`
`
`
`Exhibit I
`
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00472-NCT-JLW Document 1-9 Filed 05/28/20 Page 1 of 29
`
`

`

`US010588357B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 10,588,357 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`Hawes et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Mar. 17, 2020
`
`(54) POD ASSEMBLY, DISPENSING BODY, AND
`E-VAPOR APPARATUS INCLUDING THE
`SAME
`
`(5 6)
`
`References Cited
`U. S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(71) Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC,
`Richmond, VA (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Eric Hawes, Midlothian, VA (US);
`Raymond Lau, Richmond, VA (US);
`Alistair Bramley, Richmond, VA (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee:
`
`Altria Client Services LLC,
`Richmond, VA (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 16/395,614
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 26, 2019
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2019/0246700 A1
`
`Aug. 15, 2019
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`Continuation of application No. 16/160,110, filed on
`Oct. 15, 2018, now Pat. No. 10,299,517, which is a
`(Continued)
`
`(65)
`
`(63)
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A24F 47/00
`A61M 15/06
`
`US. Cl.
`
`(52)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(Continued)
`
`CPC ............ A24F 4 7/008 (2013.01); G06F 21/44
`(2013.01); H053 1/0297 (2013.01); H05B
`3/12 (2013.01)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`None
`
`D112,702 S
`D127,009 S
`
`12/1938 Kirsten
`5/1941 Gebhart et al.
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CN
`CN
`
`1575673 A
`202738815 U
`
`2/2005
`2/2013
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`United States Office Action for corresponding U.S. Appl. No.
`16/166,899, dated Apr. 18, 2019.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner 7 Cynthia Szewczyk
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm 7 Harness, Dickey &
`Pierce, P.L.C.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An e-Vapor apparatus may include a pod assembly and a
`dispensing body configured to receive the pod assembly. A
`vaporizer may be disposed in the pod assembly and/or the
`dispensing body. The pod assembly may include a vapor
`precursor compartment, a device compartment, and a vapor
`channel extending from the device compartment and tra-
`versing the vapor precursor compartment. The pod assembly
`is a smart pod configured to receive, store, and transmit
`information that can be communicated with the dispensing
`body and/or another electronic device. The proximal portion
`of the dispensing body includes a vapor passage and a
`through-hole. The vapor passage may extend from an end
`surface of the proximal portion to a side wall of the
`through-hole. The through-hole is configured to receive the
`pod assembly such that
`the vapor channel of the pod
`assembly is aligned with the vapor passage of the dispensing
`body.
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`18 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00472-NCT-JLW Document 1-9 Filed 05/28/20 Page 2 of 29
`Case 1:20-Cv-OO472-NCT-JLW
`Document 1-9
`Filed 05/28/20 Page 2 of 29
`
`

`

`US 10,588,357 B2
`
`Page 2
`
`Related US. Application Data
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`continuation of application No. 15/984,627, filed on
`May 21, 2018, now Pat. No. 10,117,467, which is a
`continuation of application No. 15/911,533, filed on
`Mar. 5, 2018, now Pat. No. 10,028,537, which is a
`continuation of application No. 14/998,020, filed on
`Apr. 22, 2015, now Pat. No. 10,064,432.
`
`Int. Cl.
`H053 ”02
`G06F 21/44
`H05B 3/12
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`
`

`

`US 10,588,357 B2
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`Case 1:20-CV-OO472-NCT-JLW Document 1—9 Filed 05/28/20 Page 4 of 29
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`

`

`US 10,588,357 B2
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`Internation Search Report and Written Opinion for Application No.
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`40939.
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`L.S. Ofiice Action dated Sep. 11, 2018 issued in co-pending U.S.
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`European Ofiice Action issued Oct. 10, 2018 in corresponding
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`Appl. No. 15/160,110.
`L .S. Office Action dated Dec. 13, 2018 issued in co-pending U.S.
`Appl. No. 16/160,110.
`Office Action for corresponding U.S. Appl. No. 29/575,881 dated
`Feb. 25, 2019.
`LS. Office Action for corresponding U.S. Appl. No. 29/575,895
`dated Mar. 1, 2019.
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`Notice of Allowance for US. Appl. No. 29/670,492 dated Sep. 30,
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`Chinese Application No. 201680023188.9.
`Chinese Office Action for corresponding Application No.
`2016800231889, dated Oct. 11, 2019, English translation thereof.
`
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`US 10,588,357 B2
`
`1
`POD ASSEMBLY, DISPENSING BODY, AND
`E-VAPOR APPARATUS INCLUDING THE
`SAME
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`continuation under
`a
`application is
`The present
`35 U.S.C. § 120 of US. application Ser. No. 16/160,110,
`filed Oct.
`15, 2018, which is
`a continuation under
`35 U.S.C. § 120 of US. application Ser. No. 15/984,627,
`filed May 21, 2018, now US. Pat. No. 10,117,467, which is
`a continuation under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of US. application Ser.
`No. 15/911,533, filed Mar. 5, 2018, now US. Pat. No.
`10,028,537, which is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. § 120
`of US. application Ser. No. 14/998,020 (formerly US.
`Provisional Application No. 62/151,148),
`filed Apr. 22,
`2015, now US. Pat. No. 10,064,432, the entire contents of
`each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Field
`
`The present disclosure relates to electronic vapor devices
`including self-contained articles including vapor precursors.
`
`Description of Related Art
`
`Some e-vapor devices include a first section coupled to a
`second section via a threaded connection. The first section
`
`may be a replaceable cartridge, and the second section may
`be a reusable fixture. The threaded connection may be a
`combination of a male threaded member on the first section
`and a female threaded receiver on the second section. The
`
`first section includes an outer tube (or housing) extending in
`a longitudinal direction and an inner tube within the outer
`tube. The inner tube may be coaxially positioned within the
`outer tube. The second section may also include the outer
`tube (or housing) extending in a longitudinal direction. The
`e-vapor device includes a central air passage defined in part
`by the inner tube and an upstream seal. Additionally, the
`e-vapor device includes a reservoir. The reservoir is config-
`ured to hold a vapor precursor and optionally a storage
`medium operable to store the vapor precursor therein. The
`reservoir is contained in an outer annulus between the outer
`
`tube and the inner tube. The outer annulus is sealed by the
`seal at an upstream end and by a stopper at a downstream
`end so as to prevent leakage of the vapor precursor from the
`reservoir.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`An e-vapor apparatus may include a pod assembly, a
`dispensing body configured to receive the pod assembly,
`and/or a vaporizer disposed in at
`least one of the pod
`assembly and the dispensing body. The pod assembly may
`include a vapor precursor compartment, a device compart-
`ment, and a vapor channel extending from the device
`compartment and traversing the vapor precursor compart-
`ment. The vapor precursor compartment is configured to
`hold a vapor precursor therein. The dispensing body
`includes a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion.
`The proximal portion includes a vapor passage and a
`through-hole. The vapor passage may extend from an end
`surface of the proximal portion to a side wall of the
`through-hole. The through-hole may be between the vapor
`
`2
`
`passage and the distal portion of the dispensing body. The
`through-hole is configured to receive the pod assembly. The
`vaporizer may be disposed in at
`least one of the pod
`assembly and the dispensing body. The vapor precursor
`compartment of the pod assembly is configured to be in
`fluidic communication with the vaporizer during an opera-
`tion of the e-vapor apparatus such that the vapor precursor
`from the vapor precursor compartment comes into thermal
`contact with the vaporizer. The vaporizer is configured to
`heat the vapor precursor to produce a vapor that passes
`through the pod assembly via the vapor channel. The
`through-hole of the dispensing body is configured to receive
`the pod assembly such that the vapor channel of the pod
`assembly is aligned with the vapor passage of the dispensing
`body so as to facilitate a delivery of the vapor through the
`vapor passage of the dispensing body.
`The vapor precursor compartment of the pod assembly
`may surround the vapor channel. For example, the vapor
`channel may pass through a center of the vapor precursor
`compartment.
`Alternatively, the vapor channel may be in a form of a
`pathway that is arranged along at least one sidewall of the
`vapor precursor compartment. For example, the vapor chan-
`nel may be in a form of a conduit that is arranged in at least
`one comer of the vapor precursor compartment. The conduit
`may be arranged in at
`least
`two comers of the vapor
`precursor compartment and configured to converge at a
`position that
`is aligned with the vapor passage of the
`dispensing body when the pod assembly is received in the
`through-hole.
`The vapor precursor compartment and the device com-
`partment may be at opposite ends of the pod assembly. The
`device compartment of the pod assembly may include a
`memory device. The memory device may be coded with an
`electronic identity to permit at least one of an authentication
`of the pod assembly and a pairing of operating parameters
`specific to a type of the pod assembly when the pod
`assembly is inserted into the through-hole of the dispensing
`body. The memory device may also receive and store
`information such as operational parameters and usage his-
`tory from the dispensing body. Once stored, such informa-
`tion in the memory device will remain intact even when the
`pod is detached from the dispensing body.
`The pod assembly may include a side surface having at
`least one electrical contact. The dispensing body may be
`configured to perform at least one of supply power to and
`communicate with the pod assembly via the at least one
`electrical contact. The at least one electrical contact may be
`at an end of the pod assembly corresponding to the device
`compartment.
`The dimensions of the through-hole correspond to dimen-
`sions of the pod assembly. The proximal portion of the
`dispensing body may include a mouthpiece that includes the
`vapor passage. The vapor channel may be between the
`mouthpiece and the device compartment when the pod
`assembly is inserted into the through-hole of the dispensing
`body. The e-vapor apparatus may further include an attach-
`ment structure on at
`least one of the side wall of the
`
`through-hole and a side surface of the pod assembly. The
`attachment structure is configured to engage and hold the
`pod assembly upon insertion into the through-hole of the
`dispensing body. The attachment structure enables the pod
`assembly to be inserted and extracted from the dispensing
`body by the adult vaper with ease. The attachment structure
`also aligns and secures the pod assembly in place in the
`dispensing body during normal use of the e-vapor apparatus.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
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`US 10,588,357 B2
`
`3
`A pod assembly for an e-vapor apparatus may include a
`vapor precursor compartment configured to hold a vapor
`precursor therein; a device compartment in fluidic commu-
`nication with the vapor precursor compartment; and a vapor
`channel extending from the device compartment and tra-
`versing the vapor precursor compartment. The device com-
`partment may include a vaporizer. The device compartment
`may also include a memory device. A side surface of the pod
`assembly may include at least one electrical contact.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The various features and advantages of the non-limiting
`embodiments herein may become more apparent upon
`review of the detailed description in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are
`merely provided for illustrative purposes and should not be
`interpreted to limit the scope of the claims. The accompa-
`nying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale
`unless explicitly noted. For purposes of clarity, various
`dimensions of the drawings may have been exaggerated.
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing body of an
`e-vapor apparatus according to an example embodiment.
`FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the dispensing body of FIG.
`
`1.
`
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mouthpiece of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first frame of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second frame of FIG.
`
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the body portion of FIG.
`
`FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the end piece of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another dispensing body
`of an e-vapor apparatus according to an example embodi-
`ment.
`
`FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the dispensing body of FIG.
`
`8.
`
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first mouthpiece of
`FIG. 9.
`
`FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second mouthpiece of
`FIG. 9.
`
`FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the first frame of FIG. 9.
`FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the frame trim of FIG. 9.
`FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the second frame of FIG.
`
`9.
`
`FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a pod assembly of an
`e-vapor apparatus according to an example embodiment.
`FIG. 16 is a top view of the pod assembly of FIG. 15.
`FIG. 17 is a side view of the pod assembly of FIG. 15.
`FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the pod assembly of FIG.
`15.
`
`FIG. 19 a perspective view of several pod assemblies
`according to an example embodiment.
`FIG. 20 is a view of an e-vapor apparatus with a pod
`assembly inserted in a dispensing body according to an
`example embodiment.
`FIG. 21 illustrates a device system diagram of a dispens-
`ing body according to an example embodiment.
`FIG. 22 illustrates a pod system diagram of a dispensing
`body according to an example embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`a, cc
`It should be understood that when an element or layer is
`referred to as being “on,” “connected to,
`coupled to,” or
`“covering” another element or layer, it may be directly on,
`connected to, coupled to, or covering the other element or
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`
`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. As used herein, the term “and/
`or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the
`associated listed items.
`
`It should be understood that, although the terms first,
`second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various
`elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these
`elements, components,
`regions,
`layers, and/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. Thus, 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 teach-
`ings of example embodiments.
`a, cc
`“below,”
`“beneath,”
`(e.g.,
`Spatially relative
`terms
`“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(s) or feature(s) as illustrated
`in the figures. It should be understood that the spatially
`relative terms are intended to encompass different orienta-
`tions of the device in use or operation in addition to the
`orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device
`in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below”
`or “beneath” other elements or features would then be
`oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the
`term “below” may encompass both an orientation of above
`and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90
`degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative
`descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
`The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describ-
`ing various embodiments only and is not intended to be
`limiting of example embodiments. As used herein,
`the
`singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include
`the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates
`otherwise.
`It will be further understood that
`the terms
`
`“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,”
`when used in this specification, specify the presence of
`stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or
`components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of
`one or more other features,
`integers, steps, operations,
`elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
`Example em