Electronic device for producing an aerosol for inhalation by a person
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11517685-B2
Publication Date
2022-12-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
An electronic device for producing an aerosol for inhalation by a person includes a mouthpiece located at one of opposite longitudinal ends of the device; a liquid container; a transducer that, when actuated, causes a liquid from the container to be aerosolized such that the aerosol may be inhaled from the device by a person through the mouthpiece; and circuitry and a power supply for actuating the transducer. The mouthpiece, the container, and the transducer are located in-line along a longitudinal axis of a housing of the device extending between the opposite longitudinal ends of the device. The container is located between and separates the transducer and the mouthpiece. The container and the transducer are contained within a cartridge that is insertable into and removable from the housing of the device. The container and the transducer are replaceable by the person when the liquid in the container is depleted.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an electronic device for producing an aerosol for inhalation by a person through a mouthpiece. The device includes a liquid container, a transducer that when actuated causes a liquid from the container to be aerosolized, and circuitry and a power supply for actuating the transducer. The mouthpiece, the liquid container, and the transducer are arranged in-line along a longitudinal axis of a housing extending between opposite longitudinal ends.
The liquid container is located between and separates the transducer and the mouthpiece, and the liquid container and the transducer are contained within a cartridge that is insertable into and removable from the housing. The cartridge arrangement is configured such that the liquid container and the transducer are replaceable by the person when the liquid in the container is depleted.
The cartridge further comprises an interface located between the transducer and the liquid container. The interface comprises a coupling agent configured to transmit vibrations from the transducer to a liquid in the liquid container and configured to insulate the liquid in the liquid container from heat generated by the transducer, with the coupling agent comprising a fluid, a gel, or being contained by a membrane.
Claims Coverage
The document contains four independent claims. Across these claims, the inventive coverage centers on an in-line electronic inhalation aerosol device with a removable cartridge and a vibration-transmitting, heat-insulating coupling interface, with additional transducer and mesh mechanisms specified for one independent claim and coupling-agent material variants specified across others.
Inline in-housing inhalation aerosol arrangement
The mouthpiece, the liquid container, and the transducer are located in-line along a longitudinal axis of a housing extending between opposite longitudinal ends, with the liquid container located between and separating the transducer and the mouthpiece.
Replaceable insertable and removable cartridge
The liquid container and the transducer are contained within a cartridge that is insertable into and removable from the housing, whereby the liquid container and the transducer are replaceable by the person when the liquid in the container is depleted.
Vibration-transmitting and heat-insulating cartridge interface
An interface contained in the cartridge and located between the transducer and the liquid container, the interface comprising a coupling agent configured to transmit vibrations from the transducer to a liquid in the liquid container and configured to insulate the liquid in the liquid container from heat generated by the transducer.
Piezoelectric crystal to vibrate a mesh through a transducer horn
The transducer comprises a piezoelectric crystal that vibrates when electrical current is applied, and a transducer horn that is in contact with the liquid to be aerosolized, wherein vibrations of the crystal are transmitted by the transducer horn to the liquid and cause a mesh to vibrate such that liquid passes through apertures in the mesh to form an aerosol.
Coupling agent comprising a fluid, a gel, or a membrane-contained coupling agent
The coupling agent is described as comprising a fluid, comprising a gel, or being contained by a membrane.
Overall, the independent claims cover an in-line electronic inhalation aerosol device with a removable cartridge holding the liquid container and transducer. They also require a cartridge interface with a coupling agent that transmits vibrations while insulating the liquid from transducer-generated heat, with additional specificity for piezoelectric-to-mesh aerosolization and variant coupling-agent forms.
Stated Advantages
Insulate the liquid in the liquid container from heat generated by the transducer.
Provide replacement by the person when the liquid in the container is depleted.
Documented Applications
Producing an aerosol for inhalation by a person through a mouthpiece.
Use in an electronic inhalation aerosol device in which the liquid container and transducer are replaceable by the person when the liquid is depleted.
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