IP Verse

Vaporizer

Patent No. US11606981 (titled "Vaporizer") was filed by Envenio Inc on Nov 11, 2020.

What is this patent about?

’981 is related to the field of vaporizers , also known as electronic cigarettes, and more specifically to chargers and charging methods for these devices. Electronic cigarettes typically consist of a power supply, usually a battery, and an atomizing device that vaporizes a nicotine-containing liquid. Reusable electronic cigarettes often separate the battery and the cartomizer (containing the liquid), while disposable versions integrate both into a single unit.

The underlying idea behind ’981 is to improve the design and functionality of electronic cigarette chargers and the charging process. This involves creating a more convenient and reliable way to recharge the battery, often by using magnetic connectors for easy attachment and detachment. The design also aims to allow for 'pass-through' charging, enabling the user to operate the electronic cigarette while it's being charged.

The claims of ’981 focus on a vaporizer device comprising a battery portion with an outer shell and a chamber, and a cartomizer with a mouthpiece and an insertion end. The cartomizer body holds a fluid vaporizable substance, with at least a portion of the body being translucent for viewing the substance. The cartomizer also includes a heating element, a wicking element, an inhalation tube, and electrical contacts positioned to connect with battery contacts when inserted into the chamber. Some claims specify a window in the outer shell of the battery portion to align with the translucent portion of the cartomizer.

The invention works by providing a secure and reliable electrical connection between the charger and the electronic cigarette. This is often achieved through magnets that align and hold the charger in place. The charger then delivers power to the battery, which in turn powers the heating element in the cartomizer. The translucent material and window allow users to monitor the level of vaporizable substance remaining, while the wicking element ensures efficient delivery of the liquid to the heating element.

The design differentiates itself from prior approaches by offering a more user-friendly and efficient charging experience. The magnetic connection simplifies attachment and detachment, while the pass-through charging capability eliminates downtime. The translucent cartomizer body and window provide a visual indication of the remaining fluid, addressing a common user need. Furthermore, the use of a temperature sensor and associated circuitry allows for precise control of the vaporization temperature, preventing burning and ensuring a consistent vaping experience.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the early 2010s when ’981 was filed, electronic cigarettes typically consisted of a battery and an atomizing device. Reusable versions separated these into a battery and a cartomizer, allowing replacement of the nicotine-containing fluid while preserving the battery and associated circuitry. Disposable versions integrated both components into a single unit for one-time use. The liquid used for vaporization generally comprised propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or polyethylene glycol, often with added flavors and nicotine.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner approved the application because the prior art, specifically modified Qiu, does not teach or suggest including a window in the outer shell of the vaporizer where the translucent portion of the cartomizer body aligns when inserted. Furthermore, the prior art, such as Newton or Qiu, does not teach or suggest the combination of a battery portion with a chamber for receiving the cartomizer body, cartomizer electrical contacts, a heating element through an opening, a battery segment, battery electrical contacts, and an outer shell with a window for viewing the cartomizer body. While US 2013/0037041 teaches all limitations of claims 10 and 24, it excludes cartomizer electrical contacts on the exterior of the cartomizer, and there is no teaching or reasonable suggestion in the prior art to make this modification.

Claims

This patent contains 18 claims, of which claims 1, 9, 13, and 17 are independent. The independent claims generally focus on a vaporizer device comprising a battery portion and a cartomizer, with variations in the structural details and arrangement of components like the cartomizer body, heating element, electrical contacts, and the presence of a translucent material for viewing the vaporizable substance. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features, materials, or configurations of the vaporizer device and its components, further defining the scope of the invention.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Battery electrical contacts
(Claim 1, Claim 17)		“In another embodiment of a vaporizer, in accordance with the disclosure, the vaporizer may include a shell having a battery segment and a cartomizer receiving segment, the cartomizer receiving segment defining a chamber having an insertion end distal from the battery segment and a base end proximate to the battery segment. The vaporizer may further include a cartomizer insertable into the chamber at the insertion end, and the cartomizer may include a cartomizer body dimensioned to hold a vaporizable substance, a heating element provided within or proximate to the cartomizer body operable to heat the vaporizable substance, cartomizer electrical contacts provided on the exterior of the cartomizer, cartomizer electrical circuitry operable to direct an electronic current between the cartomizer electrical contacts and the heating element, and a mouthpiece in fluid communication with the cartomizer body, the mouthpiece extending from the insertion end of the chamber when the cartomizer is inserted in the chamber. The heating element may be activated by the current and is operable to heat the vaporizable substance to a vaporization temperature. A battery may be housed within the battery segment. The vaporizer may also include battery electrical contacts provided between the base end of the chamber and the battery segment, the battery electrical contacts positioned to contact the cartomizer electrical contacts when the cartomizer is inserted in the chamber.”Electrical contacts located at the base end of the chamber in the battery portion, positioned to connect with the cartomizer electrical contacts when the cartomizer is inserted.
Cartomizer electrical contacts
(Claim 1, Claim 9, Claim 13, Claim 17)		“In another embodiment of a vaporizer, in accordance with the disclosure, the vaporizer may include a shell having a battery segment and a cartomizer receiving segment, the cartomizer receiving segment defining a chamber having an insertion end distal from the battery segment and a base end proximate to the battery segment. The vaporizer may further include a cartomizer insertable into the chamber at the insertion end, and the cartomizer may include a cartomizer body dimensioned to hold a vaporizable substance, a heating element provided within or proximate to the cartomizer body operable to heat the vaporizable substance, cartomizer electrical contacts provided on the exterior of the cartomizer, cartomizer electrical circuitry operable to direct an electronic current between the cartomizer electrical contacts and the heating element, and a mouthpiece in fluid communication with the cartomizer body, the mouthpiece extending from the insertion end of the chamber when the cartomizer is inserted in the chamber.”Electrical contacts located on the exterior of the cartomizer, specifically at the insertion end, that connect with the battery electrical contacts to provide power to the heating element.
Fluid vaporizable substance
(Claim 1, Claim 9, Claim 13, Claim 17)		“The electronic cigarette liquid used to vaporize ingredients such as nicotine is generally a solution of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), or polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400), as well as their mixtures to which a flavor and/or nicotine has been added. The solution is often sold in a bottle (for refilling by the user) or in disposable cartridges or cartomizers. Many different flavors are incorporated into these liquids, including those that resemble the taste of regular tobacco, menthol, vanilla, coffee, cola and/or various fruits. Various nicotine concentrations are also available, and nicotine-free solutions are also common.”A liquid substance contained within the cartomizer body that is capable of being vaporized by the heating element.
Inhalation tube
(Claim 1, Claim 13, Claim 17)		“No explicit definition found, but the claims imply that the inhalation tube is used to transport vapor from the heating element to the mouthpiece.”A tube within the cartomizer that connects the heating element and wicking element to the mouthpiece, allowing the user to inhale the vaporized substance.
Wicking element
(Claim 1, Claim 9, Claim 13)		“No explicit definition found, but the claims imply that the wicking element is used in conjunction with the heating element to vaporize the fluid vaporizable substance.”A component inside the cartomizer body that absorbs the vaporizable substance and delivers it to the heating element.

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case NumberFiling DateTitle
2:25-cv-09331Sep 30, 2025JUUL Labs, Inc. v. Glas, Inc.
2:23-cv-01204Jun 30, 2023Juul Labs Incorporated V. Njoy Llc

Patent Family

Patent Family

File Wrapper

The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.

  • Date

    Description

  • Get instant alerts for new documents

US11606981

ENVENIO INC
Application Number
US17095567
Filing Date
Nov 11, 2020
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Mar 22, 2034
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents