A Reusable Electronic Cigarette Capsule Having a Closable Liquid Outlet Port

Abstract

A vaporizable material capsule includes a container wall having a volume for holding the vaporizable material, the container wall having a first opening, a movable element that is slidably attached to the container wall, the movable element having a second opening, wherein the movable element is configured to slide relative to the container wall such that in an open position, a location of the second opening at least partially matches with a position of the first opening, to form a fluidic passage for the vaporizable material via the first and second openings, and in a closed position, the location of the second opening does not match a location with the first opening to close the fluidic passage for the vaporizable material.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to European Patent Application No. EP20177263.9 that was filed on May 28, 2020, the entire contents thereof herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to aerosol or vapor generating systems and devices, more particularly to cartridges, pods, capsules, containers or other liquid-containing devices for removable connection to an aerosol or vapor generating device.

BACKGROUND

The use of aerosol generating systems, also known as e-cigarettes, e-cigs (EC), electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS), electronic smoking devices (ESDs), personal vaporizers (PV), inhalation devices, vapes, which can be used as an alternative to conventional smoking articles such as lit-end cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, is becoming increasingly popular and widespread. The most commonly used e-cigarettes are usually battery powered and use a resistance heating element to heat and atomize a liquid containing nicotine and/or flavorants (also known as e-cigarette liquid, e-cig liquids, e-liquid, juice, vapor juice, smoke juice, e-juice, e-fluid, vape oil, herein generically referred to as e-liquid), to produce an aerosol (often called vapor) which can be inhaled by a user. The aerosol can be inhaled through a mouthpiece.

Many different aerosol generating systems use replaceable capsules or containers that can be attached to an aerosol generating device or holder, by establishing a fluidic connection between the capsule and the aerosol generating device or the holder. For example, the holder may have a battery that is used to provide for the heating energy of a heating element for vaporizing the e-liquid. The heating element itself can be part of the capsule or be part of the holder. However, such capsules of the background art are usually not closable other than the provision of an external lid that may not seal properly, and usually have to be remained in connection with the holder once the capsule is interconnected with the holder. In this respect, once a fluidic connection is established between the holder or aerosol generating device and the capsule, via an opening, it is possible that a non-closable seal is broken for this purpose. Also, in case capsule with the e-liquid is removed from the holder, it is possible that some of the liquid is spilled or lost via the one or more openings.

For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 10,070,669, this reference herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety, an electronic device 10 for vaporization of e-liquid is provided, and includes a device body 20 with a cartridge receptacle 21 for receiving a cartridge or pod 30. The cartridge receptacle 21 may be shaped to receive an opened cartridge 30, and the cartridge 30 may be opened when a protective cap is removed from a surface of the cartridge, or may be opened when a hole or opening is formed on a surface of the cartridge 30. As another example, with U.S. Pat. No. 2017/0135402, this reference herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety, an electronic smoking device 1 having a cylinder-like housing 2 is described that can be connected to a replaceable capsule 6, where a piercing tip 25 is arranged at one end of the housing 2 that is able to penetrate a membrane 26 used for sealing the capsule 6 so that liquid 28 contained in the capsule 6 can be guided out of the capsule 6 and through the wick 24 to the area of the heater 22. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 9,943,109, this reference herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety, shows a body having puncturing elements 372 are used to puncture the sealing element 22 of the cartridge 20 to communicate a liquid reservoir chamber 212 of the cartridge 20 with the liquid reservoir room 315, thus the e-liquid in the liquid reservoir chamber 212 can flow to the liquid reservoir room 315.

As of another example, European Patent No. 3 053 459 B1, also U.S. Pat. No. 9,861,136, discusses a liquid supply 100 and a connector 202 for an atomizing assembly 200 for containing tobacco liquid. The liquid supply 100 is provided with a sealing component 109 that defines one or more liquid outlets 110, and configured for sealing the tobacco liquid in the liquid supply 100. Connector 202 defines liquid inlets 203 that communicate with an atomizing cavity. When the connector 202 is in a first position, the liquid outlets 110 and the liquid inlets 203 are misaligned, and the liquid outlets 110 are sealed by solid part of a rotation component 106. When the connector 202 drives the rotation component 106 to a second position, the liquid outlets 110 are aligned with the liquid inlets 203 in a one-to-one relationship, so that the tobacco liquid in the liquid supply 100 flows into the atomizing assembly 200.

In other example, CN109567278A, also U.S. Pat. Publication No. 2020/0214353, is directed to a liquid injection structure 4 for an electronic atomizing device, having a liquid injection assembly 42 that includes a switch assembly 43 which is rotatable between an injecting position A and a working position B relative to the outer tube 41. When the switch assembly 43 is in the injecting position A, the injecting port 4311 is fluidly communicated with the inlet port 411, and liquid can be injected into the liquid storage cavity 5 via the liquid injection tube 431. When the switch assembly 43 is in the working position B, the injecting port 4311 is isolated from the inlet port 411, so as to prevent the injected liquid from flowing out. Injection port 4311 is arranged in a cylindrical side wall of liquid injection tube 431.

In light of the above-described disadvantages of the capsules, cartridges or pods of the known aerosol generating systems, or electronic cigarette systems and vaping devices, strong improvements of such capsules, cartridges or pods are desired to allow a user to easily remove the capsules, cartridges or pods from the corresponding aerosol generating systems for safe reuse and storage, having a simple design, and for being openable and closable even when not operatively interconnected with the corresponding aerosol generating system.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present invention, an openable and closable capsule or pod for a vaporizable material is provided. Preferably, the capsule includes a container wall having a volume for holding the vaporizable material, the container wall having a first opening, and a movable element that is movably attached to the container wall, the movable element having a second opening, wherein the movable element is configured to move relative to the container wall such that in an open position, a location of the second opening at least partially matches with a position of the first opening, to form a fluidic passage for the vaporizable material via the first and second openings, and in a closed position, the location of the second opening does not match a location with the first opening to close the fluidic passage for the vaporizable material.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an openable and closeable vaporizable material capsule or pod is provided. Preferably, the capsule includes a casing means having a volume for holding the vaporizable material, the casing means including a first liquid passage means, a movable means that is slidably attached to the casing means, the movable means having a second liquid passage means, wherein the movable means is configured to move relative to the casing means such that in an open position, a location of the second liquid passage means at least partially matches with a position of the first liquid passage means, to form a fluidic passage forthe vaporizable material via the first and second liquid passage means, and in a closed position, the location of the second liquid passage means does not match a location with the first liquid passage means to close the fluidic passage for the vaporizable material.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention and the manner of realizing them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will best be understood from a study of the following description with reference to the attached drawings showing some preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain features of the invention.

FIGS. 1A to 1C show exemplary perspective views of a capsule 100 for holding and dispensing vaporizable material having openable and closable openings 30A, 30B, and 30C, with FIG. 1A showing a perspective outer view of a cylindrically-shaped casing or container wall 10, FIG. 1B showing the movable element 20 that is arranged inside the container wall 10, and FIG. 1C showing a variant of movable element 20 that is arranged inside container wall 10 that can rotate relative to container wall 10, according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A to 2C show exemplary perspective views and FIG. 2D showing an exemplary cross-sectional view of a capsule 200 for holding and dispensing vaporizable material EL having one openable and closable opening 130, with FIG. 2A showing a perspective outer view of a cylindrically-shaped casing or container wall 110, FIG. 2B showing the movable element 120 that is at least partially arranged inside the container wall 110 and also forming a bottom portion of container wall 110, FIG. 2C showing a variant of movable element 120 that is arranged on a bottom surface 111 of container wall 10, and FIG. 2D showing an exemplary cross-sectional view of an embodiment using a ball valve, according to another aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show exemplary perspective views of a capsule 300 for holding and dispensing vaporizable material having an openable and closable openings 230A, 230B, 230C that are arranged in a side wall of a cylindrically-shaped casing or container wall 210, with FIG. 3A showing a perspective outer view of a container wall 210 with openings 230A, 230B, 230C, and FIG. 3B showing a cylindrically-shaped movable element 220 that is arranged inside the container wall 210 that can linearly move relative to container wall 210, according to still another aspect of the present invention; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B show exemplary perspective views of a capsule 400 for holding and dispensing vaporizable material having openings 330A, 330B, 330C that can be opened and closed by an electro-mechanical actuation mechanism, with FIG. 4A showing a perspective outer view of a cylindrically-shaped casing or container wall 310 with openings 330A, 330B, 330C, and FIG. 4B showing a movable element 320 that is arranged inside the container wall 310 that can rotationally move relative to container wall 310 including an electric motor 380 that can be activated by buttons 352, 353, according to yet another aspect of the present invention; and

FIGS. 5A and 5B show exemplary perspective views of a rectangularly-shaped capsule 500 for holding and dispensing vaporizable material having an openable and closable opening 430 that can be opened and closed by means of a pivot mechanism 425, with FIG. 5A showing a perspective view, and FIG. 5B showing a cross-sectional view with the moveable element 420 including a pivot mechanism 425.

Herein, identical reference numerals are used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. Also, the representations in FIGS. 1-4 are simplified for illustration purposes and may not be depicted to scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the invention is shown with respect to FIGS. 1A to 1C with FIG. 1A showing a perspective outer view of a capsule 100 for holding and dispensing vaporizable material having openable and closable first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C, having a cylindrically-shaped container wall 10, FIG. 1B showing the movable element 20 that is arranged inside casing or container wall 10 to provide for a mechanism that allows to open and close first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C, and FIG. 1C showing a variant of movable element 20 that is arranged inside container wall 10 that can rotate relative to container wall 10. As shown exemplarily in FIG. 1A, capsule 100 is made of a cylindrical container wall 10 that has a circular top and bottom wall, the top wall having three openings 30A, 30B, and 30C therein that are arranged around a circle that has a smaller diameter of the circle that delineates the circular top wall, preferably spaced out by 120°, but different angles and a different number of first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C are also possible. Each one of first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C form a slot-like arcuate shape. Next, a protruding lever or tab 52 is shown to radially protrude away from cylinder-like wall 10. Inside the container wall 10, a volume is formed that can include the vaporizable material in a liquid-tight manner, when first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C are closed. The term vaporizable material is used to designate any material that is vaporizable at a temperature up to 400° C., preferably up to 350° C., for example but not limited to aerosol generating liquid, gel, wax and the like.

The volume can be an empty cavity for holding vaporizable material, but can also include a material that can soak up the vaporizable material, for example a fibrous material, porous structure, perforated component, wick, cloth, fleece or other device or material that can soak up and hold the vaporizable material. The size and volume for the vaporizable material can vary depending on the capsule-receiving aerosol-generating device (not shown). In the context of this description, the term cartridge has been used to describe the device that can hold the vaporizable material with openable and closable openings for providing the vaporizable material, and that can be removably connected to an aerosol generating device, but otherterms are also within the scope of the concept described by the present invention, for example but not limited to cartridge, pod, cartomizer in a variant where there heating element is already present in the capsule, hopper, container.

FIG. 1B shows the movable element 20 that can be located inside container wall 10, for example inside the inner volume that can be immersed with vaporizable material. In the variant shown, inner volume can having a cylindrical shape. Movable element 20 can include a disk-like element 42 that has second openings 40A, 40B, and 40C therein, each second opening 40A, 40B, and 40C configured to move relative to a corresponding first opening 30A, 30B, and 30C to either close all first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C when in a closed position, to open all of the first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C when in an open position, or in a variant to let first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C partially open when in an intermediate position. Movable element 20 therefore provides for two functions, first to make it possible to open, close, or partially open first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C, and to provide for a means to move movable element 20 relative to container wall 10 to open, close, or partially open first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C by the hand or the fingers of a user. Structurally, movable element 20 further includes a ring 50 that has a radially protruding handle, knob, tab, notch or lever 52, a bottom disk 70 for abutment against inner side of bottom wall of container wall 10, and a central column 60 for interconnecting disk-like element 42, ring 50 with handle, tab, or lever 52, and bottom disk 70. In a case where a position of first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C match with corresponding ones of the second opening 40A, 40B, and 40C, a fluidic or liquid outlet port is established forthe vaporizable material to egress from capsule 100, or in a variant establishes a port that allows for the filling of the capsule 100. Inner volume of containerwall 10, that can be configured for holding a vaporizable or atomizable liquid, can also form an inner cylindrical volume with walls that allow to accommodate bottom disk 70 and disk-like element 42, with rod, shaft, bar, or column 60 arranged therebetween, thereby permitting a rotation of movable element 20 relative to the inner cylindrical volume

Movable element 20 is arranged inside container wall 10, such that handle, tab, or lever 52 can radially protrude or otherwise be available to hand or a finger of a user via wall opening 14 that is arranged in the cylindrical side wall, to thereby traverse the cylindrical side wall. The width and position of wall opening 14 can be such that movable element 20 can be angularly rotated in both rotational directions versus wall 10 by a certain defined angle, for example an angle that allows to fully cover and fully or at least partially open first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C. In this respect, an abutment of lever 52 against one side of wall opening 14 guarantees that first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C are fully closed by the sectional plates between adjacent second opening 40A, 40B, and 40C of disk-like element 42, to provide the closed position, while an abutment of lever 52 against the other, opposing side of wall opening 14 guarantees that first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C are either fully open to provide for a fluidic opening for the vaporizable material over the entire cross-sectional area provided by first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C, or are at least partially open, to provide for the open position. In the case the lever 52 is located between the abutment side walls of wall opening 14, an intermediate position can be taken for movable element 20, to provide for a fluidic passage with a reduced, intermediate cross-sectional area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the first openings 30A, 30B, and 30C. This feature allows to manually control a maximal flow rate of the vaporizable material from the capsule 100 to the vaporizing or atomizing device by sliding lever 52 rotationally to the left or the right within wall opening 14. In the example shown in FIG. 1A, the fluidic passages are half open, with lever 52 being approximately at a middle position of wall opening 14. Also, in the variant shown, the closed position is reached when lever 52 is moved all the way to the left, and upper surface parts of sectional plates of disk-like element 42 can be seen through first openings 30A, 30B, 30C, whilst the open position is reached when lever 52 is moved all the way to the right. Outer surface of container wall 10 is marked, printed, engraved or otherwise provided with markers 12 such as but not limited to symbols, words, letters or other type of marking to indicate to the user which position correspond to the open and the closed position, or to indicate a direction of the rotational movement that will either open or close first openings 30A, 30B, 30C.

Another aspect of movable element 20 and container wall 10 is to provide a liquid-tightness between an inner volume formed inside container wall 10 and the exterior, in particular in the closed position. For this purpose different sealing members are arranged to render opening 14 liquid tight in any position, and first openings 30A, 30B, 30C liquid tight in the closed position. For example, two O-ring seals or alternatively washers 54A and 54B can be arranged above and below the lever 52, to be circumferentially arranged around ring 50. A spacing or distance between O-ring seals 54A and 54B is such that they are wider than a width of wall opening 14, when measured in the axial direction of the cylinder. In addition, disk-like element 42 includes a seal layer 44 arranged on its upper surface. Moreover, rod, shaft, bar, or column 60 that interconnects the lower disk 70 and upper disk-like element 42 are dimensions to tightly press-fit into the volume of container wall 10, such that seal layer 44 is slightly pressed upward against a lower surface of top wall of container 10, to provide for sufficient liquid sealing, but still allow for manual rotational sliding of movable element 20 relative to container wall 10. Rod 60 also forms the rotational axis for a rotation or turning of movable element 20 relative to container wall 10.

Moreover, another aspect is the provision of a reflective layer 46, 56, for example a paint, adhesive, coating, plate, or other type of layer to portions of the capsule 100 that will change its position, depending on whether capsule 100 is in the open or in the closed position. For example, in the variant shown, reflective layer 56 can be arranged on a side wall section of ring 50 that will be exposed through wall opening 14 when in the open position, or also when in a closed position. As another example, reflective layer 46 can be provided on a top surface of disk-like element 42, such that it can be selectively exposed through one or more of first openings 30A, 30B, 30C, when capsule 100 is placed in the closed position, or can also increase in exposed surface area of reflective layer 46 depending on the open cross-sectional area of first openings 30A, 30B, 30C. The reflective layers 46, 56 thereby allow to provide for easier automated detection of the open or closed status of the capsule 100 by an optical measurement device that can be arranged in the aerosol generating device or holderthat will accommodate capsule 100, or a detection of the partially or intermediate open status. Disk or ring 50 can be provided to have several sectional openings 58 to allow for vaporizable material pass between the upper and lower sections of capsule 100, but still providing for a mechanically rigid connection between the ring 50 that can be rotationally actuated by a user via lever 52 and the shaft, column, or rod 60. In the context of this description, with reference made to the figures, relative descriptive elements such as top, upper, left, right, bottom, lower, etc. have been used. It is submitted that these relative descriptive elements are used for explanatory purposes with respect to the exemplary figures as shown, but are not absolute and shall not be limiting to different types of arrangements not shown in the figures, for example embodiments that have different orientations.

Another variant of the movable element 20 is shown with respect to FIG. 1C, where the movable element 20 is essentially made from a single cylinder 80 having cut-out inner sections 41A, 41B, 41C to provide for second openings 40A, 40B, and 40C, having an outer diameter that coincides with the inner diameter of inner cylinder provided by container wall 10. This variant allows to increase the available liquid storage volume of capsule 100, and also allow to free the middle section of the interior of the cylindrical storage volume. Also, outer surface of cylinder 80 can be coated with a cylindrical sealing layer 47 instead or in addition to O-rings 54A, 54B, in addition to an annular seal 44 provided on top of the edge of the cylinder, to seal opening 14, and first openings 30A, 30B, 30C, respectively, when in a closed position. In a variant, instead of inner cut-out sections 41A, 41B, 41C that form longitudinal openings in parallel to an axis of the cylinder are arranged at the inner cylindrical surface of cylinder 80, these openings can be arranged at the outer cylindrical surface of cylinder 80 to form outer cut-out sections 42A, 42B, 42C, that thereby also allows to move first openings 30A, 30B, 30C more radially outward towards the circular edge of container wall 10. For passage of vaporizable material from inner volume to the outer cut-out sections 42A, 42B, 42C, each outer cut-out sections include a hole or bore or other type of opening in wall that traverses cylinder 80. Inner cylinder 80 can again rotate relative to outer cylinder of container wall 10, again the rotational angular motion being limited by the abutment of lever 52 against walls of opening 14.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show exemplary perspective views of a capsule 200 for holding and dispensing vaporizable material having one openable and closable first opening 130 in the upper circular wall that can be used for the dispensing of vaporizable material, but having another opening 131 in the upper circular wall that allows to visualize an open or closed status of capsule 200 to selectively show a surface area of a reflective layer 146 on top of upper disk-like element 142 of movable element 120 inside casing or container wall 110, with FIG. 2A showing first opening 130 that is partially open for dispensing and the other opening 131, and FIG. 2B showing the movable element 120 that is at least partially arranged inside the container wall 110 and also forming a bottom portion 170 of container wall 110 that is exposed from container wall 110 for manual engagement. In this embodiment, a lower disk-like or circular wall 170 of capsule 200 is formed by the rotatable disk or dial that can also be equipped with a series of notches and ridges 157 in the exposed side wall, and can also be equiped with a knob 152 that facilitates a manual rotation or turning of circular wall 170 relative to container wall 110, to move upper disk-like element 142 around a rotational axis formed by post, column, or rod 60, or other type of interconnection element.

In an open position, a center of circular first opening 130 coincides with a center of circular second opening 140 of disk-like element 142, and then disk-like element 142 is configured to be turned by circular wall 170, for example in the clock-wise direction, so that first opening is progressively closed, until the angular rotation was large enough to fully cover circular first opening 130 with then disk-like element 142. Disk-like element 142 is also covered with a sealing layer or sheet 144 that is pressed against inner surface of upper circular wall of container wall 110, to provide for a liquid tight seal. With this embodiment, a user can hold container wall 110 of capsule 200 between two fingers with one hand, and can change between the open, closed, or intermediary position by using two fingers of the other hand, by turning dial or circular wall 170. An upper surface of circular wall 170 can be equipped with a sealing layer or sheet 144, as post 160 can traverse the bottom portion of container wall 110. In a variant, container wall 110 is formed by two concentrically arranged cylinder wall, with the toroid-shaped space inbetween forming the aerosol-holding volume or chamber, and a having a top and bottom cover shaped as a ring with a central traversing opening. The top cover ring can have the first opening 130 therein, to be closable by a disk-like element 142 that is arranged on top of top cover ring, with a sealing layer or sheet 144 between top cover ring and disk-like element 142. This allows the passage of rod 60 through a center traversing opening of the toroid-shaped space without any need to seal a bottom of the container walls 110 relative to movable element 120. Markings 112 can be arranged at a bottom edge of container wall 110, in vicinity to the lever 152, to indicate when the capsule 200 is in a closed or open position.

FIG. 2C showing a variant of movable element 120 that is arranged on a bottom surface 111 of container wall 110, to form a knob-like element 153, arranged at a center axis of the cylinder formed by container wall 110, with knob-like element 153 being mechanically connected to rod 60 for turning disk-like element by a certain angle. In the embodiments of FIGS. 2A-2C, container wall 110 is shown to be cylindrical, but it is also possible that they have different shapes, for example but not limited to an elliptic or oval cylinder, square, cone, parallelepiped shape, polyhedron.

Moreover, as shown with a cross-sectional view in FIG. 2D, in a variant, a valve-like element can be provided that is in fluidic connection with one or more first openings 130. For example, first opening 130 can fluidically connected to an L-shaped tube or piping 185 that has a downwardly arranged first portion, in parallel to an axis of formed by rod 60, and a traversely-arranged second portion, perpendicularly arranged to the first portion. The open end 187 of the traverse portion of tube 185 faces the inner volume of capsule 200 to collect vaporizable material. The traverse portion can further include a perforated and pivotable ball 182, so that the traverse portion and the ball 182 form a ball valve 180, the perforation of the ball forming a second opening 140 that can move relative to a first opening 130. Pivotable ball can be interconnected to rod 60, such that disk-like or circular wall 170 can be turned by a quarter turn or by 90°, to rotate or pivot the ball 182 inside the traverse portion of the tube 185. When the axis of extension of the perforation of the ball lies at 90° to the traverse portion of the tube 185, by turning disk-like 170 or handle 153 to the appropriate position, capsule 200 is in a closed position, and when the axis of extension of the perforation 140 of the ball is parallel to the traverse portion of the tube 185, by turning disk -like wall 170 or handle 153 to the another position by 90°, capsule 200 is in an open position. Othertypes of valves could be integrated to the traverse portion of the tube, instead of the ball valve, for example but not limited to a glove valve, piston valve, gate valve.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show another embodiment of a capsule 300 for holding and dispensing vaporizable material having an openable and closable first openings 230A, 230B, 230C that are arranged in a side wall of a casing or container wall 210, with FIG. 3A showing a perspective outer view of a cylindrically-shaped container wall 210 with first openings 230A, 230B, 230C, and FIG. 3B showing a movable element 220 that is arranged inside the container wall 210 that can linearly move relative to container wall 210. In this embodiment, instead of switching from the open position and the closed position and vice versa by a rotational or turning movement, the movement of movable element 220 to container wall 210 in this embodiment is linear. While the example shown is cylindrical, the linear movement to switch positions allows to integrate this principle to casing that are have a non-circular or non-cylindrical shape, for example but not limited to rectangular or square shapes. Also, instead of having a second opening or a plurality of openings as traversing holes or perforations that correspond to first openings 230A, 230B, 230C, the second opening is provided by the absence of a wall above a top or bottom edge 242 of wall of movable element 220, so that movable element 220 can be slid from an open position to a closed position of capsule 300, for example with a tab 252 that can protrude from wall. A surface of wall 220 that faces inner surface of container wall 210 can be covered with a sealing layer, coating or film 244, so that in a closed state, capsule 300 is liquid tight. Markings 212 can be arranged along opening 214 that allows for the sliding movement by moving tab 252.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a capsule 400 for holding and dispensing vaporizable material having openings 330A, 330B, 330C that can be opened and closed by an electro-mechanical actuation mechanism, with FIG. 4A showing a perspective outer view of a cylindrically-shaped casing or container wall 310 with slit-shaped first openings 330A, 330B, 330C, and FIG. 4B showing a movable element 320 that is arranged inside the container wall 310 that can rotationally move relative to container wall 310. Moveable element 320 includes an electric motor 380 affixed to a lower disk 370, and an upper disk 342 that has slit-shaped second openings 340A, 340B, 340C, upper disk 342 being fixedly attached to a shaft 360. Moreover, moveable element 320 can further include an optional mechanical gearing 382 that can be provide for the correct gear between motor 380 and shaft 360, and a controller 386 that can control a rotation of electric motor 380. Moreover, a battery 384 is provided for powering electric motor 380.

Instead of a manual mechanical actuation or movement, buttons 352, 353 that are arranged on an outer surface of container wall 310 can be pressed to open or close capsule 400 via electric motor 380, buttons 352, 353, being in operative connection with controller 386. For example, pressing button 352 can lead to a full opening of first openings 330A, 330B, 330C, to move disk 342 to the position where first and second openings 330A-330C and 340A-340C match, or can lead to an incremental opening step, by rotating disk 342 with motor 380 by a given angle, to provide for different intermediate positions. The same can be applicable to the button 353 for the closing. Also, it is possible that there is only one button 352 or 353 for a toggling change of the open and closed state. Moreover, a light bar 312, for example a LED array, can be provided as a status indicator, that is also controlled by controller 386 and powered by battery 384 to show the status of the closing/opening, for example showing a light on the left hand side to show the open position, and a light on the right hand side to show the closed position of capsule 400. Also, it is possible that a presence sensor is arranged that can detect the removal of capsule 400 from its corresponding holder, for example vaporizing or atomizing device, and the sensor is in operative connection with controller 386. The sensor signal indicating the removal can be processed by controller 386 to automatically close first openings 330A-330C. The presence sensor can be but is not limited to an optical sensor detecting light reflection of a light reflective layer on capsule 300, can be a touch sensor that detects contact of capsule 400 to holder, a capacitive sensor that detects a presence of another object, i.e. the holder.

In this variant, disk-like element 342 is shown with a O-ring or washer 344 around an outer circumference for sealing purposes, and can alternatively or additionally include washers 345 that surround each second opening 340A-340C. Controller 386, motor 380 and battery can be protected by a seal layer in the case where they lie inside a volume that holds the vaporizable material, or can be in a separate compartment. In a variant, the lower section 390 of capsule 400 is removable, to form a separate motorizing unit for opening and closing capsule 400. In this variant, it is possible that a lower end of shaft 360 can be removable connected to gearing 382, such that shaft 360 and disk 324 are part of the upper part containing the vaporizable material, and gearing 382 and motor 380 are part of a removable motorization capsule.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a rectangularly-shaped capsule 500 for holding and dispensing vaporizable material having a first opening 430 that can be opened and closed by means of a pivot mechanism 425, with FIG. 5A showing a perspective view showing casing or wall 410 a conically-shaped ring around the first opening 430 and a switch lever 452 arranged on a side for slidably changing between an open and a closed position, and optionally different intermediate positions, and FIG. 5B showing a cross-sectional view with the moveable element 420 including a pivot mechanism 425, a first tab or plate 442 having a first opening 440, and a second tab or plate 450 having a lever or button 452 attached thereto, lever 452 protruding outside a wall opening 414. Plate 442 is arranged to be at a different angle to plate 450, for example perpendicular, and a linear motion or sliding of plate 450, for example due to actuation by lever 452 will engage with pivot 425 to provide for a linear motion or sliding of plate 442 in a different direction. This allows to arrange a manual sliding mechanism by lever 452 an plate 450 at a side wall 411 of casing 410, and still arrange first opening 430 at a top or bottom wall 413 of casing 410. Opening 414 and first opening 430 have a liquid tight seal by providing a sealing layer 444 between plate 442 and top wall 413, and a sealing layer 454 between plate 450 and wall 411.

With the herein described embodiments, it is possible to provide for a capsule 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 for storing an vaporizable material and also providing the vaporizable material to a corresponding orifice or port of a holder or a vaporizing or atomizing device, having an openable and closable vaporizable material exit orifice or port, having a simple and compact mechanism for the opening/closing. Optionally, vaporizable material exit orifice or port can have one or more intermediate positions where the port is only partially open. The opening and closing is done by a relative movement between a first opening that is arranged in an outer casing, and a second opening that is arranged inside the casing, but is either manually actionable, or by means of a simple electromechanics system. Thereby a simple and efficient solution is provided that allows removal of a capsule 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 from the holder, vaporizing, or atomizing device, and the closing of the -liquid exit orifice or port.

While the invention has been disclosed with reference to certain preferred embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described embodiments, and equivalents thereof, are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments, and be given the broadest reasonable interpretation in accordance with the language of the appended claims. The features of any one of the above described embodiments may be included in any other embodiment described herein.

Claims

1. A vaporizable material capsule for use in an aerosol or vapor generating device, comprising:

a container wall having a volume for holding a vaporizable material, the container wall having a first opening; and

a movable element that is movably and rotationally attached to the container wall, the movable element including, a first rotatable device configured to rotate around a rotational axis relative to the container wall, the first rotatable device including a second opening, a second rotatable device configured to rotate around the rotational axis relative to the container wall, the second rotatable device 70, configured for a manual engagement by a user, and a centrally-arranged column mechanically interconnecting the first rotatable device with the second rotatable device;

wherein the movable element is configured to move relative to the container wall by a rotational movement such that in an open position, a location of the second opening at least partially matches with a position of the first opening, to form a fluidic passage for the vaporizable material via the first and second openings, and in a closed position, the location of the second opening does not match a location with the first opening to close the fluidic passage for the vaporizable material.

2. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 1, wherein the-movement by the movable element relative to the container wall includes a sliding movement to take an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position, such that the second opening only partially covers the first opening, to provide for a fluidic passage with a reduced cross-section that is smaller than a cross-section of the first opening.

3. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 1, wherein the first rotatable device includes a disk-like plate, the disk-like plate including the second opening.

4. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 1, wherein the second opening includes a slot.

5. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 1, wherein the second rotatable device further includes a protruding tab, handle, or lever for the manual engagement.

6. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 3, further comprising:

a seal arranged between the container wall and the disk-like plate of the first rotatable device of the movable element.

7. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 3, wherein an outer surface of the disk-like plate of the first rotatable device of the movable element includes a reflective coating, the reflective coating exposed to an exterior environment of the vaporizable material capsule when in the open position or in the closed position.

8. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 1, the capsule having a substantially cylindrical shape.

9. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 3, wherein the second opening includes an open area in the disk-like plate of the first rotatable device of the movable element.

10. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 1, wherein the first rotatable device includes a pivotable ball, the pivotable ball including a perforation that forms the second opening.

11. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 10, wherein the pivotable ball forms a part of a ball valve together with the first opening.

12. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 1, wherein the centrally-arranged column is arranged inside the volume for holding the vaporizable material.

13. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 3, wherein the movable element further includes a support disk that is mechanically attached to an end of the centrally-arranged column.

14. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 13, wherein the disk-like plate is attached to an other end of the centrally-arranged column, the disk-like plate, the centrally-arranged column, and the support disk arranged inside the volume for holding the vaporizable material, the volume being cylindrically-shaped.

15. A vaporizable material capsule for use in an aerosol or vapor generating device, comprising:

a container wall having a volume for holding a vaporizable material, the container wall having a first opening; and

a movable element that is movably attached to the container wall,

wherein the movable element is configured to move relative to the container wall such that in an open position, a location of a second opening of the movable element at least partially matches with a position of the first opening, to form a fluidic passage for the vaporizable material via the first and second openings, and in a closed position, the location of the second opening does not match a location with the first opening to close the fluidic passage for the vaporizable material, and

wherein the-movement by the movable element relative to the container wall includes a linear movement.

16. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 15, wherein the movable element includes a cylinder configured to move linearly relative to the container wall in a direction of a rotational axis of the cylinder, and the second opening is defined by a traversing opening of a cylinder wall or an absence of a cylinder wall above a top or bottom edge of the movable element for permitting the fluidic passage in the open position.

17. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 15, wherein the movable element includes a tab or plate configured to move linearly move relative to the container wall, and the second opening includes an opening in the tab or plate.

18. A vaporizable material capsule for use in an aerosol or vapor generating device, comprising:

a container wall having a volume for holding a vaporizable material, the container wall having a first opening; and

a movable element that is movably and rotationally attached to the container wall, the movable element including a rotatable cylinder configured to rotate around a rotational axis relative to the container wall the rotatable cylinder including a cut-out section forming a second opening,

wherein the movable element is configured to move relative to the container wall by a rotational movement such that in an open position, a location of the second opening at least partially matches with a position of the first opening, to form a fluidic passage for the vaporizable material via the first and second openings, and in a closed position, the location of the second opening does not match a location with the first opening to close the fluidic passage for the vaporizable material.

19. The vaporizable material capsule according to claim 18, wherein the movable element further includes a protruding tab, handle, or lever for manual engagement, the movable element attached to the rotatable cylinder and traversing the container wall.