Patent Description:
E-vaping devices, also referred to herein as electronic vaping devices (EVDs) may be used by adult vapers for fluid portable vaping. An e-vaping device may include a reservoir that holds pre-vapor formulation and a vaporizer assembly that may heat pre-vapor formulation drawn from the reservoir to generate a vapor.

<CIT> discloses an atomizer section for an electronic cigarette. The atomizer section comprising a glass tube for containing a liquid to be atomized, an atomizing core assembly and an air intake valve comprising a top cover and a bottom cover. The valve top cover comprises a plurality of recesses arranged to engage a domed pin as the valve top cover is rotated relative to the valve bottom cover. The valve bottom cover comprises a plurality of air intake holes having different sizes. The valve top cover comprises a circular air inlet configured to align with one of the air intake holes of the valve bottom cover when the valve top cover is rotated. During use of the atomizer section, air enters the atomizer section through the circular air inlet of the valve top cover. From the air inlet, the air flows through one of the air intake holes, into an air cavity, and then into the atomizing core assembly.

According to some example embodiments, a vapor generator assembly for an e-vaping device includes a reservoir configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation, a vaporizer assembly configured to heat pre-vapor formulation drawn from the reservoir to form a vapor, and an air intake assembly configured to direct ambient air into the vaporizer assembly. The air intake assembly at least partially defines an arcuate air inlet that extends at least partially around an outer surface of the vapor generator assembly. The air intake assembly at least partially defines an inlet channel extending from the arcuate air inlet into an interior of the vapor generator assembly to at least partially establish fluid communication between the arcuate air inlet and the vaporizer assembly. The vapor generator assembly further includes a flow control structure including a plurality of orifices having different sizes. The vapor generator assembly further includes an airflow conduit extending between the flow control structure and the vaporizer assembly, such that the inlet channel is configured to establish fluid communication between the arcuate air inlet and the vaporizer assembly via the flow control structure and the airflow conduit. The flow control structure is configured to adjustably align a selected orifice of the plurality of orifices with the airflow conduit to adjustably control a cross-sectional flow area associated with the airflow conduit.

The inlet channel may extend coaxially in relation to a longitudinal axis of the vapor generator assembly.

The arcuate air inlet may be at least partially defined by an arcuate gap between the air intake assembly and an outer housing of the vapor generator assembly.

The flow control structure may include an adjustment ring structure configured to be rotated around the longitudinal axis of the vapor generator assembly to adjustably align the selected orifice with the airflow conduit.

The air intake assembly may include the flow control structure.

The arcuate air inlet may be an annular air inlet that extends around an entirety of the outer surface of the vapor generator assembly.

The inlet channel may be an annular channel.

According to some example embodiments, an e-vaping device includes a reservoir configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation, a vaporizer assembly configured to heat pre-vapor formulation drawn from the reservoir to form a vapor, an air intake assembly configured to direct ambient air into the vaporizer assembly, and a power supply assembly configured to supply electrical power to the vaporizer assembly. The air intake assembly at least partially defines an arcuate air inlet that extends at least partially around an outer surface of the vapor generator assembly. The air intake assembly at least partially defines an inlet channel extending from the arcuate air inlet into an interior of the vapor generator assembly to at least partially establish fluid communication between the arcuate air inlet and the vaporizer assembly. The e-vaping device includes a flow control structure including a plurality of orifices having different sizes. The e-vaping device includes an airflow conduit extending between the flow control structure and the vaporizer assembly, such that the inlet channel is configured to establish fluid communication between the arcuate air inlet and the vaporizer assembly via the flow control structure and the airflow conduit. The flow control structure is configured to adjustably align a selected orifice of the plurality of orifices with the airflow conduit to adjustably control a cross-sectional flow area associated with the airflow conduit.

The arcuate air inlet may be at least partially defined by an arcuate gap between the air intake assembly and an outer housing of the e-vaping device.

The flow control structure may be an adjustment ring configured to be rotated around the longitudinal axis of the e-vaping device to adjustably align the selected orifice with the airflow conduit.

The arcuate air inlet may be an annular air inlet that extends around an entirety of the outer surface of the e-vaping device.

The e-vaping device may include a vapor generator assembly. The vapor generator assembly may include the reservoir and the vaporizer assembly. The power supply assembly may be detachably coupled to the vapor generator assembly.

The power supply assembly may include a rechargeable battery.

The various features and advantages of the non-limiting example embodiments herein may become more apparent upon review of the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely provided for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, example embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives thereof. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," "coupled to," "attached to," "adjacent to," or "covering" another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, attached to, adjacent to or covering the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, and so forth may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Therefore, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (for example, "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like) may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Therefore, the term "below" may encompass both an orientation of above and below.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. It will be further understood that the terms "includes," "including," "comprises," and "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, and so forth, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and so forth, or groups thereof.

When the words "about" and "substantially" are used in this specification in connection with a numerical value, it is intended that the associated numerical value include a tolerance of ±<NUM> percent around the stated numerical value, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of example embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations are to be expected. Therefore, example embodiments should not be construed as limited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes.

Vapor, aerosol and dispersion are used interchangeably and are meant to cover the matter generated or outputted by the devices disclosed, claimed and equivalents thereof.

Hardware may be implemented using processing or control circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more processors, one or more Central Processing Units (CPUs), one or more microcontrollers, one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more microcomputers, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more System-on-Chips (SoCs), one or more programmable logic units (PLUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or any other device or devices capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an e-vaping device <NUM>. The e-vaping device <NUM> does not include a flow control structure including a plurality of orifices having different sizes and therefore does not fall within the scope of the present invention. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along line IB-IB' of the e-vaping device <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along line IC-IC' of the e-vaping device <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along line IC-IC' of the e-vaping device <NUM> of <FIG>. As used herein, the term "e-vaping device" is inclusive of all types of electronic vaping devices, regardless of form, size or shape.

Referring to <FIG>, the e-vaping device <NUM> includes a vapor generator assembly <NUM> and a power supply assembly <NUM>. The vapor generator assembly <NUM> and power supply assembly <NUM> include respective complementary connector assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> and are configured to be detachably connected to each other based on detachably coupling the connector assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> together. A vapor generator assembly <NUM> that is configured to be detachably coupled to a power supply assembly <NUM> to form an e-vaping device <NUM> may be referred to herein as a cartridge. The connector assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> include threaded connectors. It should be appreciated that a connector assembly <NUM>, <NUM> may be any type of connector, including, without limitation, a snug-fit, detent, clamp, bayonet, sliding fit, sleeve fit, alignment fit, threaded connector, magnetic, clasp, or any other type of connection, or combinations thereof.

As shown in <FIG>, the vapor generator assembly <NUM> includes an outer housing <NUM> and the power supply assembly <NUM> includes an outer housing <NUM>. The outer housing <NUM> of the vapor generator assembly <NUM> may define an outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>, and the outer housing <NUM> of the power supply assembly <NUM> may define an outer surface 121U of the power supply assembly <NUM>. Accordingly, the outer housings <NUM>, <NUM> may collectively define an outer housing <NUM> of the e-vaping device <NUM>, and the outer surfaces 111U, 121U may collectively define an outer surface 191U of the e-vaping device <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the vapor generator assembly <NUM> includes a reservoir <NUM>, a vaporizer assembly <NUM>, and an air intake assembly <NUM>. The vapor generator assembly <NUM> includes a reservoir housing <NUM> that at least partially defines an outer boundary of the reservoir <NUM>, such that the reservoir <NUM> may include an internal space of the vapor generator assembly <NUM> that is at least partially defined by the reservoir housing <NUM> and one or more internal structural elements <NUM> of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>. As further shown in <FIG>, the reservoir <NUM> may be further defined by at least the conduit <NUM> and vaporizer assembly <NUM>, described further below. The reservoir <NUM> may hold a pre-vapor formulation <NUM>. For example, where the reservoir <NUM> includes an enclosure defined by at least the reservoir housing <NUM>, the reservoir <NUM> may hold pre-vapor formulation <NUM> in the enclosure.

The vaporizer assembly <NUM> may include an outer housing <NUM> that at least partially defines an interior space <NUM> of the vaporizer assembly <NUM>. As further shown in at least <FIG>, the vaporizer assembly <NUM> may include a fluid port <NUM>, which extends through the outer housing <NUM> of the vaporizer assembly <NUM> between the interior space <NUM> of the vaporizer assembly <NUM> and an exterior of the vaporizer assembly <NUM>, such that the fluid port <NUM> may enable fluid communication between elements at least partially located within the interior space <NUM> and an exterior of the vaporizer assembly <NUM>. As further shown in <FIG>, the fluid port <NUM> may enable fluid communication between the reservoir <NUM> and the vaporizer assembly <NUM>.

The vaporizer assembly <NUM> may include a heater <NUM> and a dispensing interface <NUM>. The dispensing interface <NUM> may be in fluid communication with the fluid port <NUM>, such that the dispensing interface <NUM> is configured to be in fluid communication with the reservoir <NUM> through at least the fluid port <NUM>. Accordingly, pre-vapor formulation drawn into the interior space <NUM> through fluid port <NUM> may be drawn by the dispensing interface <NUM> to be in fluid communication with the heater <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may heat pre-vapor formulation <NUM> drawn from the reservoir <NUM> through the fluid port <NUM> to generate a vapor <NUM>. Therefore, the vaporizer assembly <NUM> may be configured to enable pre-vapor formulation <NUM> to be drawn from the reservoir <NUM> into at least a portion of the vaporizer assembly <NUM> and may be further configured to heat such drawn pre-vapor formulation <NUM> to form a vapor <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, the vaporizer assembly <NUM> may include one or more inlet ports <NUM> and an outlet port <NUM>, where the one or more inlet ports <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> are in fluid communication with each other through a portion of the interior space <NUM> of the vaporizer assembly <NUM> that is further in fluid communication with at least the heater <NUM>. The one or more inlet ports <NUM> may direct air <NUM> into the vaporizer assembly <NUM> to flow in fluid communication with the heater <NUM> and at least a portion of the dispensing interface, such that the directed air <NUM> may entrain vapor <NUM> formed by the heater <NUM>, and the air <NUM> and vapor <NUM> may be further drawn out of the vaporizer assembly <NUM> via outlet port <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, the outlet port <NUM> may be coupled to outlet port <NUM> via conduit <NUM>, where the outlet port <NUM> extends through the outer housing <NUM> of the vapor generator assembly <NUM> such that the outlet port <NUM> is in direct fluid communication with the ambient environment that is external to the vapor generator assembly <NUM>, and the conduit <NUM> establishes fluid communication between outlet port <NUM> and outlet port <NUM> such that outlet port <NUM> is in fluid communication with the ambient environment via conduit <NUM> and outlet port <NUM>. Accordingly, the vapor generator assembly <NUM> is configured to direct vapor <NUM> and air <NUM> that are drawn out of the vaporizer assembly <NUM> via outlet port <NUM> to be further drawn out of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>, and therefore out of the e-vaping device <NUM>, via conduit <NUM> and outlet port <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the air intake assembly <NUM> is configured to direct air <NUM> into the vaporizer assembly <NUM> from the ambient environment that is external to the vapor generator assembly <NUM>.

The air intake assembly <NUM> may include one or more structural elements (that is, pieces of material, structures, or the like) <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N (where N is a positive integer) which collectively at least partially define one or more spaces, conduits, channels, or the like, including an arcuate air inlet <NUM> and an inlet channel <NUM>, such that the air intake assembly <NUM> may be understood to include the arcuate air inlet <NUM> and the inlet channel <NUM>. As shown in at least <FIG>, at least an outer portion of the one or more structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N of the air intake assembly <NUM> that is exposed to the exterior of the vapor generator assembly <NUM> may define an outer surface 150U of the air intake assembly <NUM>. As shown in at least <FIG>, at least one structural element <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N defines an outer surface 151U of the air intake assembly <NUM> that defines at least a portion of the arcuate air inlet <NUM>, and the vapor generator assembly <NUM> may include a housing structure <NUM> that is separate from the air intake assembly <NUM> and has an outer surface 119U that defines a separate portion of the arcuate air inlet <NUM>, such that at least the outer surface 151U of the air intake assembly <NUM> and the outer surface 119U of the housing structure <NUM> collectively define the arcuate air inlet <NUM>. The housing structure <NUM> is a portion of the reservoir housing <NUM>, such that reservoir housing <NUM> and housing structure <NUM> are included in a unitary piece of material.

As further shown in <FIG>, the air intake assembly <NUM>, housing structure <NUM>, and reservoir housing <NUM> may collectively define the outer housing <NUM> of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>, and the outer surfaces 150U, 151U, 119U, 113U of the air intake assembly <NUM>, housing structure <NUM>, and reservoir housing <NUM> may collectively define the outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the arcuate air inlet <NUM> extends at least partially around the outer surface 150U of the air intake assembly <NUM> and the outer surface 119U of the housing structure <NUM>, thereby extending at least partially around the outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>, at least partially around the outer surface 191U of the e-vaping device <NUM>, or a combination thereof.

As shown in at least <FIG>, at least one structural element <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N defines an outer surface 151U of the air intake assembly <NUM> that defines at least a portion of the arcuate air inlet <NUM>, and the inlet channel <NUM> extends from the outer surface 151U to extend from the arcuate air inlet <NUM> into an interior of the vapor generator assembly <NUM> that is at least partially defined by the outer housing <NUM>, an interior of the e-vaping device <NUM> that is at least partially defined by the outer housing <NUM>, or a combination thereof, to at least partially establish fluid communication between the arcuate air inlet <NUM> and the vaporizer assembly <NUM>. As shown in at least <FIG>, the inlet channel <NUM> may extend coaxially in relation to a longitudinal axis <NUM>. The longitudinal axis <NUM> may be the longitudinal axis of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>, the power supply assembly <NUM>, the e-vaping device <NUM>, a sub-combination thereof, or a combination thereof.

Still referring to <FIG>, the vapor generator assembly <NUM> includes an airflow conduit <NUM> extending through the housing structure <NUM> between the inlet channel <NUM> of the air intake assembly <NUM> and the one or more inlet ports <NUM> of the vaporizer assembly <NUM>. Accordingly, the inlet channel <NUM> may be configured to establish fluid communication between the arcuate air inlet <NUM> and the vaporizer assembly <NUM> via the airflow conduit <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the airflow conduit <NUM> may extend at least partially radially in relation to the longitudinal axis <NUM>, thereby extending orthogonal in relation to the inlet channel <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the airflow conduit <NUM> may extend through a portion of the housing structure <NUM>, but example embodiments are not limited thereto. In some example embodiments, airflow conduit <NUM> is omitted from the vapor generator assembly <NUM>, such that the inlet channel <NUM> is in direct fluid communication (for example, without any interposing conduits) with the one or more inlet ports <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the power supply assembly <NUM> may include a power supply <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> may be a rechargeable battery, and the power supply assembly <NUM> may be configured to supply electrical power from the power supply <NUM> to the heater <NUM> via one or more electrical leads to support vapor generation at the vaporizer assembly <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the e-vaping device <NUM> may include an instance of control circuitry <NUM> that may be configured to control the supply of electrical power from the power supply <NUM> to the vaporizer assembly <NUM>. In the example embodiments shown in <FIG>, the control circuitry <NUM> is included in the power supply assembly <NUM>, but it will be understood that the control circuitry <NUM> may be included in the vapor generator assembly <NUM> instead of the power supply assembly <NUM>.

The vapor generator assembly <NUM> and the power supply assembly <NUM> are configured to be detachably coupled via complementary connector assemblies <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, one or more electrical circuits through the vapor generator assembly <NUM> and the power supply assembly <NUM> may be established based on connector assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> being coupled together. The established electrical circuits may include at least the heater <NUM>, the control circuitry <NUM>, and the power supply <NUM>. The electrical circuit may include electrical leads one or both of connector assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>.

The power supply <NUM> may be a Lithium-ion battery or one of its variants, for example a Lithium-ion polymer battery. Further, the power supply <NUM> may be rechargeable and may include circuitry configured to allow the battery to be chargeable by an external charging device.

Upon completing the connection between the vapor generator assembly <NUM> and the power supply assembly <NUM>, the power supply <NUM> may be electrically connected with the heater <NUM> by control circuitry <NUM> based on a signal received at the control circuitry <NUM> from a sensor of the e-vaping device <NUM>, an interface of the e-vaping device <NUM>, or a combination thereof. To control the supply of electrical power to a heater <NUM>, the control circuitry <NUM> may execute one or more instances of computer-executable program code. The control circuitry <NUM> may include a processor and a memory. The memory may be a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable code. The control circuitry <NUM> may be a special purpose machine configured to execute the computer-executable code to control the supply of electrical power to the heater <NUM>. Controlling the supply of electrical power to the heater <NUM> may be referred to herein interchangeably as activating the heater <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG> the air intake assembly <NUM> is configured to at least enable fluid communication between the ambient environment and the vaporizer assembly <NUM> wherein the arcuate air inlet <NUM> is at least partially resistant to obstruction, for example by a hand of an adult vaper as a result of the e-vaping device <NUM> being manually manipulated by an adult vaper. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG> and as described further below, the arcuate air inlet <NUM> may extend around a substantial fraction of the circumference of the outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>, such that at least a portion of the arcuate air inlet <NUM> may be exposed to the ambient environment and enable fluid communication between the inlet channel <NUM> and the ambient environment, even when an adult vaper's hand at least partially covers a portion of the outer surface 111U. In view of the air intake assembly <NUM> being configured to direct air <NUM> to the vaporizer assembly <NUM> with at least partial resistance to obstruction, the air intake assembly <NUM> may be configured to enable improved reliability and flow rate of the supply of air <NUM> to the vaporizer assembly <NUM> during operation of the e-vaping device <NUM>, thereby improving performance of the e-vaping device <NUM> and improving the sensor experience provided by the e-vaping device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the arcuate air inlet <NUM> is at least partially defined by an arcuate gap <NUM> between at least two separate inner surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> that extend along an arc around the longitudinal axis <NUM>, where the arcuate gap <NUM> is further defined in a direction extending parallel to longitudinal axis <NUM> by the outer surface 151U of the air intake assembly <NUM>. In <FIG>, one inner surface <NUM>-<NUM> is a radially outward-facing outer surface 119U, facing radially outward from the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the housing structure <NUM>. Another inner surface <NUM>-<NUM> is a radially inward-facing surface of the one or more structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N of the air intake assembly <NUM>, such that the arcuate air inlet <NUM> is at least partially defined by an arcuate gap <NUM> between the air intake assembly <NUM> and housing structure <NUM> of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>. For example where housing structure <NUM> is omitted from the vapor generator assembly <NUM>, the separate inner surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are separate surfaces of one or more structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N of the air intake assembly <NUM>. The separate inner surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are separate surfaces of a single, unitary piece of material that is included in one or more structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N of the air intake assembly <NUM>.

Where the arcuate air inlet <NUM> is an annular air inlet that extends around an entirety of the circumference of the outer surface 111U, the arcuate gap <NUM> is an annular gap that also extends along a <NUM>-degree arc around the longitudinal axis <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the air intake assembly <NUM> includes or at least partially defines an arcuate air inlet <NUM> that extends along an arc that subtends an angle centered at the longitudinal axis <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the arcuate air inlet <NUM> may extend along an arc that subtends an angle θ<NUM>, centered at the longitudinal axis <NUM>, that is equal to or less than <NUM> degrees, such that the arcuate air inlet <NUM> has a length L that extends along a distance that is equal to or less than one-half of the circumference of the outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the arcuate air inlet <NUM> may extend along an arc that subtends an angle θ<NUM>, centered at the longitudinal axis <NUM>, that is greater than <NUM> degrees, such that the arcuate air inlet <NUM> has a length L that extends along greater than one-half of the circumference of the outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>. The arcuate air inlet <NUM> may be a semi-annular air inlet, or the like. As shown in <FIG>, air <NUM> may be drawn into the arcuate gap <NUM> of the arcuate air inlet <NUM> from various points around the portion of the circumference of the outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly <NUM> through which the arcuate air inlet <NUM> extends, and such air <NUM> may further be drawn through the arcuate gap <NUM> to the inlet channel <NUM> to be directed to the vaporizer assembly <NUM>. Accordingly, the air intake assembly <NUM> that includes the arcuate air inlet <NUM> and the inlet channel <NUM> may have improved resistance to obstruction, as air <NUM> may be drawn into the inlet channel <NUM>, and therefore directed to the vaporizer assembly <NUM>, from various locations around the circumference of the outer surface 111U.

As shown in <FIG> by the dashed-line extension 152X of arcuate air inlet <NUM>, the arcuate air inlet <NUM> may extend around an entirety of the outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>, such that the arcuate air inlet <NUM> may be an annular air inlet.

Connector assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> may be omitted from the e-vaping device <NUM>, such that the vapor generator assembly <NUM> and the power supply assembly <NUM> are fixedly coupled together and are precluded from being detachably coupled with each other. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the outer housing <NUM> of the vapor generator assembly <NUM> and the outer housing <NUM> of the power supply assembly <NUM> may include a unitary piece of material.

The air intake assembly <NUM> is included in the power supply assembly <NUM>, such that the outer surface 150U of the air intake assembly <NUM> at least partially defines the outer surface 121U of the power supply assembly <NUM>, and the arcuate air inlet <NUM> may be at least partially defined by a housing of the power supply assembly <NUM>. The airflow conduit <NUM> extends at least partially through one or more structures of the power supply assembly <NUM>.

The pre-vapor formulation is a material or combination of materials that may be transformed into a vapor. The reservoir <NUM> may include a storage medium that may hold the pre-vapor formulation. The dispensing interface <NUM> may include a wick, also referred to herein as an instance of wicking material. The dispensing interface <NUM> may include filaments (or threads) having a capacity to draw the pre-vapor formulation. The heater <NUM> may include a wire coil. The wire coil may at least partially surround the dispensing interface <NUM> in the interior space <NUM> of the vaporizer assembly <NUM>. The wire may be a metal wire. The wire coil may extend fully or partially along the length of the dispensing interface <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive materials.

One or more portions of the vapor generator assembly <NUM> may be replaceable. Such one or more portions may include the vaporizer assembly <NUM>, the reservoir <NUM>, the reservoir assembly <NUM>, a sub-combination thereof, or a combination thereof. The entire e-vaping device <NUM> may be disposed once the reservoir <NUM>, the vaporizer assembly <NUM>, or a combination thereof is depleted.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an e-vaping device according to some example embodiments. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along line IIB-IIB' of a portion of the e-vaping device of <FIG> according to some example embodiments. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along line IIC-IIC' of the e-vaping device of <FIG> according to some example embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, the vapor generator assembly <NUM> includes a flow control structure <NUM> that is configured to adjustably control a cross-sectional flow area associated with the airflow conduit <NUM>, in order to adjustably control at least one of the amount and the flow rate of air <NUM> drawn into the vaporizer assembly <NUM> via the air intake assembly <NUM> during operation of the e-vaping device <NUM>, thereby providing improved control over performance of the e-vaping device <NUM> and the sensor experience provided thereby.

As shown in <FIG>, the flow control structure <NUM> may include an inner structure <NUM> and an outer structure <NUM>. The inner and outer structures <NUM>, <NUM> may be separate, coupled structural elements or may be included in a unitary piece of material. Inner structure <NUM> extends around the longitudinal axis <NUM> and includes a set of one or more orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N (where N is a positive integer) extending therethrough, and at least the inner structure <NUM> is configured to rotate <NUM> around longitudinal axis <NUM> to adjustably align one of the orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N with the airflow conduit <NUM>. Each orifice <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N has a different size, and the size of one or more orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N may be different from the size of the airflow conduit <NUM>, such that a given orifice <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N, when aligned with the airflow conduit <NUM>, may control the cross-sectional flow area associated with the airflow conduit <NUM>, relative to the cross-sectional flow area of the airflow conduit <NUM> independently of the one or more orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N, thereby controlling the maximum flowrate of air <NUM> into the vaporizer assembly <NUM> from the air intake assembly <NUM> via the airflow conduit <NUM>. Based on being configured to adjustably align different orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N with the airflow conduit <NUM>, the flow control structure <NUM> may enable adjustable control over at least one of the flowrate and the amount of air <NUM> into the vaporizer assembly <NUM> during operation of the e-vaping device <NUM>. In some example embodiments, based on being configured to adjustably align different orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N with the airflow conduit <NUM>, the flow control structure <NUM> may enable adjustable control over at least one of the resistance to draw ("RTD") of the e-vaping device <NUM>, the flowrate of air <NUM> drawn through the e-vaping device <NUM>, and the amount of air <NUM> drawn through the e-vaping device <NUM>, thereby enabling adult vaper-initiated control, customization, or control and customization of the performance of the e-vaping device <NUM> to thereby customize, improve, or customize and improve the sensory experience provided by the e-vaping device <NUM> with regard one or more various adult vapers.

As described herein, it will be understood that, in some example embodiments, a flow control structure, including the flow control structure <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, is configured to adjust at least the inner structure <NUM> to completely cover the airflow conduit <NUM> from the inlet channel.

Still referring to <FIG>, outer structure <NUM> extends around the longitudinal axis <NUM> and is configured to be exposed to the exterior of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>, such that at least the outer structure <NUM> of the flow control structure <NUM> defines an outer surface 250U of the flow control structure <NUM>. The outer surface 250U may at least partially define the outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>, the outer surface 191U of the e-vaping device <NUM>, the outer surface 121U of the power supply assembly <NUM>, a sub-combination thereof, or a combination thereof.

As shown in <FIG>, the inner structure <NUM> of the flow control structure <NUM> may be an adjustment ring structure that is configured to be rotated <NUM> around the longitudinal axis <NUM> to adjustably align a selected orifice <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N with the airflow conduit <NUM>, and the outer structure <NUM>, which is coupled to the inner structure <NUM>, may be configured to be rotated <NUM> around longitudinal axis <NUM> from an exterior of the e-vaping device <NUM>, for example, by an adult vaper, so as to cause at least the coupled inner structure <NUM> to rotate <NUM> around the longitudinal axis <NUM>, thereby adjustably moving the orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N in relation to the airflow conduit <NUM> to adjustably align one of the orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N with the airflow conduit <NUM>. The e-vaping device <NUM> may include one or more external markings indicating which orifice <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N is aligned with the airflow conduit <NUM> based on the rotated position of the flow control structure <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the air intake assembly <NUM> and the flow control structure <NUM> may each define a separate portion of an inlet channel <NUM> extending from the arcuate air inlet <NUM> into an interior of the vapor generator assembly <NUM> to at least partially establish fluid communication between the arcuate air inlet <NUM> and the vaporizer assembly <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, for example, the air intake assembly <NUM> may define a first inlet channel <NUM>-<NUM> extending through one or more structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N of the air intake assembly <NUM>, and the flow control structure <NUM> may at least partially define an annular second inlet channel <NUM>-<NUM> that establishes fluid communication between the first inlet channel <NUM>-<NUM> and the airflow conduit <NUM> via an aligned orifice <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N, where the first and second inlet channels <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> collectively define inlet channel <NUM>.

While the above description of the flow control structure <NUM> is directed to example embodiments of the flow control structure that are included in the vapor generator assembly <NUM> with the air intake assembly <NUM>, it will be understood that in some example embodiments, the flow control structure <NUM> may be included in the power supply assembly <NUM>, separately or together with the air intake assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an e-vaping device according to some example embodiments. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along line IIIB-IIIB' of a portion of the e-vaping device of <FIG> according to some example embodiments. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along line IIIC-IIIC' of the e-vaping device of <FIG> according to some example embodiments. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along line IIID-IIID' of the e-vaping device of <FIG> according to some example embodiments.

As shown in <FIG>, in some example embodiments, the air intake assembly <NUM> may include an arcuate air inlet <NUM> that is an annular air inlet that extends around an entirety of the outer surface 111U of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, a flow control structure <NUM>, including a plurality of orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N having different sizes and configured to adjustably align a selected orifice <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N with the airflow conduit <NUM> to adjustably control a cross-sectional flow area associated with the airflow conduit <NUM>, is included within the air intake assembly <NUM>, such that the air intake assembly <NUM> includes one or more structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N that define the flow control structure <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, for example, the air intake assembly <NUM> may include a first structural element <NUM>-<NUM> that defines the "adjustment ring" inner structure of the flow control structure <NUM>, similarly to the inner structure <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, through which one or more orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N extend and which is configured to rotate <NUM> around longitudinal axis <NUM> to adjustably align one of the orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N with the airflow conduit <NUM>. Additionally, the air intake assembly <NUM> may include a second structural element <NUM>-<NUM> that is configured to be exposed to the exterior of the vapor generator assembly <NUM> and to at least partially define the outer surface 150U of the air intake assembly <NUM>, where the second structural element <NUM>-<NUM> is coupled to the first structural element <NUM>-<NUM> and, similarly to the outer structure <NUM> as shown in FIG. 2D, is configured to be physically manipulated from the exterior of the e-vaping device to rotate <NUM> around the longitudinal axis <NUM> to therefore cause the flow control structure <NUM> to be rotated <NUM> to adjustably align an orifice <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N with the airflow conduit <NUM>. Accordingly, the flow control structure <NUM> may be provided in the e-vaping device <NUM> without requiring a separate element from the air intake assembly <NUM>, thereby reducing the quantity of separate parts included in the e-vaping device <NUM> and therefore improving fabrication efficiency and reducing complexity of the e-vaping device <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, and as particularly shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in some example embodiments, the air intake assembly <NUM> may define a portion of the inlet channel <NUM> and the outer housing <NUM> of the power supply assembly <NUM> may define a portion of the inlet channel <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second structural element <NUM>-<NUM> of the air intake assembly <NUM> may define a first inlet channel <NUM>-<NUM> extending through the second structural element <NUM>-<NUM> from the outer surface 151U, and surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> of the first and second structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may partially define the annular second inlet channel <NUM>-<NUM> extending between the first inlet channel <NUM>-<NUM> and the airflow conduit <NUM> and orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N. As further shown, at least an inner surface <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM> of the power supply assembly <NUM> may define an outer boundary of the second inlet channel <NUM>-<NUM>, such that the inlet channel <NUM> is collectively defined by at least the air intake assembly <NUM> and the outer housing <NUM> of the power supply assembly <NUM>.

In the example embodiments shown in <FIG>, the arcuate air inlet <NUM> is at least partially defined by one or more one or more structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N of the air intake assembly <NUM> and at least a portion of the outer housing <NUM> of the of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the arcuate air inlet <NUM> is at least partially defined by one or more one or more structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N of the air intake assembly <NUM> and at least a portion of the outer housing <NUM> of the power supply assembly <NUM>. For example, the outer housing <NUM> may include the beveled portion of the outer housing <NUM>, and the outer surface 151U of the air intake assembly <NUM>, which may be a lower surface of the structural element <NUM>-<NUM>, may face towards the outer housing <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM>. Accordingly, the outer surface 151U and the beveled portion of the housing structure <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM> of the power supply assembly <NUM> may collectively define the arcuate air inlet <NUM>.

In the example embodiments shown in <FIG>, the air intake assembly <NUM> includes a single set of orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N, and the vapor generator assembly <NUM> includes a single airflow conduit <NUM> and a single inlet port <NUM> to the vaporizer assembly <NUM>. But, example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the vaporizer assembly <NUM> may include two inlet ports <NUM> on opposite sides of the vaporizer assembly <NUM>, the vapor generator assembly <NUM> may include two airflow conduits aligned with separate inlet ports <NUM>, and the air intake assembly <NUM> may include two separate sets of orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N that are configured to be adjustably aligned with separate airflow conduits <NUM> on opposite sides of the vaporizer assembly <NUM> based on rotation <NUM> of the inner structure <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the air intake assembly <NUM> may include two separate first inlet channels <NUM>-<NUM> on opposite sides of the second structural element <NUM>-<NUM>, such that the air intake assembly <NUM> may draw air into opposite sides of the annular second inlet channel <NUM>-<NUM> via the separate first inlet channels <NUM>-<NUM>.

It will be understood that, in some example embodiments, the outer structure <NUM> may be configured to be rotated <NUM> in at least one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction around longitudinal axis <NUM>, so as to cause at least the coupled inner structure <NUM> to rotate <NUM> in at least one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction around longitudinal axis <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an e-vaping device according to some example embodiments. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along line IVB-IVB' of a portion of the e-vaping device of <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along line IVC-IVC' of the e-vaping device of <FIG>. The embodiments shown in <FIG> and <FIG> are not according to the present invention because they do not include a flow control structure including a plurality of orifices having different sizes. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along line IVB-IVB' of a portion of the e-vaping device of <FIG> according to some example embodiments.

As shown in <FIG>, the air intake assembly <NUM> may include one or more structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N that define an entirety of the arcuate air inlet <NUM>, which may be an annular air inlet as shown in <FIG>. In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the air intake assembly <NUM> may include one or more inlet channels <NUM> that, rather than extending coaxially in relation to the longitudinal axis <NUM>, instead extend at least partially radially in relation to the longitudinal axis <NUM> between the arcuate air inlet <NUM> and the vaporizer assembly <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, for example, the one or more structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N of the air intake assembly <NUM> may define one or more inlet channels <NUM> that extend entirely radially between the arcuate air inlet <NUM> and the one or more inlet ports <NUM> of the vaporizer assembly <NUM> through an interior of one or more structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N of the air intake assembly <NUM>. But, it will be understood that the one or more inlet channels <NUM> may extend through the air intake assembly <NUM> between the arcuate air inlet <NUM> and an airflow conduit <NUM> (omitted in <FIG>) that extends through a housing structure <NUM> between the one or more inlet channels <NUM> and one or more inlet ports <NUM> of the vaporizer assembly <NUM>.

As shown in at least <FIG>, in some example embodiments, the vaporizer assembly <NUM> may include multiple inlet ports <NUM>, but example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the vaporizer assembly <NUM> may include a single inlet port <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, in some example embodiments, the air intake assembly <NUM> may include an inlet channel <NUM> that is arcuate or annular in shape, defined by one or more structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N of the air intake assembly <NUM>, such that the top end of the inlet channel <NUM> is open unobstructed from the arcuate air inlet <NUM> by one or more structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N. As further shown in <FIG>, in some example embodiments, the air intake assembly <NUM> may include one or more radially-extending inlet channels <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N, that amount to a set of orifices that may be adjustably aligned with the airflow conduit <NUM> of the e-vaping device <NUM>, where the one or more structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N of the air intake assembly <NUM> may be rotated around the longitudinal axis <NUM> to adjustably align a selected inlet channel of the inlet channels <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N with the airflow conduit <NUM> to implement the functionality of the flow control structure in the absence of a separate inlet channel from the orifices of the flow control structure.

<FIG> is a side view of an e-vaping device according to some example embodiments. <FIG> is a perspective view of a portion of the e-vaping device of <FIG> according to some example embodiments. <FIG> is a perspective expanded view of a portion of the e-vaping device of <FIG> according to some example embodiments. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along line VD-VD' of the e-vaping device of <FIG> according to some example embodiments.

As shown in <FIG>, an e-vaping device <NUM> may include an air intake assembly <NUM> that is detachable from a remainder of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>, including at least the reservoir <NUM> and the vaporizer assembly <NUM>. As further shown in at least <FIG>, the air intake assembly <NUM> may include one or more structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N that partially define an arcuate air inlet <NUM> that is an annular air inlet, define a first portion of a coaxial first inlet channel <NUM>-<NUM> extending from the arcuate air inlet <NUM>, and partially define a coaxial arcuate second inlet channel <NUM>-<NUM> between the air intake assembly <NUM> and an outer housing <NUM> of the power supply assembly <NUM>. As further shown, the air intake assembly <NUM> may include structural elements <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, which may be coupled together or may be included in a unitary piece of material. Structural element <NUM>-<NUM> defines an outer structure of the air intake assembly <NUM> that is exposed to the exterior of the e-vaping device <NUM>. Structural element <NUM>-<NUM> defines an adjustment ring flow control structure <NUM> that includes multiple orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N extending through the structural element <NUM>-<NUM>. Structural element <NUM>-<NUM> is configured to be rotated around longitudinal axis <NUM> to cause structural element <NUM>-<NUM> to rotate around longitudinal axis <NUM> to adjustably align different orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N with an airflow conduit <NUM> that is configured to be in fluid communication with the inlet port <NUM> of the vaporizer assembly <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the airflow conduit <NUM> may extend radially through a portion of the power supply assembly <NUM>, in relation to longitudinal axis <NUM>, such that the power supply assembly <NUM> is configured to detachably couple with at least the vaporizer assembly <NUM> to cause the inlet port <NUM> to be aligned with the airflow conduit <NUM>. When the inlet port <NUM> is aligned with the airflow conduit <NUM>, the inlet port <NUM> may be in fluid communication with the airflow conduit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the air intake assembly <NUM> is coupled with both the power supply assembly <NUM> and the remainder of the vapor generator assembly <NUM>, the outer surface 151U of the air intake assembly <NUM>, which may be an upper surface of the second structural element <NUM>-<NUM>, may collectively define the arcuate air inlet <NUM> with a beveled portion of the housing structure <NUM>, and a surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the first structural element <NUM>-<NUM> of the air intake assembly <NUM> may collectively define a second inlet channel <NUM>-<NUM> with an inner surface <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM> of the power supply assembly <NUM>, such that the air intake assembly <NUM> is configured to direct air <NUM> drawn into the arcuate air inlet <NUM> to flow through the first inlet channel <NUM>-<NUM> that is entirely defined by second structural element <NUM>-<NUM> of the air intake assembly <NUM> to the second inlet channel <NUM>-<NUM> that is defined between at least a surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the air intake assembly <NUM> and an inner surface <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM> of the power supply assembly <NUM>.

In some example embodiments, the housing structure <NUM> may be a portion of the outer housing <NUM> of the power supply assembly <NUM>, such that the air intake assembly <NUM> and the power supply assembly <NUM> may collectively define the arcuate air inlet <NUM>.

In the example embodiments shown in <FIG>, the air intake assembly <NUM> includes an individual first inlet channel <NUM>-<NUM> and an individual set of orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N, where the air intake assembly is configured to be rotated to align separate orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N with an individual airflow conduit <NUM>, but example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the air intake assembly <NUM>-<NUM> may include two or more first inlet channels <NUM>-<NUM> that may be spaced apart around the second structural element <NUM>-<NUM> and the first structural element <NUM>-<NUM> may have two, separate sets of orifices <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N that are configured to be adjustably aligned with separate airflow conduits <NUM> of two airflow conduits <NUM> on opposite sides of the vaporizer assembly <NUM> and in fluid communication with one or more inlet ports <NUM> of the vaporizer assembly <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the housing structure <NUM> may be an integral portion of the reservoir housing <NUM>, such that the housing structure <NUM> and reservoir housing <NUM> are included in a unitary piece of material.

Claim 1:
A vapor generator assembly (<NUM>) for an e-vaping device (<NUM>), the vapor generator assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a reservoir (<NUM>) configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation;
a vaporizer assembly (<NUM>) configured to heat pre-vapor formulation drawn from the reservoir (<NUM>) to form a vapor;
an air intake assembly (<NUM>) configured to direct ambient air into the vaporizer assembly (<NUM>), the air intake assembly (<NUM>) at least partially defining
an arcuate air inlet (<NUM>) that extends at least partially around an outer surface (111U) of the vapor generator assembly (<NUM>), and
an inlet channel (<NUM>) extending from the arcuate air inlet (<NUM>) into an interior of the vapor generator assembly (<NUM>) to at least partially establish fluid communication between the arcuate air inlet (<NUM>) and the vaporizer assembly (<NUM>);
a flow control structure (<NUM>) including a plurality of orifices (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N) having different sizes;
an airflow conduit (<NUM>) extending between the flow control structure (<NUM>) and the vaporizer assembly (<NUM>), such that the inlet channel (<NUM>) is configured to establish fluid communication between the arcuate air inlet (<NUM>) and the vaporizer assembly (<NUM>) via the flow control structure (<NUM>) and the airflow conduit (<NUM>); and
wherein the flow control structure (<NUM>) is configured to adjustably align a selected orifice of the plurality of orifices (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-N) with the airflow conduit (<NUM>) to adjustably control a cross-sectional flow area associated with the airflow conduit (<NUM>).