IP Library Granted Patent US 9,999,258
Granted Patent B2
US 9,999,258 · App. 15/601,365 · Granted Jun 19, 2018

Pod assembly, dispensing body, and e-vapor apparatus including the same

Inventors: Ryan Newcomb (Richmond, VA); Terry Bache (Richmond, VA); Eric Hawes (Midlothian, VA); Raymond Lau (Richmond, VA); Cristian Popa (Hertfordshire, GB); James Yorkshades (Gamlingay, GB)
Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
A24F47/008F22B1/284H05B3/03
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,999,258
App. No.
15/601,365
Granted
Jun 19, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

An e-vapor apparatus may include a pod assembly including a pre-vapor formulation compartment, a first electrical connector, a vapor channel traversing the pre-vapor formulation compartment, and a vaporizer, the pre-vapor formulation compartment configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation therein and in fluidic communication with the vaporizer during an operation of the e-vapor apparatus, the first electrical connector including first and second power electrodes, the first power electrode including a first contact portion on an exterior of the first electrical connector and a first extended portion configured to contact an anode portion of the vaporizer, the second power electrode including a second contact portion on the exterior of the first electrical connector and a second extended portion configured to contact a cathode portion of the vaporizer. The e-vapor apparatus may further include a dispensing body including a second electrical connector configured to connect to the first electrical connector.

Claims (33)

1. An e-vapor apparatus comprising:

a pod assembly including a pre-vapor formulation compartment, a first electrical connector, a vapor channel traversing the pre-vapor formulation compartment, and a vaporizer, the pre-vapor formulation compartment configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation therein and in fluidic communication with the vaporizer during an operation of the e-vapor apparatus, the first electrical connector including,

first and second power electrodes, the first power electrode including a first contact portion on an exterior of the first electrical connector and a first extended portion configured to contact an anode portion of the vaporizer, the second power electrode including a second contact portion on the exterior of the first electrical connector and a second extended portion configured to contact a cathode portion of the vaporizer; and

a dispensing body defining a receiving area to receive the pod assembly, the dispensing body including a second electrical connector configured to connect to the first electrical connector.

2. The e-vapor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the first contact portion and the second contact portion includes a part that extends away from the exterior of the first electrical connector.

3. The e-vapor apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the part that extends away from the exterior of the first electrical connector is semi-circular.

4. The e-vapor apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first contact portion and the second contact portion are configured to apply a spring force on the second electrical connector.

5. The e-vapor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first electrical connector further includes,

first data contacts, the first data contacts being blade-shaped.

6. The e-vapor apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the second electrical connector includes,

a body, the body defining slots for receiving the first data contacts; and

second data contacts on the body and in the slots.

7. The e-vapor apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the second data contacts are configured to apply a spring force on the first data contacts.

8. The e-vapor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first extended portion and the second extended portion are configured to apply a spring force on the vaporizer.

9. The e-vapor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pre-vapor formulation compartment and the first electrical connector are at opposite ends of the pod assembly.

10. The e-vapor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first electrical connector includes a memory device and an air flow sensor.

11. The e-vapor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing body is configured to supply power to the pod assembly and communicate with the pod assembly via at least one electrical contact.

12. The e-vapor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein dimensions of the receiving area correspond to dimensions of the pod assembly.

13. The e-vapor apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the receiving area is a through-hole.

14. The e-vapor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing body includes a mouthpiece that includes a vapor passage, the vapor passage being in fluidic communication with the vapor channel when the pod assembly is electrically connected to the dispensing body.

15. The e-vapor apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

an attachment structure on at least one of a side wall of the receiving area and a side surface of the pod assembly, the attachment structure configured to engage and hold the pod assembly upon insertion into the receiving area.

16. A pod assembly for an e-vapor apparatus, comprising:

a pre-vapor formulation compartment configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation therein, a vapor channel traversing the pre-vapor formulation compartment;

a vaporizer configured to be in fluidic communication with the pre-vapor formulation compartment; and

a device compartment configured to be in fluidic communication with the pre-vapor formulation compartment, the device compartment including,

a first electrical connector, the first electrical connector including,

first and second power electrodes, the first power electrode including a first contact portion on an exterior of the first electrical connector and a first extended portion configured to contact an anode portion of the vaporizer, the second power electrode including a second contact portion on the exterior of the first electrical connector and a second extended portion configured to contact a cathode portion of the vaporizer.

17. The pod assembly of claim 16 , wherein each of the first contact portion and the second contact portion includes a part that extends away from the exterior of the first electrical connector.

18. The pod assembly of claim 17 , wherein the part that extends away from the exterior of the first electrical connector is semi-circular.

19. The pod assembly of claim 16 , wherein the first electrical connector further includes,

first data contacts, the first data contacts being blade-shaped.

20. The pod assembly of claim 16 , wherein the first electrical connector includes a memory device and an air flow sensor.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 9, 2018
From: PA CONSULTING SERVICES LIMITED
To: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 045748/0667 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2018
From: POPA, CRISTIAN; YORKSHADES, JAMES
To: PA CONSULTING SERVICES LIMITED
Reel/Frame 045709/0653 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 12, 2017
From: NEWCOMB, RYAN; BACHE, TERRY; HAWES, ERIC; LAU, RAYMOND
To: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 043552/0773 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 15334989 · Oct 26, 2016
Continuation In Part 14998020 · Apr 22, 2015
Related Publication 20170360098A1 · Dec 21, 2017