US20150282530A1 - Apparatus comprising a check valve for dispensing e-liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a check valve may be utilized to transfer E-liquid from a storage container into an electronic vaporization device, such that unintended leakage of the E-liquid may not occur. An apparatus comprising a check valve, wherein the apparatus is pre-loaded with E-liquid, may be used to dispense liquid into an electronic vaporization device.

Description

PRIORITY
• This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/976,225, entitled “Apparatus Comprising A Check Valve for Dispensing E-Liquids,” filed on Apr. 7, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• The disclosure is directed to an apparatus comprising a check valve. The apparatus may be utilized to transfer E-liquid into the chamber of an electronic vaporization device, such that unintended leakage and/or spillage of the E-liquid may not occur. The apparatus may be used to transfer E-liquid into a top-filled chamber or a bottom-filled chamber. The disclosure is further directed to an assembly of an apparatus comprising a check valve and an E-liquid storage container. The assembly allows the E-liquid to be stored without accidental dispensing and/or spilling of the E-liquid.
BACKGROUND
• Vaporization provides an alternative to combustion for the delivery and consumption of various substances. Typically the substance to be vaporized is present in a liquid, which is commonly referred to as an “E-liquid.” Examples of substances to be vaporized that are present in an E-liquid are selected from the group of: glycerin, propylene glycol, flavorings, nicotine, medicaments and combinations thereof. Vaporization may be accomplished using electronic vaporization devices, including, but not limited to, electronic cigarettes, electronic cigars, electronic pipes and electronic vaporizers.
• Oftentimes, the E-liquid to be vaporized is placed into a chamber, which either contains, or interfaces with, a heat source in the electronic vaporization device. The chamber which contains the E-liquid may take a variety of forms, depending upon the configuration of the electronic vaporization device. Some chambers are referred to in the art as “cartomizers.” Cartomizers that are see-through, i.e. made of plastic or glass for example, are oftentimes referred to as “clearomizers.” Typically, cartomizers and clearomizers contain a heating source, such as an atomizer. The cartomizer or clearomizer may further comprise absorbent material with or without an associated wick that act(s) to transport E-liquid to the heating source that vaporizes E-liquid. The cartomizer or clearomizer may further comprise a vapor chimney through which the resulting E-liquid vapor passes to be delivered to the consumer, such as via a mouthpiece.
• Once an E-liquid is consumed, the chamber may be discarded and replaced with a new, full chamber. However, some chambers are re-fillable. A consumer may refill a chamber with E-liquid by opening the chamber and using for example, a dropper or syringe, to dispense the E-liquid into the chamber. This process may be characterized by several disadvantages. First, if during the filling process, E-liquid is errantly dispensed into the vapor chimney, the heating source may be compromised and/or leakage from the chamber may occur. For example, if the heating source is an atomizer, the atomizer may become clogged by the E-liquid, resulting in the malfunction of the electronic vaporization device. Second, and perhaps more importantly, transferring the E-liquid from its storage bottle to the cartomizer may result in spillage of the E-liquid. In addition to being messy, spillage of the E-liquid may be particularly disadvantageous if the E-liquid contains a substance, nicotine for example, which ideally should not be in direct contact with the skin of a human or animal.
• For these and other reasons, there remains a need for an apparatus for dispensing E-liquids into the chamber of an electronic vaporization device that minimizes, if not eliminates, the spillage and/or leaking of an E-liquid when it is being transferred into the chamber. Additionally, there remains a need for such an apparatus that will prevent E-liquid from errantly being dispensed into the vapor chimney of the chamber. Moreover, there remains a need for an apparatus that will minimize, if not eliminate, a human's (e.g., a consumer's, or a child's) or an animal's (e.g. a pet's) contact with the E-liquid during E-liquid storage and/or dispensing. Moreover, it would be advantageous if such an apparatus could be used to dispense E-liquid into either a top-filled or bottom-filled chamber.
SUMMARY
• The unique solution that addresses the aforementioned need is a new apparatus comprising a check valve. The apparatus minimizes, if not eliminates, the leakage and/or spillage of an E-liquid when it is being dispensed into the chamber of an electronic vaporization device, regardless of whether the chamber is configured to be filled through its top or bottom. The apparatus according to the present disclosure may accomplish this, at least in part, by precisely aligning the opening of an E-liquid storage bottle, with the opening in the cartomizer into which the E-liquid is to be dispensed. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus may physically block the vapor chimney in the chamber. By blocking the vapor chimney, the apparatus may prevent misdirection of the E-liquid and in turn, prevent subsequent leakage of the E-liquid from the chamber, and consequent exposure of the consumer, to the E-liquid. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus may be engaged with an E-liquid storage container to form an assembly such that E-liquid is prevented from accidentally spilling from the container; in some embodiments, the assembly may be sold as a unit. Such an assembly may also prevent leakage and/or contamination of the outside of the E-liquid storage container, and consequent exposure of anyone, e.g. a human or pet, which comes into contact with the E-liquid storage container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a typical Electronic Vaporization Device.
• FIGS. 2a,2band2care schematic diagrams of a top-filled chamber, or a top-filled chamber and mouthpiece, of use in the Electronic Vaporization Device shown inFIG. 1.
• FIGS. 3a,3band3care schematic diagrams of a bottom-fed chamber, or a bottom-fed chamber and mouthpiece, of use in the Electronic Vaporization Device shown inFIG. 1.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the disclosure.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a top plan view of the apparatus ofFIG. 4.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of an assembly of the apparatus ofFIG. 4 and an E-liquid bottle.
• FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the assembly ofFIG. 6 attached to a chamber into which E-liquid may be dispensed.
• FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an apparatus according to the disclosure.
• FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an apparatus according to the disclosure.
• FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of an assembly of the apparatus ofFIG. 9 and an E-liquid bottle.
• FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the assembly ofFIG. 10 attached to a chamber into which E-liquid may be dispensed.
• FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams showing cross-section views of adapters that may be used in conjunction with the apparatuses according to the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The terms “chamber,” “liquid chamber,” “tank,” “liquidmizer,” “cartomizer” and “clearomizer,” are used interchangeably herein to mean a reservoir that contains an E-liquid to be vaporized by an electronic vaporization device. A chamber may or may not contain the heat source, e.g. an atomizer, which is utilized to vaporize the E-liquid. A chamber may be filled with E-liquid through its open top, i.e., be a “top-filled chamber,” or it may be filled with E-liquid through its open bottom, i.e., a “bottom-filled chamber.”
• “Check valve” as used herein means a valve that allows E-liquid to flow through it in only one direction.
• “Electronic vaporization device,” hereinafter “EVD,” as used herein means any electronic device which vaporizes liquid for consumption including, but not limited to, via inhalation, by a consumer. EVDs include, but are not limited to: electronic cigarettes; electronic cigars; and electronic vaporizers.
• “B-liquid storage container,” “B-liquid container,” “storage container,” “B-liquid bottle,” “storage bottle,” and “container” are used interchangeably herein to mean a vessel that contains E-liquid.
• The elements or features of the various embodiments are described in detail hereinafter. Any reference to a singular characteristic or limitation of the present disclosure shall include the corresponding plural characteristics or limitations, and vice versa, unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the contrary by the context in which the reference is made.
• The apparatuses and methods described herein may comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the elements and features of the disclosure described herein, as well as any additional or optional components, or features described herein or otherwise useful in relation to the aforementioned apparatuses and methods.
• All documents (patents, patent applications and other publications) cited in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
• FIG. 1 shows atypical EVD500. TheEVD500 comprises abattery compartment510 that is removeably attached to achamber200. Thechamber200 is in turn removeably attached to amouthpiece530.
• ReferencingFIG. 2a, thechamber200 andmouthpiece530 are shown after they have been detached from the battery compartment510 (not shown) and each other. In this embodiment, thechamber200 has anopen top511. E-liquid is dispensed into thechamber200 through the open top511, typically using an eye dropper or syringe; thus the chamber is a top-filled chamber. Themouthpiece530 is then reattached to theopen top511 of thechamber200 so that thechamber200 is sealed. The filling process may occur with or without detaching thechamber200 from thebattery compartment510 of the EVD.
• FIG. 2bshows thechamber200 ofFIG. 2ain a disassembled state. Beginning at the left ofFIG. 2b, anatomizer assembly230 is shown. Extending from theatomizer assembly230 is avapor chimney231, which is surrounded in part by a silicone orrubber ring232. When thechamber200 is assembled, theatomizer assembly230 andvapor chimney231 fit into thechamber200. Thechamber200 is capped at its open top511 by ahollow metal ring234 that is threaded on the inside and which serves as the attachment point of the mouthpiece (not shown) to thechamber200.
• FIG. 2cis a top plan view of thechamber200 shown inFIG. 2bafter it has been reassembled, i.e., theatomizer assembly230 andvapor chimney231 have been re-inserted into thechamber200, such that the chamber contains them. Starting at the edges of thechamber200 and moving inward,FIG. 2cshows thehollow metal ring234. Moving further inward, the silicone orrubber ring232 and top of thevapor chimney231 are shown. As can be seen inFIG. 2c, there is anarrow gap240 between the silicone orrubber ring232 and thehollow metal ring234; it is through thenarrow gap240 that E-liquid is dispensed to fill thechamber200. Since thegap240 is narrow, it can be very difficult to fill thechamber200 without spilling the E-liquid down the outside of thechamber200 and contaminating the outside of thechamber200, and/or the other portions of the EVD. Moreover, if thenarrow gap240 is missed or filled too quickly, E-liquid may undesirably be dispensed into the top233 of thevapor chimney231, which may in turn result in malfunction of the EVD.
• FIG. 3ashows an alternative embodiment of achamber200 that is found in EVDs that are currently on the market. Rather than detach themouthpiece530 from the top511 of thechamber200 to fill the chamber with E-liquid, theatomizer assembly230 is removed from thebottom512 of thechamber200, as shown inFIG. 3b.
• FIG. 3bshows thechamber200 ofFIG. 3a, after theatomizer assembly230 has been removed.FIG. 3cshows a bottom plan view of thechamber200 ofFIG. 3b. Starting at the edges of thechamber200 and moving inward,FIG. 2cshows ahollow metal ring234 that is threaded on the inside and which serves as the attachment point of theatomizer assembly230. Moving further inward, thebottom232 of thevapor chimney231 is shown. As can be seen inFIG. 3c, there is anarrow gap240 between the bottom232 of thevapor chimney231 and thehollow metal ring234. It is through thenarrow gap240 that E-liquid is dispensed to fill thechamber200. Thus thechamber200 depicted inFIG. 3bis a bottom-filled chamber. Since thegap240 is narrow, it can be very difficult to fill thechamber200 without spilling the E-liquid down the outside of thechamber200 and contaminating the outside of thechamber200, and/or the other portions of the EVD (e.g., the mouthpiece). Moreover, if thenarrow gap240 is missed or filled too quickly, E-liquid may undesirably be dispensed into thebottom232 of thevapor chimney231. This can be problematic, because E-liquid may then flow from thevapor chimney231 into theatomizer assembly230 after thechamber200 has been reassembled, thereby contaminating the atomizer assembly and possibly causing it to malfunction.
• In spite of the presence of narrow gaps and/or small openings through which E-liquid is dispensed, the apparatus according to the present disclosure may eliminate the aforementioned problems regardless of whether the chamber is top-filled or bottom-filled.
• FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of anapparatus100 according to the present disclosure. Theapparatus100 comprises ahousing4. Thehousing4 comprises abase1 and a top8, and encloses a void50 that is configured to contain E-liquid. Each of these features is discussed in turn below.
• In general, the base of the apparatus comprises at least one liquid passageway and/or hole through which E-liquid may travel into the apparatus from an E-liquid storage container that is attached thereto as described below. The liquid passageway and/or holes may be formed in any suitable way using structural means so long as adequate flow of E-liquid from the E-liquid storage container into the apparatus is achieved. Useful structural means may be selected from the group of: o-rings; ports; metal rings; rubber rings; silicone rings; and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the liquid passageway and/or holes provide only for one-way flow, meaning that E-liquid may flow from the E-liquid storage container through the liquid passageway and/or holes into the apparatus, but E-liquid may not flow out of the apparatus through the liquid passageway and/or holes. This one-way feature prevents leakage of the E-liquid from the apparatus, which is a particularly desirable feature after the apparatus has been detached from the E-liquid storage container, and is stored until its next use. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, twoliquid passageways7 end asholes7ain thebase1 of thehousing4.
• In further reference toFIG. 4, thebase1 of theapparatus100 is connected at its first end to a firstlateral wall41 and at its second end to a secondlateral wall42. The firstlateral wall41 and secondlateral wall42 each join to an opposite side of thetop8 of the housing. As shown inFIG. 4, the firstlateral wall41 and the secondlateral wall42 are linear, identical in thickness and parallel to each other, such that the apparatus has a substantially tubular shape. However, any suitable lateral wall configuration may be utilized. For example, in some embodiments, the lateral walls may be curvilinear, such as to form an apparatus that is substantially spherical or hemispherical. In some embodiments, the lateral walls may join to additional walls to form an apparatus having a substantially cubical, cuboidal pyramidal or prismatic shape. In some embodiments, the lateral walls may be angled in relation to each other, such as to form an apparatus comprising a substantially conical or frustoconical shape. In any of the embodiments, the lateral walls may comprise identical or variable thicknesses.
• As can be seen inFIG. 4, thehousing4 of theapparatus100 encloses a void50, which may store E-liquid, and/or through which E-liquid may pass. In some embodiments, the void is defined by the interior of: thebase1; the firstlateral wall41; the secondlateral wall42; and thetop8 of the housing. In embodiments like those shown inFIG. 4, the void is defined by the interior walls of: thebase1, the firstlateral wall41, the secondlateral wall42; and theinternal walls51. The volume of the void50 may be adjusted by re-configuring the thickness of thebase1,lateral walls41,42,interior walls51 and/ortop8 of the housing. In addition, or in the alternative, the volume of the void50 may be modified by adding additional interior walls. In general, the volume of the void may be adjusted in order to store a predetermined amount of the E-liquid in the chamber, and/or to deliver a predetermined amount of E-liquid into the chamber to be filled.
• The top of the apparatus housing may comprise an engagement means for being connected to either the top or the bottom of a chamber into which E-liquid is to be dispensed. Any suitable engagement means may be used to removeably connect the top of the housing to the chamber to be filled so long as the engagement means provides for a seal between the top of the housing and the chamber. Useful engagement means are selected from the group of: slots; silicone seals; and combinations thereof In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, the engagement means comprises a threadedslot5. The threadedslot5 is shown from a different perspective inFIG. 5, which is a top plan view of thetop8 of theapparatus housing4. As can be seen inFIG. 5, theslot5 comprises a circular channel that is located near the periphery of thetop8 of thehousing4. In this embodiment, theslot5 is shaped to accept the threadedhollow metal ring234 at the top of theclearomizer chamber200 that is shown inFIG. 2c, or to accept the threaded hollow metal ring at the bottom of the clearomizer chamber that is shown inFIG. 3c. Theslot5 may serve as a guide to align the check valve of the apparatus with the chamber as described in detail below. Other means of alignment may be used instead of or in combination with the slot. Useful means may be selected from the group of: slots; metal pins; gasket seals; and combinations thereof In one embodiment, the alignment means comprises a pin protruding from the closing member of the apparatus, wherein the pin inserts into the vapor chimney.
• FIG. 5 also shows that in the depicted embodiment, thetop8 of thehousing4 further comprises anopening60 through which E-liquid is dispensed from theapparatus100 into a chamber (not shown). Theopening60 may be sealed by a check valve6 that regulates the flow of E-liquid from theapparatus100. The check valve6 may comprise a closingmember16 having any suitable shape as long as the closingmember16 seals theopening60 when the valve is in the closed position such that E-liquid may not leak from theapparatus100 when it is not in use. Suitable shapes of the closing member may be selected from the group of: spherical, hemispherical, rectangular, conical, cubical, pyramidal, prismatic, and frusticonical. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, the closingmember16 is frusticonical. The closing member may be made from any suitable material as long as it is sufficiently rigid to block and seal the vapor chimney. In some embodiments, the closing member comprises: plastic; metal; silicone; and combinations thereof.
• The check valve shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 is in the closed position. In the closed position, the closingmember16 may be seated against theopening60 by a biasing member. In the depicted embodiment, the biasing member is aspring2, which is connected at afirst end21 to the closingmember16 and at asecond end22 to thebase1 of thehousing4. In some embodiments, the biasing member may be selected from: a spring; a compressible hydraulic element, such as a sealed air chamber; and combinations thereof. The movement of the check valve6 may be restricted such that it will maintain the positioning of the biasingmember2 and the movement of the closingmember16. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, abase support3 is configured to maintain thespring2 position.
• Generally, when in use, the base of the apparatus may be engaged with an E-liquid storage container using attachment means that prevent leakage of the E-liquid from the attachment point. Useful attachment means may be selected from the group of: welds, e.g., ultrasonic welds; threads; magnetic connectors; flanges and combinations thereof.FIG. 6 shows how an embodiment of theapparatus100 as depicted inFIG. 4 may be sealably attached to an E-liquid container. Specifically, thebase1 of theapparatus100 is inserted into themouth401 of anE-liquid bottle400. In this embodiment,flanges11 on thebase1 of theapparatus100 holds theE-liquid bottle400 andapparatus100 together in a sealed position. TheE-liquid bottle400 andapparatus100 may be sold in this assembled configuration, i.e., sold as an assembly, and/or stored in this assembled configuration, i.e., stored as an assembly, until the consumer is ready to dispense E-liquid into a chamber.
• In use, the top of the apparatus may be engaged with a chamber into which E-liquid is to be dispensed as follows. The top of the apparatus is aligned and sealably connected with the open top of a top-filled chamber, or the open bottom of a bottom-filled chamber; this may be accomplished using any suitable means, including, but not limited to by being: screwed together via threaded connections; magnetically coupled; pressure fitted together; and combinations thereof.
• FIG. 7 shows an example of anapparatus100 that has been engaged with the top-filledchamber200 shown inFIGS. 2a,2band2c. As can be seen inFIG. 7, the top of theapparatus100 and thehollow metal ring234 that otherwise serves as the attachment point between thechamber200 the mouthpiece530 (shown inFIG. 2a), are aligned together via theslots5 in thetop8 of thehousing4. Once thetop8 of theapparatus100 and thechamber200 are aligned, they are sealably engaged by screwing them together (screw threads not shown). When theapparatus100 andchamber200 are engaged, thevapor chimney231 presses against the closing member6. When the biasing force of thespring2 against the closing member6 is overcome by the force exerted by thevapor chimney231 against the closing member6, the closing member6 is unseated and theopening60 is unsealed.E-Liquid300 is then free to pass from theapparatus100 into thechamber200. By virtue of thevapor chimney231 pressing against the closing member6, thevapor chimney231 is temporarily sealed so that no E-liquid300 may pass into thevapor chimney231 and potentially contaminate the heat source, in this embodiment, an atomizer.
• Thesame apparatus100 may likewise be used to dispense E-liquid into a bottom-filled chamber. ReferencingFIGS. 3a-c, the top of the apparatus would be attached to theopen bottom512 of a chamber at thehollow metal ring234 that otherwise serves as the attachment point for theatomizer assembly230.
• E-liquid may be dispensed into the clearomizer several ways. First, anapparatus100 that has been attached at its base to an E-liquid container400 (for example, as shown in FIG.6) may then be joined at its top to thechamber200 to be filled (for example, as shown inFIG. 7), and the resulting assembly may be inverted so that E-liquid may flow from the storage bottle, through the apparatus and into the chamber. Second, theapparatus100 andchamber200 to be filled may first be attached together at the top of theapparatus100 and then the bottom of the apparatus may be attached to the storage bottle400 (for example, as shown inFIG. 7) to form an assembly. The resulting assembly may then be inverted so that E-liquid may flow from the storage bottle, through the apparatus and into the clearomizer. Third, theapparatus100 may be attached to the storage bottle400 (for example, as shown inFIG. 6) and filled with E-liquid, detached from thestorage bottle400 and then attached to thechamber200 to be filled so that E-liquid may flow from the apparatus into the clearomizer. Regardless of which method is used, the apparatus provides for means of dispensing E-liquid from (1) a storage bottle into the (2) apparatus and from the apparatus into a (3) chamber to be filled without leakage or spillage of the E-liquid from any of the three and/or at the points at which they are attached. As a result, there is no accidental exposure of humans or animals to the E-liquid.
• Referring toFIG. 7, once the desired amount of E-liquid is dispensed into thechamber200 from theapparatus100, theapparatus100 may be disengaged from thechamber200. The disengagement results in the removal of the force exerted by thevapor chimney231 against the closing member6 such that the biasing force of thespring2 forces the closing member6 back into the opening60 (as shown inFIG. 6). Once the closing member6 is re-seated in theopening60, theapparatus100 is re-sealed, and advantageously no E-liquid300 remaining therein may undesirably leak therefrom.
• Still referencingFIG. 6, once theapparatus100 and thechamber200 are disengaged, thechamber200 may be re-sealed such as by screwing a mouthpiece back into place (as shown inFIG. 2a). In some embodiments, theapparatus100 may remain engaged with theE-liquid storage bottle400 until such time as the storage bottle is emptied of its E-liquid contents. In the alternative, theapparatus100 may be removed from thestorage bottle400 and stored for future use.
• FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional schematic view of another embodiment of anapparatus100 according to the present disclosure; this embodiment comprises anapparatus100 that is pre-loaded withE-liquid1000. i.e., a “pre-loaded apparatus.” By utilizing a pre-loaded apparatus, there is no need to transfer E-liquid from a storage bottle into the apparatus, which eliminates the associated potential for leakage or spillage. The pre-loaded apparatus may be disposable, and may be sold alone or together in a pack. If sold together in a pack, the E-liquid contained in pre-loaded apparatuses may be the same or different.
• As can be seen in the embodiment shown inFIG. 8, thepre-loaded apparatus100 has features in common with the embodiment shown and described above in relation toFIGS. 3 and 4, with the following exceptions: thebase8 of theapparatus100 does not comprise liquid passageways and/or holes.
• FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional schematic view of another embodiment of anapparatus100 according to the present disclosure. The embodiment of theapparatus100 shown inFIG. 9 has features in common with the embodiment shown and described above in relation toFIGS. 3 and 4, with the following exceptions: the positions of the check valve6 and liquid passageways and/orholes7,7aare reversed, and the mode of connecting the apparatus to the clearomizer to be filled with E-liquid container is also different. These and other features of the embodiment shown inFIG. 9 are described below.
• In the embodiment shown inFIG. 9, thehousing4 of theapparatus100 comprises abase1 with aflange11. The base has anopening60 through which E-liquid may travel. Thebase1 is connected at its first end to a firstlateral wall41 and at its second end to a secondlateral wall42. The firstlateral wall41 and secondlateral wall42 join to thetop8 of thehousing4 at opposite sides thereof. Thetop8 of thehousing4 may be shaped in any suitable way to be engaged with the open portion of a chamber to be filled with E-liquid (not shown). In the embodiment shown inFIG. 9, thetop8 of thehousing4 has a frustoconical shape so that it may be inserted into the mouth of an E-liquid storage bottle (not shown).
• Theopening60 in the base of the apparatus inFIG. 9 is reversibly sealed by a check valve6. Check valves of use may comprise a closing member having any suitable shape, including, but not limited to: spherical, hemispherical, rectangular, conical, or frusticonical. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 9, the check valve6 comprises a closingmember16 that is spherical. The check valve6 shown inFIG. 9 is in the closed position. In the closed position, the closingmember16 is seated against theopening60 by a biasing member. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 9, the biasing member is aspring2, which is connected at afirst end21 to the closingmember16 and at asecond end22 to thebase1 of aninterior wall53 of thehousing4. The movement of the check valve6 may be restricted such that it will maintain the position of the biasingmember2, and the movement of the closingmember16. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 9, abase support3 is configured to maintain thespring2 position.
• In embodiments like the one shown inFIG. 9, thehousing4 encloses a void50, which may contain E-liquid, and/or through which E-liquid may pass. Like the embodiment shown and described in relating toFIGS. 4 and 5, the volume of the void50 in the present embodiment may be adjusted by re-configuring the thickness of thelateral walls42 andinterior walls51,53 and/or adding additional internal wall(s). In general, the volume of the void50 may be adjusted in order to store and/or deliver a predetermined amount of E-liquid into thechamber200.
• In embodiments like the one shown inFIG. 9, thetop8 of the housing comprises at least one passageway in communication with the void50, and through which liquid may travel. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 9, twoliquid passageways7 extend through an interior wall51aof thehousing4 adjacent to thetop8 of thehousing4, and end atholes7ain thetop8 of thehousing4. In general, the liquid passageway and/or holes may be discrete structures or integral structures. Like the embodiment shown and described in relating toFIGS. 4 and 5, the liquid passageway and/or holes in the presently described embodiment may be formed in any suitable way using structural means. Non-limiting examples of useful structural means may be selected from: o-rings; ports; metal rings; rubber rings; silicone rings; and combinations thereof.
• As shown inFIG. 10, thebase1 of theapparatus100 shown inFIG. 9, may be inserted into theopening401 of anE-liquid storage container400, which in the depicted embodiment is a storage bottle containing the E-liquid300 to be dispensed into thechamber200. Theflange11 on thebase1 of theapparatus100 may hold thestorage bottle400 andapparatus100 together, such as by engaging an inside thread in the mouth of the bottle. In some embodiments, the flange may flare so that the apparatus may no longer be disengaged from the storage bottle without irreversibly damaging the inside thread(s) in the mouth of the storage bottle Thestorage bottle400 andapparatus100 may then be inverted, and thetop8 of theapparatus100 aligned with the open top301 of thechamber200 to be filled withE-liquid300. Alignment of thetop8 of theapparatus100 and open top301 of thechamber200 may be accomplished using any suitable means, including by shaping thetop8 of thehousing4 of theapparatus100 to fit snugly inside the open top301 of thechamber200 as shown inFIG. 10, or alternatively, by shaping thetop8 of thehousing4 to fit snugly on the outside of the open top of the chamber (not shown) to be filled withE-Liquid300.
• As can be seen inFIG. 11, thetop8 of theapparatus100 and themetal ring234 on the top of thechamber200 are aligned together and engaged such that the interior wall51 a of thehousing4 adjacent to thetop8 of thehousing4, presses against thevapor chimney231, and seals it against entry ofE-liquid300, and potential contamination of thevapor chimney231.
• E-liquid may then be dispensed into the cartomizer520 as follows. When the biasing force of thespring2 against the closing member6 is overcome by a force exerted by a consumer squeezing thestorage bottle400 containing the E-liquid, the closing member6 is unseated and theopening60 is unsealed.E-Liquid300 is then free to pass into thechamber200, after which it is gravity fed and/or pushed by squeezing the bottle through the apparatus and into the chamber to be filled. By virtue of thevapor chimney231 pressing against the closing member6, thevapor chimney231 is sealed off so that no E-liquid300 may pass into thevapor chimney231 and potentially contaminate the heat source, in this embodiment, an atomizer (not shown).
• Thesame apparatus100 may likewise be used to dispense E-liquid into a bottom-filled chamber. ReferencingFIGS. 3a-c, the top of the apparatus would be attached to theopen bottom512 of a chamber at thehollow metal ring234 that otherwise serves as the attachment point for theatomizer assembly230.
• Once the desired amount ofE-liquid300 is dispensed into thechamber200, the force exerted by squeezing thestorage bottle400 is removed, such as by the consumer relaxing his or her grip on thestorage bottle400. Removal of this force allows the biasing force of thespring2 to force the closing member6 back into theopening60. Once the closing member6 is re-seated in theopening60, theapparatus100 is re-sealed, and no E-liquid300 remaining therein may escape. Generally, E-liquid is prevented from escaping from thefluid passageways7 in thetop8 of theapparatus100 by capillary action acting on the viscous E-liquid and by the exertion of negative pressure on the E-liquid in thefluid passageways7 resulting from the consumer relaxing his or her grip on thestorage bottle400. Moreover, no E-liquid300 may flow from thestorage bottle400 into theapparatus100. Likewise, no E-liquid300 may accidentally leak or spill from thestorage bottle400.
• Once theapparatus100 and thechamber200 are disengaged, thechamber200 may be re-sealed such as by screwing the mouthpiece (not shown) of thechamber200 back into place. Theapparatus100 may be retained in an engaged position with theE-liquid storage bottle400 until such time as thestorage bottle400 is emptied of its E-liquid300 contents. Should thebottle400 accidentally be squeezed while theapparatus100 andstorage bottle400 are engaged, no leakage of the E-liquid300 outside of thestorage bottle400 may occur, thus preventing any unwanted contact with theE-liquid300.
• EVDs500 that are currently on the market vary in shape and size. In order for theapparatus100 to be used with a wide variety ofEVDs500, the apparatus may further comprise one ormore adapters600. Theadapter600 may be integral to theapparatus100 or may be attached thereto as needed. For example, a relativelyshort adapter600 may be useful for connecting theapparatus100 to achamber200 having a relativelytall vapor chimney231 so that thevapor chimney231 is effectively sealed off by the closingmember16 during E-liquid dispensing as discussed above. Likewise, a relativelylonger adapter600 may be useful for connecting theapparatus100 to achamber200 having a relativelyshort vapor chimney231. In a further example, theapparatus100 may have a smaller or larger width or diameter than the top of thechamber200, and as such, an adapter would enable theapparatus100 to be inserted into or around achamber200 that it would not otherwise fit. By utilizing anadapter600 that is universal or a set ofadapters600 having different sizes, in conjunction with theapparatus100, a variety ofchambers200, such aschambers200 made by different manufacturers, may be filled using asingle apparatus100.
• For instance,FIG. 12 shows anadaptor600 for use with a top-filledEVD500.Adaptor600 comprises a top602, a bottom608, and awall610 extending between the top602 and the bottom608.Adaptor600 further comprises atube630 extending centrally through theadaptor600. The top602 includes anopening604 configured to receive thetop8 of theapparatus100. When theapparatus100 is coupled with theadapter600, the closingmember16 of the apparatus is aligned with thetube630 of theadapter600. Thebottom608 of theadapter600 is then coupled with thechamber200 of theEVD500 such that thechimney231 is aligned with thetube630 of theadapter600. Withchimney231 aligned withtube630 and closingmember16,chimney231 is sealed off so that no E-liquid300 may pass into thechimney231 and potentially contaminate the heat source, in this embodiment, an atomizer (not shown). The height oftube630 thereby allowsadapter600 to account forchimneys231 of varying heights.
• As also shown inFIG. 12, the diameter of theEVD500 is larger than the diameter of theapparatus100. Accordingly, the diameter of the bottom608 of theadapter600 is sized to correspond to the diameter of theEVD500, while the diameter of theopening604 of the top602 is sized to correspond to the diameter of theapparatus100. In other embodiments, the diameter of theEVD500 is smaller than the diameter of theapparatus100. Theopening604 and thebottom608 of theadapter600 can be adjusted to accommodate this.Adapter600 thereby allows anapparatus100 to be used withEVDs500 of varying sizes relative to theapparatus100.
• FIG. 13 shows anotheradapter600 that is similar to theadapter600 described above, except that theadapter600 ofFIG. 13 is for use with a bottom-filledEVD500. ReferencingFIGS. 3a-c, the bottom of theadapter608 would be attached to theopen bottom512 of a chamber at thehollow metal ring234 that otherwise serves as the attachment point for theatomizer assembly230.
• While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (22)

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for dispensing E-liquid into a chamber of an electronic vaporization device, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a housing comprising a top and a base and enclosing a void that is configured to contain the E-liquid, wherein:

ii. the top comprises:

1. a first fluid passageway in fluid communication with the void and through which the E-liquid is dispensed into the chamber; and

2. a first engagement means configured to attach the apparatus to the chamber so that the first fluid passageway is in fluid communication with the chamber; and

ii. the base comprises:

1. a second fluid passageway in fluid communication with the void and through which E-liquid from an E-liquid container is dispensed into the apparatus; and

2. a second engagement means configured to attach the base to an E-liquid container so that the second fluid passageway is in fluid communication with the E-liquid container;

(b) a check valve that regulates flow of the E-liquid through the first fluid passageway into the chamber, the check valve comprising:

i. a closing member; and

ii. a biasing member that biases the closing member into a sealing relationship with the first fluid passageway.

2. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the chamber of the electronic vaporization device contains a vapor chimney and the closing member is configured to seal the vapor chimney when the apparatus is attached to the chamber, while allowing E-liquid to be dispensed into the chamber through the first fluid passageway.

3. The apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein the first fluid passageway comprises an opening in the top of the apparatus, and the biasing member biases the closing member into a sealing relationship with the opening.

4. The apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein closing member has a shape selected from the group of: spherical, hemispherical, rectangular, conical, cubical, pyramidal, prismatic, and frusticonical.

5. The apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein the biasing member is selected from the group of: springs; sealed air chambers; and combinations thereof.

6. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising an E-liquid container attached to the base of the apparatus.

7. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the first engagement means is selected from the group of: slots; silicone seals; and combinations thereof.

8. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the second fluid passageway comprises a structure selected from the group of a hole; o-ring; port; metal ring; rubber ring; silicone ring; and combinations thereof.

9. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the E-liquid contains a substance to be vaporized, wherein the substance is selected from the group of: glycerin; propylene glycol; flavorings; nicotine; medicaments; and combinations thereof.

10. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising an adapter that is configured to couple the apparatus with the chamber.

11. An apparatus for dispensing E-liquid into a chamber of an electronic vaporization device, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a housing comprising a top and a base and enclosing a void that is configured to contain the E-liquid, wherein:

i. the top comprises:

1. a first fluid passageway in fluid communication with the void and through which the E-liquid is dispensed into the chamber; and

2. a first engagement means configured to attach the apparatus to the chamber so that the first fluid passageway is in fluid communication with the chamber; and

ii. the base comprises:

1. a second fluid passageway in fluid communication with the void and through which E-liquid from an E-liquid container is dispensed into the apparatus; and

2. a second engagement means configured to attach the base to an E-liquid container so that the second fluid passageway is in fluid communication with the E-liquid container;

(b) a check valve that regulates flow of the E-liquid through the second fluid passageway into the apparatus from the E-liquid container, the check valve comprising:

i. a closing member; and

ii. a biasing member that biases the closing member into a sealing relationship with the second fluid passageway.

12. The apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein at least a portion of the top is configured to insert into an opening in the chamber when the apparatus is attached to the chamber.

13. The apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein chamber comprises a vapor chimney, and the at least a portion of the top is configured to seal the vapor chimney when the apparatus is attached to the chamber while allowing E-liquid to be dispensed into the chamber through the first fluid passageway.

14. The apparatus according toclaim 12, wherein the second fluid passageway comprises an opening in the base of the apparatus, and the biasing member biases the closing member into a sealing relationship with the opening.

15. The apparatus according toclaim 11, further comprising an E-liquid storage container attached to the bottom of the apparatus.

16. The apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein the biasing member is selected from the group of: springs; sealed air chambers; and combinations thereof.

17. A method of dispensing an E-liquid into the chamber of an electronic vaporization device, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an apparatus comprising a top and a base, and enclosing a void that is configured to contain the E-liquid, wherein:

ii. the top comprises:

1. a first fluid passageway in fluid communication with the void and through which the E-liquid is dispensed into the chamber; and

2. a first engagement means configured to attach the apparatus to the chamber so that the first fluid passageway is in fluid communication with the chamber;

ii. the base comprises:

1. a second fluid passageway in fluid communication with the void and through which E-liquid from an E-liquid container is dispensed into the apparatus; and

2. a second engagement means configured to attach the base to an E-liquid container so that the second fluid passageway is in fluid communication with the E-liquid container; and

wherein flow of the E-liquid through the apparatus is regulated by a check valve comprising:

i. a closing member; and

ii. a biasing member;

(b) attaching the apparatus to the chamber via the first engagement means to form a first assembly; and

(c) dispensing the E-liquid through the first fluid passageway into the chamber.

18. The method according toclaim 17, wherein the chamber contains a vapor chimney, the method further comprising the step of sealing the vapor chimney with the closing member.

19. The method according toclaim 17, further comprising the step of attaching an E-liquid container to the base of the apparatus via the second engagement means to form a second assembly.

20. The method according toclaim 19, further comprising inverting the second assembly and dispensing E-liquid from the E-liquid container into the first fluid passageway, through the void, through the second passageway and into the chamber.

21. The method according toclaim 17, wherein the void is pre-filled with E-liquid prior to attaching the apparatus to the chamber to form the first assembly.

22. An apparatus for dispensing E-liquid into a chamber of an electronic vaporization device, wherein the apparatus is pre-loaded with the E-liquid and comprises:

(a) a housing comprising a top and a base and enclosing a void that is configured to contain the E-liquid, wherein:

ii. the top comprises:

1. a first fluid passageway in fluid communication with the void and through which the E-liquid is dispensed into the chamber; and

2. a first engagement means configured to attach the apparatus to the chamber so that the first fluid passageway is in fluid communication with the chamber; and

(b) a check valve that regulates flow of the E-liquid through the first fluid passageway into the chamber, the check valve comprising:

i. a closing member; and

ii. a biasing member that biases the closing member into a sealing relationship with the first fluid passageway.

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