liquid. The aerosolized e-liquid can be drawn through a defined air flow passage towards a user's mouth.

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C provide front, side and bottom views of an exemplary pod 50. Pod 50 is composed of a reservoir 52 having an air flow passage 54, and an end cap assembly 56 that is used to seal an open end of the reservoir 52. End cap assembly has wick feed lines 58 which allow e-liquid stored in reservoir 52 to be provided to a wick (not shown in FIG. 1). To ensure that e-liquid stored in reservoir 52 stays in the reservoir and does not seep or leak out, and to ensure that end cap assembly 56 remains in place after assembly, seals 60 can be used to ensure a more secure seating of the end cap assembly 56 in the reservoir 52. In the illustrated embodiment, seals 60 may be implemented through the use of o-rings.

As noted above, pod 50 includes a wick that is heated to atomize the e-liquid. To provide power to the wick heater, electrical contacts 62 are placed at the bottom of the pod 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical contacts 62 are illustrated as circular. The particular shape of the electrical contacts 62 should be understood to not necessarily germane to the function of the pod 50.

Because an ENDS device is intended to allow a user to draw or inhale as part of the nicotine delivery path, an air inlet 64 is provided on the bottom of pod 50. Air inlet 64 allows air to flow into a pre-wick air path through end cap assembly 56. The air flow path extends through an atomization chamber and then through post wick air flow passage 54.

A mouthpiece 68 (shown in cross section atop pod 50) is seated on the top of pod 50, with an absorbent pad 66 placed between the two. The absorbent pad is often formed from a material such as cotton, and is used to absorb condensation and large droplets of e-liquid. The mouthpiece may have openings that are positioned to require an e-liquid laden airflow to curve. As larger e-liquid droplets are heavier than smaller e-liquid droplets, the placement of openings in the mouthpiece 68 allows for some control over the size of the droplets delivered on the e-liquid laden airflow. Larger droplets are more likely to continue in straight airflow paths as a result of their increased momentum, allowing the placement of the openings to provide a rudimentary filter.

Additionally shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is an e-liquid 70 within pod 50, and an air pocket 72 corresponding to the space within reservoir 52 that is not filled with the e-liquid 70.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section taken along line A in FIG. 1B. This cross section of the device is shown with a complete (non-sectioned) wick 76 and heater 78. End cap assembly 56 resiliently mounts to an end of air flow passage 54 in a manner that allows air inlet 64 to form a complete air path through pod 50. This connection allows airflow from air inlet 64 to connect to the post air flow path through passage 54 through atomization chamber 74. Within atomization chamber 74 is both wick 76 and heater 78. When power is applied to contacts 62, the temperature of the heater 78 increases and allows for the volatilization of e-liquid that is drawn across wick 76.

Typically the heater 78 reaches temperatures well in excess of the vaporization temperature of the e-liquid. This allows for the rapid creation of a vapor bubble next to the heater 78. As power continues to be applied the vapor bubble increases in size, and reduces the thickness of the bubble wall. At the point at which the vapor pressure exceeds the surface tension the bubble will burst and release a mix of the vapor and the e-liquid that formed the wall of the bubble. The e-liquid is released in the form of aerosolized particles and droplets of varying sizes. These particles are drawn into the air flow and into post wick air flow passage 54 and towards the user. The e-liquid 70 and the air bubble 72 are also clearly illustrated in this figure.

It has been an observed issue that when a pod 50 with an air pocket 72 is packaged and shipped, the air pocket 72 can be associated with a number of undesired results. It should be understood that when the pod 50 is filled, and the air pocket 72 is trapped, it is trapped at the environmental conditions of the filling plant. If the pod 50 is transported through high altitudes, such as in the cargo hold of an airplane, the air pressure outside the pod is lower than the air pressure of the air pocket 72. This can result in the air pocket 72 swelling in size to equalize with the exterior air pressure. An equalization of the air pressure will typically entail an increase in the volume of the air pocket 72. The increase in the volume of the air pocket 72 will increase the pressure exerted by air pocket 72 on e-liquid 70. E-liquid 70 would then be punished into the fill lines 58. The e-liquid may be pushed into the wick 76 to the point that the wick 76 cannot carry the e-liquid, resulting in e-liquid 70 entering one or more of the atomization chamber and the pre-wick airflow chamber 64. This may result in e-liquid leaking from the pod 50. It should also be noted that there are a plurality of other leakage vectors including the expansion of air pocket 72 pushing e-liquid past the seals 60, or e-liquid pushed into the atomization chamber 74 leaking through the connections to the electrical contacts 62. The leakage of pod 50 can also occur after the pod is removed from the packaging and inserted into a device. If the pod is left in a sufficiently warm environment, the e-liquid may become less viscous and the air bubble 72 may expand. This combination of factors may drive the e-liquid 70 to leak in any of the number of ways discussed above.

There have been many attempts to address e-liquid leakage from pods, including modifications to pod designs, such as the pod 50 illustrated in FIG. 3. Pod 50 is largely similar to the structure of the pod illustrated in FIG. 2, with the addition of a valve 80 placed near the top of the pod 50. When the air pressure within air bubble 72 exceeds the air pressure outside the pod 50, either through heating of the air bubble 72 or reduction in the air pressure outside the pod 50, prior art pods experience leakage as a result of the equalization of pressure. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, pod 50 adds a valve 80 that allows venting of air within air pocket 72, when the pressure within the air pocket 72 exceeds the air pressure outside pod 50 by the cracking pressure of the valve 80. When the valve 80 opens, air pressure can be equalized and then the valve 80 can close.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of pod 50. While maintaining many of the structural elements of the previously described pods, FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of pod 50, shown in an inverted orientation with respect to the previous figures. The illustrated embodiment of pod 50 avoids the use of O-ring style seals, and instead makes use of a resilient cap 82 that sits atop end cap 56. Resilient cap 82 may be made of a deformable material such as silicone. Additionally, an airflow feature 84 is introduced that can be situated either in the post wick air flow passage 54 or it may be situated in the resilient cap 82. In some embodiments, the airflow feature 84 may be a blunt shaped object, such as a rod perpendicular to the airflow path. This optional airflow feature 84 can induce turbulence in the airflow which may result in vortices forming in the post wick airflow path 54 that encourage droplets over a threshold size to be directed into the walls of the post wick airflow path 54. At the mouthpiece-end of the pod 50, is a valve 80 designed to allow venting of excess pressure within the pod 50. As noted above, pod 50 shown in FIG. 4 is inverted in comparison to the pods shown in previous figures. As a result, e-liquid 70 fills what would otherwise be the top of the reservoir 52, leaving air pocket 72 near the end cap 56. When air pressure inside air pocket 72 exceeds the outside air pressure, it may be able to exit through end cap 56, but it may also push against e-liquid 70, creating sufficient pressure to force valve 80 to open, and allowing e-liquid to be expelled. Thus, while addressing some of the issues associated with the presence of air pockets, valves within the pod to allow for expelling air have not become terribly common, while the problem of pod leakage during shipping continues.

It would therefore be beneficial to have a mechanism to further mitigate pod leakage due to pressure differentials.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the aspects of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problems of the above-discussed prior art.

In a variety of aspects of the present invention, and in embodiments thereof, problems associated with the prior art are mitigated or obviated. By preventing the movement of at least a portion of an air bubble within a reservoir, aspects and embodiments disclosed herein allow for pressure regulation to be carried out within the pod with a reduced possibility of expelling e-liquid from the reservoir.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pod for storing an atomizable e-liquid for use in a vaping system. The pod comprises a reservoir, a pressure regulator and a membrane. The pod can store an atomizable e-liquid for use in a vaping system. Within the pod, the reservoir stores the e-liquid. Within the reservoir is a pressure regulator, typically placed within a wall of the reservoir, that allows for pressure equalization between an internal pressure (a pressure inside the reservoir) and an external pressure (a pressure outside the reservoir). The membrane is impermeable to the e-liquid in at least one direction under normal conditions. The membrane is positioned within the reservoir to allow for separation of the e-liquid from an air pocket within the reservoir. The impermeability of the membrane allows for the air pocket within the reservoir to be kept in fluid communication with the pressure regulator.

In an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the e-liquid comprises at least one of vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, nicotine and a flavoring. In another embodiment, the e-liquid comprises a cannabinoid. In a further embodiment, the pressure regulator allows an air pressure within the reservoir to be regulated down to an air pressure outside the reservoir. In another embodiment, the pressure regulator is a vent. In a further embodiment, the pressure regulator is a valve that allows air to flow from inside the reservoir to outside the reservoir.

In an embodiment, the membrane is permeable to air. In a further embodiment, the membrane is positioned within the reservoir at a level at or above the level of the e-liquid stored within the pod. In another embodiment, the membrane is permeable to the e-liquid in one direction, and impermeable to the e-liquid in the other direction, and optionally the membrane is impermeable to the e-liquid in the direction of the pressure regulator. In another embodiment, the membrane is formed of filaments spaced apart no greater than a threshold distance. In some embodiments, the threshold distance is determined in accordance with physical properties of the e-liquid, and optionally the physical properties include at least one of a density of the e-liquid, a viscosity of the e-liquid and a surface tension of the e-liquid. Optionally, the threshold distance is determined in accordance with at least one of a maximum storage temperature and a volume of e-liquid to be stored in the reservoir.

In a second aspect, there is provided a vaping device comprising a battery, control circuitry, and components of the pod of the first aspect. The battery stores power for delivery to a heater engaged with the wick. The control circuitry controls delivery of power to the heater, optionally in accordance with a user input. The reservoir stores e-liquid for delivery to the wick. The pressure is positioned within the reservoir to allow for equalization of pressure inside the reservoir with pressure outside the reservoir. The membrane is impermeable to the e-liquid in at least one direction under normal conditions. It is positioned within the reservoir to allow for separation of the e-liquid from an air pocket within the reservoir, and for keeping the air pocket within the reservoir within fluid communication with the pressure regulator.

The limitations discussed above with respect to embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention can equally be applied to embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figure in which:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a prior art pod for use in an electronic nicotine delivery system;

FIG. 1B is a side view of the pod of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a bottom view of the pod of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the pod of FIGS. 1A and 1B along cut line A in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3 is a cross section of a prior art pod with a pressure regulator;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of an alternate prior art pod design with a pressure regulator;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of a pod having a pressure regulator and a membrane for separating e-liquid from an air bubble;

FIG. 6 illustrates the pod of FIG. 5 inverted;

FIG. 7 is a cross section of an alternate design of a pod having a pressure regulator and a membrane for separating e-liquid from an air bubble;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross section of the pod of FIG. 7 taken along cut line B in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9A illustrates an example of a membrane preventing movement of an e-liquid in one direction; and

FIG. 9B illustrates the membrane of FIG. 9A allowing movement of e-liquid across the membrane in the other direction.

In the above described figures like elements have been described with like numbers where possible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the instant description, and in the accompanying figures, reference to dimensions may be made. These dimensions are provided for the enablement of a single embodiment and should not be considered to be limiting or essential. Disclosure of numerical range should be understood to not be a reference to an absolute value unless otherwise indicated. Use of the terms about or substantively with regard to a number should be understood to be indicative of an acceptable variation of up to ±10% unless otherwise noted.

As noted earlier, the addition of valves of various types have been disclosed with respect to addressing the problems associated with pressure relief within a pod. Because the valve should permit flow of trapped air, but should not allow e-liquid to be exhausted, valved pods are often recommended for shipping in a defined orientation, so that the air pocket is adjacent to the valve. However, for a conventional pod without a valve, shipping the pod in an orientation that keeps the air pocket between e-liquid and the end cap may also find success as expansion of the air pocket is more likely to push air out of the pod instead of pushing e-liquid out. However, even if packed in a specific orientation, it should be understood that pods are likely to be moved around during transit, and there is no guarantee that a pod will end up in the orientation that is indicated as correct (e.g. a container labelled “This Side Up” may not in fact spend most of its shipping time with the indicated side facing up.)

In embodiments of the present invention, a mechanism is provided to ensure that the air pocket and valve are maintained in a configuration so that they are adjacent to each other regardless of the orientation of the pod. This is done through the introduction of a barrier within the pod that is located at or above the level at which the e-liquid should reach in a filled pod. This barrier is preferably permeable to air, but largely impermeable to the e-liquid. This mix of permeabilities with respect to the two fluids allows the fixed position of the valve to be adjacent to an air pocket at all times. This allows the venting of air from the air pocket so that pressure can be equalized between the interior and exterior of the pod.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section view of a pod 100 of an embodiment of the present invention. Pod 100 is comprised of a reservoir 102 which defines a post-wick airflow passage 104 and an end cap 106. The end cap 106 defines wick feedlines 108 that allow for e-liquid stored within reservoir 102 to flow into end cap 106. Between end cap 106 and the walls of reservoir 102 are seals 110, that in some embodiments are implemented as o-rings or other resilient seals. Electrical contacts 112 allow for an electrical connection to a vaping device that allows for power to be delivered across electrical contacts 112 and through the heater 120. Aligned with the post-wick airflow passage 104 is a pre-wick airflow passage 114 (in this illustrated embodiment, but it should be understood that this vertical alignment is not essential and is only specific to this discussed embodiment). Air can enter a filled pod through pre-wick airflow passage 114, and enter into atomization chamber 116. Within the atomization chamber is a segment of wick 118, which extends across the atomization chamber and ends in the wick feed lines 108. This allows wick 108 to be in fluid contact with the e-liquid within the reservoir. Wick 118 draws e-liquid across from the feedlines 108 towards the center of the wick 118, which is generally aligned with an airflow path through pre-wick airflow passage 114, the atomization chamber 116 and the post wick airflow passage 104. The wick 118 is also in contact with heater 120, and when power is delivered across electrical contacts 112, the heater 120 atomizes e-liquid carried across wick 116. The atomized e-liquid is entrained in an airflow and continues into post wick airflow passage 104 for delivery to the user.

As before, above e-liquid 122 is an air pocket 124, as well as a valve 126. The particular implementation of valve 126 is not necessarily germane to the following discussion so long as it allows outflow of liquids when the pressure inside the pod exceeds the pressure outside the pod by a cracking pressure associated with the valve 126. The valve 126 may be implemented in any of a number of different fashions as would be understood by those skilled in the art. Additionally, a membrane 128 is positioned inside reservoir 102 at a level at or above the level of e-liquid 122. Membrane 128 is designed to be permeable to air, but largely impermeable to the e-liquid. This means that the membrane 128 will allow air to pass through it (in either direction) and it will resist the passage of the e-liquid through the membrane in at least one direction. It should be noted that the membrane being completely impermeable to the e-liquid in either direction is not a requirement, and as such, while the positioning of the membrane 128 has been described as being at or above the level of the e-liquid within the reservoir 102 is optional. In some embodiments, membrane 128 may have pores that are small enough so that e-liquid 122 cannot pass through, but large enough to allow air from the air pocket 124 to pass through. Depending upon the viscosity and other characteristics of the e-liquid in question, this may allow membrane 128 to be implemented as a screen.

FIG. 6 illustrates the pod 100 of FIG. 5 in an inverted orientation. The e-liquid 122 within reservoir 102 falls towards the mouthpiece end of pod 100. It rests atop membrane 128 as the membrane is impermeable to the e-liquid (at least in the illustrated direction). Below membrane 128, air pocket 124 is maintained. Valve 126 is in fluid communication with air pocket 124 and not with e-liquid 122. This allows any over pressurization of the inside of reservoir 102 to be vented safely without expelling e-liquid. It should be understood that there may be a second air pocket 130 that is formed at the top of the e-liquid 124. Over pressurization of air pocket 130 can be safely accommodated by venting through the feed lines 108, the wick and either of pre-wick airflow passage 114 or post wick airflow passage 104. Thus, membrane 128 prevents e-liquid from migrating into an area adjacent to the valve 126, allowing for valve 126 to allow for regulation of the pressure within reservoir 102 without expelling e-liquids.

In some embodiments, the outward face of valve 126 can be covered by an absorbent material, such as cotton. This absorbent material may be the absorbent pad illustrated in FIG. 1. This would further protect from valve 126 expelling e-liquid in an unexpected situation.

The membrane 126 can be formed in any of a number of different fashions, as will be explained in discussions of subsequent figures. But, at this moment it is important to understand that the membrane 126 should prevent movement of the e-liquid across the membrane in the direction of the valve 126. In the disclosed embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6, the membrane 126 permits air to pass through the membrane in both directions. This allows for an air bubble that straddles both sides of the membrane to have its air pressure consistent in both sections. If the membrane can be designed so that it allows e-liquid 122 to pass through the membrane in the direction away from the valve 126, this allows e-liquid 122 to be effectively drained into the larger volume of e-liquid 122 through the use of the pod 100.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of an alternate design of the pod 100. In place of seals 110, pod 100 in FIG. 7 makes use of a resilient cap 134 that engages with end cap 106 to provide a sealing interface between the end cap 106 and reservoir 102. In some embodiments, resilient cap 134 is formed from silicone and is compressible so that it is distorted when end cap 106 is inserted into reservoir 102. This distortion of the resilient cap 134 provides a high degree of sealing to prevent egress of e-liquid from the endcap-reservoir interface. Airflow feature 132 can optionally be included in the post wick airflow passage 104 or within the resilient cap 134, as illustrated in this embodiment. In some embodiments, the airflow feature 132 may be a blunt shaped object, such as a rod perpendicular to the airflow path. This optional airflow feature 132 can induce turbulence in the airflow which may result in vortices forming in the post wick airflow path 104 that encourage droplets over a threshold size to be directed into the walls of the post wick airflow path 104. Valve 126 and membrane 128 are situated within the reservoir, at the mouthpiece end distal to the end cap 106. As with the previously described figures, the air bubble within pod 100 may be divided into two air pockets when the pod 100 is stored within this inverted position. The air pocket 124 is kept at the mouthpiece end of pod 100 due to the presence of membrane 128, while air pocket 130 can migrate through the pod 100 with changes in the orientation of pod 100. Valve 126 is maintained in fluid communication with air pocket 124 in all orientations as a result of the placement of membrane 128. Also shown in FIG. 7 is a cut line B, that defines the perspective position used to show the cross section illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a cross section view of pod 100 (shown without e-liquid) along section line B in FIG. 7. From this view, pod 100 has a reservoir 102 and post wick airflow passage 104, along with membrane 128. The membrane is mounted so that it connects with the sidewalls of reservoir 102. The illustrated embodiment of membrane 128 is a mesh made of filaments 136 with an interfilament spacing 138. Although illustrated here with just horizontal and vertical filaments 136, it should be understood that other patterns can be used as well. Furthermore, there is no requirement for the vertical and horizontal filaments to be the same diameter or have other similar characteristics. The interfilament spacing 138 has a maximum size that is determined in accordance with physical characteristics of the e-liquid being used within pod 100. The surface tension of the e-liquid defines a minimum size of aperture through which the e-liquid can pass in accordance with a number of factors including an expected temperature range and the mass of the e-liquid that will be supported on membrane 128. When these factors are taken into account, a maximum interfilament spacing can be determined that prevents the movement of the e-liquid across the membrane 128 under a set of expected conditions. Thus, in operation, if e-liquid resides on one side of the membrane, even under the weight of the entire allotment of a full pod, the e-liquid will not pass through the membrane 128, allowing the air pocket to remain adjacent to the valve.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an embodiment of membrane 128. Instead of embodiments in which the membrane is symmetrical on either side, this embodiment of membrane 128 is directional. As shown in FIG. 9A, filaments of the membrane are formed so that they have two different faces. In the illustrated embodiment, membrane 128 has triangular filaments that allow air 125 or other gasses to pass through membrane 128 in both directions. As shown in FIG. 9A, a mass of e-liquid 122 can pass through the membrane 128 in one orientation. The e-liquid 122 is able to come through the membrane 128 as droplets, which can reduce the amount of the e-liquid above the membrane 128.

In FIG. 9B, the membrane has been inverted, and due to the asymmetry of the filaments within membrane 128, the e-liquid 122 has too much surface tension to allow for passing through the membrane 128 in this direction. As such, membrane 128 is able to prevent movement of the e-liquid 122 in one direction but it also can allow movement of the e-liquid across the membrane in the other direction. Use of such a membrane 128 would allow for the placement of the membrane 128 within pod 100 at or below the fill level of the e-liquid. As e-liquid is used, the e-liquid would be drained and would migrate to below the membrane 128. Over pressurization of the pod 100 could still be prevented through the use of valve 126, with the understanding that this would find its greatest effect after the pod 100 had been used and e-liquid level had dropped below the level of the membrane 128.

In the above embodiments valve 126 has been discussed as a mechanism to allow for the regulation of pressure between the inside and outside of reservoir 102 in pod 100. It should be noted that so long as the membrane is sufficiently impermeable to the e-liquid, valve 126 could be replaced by a vent. This would function as a perpetually open valve, and would avoid over pressurization of the reservoir. It should be understood that this may have some effects including an increased rate of oxidation of the e-liquid, but this may be offset by an ease of implementation. Thus, a vent or a valve may be used as a pressure regulator within the pod 100. Thus, the pressure regulator and membrane, allow a pod to equalize pressure between the air pocket separated from the e-liquid by the membrane through the pressure regulator.

It should also be understood that while discussed above within the context of a pod for use with a distinct vaping device, the above embodiments may also be employed in disposable devices that integrate the reservoir and heating systems within a device that does not use a replaceable pod. In discussing such devices it should be understood that an integrated pod may simply be referred to as by its constituent components. It should also be understood that although the above descriptions have addressed pre-filled pods, some of the above described embodiments may be used in systems that make use of refillable pods which have a port that allows for user refilling of the reservoir.

Although presented below in the context of use in an electronic nicotine delivery system such as an electronic cigarette (e-cig) or a vaporizer (vape) it should be understood that the scope of protection need not be limited to this space, and instead is delimited by the scope of the claims. Embodiments of the present invention are anticipated to be applicable in areas other than ENDS, including (but not limited to) other vaporizing applications.

In the instant description, and in the accompanying figures, reference to dimensions may be made. These dimensions are provided for the enablement of a single embodiment and should not be considered to be limiting or essential. The sizes and dimensions provided in the drawings are provided for exemplary purposes and should not be considered limiting of the scope of the invention, which is defined solely in the claims.

Claims

1. A pod for storing an atomizable e-liquid for use in a vaping system, the pod comprising:

a reservoir for storing the e-liquid;

a pressure regulator within the reservoir for allowing equalization of pressure inside the reservoir with pressure outside the reservoir; and

a membrane, impermeable to the e-liquid in at least one direction, positioned within the reservoir to allow for separation of the e-liquid from an air pocket within the reservoir, and for keeping the air pocket within the reservoir within fluid communication with the pressure regulator.

2. The pod of claim 1 wherein the e-liquid comprises at least one of vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, nicotine and a flavoring.

3. The pod of claim 1 wherein the e-liquid comprises a cannabinoid.

4. The pod of claim 1 wherein the pressure regulator allows an air pressure within the reservoir to be regulated down to an air pressure outside the reservoir.

5. The pod of claim 1 wherein the pressure regulator is a vent.

6. The pod of claim 1 wherein the pressure regulator is a valve for allowing air to flow from inside the reservoir to outside the reservoir.

7. The pod of claim 1 wherein the membrane is permeable to air.

8. The pod of claim 1 wherein the membrane is positioned within the reservoir at a level at or above the level of the e-liquid stored within the pod.

9. The pod of claim 1 wherein the membrane is permeable to the e-liquid in one direction, and impermeable to the e-liquid in the other direction.

10. The pod of claim 9 wherein the membrane is impermeable to the e-liquid in the direction of the pressure regulator.

11. The pod of claim 1 wherein the membrane is formed of filaments spaced apart no greater than a threshold distance.

12. The pod of claim 11 wherein the threshold distance is determined in accordance with physical properties of the e-liquid.

13. The pod of claim 12 wherein the physical properties include at least one of a density of the e-liquid, a viscosity of the e-liquid and a surface tension of the e-liquid.

14. The pod of claim 11 wherein the threshold distance is determined in accordance with at least one of a maximum storage temperature and a volume of e-liquid to be stored in the reservoir.

15. The pod of claim 1 wherein the membrane is impermeable to the e-liquid in at least one direction under a defined set of conditions.

16. A vaping device for atomizing an atomizable liquid, the device comprising:

a battery for storing power;

control circuitry for controlling the delivery of power from the battery to a heater engaged with a wick;

a reservoir for storing the e-liquid for delivery to the wick;

a pressure regulator within the reservoir for allowing equalization of pressure inside the reservoir with pressure outside the reservoir; and

a membrane, impermeable to the e-liquid in at least one direction, positioned within the reservoir to allow for separation of the e-liquid from an air pocket within the reservoir, and for keeping the air pocket within the reservoir within fluid communication with the pressure regulator.

16. The vaping device of claim 15 wherein the e-liquid comprises at least one of vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, nicotine and a flavoring.

17. The vaping device of claim 15 wherein the e-liquid comprises a cannabinoid.

18. The vaping device of claim 15 wherein the pressure regulator is one of a vent and a valve for allowing air to flow from inside the reservoir to outside the reservoir.

19. The vaping device of claim 15 wherein the membrane is permeable to the e-liquid in one direction, and impermeable to the e-liquid in the other direction.