I 1111111111111111 1111111111 1111111111 11111 111111111111111 111111111111111111
`US010130123B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Hatton et al.
`
`( IO) Patent No.: US 10,130,123 B2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Nov.20, 2018
`
`(54) VAPORIZER DEVICES WITH BLOW
`DISCRIMINATION
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PAri iNT DOCUMl!NT S
`
`(71) Applicant: JUUL LABS, INC., San Francisco, CA
`(US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Nicholas .lay Hatton, San Francisco,
`CA (US); Steven Christensen, San
`Francisco, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc., San Frnncisco, CA
`(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 15/430,317
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb. 10, 2017
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2017/0231281 A l
`
`Aug. 17, 2017
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 62/294,271, filed on Feb.
`11, 2016.
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A24F 47/0(J
`H OSB 1/02
`(;(Ill 9112
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC .............. A24F 47/(1()8 (2013.01); (;{JIL 9/12
`(2013.01); 1105B 110244 (2013.01)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ................... A24F 47/008; H058 l/0244- 3/03
`USPC ......................................... 131/328, 273, 329
`Sec application file for complete search history.
`
`4,947,874 A
`8,499,766 Bl
`8,910,639 B2
`9,022,026 132
`9,642,397 82
`9,714,878 B2
`2014/0261487 Al
`2015/0090278 Al
`20 t 5/0208726 A 1
`2015/0208729 A I
`2015/0245658 A I
`2016/0192705 Al
`2016/0198767 Al
`2016/0262453 Al
`2017/0023952 A I
`2017/0042227 Al
`2017/0245547 Al
`
`8/ 1990 Brooks ct al.
`8/2013 Newton
`12/2014 Chang et al.
`5/2015 Pang
`5/20 17 Dai ct al.
`7/2017 Powers et al.
`9/2014 Chapman et al.
`4/20 I 5 Schiff el al.
`7/20 15 Liu
`7/2015 Monsees el al.
`9/20 15 Worm ct al.
`7/2016 13orkovec et al.
`7/2016 Verleur
`9/2016 Ampolini el al.
`1/20 17 Henry, Jr. ct al.
`2/2017 Gavrielov et al.
`8/2017 Lipowicz
`(Continued)
`
`roRETGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`9/2014
`WO-2014 144678 A2
`10/2015
`WO-2015149368 Al
`1/201 7
`WO-2017001817 Al
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Ex aminer Vanessa Girardi
`(74) A/lorney, Agenl, or Firm - Mintz, I ,evin, Cohn,
`Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Methods and apparatuses for discriminating between user
`blowing and drnwing (sucking) in an electronic vaporization
`device. Dcscrib'-'ll herein arc ekctronic aerosol devices and
`mclhods of controlling or opcrnt.ing them which can accu(cid:173)
`rately differentiate between blowing and drawing (sucking)
`through !he mouthpiece and adjust the control of the vapor(cid:173)
`izer accordingly.
`
`53 Claims, 19 Drawing Sheets
`
`Air/Vapor
`Outlet
`2550
`
`Air Inlet
`2505
`
`Air Flow
`Restriction
`
`Pressure
`Sensor
`2509
`
`0 Gauge
`Pressure on
`PCB Side of Seal
`2511
`
`~~~~~
`
`Sealed Air
`Flow Path
`2520
`
`Negative Gauge
`Pressure During
`Draw
`
`Gasket 2502
`(seals sealed air flow
`path from rest of device)
`
`Device
`Air Path
`2530
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.001
`
`

`

`US 10,130,123 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`9/2017 Rogers el al.
`2017/0273355 A l
`2017/0318861 Al * 11 /2017 111orcns ................ A24F47/008
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO
`WO
`
`WO-2017113845 Al
`WO-20 17 143865 A l
`
`7/2017
`8/20 17
`
`" cited by examiner
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 1 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`~
`
`..,_
`
`N -r-
`~a::~
`
`<(z !
`
`~
`0
`
`~ _)
`
`0
`0
`
`~ \_
`
`LO
`0
`-r-
`
`CD
`0
`
`~
`
`~
`
`,-.
`..
`(!)
`Li:
`
`~
`
`0
`-r-
`
`C"")
`0
`
`~
`
`~
`
`(
`
`N
`N
`
`~
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 2 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`0
`0
`
`N \.
`
`co
`0
`N
`
`~
`
`t:f)
`0
`N
`
`(
`
`N
`N
`N
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 3 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`322
`
`321~
`
`323
`
`~303
`
`301
`
`~300
`
`FIG. 3
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 4 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`Outlet
`
`422 t
`
`423
`
`Lid
`430
`
`407
`Aeration
`Vent
`
`......._400
`
`Oven
`404
`
`401
`
`...
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`...
`'
`
`Air Inlet
`
`FIG. 4B
`
`400
`
`/
`
`430
`Lid
`
`423
`
`400x
`
`401
`
`422
`
`Outlet t
`
`407
`__ ,._Aeration
`Vent
`
`404
`
`Oven
`
`Air Inlet
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`404
`421
`Oven
`Air Inlet
`~
`
`401
`
`FIG. 4C
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 5 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`FIG. 5
`
`21
`
`21 27 24
`
`FIG. 6A
`23
`
`FIG. 6C
`
`FIG. 6B
`
`B......_,
`I
`I
`I
`
`22 FIG. 6D
`24
`
`23
`
`I
`B~ 27
`
`Section B-B
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 6 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`47
`
`30
`
`/
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`31
`
`46
`
`3
`
`33
`
`37
`~
`
`38
`
`FIG. 7B
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 7 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`33a
`
`32
`
`FIG. 7C
`
`44
`
`FIG. BA
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 8 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`33a
`
`FIG. BB
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.010
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 9 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`33c
`
`53
`
`33a
`
`..
`
`A
`
`B
`
`-+ C
`
`~
`
`-+ D
`
`-+
`
`E -+ to F
`
`36 (36a, 36b, 36c)
`
`45a
`
`31
`
`46a
`
`47
`
`!
`
`j :
`:
`\
`
`'F _,,
`
`39b
`
`..
`
`i ..
`
`r
`
`'✓
`
`46b
`
`45
`
`H ..
`
`46
`
`..
`
`J-+to K
`
`.~
`
`: ;
`\
`i >'i 0
`
`F
`
`.. G
`
`45b
`
`38
`
`K
`
`L
`
`FIG. 9
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 10 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`FIG. 10A
`
`44
`
`33
`
`FIG. 10B
`
`44
`
`55
`
`44
`FIG. 10C
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20, 2018
`
`Sheet 11 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`30a--...
`
`30--...
`
`21
`
`38
`
`•
`
`26
`
`•
`
`FIG. 11
`
`FIG. 12
`
`FIG. 13
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.013
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 12 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`A 2
`
`.. ,«: .. ,❖ • •.❖ u ... ., ❖y ·• .... ❖ ·:-., .,,: ❖ .,,..,., • •:❖, .. \·:· ►--Y?•:.::,;,k')(·! • ·:•/❖'.,.<" ❖ ·:-.
`
`21
`
`FIG. 14
`
`\10
`
`26
`
`FIG. 15
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.014
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 13 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`FIG. 16A
`
`FIG. 16C
`
`Set Point
`Temperature
`
`error
`
`Microcontroller
`
`power
`
`Coil
`
`Coil
`Temperature
`
`FIG. 17A
`
`,..,- 76
`Q1
`
`0 2
`'- 77
`
`/ 75
`R_REF
`
`FIG. 17B
`
`R_COIL
`
`(_ 74(35]
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.015
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 14 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`1800
`~
`
`1801
`
`1802
`
`FIG. 18
`
`190~
`
`1901-._ f!ff
`
`1902__...~
`
`1903..,,...,~
`
`FIG. 19
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.016
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 15 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`2001
`
`FIG. 20
`
`2002
`
`2101
`
`2101
`
`2103
`
`2104
`
`2102
`
`FIG. 21
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.017
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 16 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`'
`
`'\
`2302
`
`\
`
`t 2301
`
`FIG. 22
`
`2400 "'
`
`CH+
`
`1-
`l
`l I
`
`l
`
`·o o ,~. o,
`
`'°
`~ y
`--~- ··!
`@t--:e-~ E-4-~ol
`r
`,
`~ 'LY ~
`rl.
`
`N11
`
`bO
`'r",.
`
`. h.·
`
`bO
`r....
`
`CH2
`
`◊4
`
`H brlo9e
`
`02
`
`!
`l
`l g (D
`~cp
`
`--f--.
`GND
`
`FIG. 23
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.018
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 17 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`)
`
`)
`
`N13 -
`
`/
`
`~ ..... ~.,
`
`...
`11 q
`"1°
`0
`
`, . .,.,....,
`
`FIG. 24A
`
`FIG. 24B
`
`FIG. 24C
`
`2402 (metal rirY,J}
`24\13. (plHstic orig)
`
`FIG. 24D
`
`Air/Vapor
`Outlet
`2550
`
`Air Inlet
`2505
`
`Air Flow
`Restriction
`
`0 Gauge
`Pressure on
`PCB Side of Seal
`2511
`
`~ Device
`
`Air Path
`2530
`
`Sealed Air
`Flow Path
`2520
`
`Negative Gauge
`Pressure During
`Draw
`
`Gasket 2502
`(seals sealed air flow
`path from rest of device)
`
`FIG. 25
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.019
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 18 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`a~KJ ; i
`ato ; 1
`l i
`S,O ( I
`'
`:
`i
`!
`} :
`860 }·+----+----· •••••• ----·+····· ···:
`!
`!
`!
`B~n i !
`,1·.2,t
`4:25
`, 1-:n
`
`,1-n
`
`1
`
`! : ~.
`: j
`j
`
`:
`
`...' - - - - • u • u • o , u • 4
`!
`;
`
`~ H
`
`4.27
`
`4:28
`
`4:3:l
`
`4:32
`
`4:36
`
`FIG. 26
`
`FIG. 27
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.20,2018
`
`Sheet 19 of 19
`
`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`/2800
`
`2810 ~
`
`Track a baseline based on based on
`filtering the sensor readings as the
`sensor readings are output by the
`pressure sensor
`
`2820
`~ ,,,
`Hold the baseline constant while the
`sensor readings output by the pressure
`sensor are above the baseline by a first
`threshold or below the baseline by a
`second thresholds, the first and second
`thresholds indicating blowing or suction
`(a draw)
`
`Compare the sensor readings to the
`baseline and activate the heater to
`generate an aerosol from vaporizable
`material when the sensor readings
`output by the pressure sensor are offset
`from the baseline by more than a third
`threshold, the third threshold indicating
`suction is being applied to the
`mouthpiece
`
`FIG. 28
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.021
`
`

`

`US 10,130, 123 B2
`
`1
`VAPORIZER DEVICES WITH BLOW
`DISCRIMINATION
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional
`patent application No. 62/294,271 , Lilied "VAPORIZER
`DEV1CES Wffll ULOW D1SCRIM1NAHON," filed on
`Feb. 11 , 2016 which is herein incorpor.itcd by rcforcncc in 10
`its entirety.
`·111is patent application may be related to U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 14/581,666, filed on Dec. 23, 2014, and
`titled "VAPORIZATION DEVICI! SYSTl !MS AND
`METI IODS", which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional 15
`Patent Application No. 61/920,225, filed Dec. 23, 2013, U.S.
`Provisional Patent Application No. 61 /936,593, filed Feb. 6,
`2014, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/937,
`755, filed Feb. 10, 2014.
`This application may also be related to or may be used 20
`with the inventions in one or more of the following patent
`applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/578,193,
`filed on Dec. 19, 2014, and titled "METHOD AND SYS(cid:173)
`TEM FOR VAPORIZATION OF A SUBSTANCE"; U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 14/625,042, filed on Feb. 18, 25
`2015, and titled "AEROSOL DEVICES AND METHODS
`FOR
`INHALING A SUBSTANCE AND USES
`TllEREOF"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/837,438,
`filed on Mar. 15, 2013, and titled "LOW TEMPERATURE
`l1L11CTRONIC VAPOR IZATION 1)1\YICE AND Mlffl 1-
`ODS"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/271,071, filed on
`Muy 6, 2014, and titled "NICOTINE SALT FORMULA(cid:173)
`TIONS FOR AEROSOL DEVICES AND METI !ODS
`Tl II 1Rl iOF"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/304,847,
`filed on Jun. 13, 2014, and titled "MULTIPLE HEATING
`ELl1Ml 1NTS WITI I SEPARATE VAPORIZABW MME(cid:173)
`RIALS IN AN liLI\CTRIC VAPORIZATION DEVICli";
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/461,284, filed on Aug.
`15, 2014, and titled "METHODS AND DEVICES FOR
`DELIVERING AND MONITORING OF TOBACCO,
`NICOTINE, OR OTHER SUBSTANCES"; PCT Patent
`Application No. PCT/US2015/031152, filed on May 15,
`2015, and titled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AERO(cid:173)
`SOLIZING A SMOKEABLE MATERIAL"; PCT Patent
`Application No. PCT/US2014/064690, Jilcd on Nov. 7, 45
`2014, and titled " NICOTINE LIQUID FORMULATIONS
`FOR AEROSOL DEVICES AND METHODS THEREOF";
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/960,259, J-iled on D1..x:. 4,
`2015, and titled "CALIBRAIT1D DOSE CONTROL"; U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 15/257,748,
`titled "CAR- 50
`TRIDGE FOR USE WITH A VAPORIZER DEVICE," filed
`on Sep. 6, 2016; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/257,
`760, titled "VAPORIZI\R APPARAl'US," filed on Sep. 6,
`2016; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/257,768, titled
`"VAPORIZER APPARArtJS," filed on Sep. 6, 2016; U.S. 55
`patent application Ser. No. 15/379,898, titled "VAPORIZA(cid:173)
`TION DEVICE SYSTEMS AND METHODS," filed on
`Dec. 15, 2016; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/309,554,
`titled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AEROSOLIZ(cid:173)
`ING A SMOKEABLE MATERIAL," filed on Nov. 8, 2016; 60
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/101 ,303, titled ''NICO(cid:173)
`TINE LIQUID FORMULATIONS FOR AEROSOL
`DEVICES AND METHODS THEREOF," filed on Jun. 2,
`2016; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/960,259, tit.led
`"CALIBRATED DOSE CONTROL," filed on D1..x:. 4, 2015; 65
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/396,584, titled "LEAK(cid:173)
`RESISTANT VAPORIZER CARTRIDGES FOR USE
`
`2
`WITH CANNABINOIDS," filed on Dec. 31 , 2016. Each of
`these applications is herein incorporated by rcforcncc in
`their entirety.
`
`1NCORPORAT1ON BY REFERENCE
`
`All publications and patent applications mentioned in this
`specification are herein incorporated by reference in their
`entirety to the same extent as if each individual public<1tion
`or patent application was specifically and individually indi(cid:173)
`cated to be incorpor.ited by reference.
`
`FIELD
`
`Described herein arc electronic inhalablc aerosol devices,
`or electronic vaping devices, and particularly electronic
`aerosol devices which can accurately dillcrcnliatc between
`blowing and drawing (sucking) through the mouthpi<..x:c and
`adjust the control of the vaporizer accordingly.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Ek.x:tronic cigarettes arc typically battery-powered vapor(cid:173)
`izers that simulate the focling of smoking, but without
`tobacco. Instead of cigarette smoke, the user inhales an
`aerosol, COIIllllOnly called vapor, typically released by a
`heating clement that atomizes a liquid solution (vaporizable
`material or solution). Typically, the user activates the c-ciga(cid:173)
`reUc by taking a puff or pressing a button. Some vaporizers
`30 look like traditional cigarettes, but they come in many
`variations.
`Many electronic cigarcltcs use a pressure sensor to deter(cid:173)
`mine when the device should be heating or not. This may
`allow for an intuitive user interface where the user simply
`35 draws from (sucks on) the device to power it. It is advan(cid:173)
`tageous over powering the device with a button in that the
`device's heating element is only powered when there is
`airflow over it assmning the device's pressure sensor and
`microcontroller can accurately detect the start and end of a
`40 draw.
`Unfortunately, the vast majority of electronic cigarettes
`described and currently in use have an unexpected failure
`mode which may reduce the lifo of the baltcry and the
`overall device. Specifically, such devices may inadvertently
`(and transiently) detect a draw or inhalation following
`blowing or exhalation through the device. A recent test of
`numerous pressure sensor-base-cl ckx:tronic cigarctlcs cur(cid:173)
`rently on the market found that these devices can easily be
`turned on and apply power to the heating element by
`blowing r.ither than inhaling into the mouthpiece of the
`device as if the user had drawn from the device. Specifically,
`such devices falsely indicate a draw (inhalation) and activate
`the heater at the end of a blow into the device because they
`detect a pressure drop at the end of the blow, and falsely
`interpret this is the start of a draw. Depending on the
`controller for the vaporizer, this pressure drop at the end of
`a blow may power the heater for some amotmt of time, and
`potentially unti l a timeout for max draw time. This failure
`mode may result in the device heating without the user
`drawing on it, which pay provide a non-ideal user experi(cid:173)
`ence, may waste ofbaUcry lifo and vaporizablc material, and
`in devices without temp control may overheat tl1e vaporiz(cid:173)
`able material, which can produce c-juice dcgratlants that
`taste bad and are potentially more harmful when vaporizt.-d
`that the original contents of the c-juicc fonnul<ttion.
`Many colillllcrcially available ekx:tronic cigarclles use
`pressure sensors that arc mechanically similar to clcclrct
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.022
`
`

`

`US 10,130, 123 B2
`
`3
`microphones, but packaged with an ASIC (application spe(cid:173)
`cific integrated circuit) instead of a standard ckclrct micro(cid:173)
`phone circuit. An electret microphone is an electrostatic
`capacitor-based microphone that does not require a polari7.(cid:173)
`ing power supply. Pressure sensors of this type typically
`accept two power signals and have one output signal to
`indicate whether or not a pressure drop was recently
`detected. For the pressure sensor's ASIC to accommodate
`changes in environment conditions Ommidity and tempera(cid:173)
`ture), slight differences in mechanical assembly from sensor
`to sensor, and potential shifting of parts in the mechanical
`assembly from vibration or drop, the ASIC's output usually
`depends on changes in capacitance between the sensor's
`conductive diaphrngm (which dclkcts with a pressure dif(cid:173)
`ferential across it) and a conductive static plale in the sensor
`instead of depending on absolute measured capacitance
`crossing some threshold. Given that not all measured pres(cid:173)
`sure drops indicate that the user is drnwing from the device,
`this approach is not ideal.
`In a11 electronic cigarettes tested (some of which may not
`use the standard modified electret microphone with ASIC),
`the device can be made to start heating at the end of a blow
`into the device's air/vapor outlet. In devices in which direct
`capacitance measurements may be made by the microcon(cid:173)
`troller, the same behavior can be produced, meaning there is
`no software actively handling blows into the device cor(cid:173)
`rectly.
`Tilis failure mode may be largely tumoticed, but it is
`relevant based on many user practices. For example, some
`electro11ic cigarette users hold devices in their mouths,
`resulting in blowing into the device. Devices that don't
`adequately distinguish between drawing and the end of a
`blowing into the mouthpiece may start heating aHcr a user
`has exhaled onto the device.
`Dcscribcxl herein arc apparatuses (systems and devices) 35
`and methods that may address the problem identified above.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`4
`ings to the baseline and activate the heater to generate vapor
`from the vaporizable material when the instantaneous sensor
`readings are offset from the baseline by more than a third
`offset value .indicating suet.ion is being applied to the mouth-
`s piece (2830).
`A vaporizer device may include a reservoir configured to
`hold a vaporizablc material; a heater configured lo heat the
`vaporizablc material; a mouthpiece in co1nmt111ication with
`the reservoir; a pressure sensor configured to output instan-
`10 tan(,'OUS sensor readings; and a nlicrocontrollcr, wherein lhe
`microconlrollcr is configured to: dctemlinc a baseline based
`on filtering the instantaneous sensor readings (281 0); hold
`the baseline at a prior value of the baseline while the
`instantaneous sensor readings are above the baseline by a
`t 5 first offset value or below the base! ine by a second offset
`value (2820); compare the instantaneous sensor readings to
`the baseline and activate the heater to generate vapor from
`the vapori7able material when the instantaneous sensor
`readings are below the baseline by more than a third offset
`20 value indicating suction is being applied to the mouthpiece
`(2830).
`A vaporizer device may include: a reservoir configured to
`hold a vaporizablc material; a heater configured to heat the
`vaporizablc material; a mouthpiece in c01nmunicalion with
`25 the reservoir; a pressure sensor configured to output instan(cid:173)
`tan'-'OUS sensor readings; and a nlicrocontroller, wherein the
`microconlrollcr is configured to: determine a baseline based
`on filtering the instantaneous sensor readings (2810); hold
`the baseline at a prior value of the baseline while the
`30 instantaneous sensor readings are above the baseline by a
`first offset value or below the base! ine by a second offset
`value (2820); compare the instantaneous sensor readings lo
`the baseline and activate the heater to generate vapor from
`the vaporizable material when the instantaneous sensor
`readings are above the baseline by more than a third offset
`value indicating suction is being applied to the mouthpiece
`(2830).
`The first side of the pressure sensor may be exposed to a
`first air path through the mouthpiece and a second side of the
`40 pressure sensor is exposed to a second air path open to
`ambient pressure, and wherein the second air path is sealed
`from the Jirst air path by a gasket around the pressure sensor.
`TI1e third offset value may be the same as the second offset
`value or the third offset value may be the same as the first
`45 oilset value. The first oilsct value may be zero, or the S'-'COnd
`oilsct value is zero.
`The instantaneous pressure sensor output may be capaci(cid:173)
`tance or pressure.
`In general, the pressure sensors described herein may be
`any differential pressure sensor, such as MEMS, capacitive
`pressures sensors (e.g., including a capacitive membrane), or
`any force collector type pressure sensors that use a trans(cid:173)
`ducer to measure pressure or pressure differences (e.g.,
`diaphragm, piston, etc.), piezoresistive, electromagnetic,
`piezoelectric, optical, potentiometric, resonant (including
`MEMS), etc. Differential pressure sensors may measure the
`distance between two pressures, one connected on different
`sides of the sensor. This includes pressure sensors in which
`one side is open/connected to ambient atmosphere (pres(cid:173)
`sure).
`The microconlrollcr may be conligurcd to dctcnnine the
`baseline based on filtering the instantaneous sensor output
`by low pass filtering the instantan'-'OUS sensor output.
`The microcontroller may be conligured lo dctcrnline the
`baseline based on filtering lhc instantan'-'OUS sensor output
`by taking a running average of the instantaneous sensor
`output.
`
`The present invent.ion relates generally to apparan1ses,
`including systems and devices, for vaporizing material to
`fonn an inhalable aerosol. Specifically, these apparatuses
`may include vaporizers.
`In particular, described here.in are apparan1ses including
`vaporizers that arc adapted lo prevent one or more failure
`modes that may result from blowing into the mouthpiece,
`which may be referred to herein as blow rejection or blow
`discrinunation. In general, such vaporizers and methods of
`operating a vapori1.er may include a pressure sensor that
`regulates the baseline pressure readings (which may be 50
`actual pressure readings or may be unconverted sensor
`readings, such as capacitance measurements) during a blow
`and/or a draw through the mouthpiece to prevent instability
`that may otherwise result from blowing into the mouthpiece.
`For example, described herein are vapori1.er devices com- 55
`prising: a reservoir configured to hold a vaporizable mate(cid:173)
`rial; a heater configured to heat the vapor.izable material; a
`mouthpiece in communication with the reservoir; a pressure
`sensor comprising a differential pressure sensor ( e.g.,
`MEMS, capacitive membrane, etc.) configured to output 60
`instantaneous sensor readings; and a microcontrollcr,
`wherein the microcontroller is configured to: detem1ine a
`baseline based on filtering the instantaneous sensor readings
`(2810); hold the baseline at a prior value of the baseline
`wllilc the instantaneous sensor readings arc above the base- 65
`line by a ftrst offset value or below the baseline by a second
`oilsel value (2820); compare the instantaneous sensor read-
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.023
`
`

`

`US 10,130, 123 B2
`
`10
`
`5
`The microcontroller may further be con.figured to stop
`activating the heater to generate vapor when the instanta(cid:173)
`neous sensor output is offset from the baseline by Jess than
`the third offset value.
`Also described herein arc methods of controlling a vapor(cid:173)
`izer device to prevent heating after blowing on a mouthpiece
`of the vaporizer device that include: taking instantaneous
`sensor readings from a pressure sensor in the vaporizer
`device, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a capacitive
`membrane; determining a baseline by filtering the instanta(cid:173)
`lll-'OUS sensor readings; holding the baseline at a prior value
`of the baseline while the instantaneous sensor readings are
`above the baseline by a first olfsct value; holding the
`baseline at a prior value of the baseline while the instanta(cid:173)
`neous sensor readings are below the baseline by a second
`offset value; comparing the instantaneous sensor readings to
`the baseline and activating a heater in the vaporizer to
`generate vapor from a vapori:,able material when the instan(cid:173)
`taneous sensor output is offset from the baseline by more
`than a third offset value, indicating that suction is being
`applied to the mouthpiece.
`A method of controlling a vaporizer device to prevent
`heating allcr blowing on a mouthpiece of the vaporizer
`device may include: taking instantaneous sensor readings
`from a pressure sensor in the vaporizer device, wherein the
`pressure sensor comprises a capacitive membrane; deter(cid:173)
`mining a baseline by liltering the instantaneous sensor
`readings; holding the baseline at a prior value of the baseline
`while the instantaneous sensor readings arc above the base(cid:173)
`line; holding the baseline at a prior value of the baseline
`while the instantaneous sensor readings are below the base(cid:173)
`line by an oJisct value; comparing the instantaneous sensor
`readings to the baseline and activating a heater in the
`vaporiz.er to generate vapor from a vaporizable material
`when the instantaneous sensor output is below the baseline
`by more than the offset value indicating that suction is being
`applied to the mouthpiece.
`In some variations, the apparatuses described herein may
`include an inhalable aerosol comprising: an oven comprising
`an oven chamber and a heater for heating a vapor fomiing
`medium in the oven chamber to generate a vapor; a con(cid:173)
`denser comprising a condensation chamber in which at least
`a fraction of the vapor condenses to form the inhalable
`aerosol; an air inlet that originates a first airflow path that
`includes the oven chamber; m1d an aeration vent tlrnt origi(cid:173)
`nates a second airflow path that allows air from the aeration
`vent to join the first airflow path prior to or within the
`condensation chamber and downstream from the oven
`chamber thereby forming a joined path, wherein the joined
`path is configured to deliver the inhalable aerosol formed in 50
`the condensation chamber io a user.
`·1he oven may be within a body of the device. The device
`may further comprise a mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece
`comprises at least one of the air inlet, the aeration vent, and
`the condenser. ')he mouthpiece may be separable from the
`oven. The mouthpiece may be integral to a body of the
`device, wherein the body comprises the oven. The device
`may further comprise a body that comprises the oven, die
`condenser, the air inlet, and the aeration vent. The mouth(cid:173)
`piece may be separable from the body.
`In some variations, the oven chamber may comprise an
`oven chamber inlet and an oven chamber outlet, and the
`oven further comprises a first valve at the oven chan1bcr
`inlet, and a second valve al the oven chamber outlet. The
`aeration vent may comprise a thlrd valve. The first valve, or
`said second valve may be chosen from the group of a check
`valve, a clack valve, a non-return valve, and a one-way
`
`6
`valve. The tliird valve may be chosen from the group of a
`check valve, a clack valve, a non-return valve, and a
`one-way valve. ')he first or second valve may be mechani(cid:173)
`cally actuated. The first or second valve may be electron.i-
`s cally actuated. The first valve or second valve may be
`manually actuated. ·nie third valve may be mechanically
`actuated. The thlrd valve may be mechanically actuated. The
`third valve may be electronically actuated. The third valve
`may be manually actuated.
`In some variations, the device may further comprise a
`body that comprises at least one of: a power source, a printed
`circuit board, a switch, and a temperature regulator. The
`device may fiuther comprise a temperature regulator in
`15 communication with a temperature sensor. ·nie temperature
`sensor may be the heater. The power source may be
`rechargeable. The power source may be removable. The
`oven may further comprise an access lid. 'fhe vapor forming
`meditun may comprise tobacco. The vapor forming medium
`20 may comprise a botanical. 111c vapor limning medium may
`be heated in the oven chamber wherein die vapor forming
`medimn may comprise a humectant to produce the vapor,
`wherein the vapor comprises a gas phase humcctanl. The
`vapor may be mixed in the condensation chamber witll air
`25 from the aeration vent to produce the inhalable aerosol
`comprising particle diameters of average size of about I
`micron. The vapor forming medium may be heated in the
`oven chamber, wherein the vapor is niixcd in the conden(cid:173)
`sation chamber with air from the aeration vent to produce the
`30 inhalable aerosol comprising particle diameters of average
`size ofless than or equal to 0.9 micron. The vapor forming
`medium may be healed in the oven chumbcr, wherein the
`vapor is mixed in d1e condensation chamber with air from
`the aeration vent to produce the inhalable aerosol compris-
`35 ing particle diameters of average size of Jess than or equal
`to 0.8 micron. The vapor forming medium may be heated in
`the oven chamber, wherein the vapor is mixed in the
`condensation chamber with air from the aeration vent to
`produce the inhalable aerosol comprising particle diameters
`40 of average size of less than or equal to 0. 7 niicron. The vapor
`forming medium may be heated in d1e oven chamber,
`wherein the vapor is niixcd in the condensation chamber
`with air from the aeration vent lo produce the inhalablc
`aerosol comprising particle diameters of average size of Jess
`45 than or equal to 0.6 micron. The vapor fomiing medium may
`be heated in the oven chamber, wherein the vapor is niixc<l
`in tlie condensation chamber with air from tl1c aeration vent
`to produce the inhalable aerosol comprising particle diam-
`eters of average size of less than or equal to 0.5 micron.
`In some variations, the humectant may comprise glycerol
`as a vapor-forming medium. The huml-'Ctfmt may comprise
`vegetable glycerol. The humectant may comprise propylene
`glycol. The humectant may comprise a ratio of vegetable
`glycerol to propylene glycol. The ratio may be about 100:0
`55 vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol. The ratio may be
`about 90: 10 vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol. The
`ratio may be about 80:20 vegetable glycerol to propylene
`glycol. The ratio may he about 70:30 vegetable glycerol to
`propylene glycol. The ratio may be about 60:40 vegetable
`60 glycerol to propylene glycol. The ratio may be about 50:50
`vegetable glycerol lo propylene glycol. 111c humcctant. may
`comprise a llavorant. The vapor fom1ing medium may be
`heated to its pyrolytic temperature. The vapor forming
`medium may heated to 200° C. at most. The vapor fomiing
`65 medium may be heated to 160° C. at most. The inhalablc
`aerosol may be cooled to a temperature of about 50°-70° C.
`at. most, before exiting the aerosol outlet of the mouthpiece.
`NJOY Exhibit 1001.024
`
`

`

`US 10,130,123 B2
`
`7
`Also described herein are methods for generating an
`inhalable aerosol. Such a method may comprise: providing
`an inhalable aerosol generating device wherein the device
`comprises: an oven comprising an oven chamber and a
`heater for heating a vapor forming medium in the oven
`chamber and for forming a vapor therein; a condenser
`comprising a condensation chamber in which the vapor
`forms the inhalablc aerosol; an air inlet that originates a first
`airflow path that includes the oven chamber; and an aeration
`vent that originates a second airflow path that allows air
`from the aeration vent to join the first airflow path prior to
`or within the condensation chamber and downstream from
`the oven chamber thereby forming a joined path, wherein the
`joined path is configured to deliver the inhalable aerosol
`formed in the condensation chamber to a user.
`The oven may be within a body of the device. The device
`may further comprise a mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece
`comprises at least one of the air inlet, the aeration vent, and
`the condenser. The mouthpiece may be separable from the
`oven. The mouthpiece may be integral to a body of the
`device, wherein the body comprises the oven. The method
`may further comprise a body that comprises the oven, the
`condenser, the air inlet, and the aeration vent. The mouth(cid:173)
`piece may be separable from the body.
`The oven chamber may comprise an oven chamber inlet 25
`and an oven chamber outlet, and the oven further comprises
`a first valve at the oven chamber inlet, and a second valve
`at the oven chamber outlet.
`The vapor fonning medium may comprise tobacco. The
`vapor forming medium may comprise a botanical. The vapor 30
`forming medium may be heated in the oven chamber
`wherein the vapor forming medium may comprise a humcc(cid:173)
`tant to produce the vapor, wherein the vapor comprises a gas
`phase humectant. ·111e vapor may comprise particle diam(cid:173)
`eters of average mass of about l micron. The vapor may 35
`comprise particle diameters of average mass of about