Non-nicotine pod assemblies and non-nicotine e-vaping devices

Abstract

A non-nicotine pod assembly for a non-nicotine e-vaping device may include a first section and a second section connected to the first section. The first section may define a pod outlet and be configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The second section may define a pod inlet and be configured to heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The pod inlet is in fluidic communication with the pod outlet via a flow path. The flow path may include a first diverged portion, a second diverged portion, and a converged portion. A non-nicotine e-vaping device may include a device body defining a through hole configured to receive the non-nicotine pod assembly such that a pod inlet for the air flow is exposed when the non-nicotine pod assembly is seated within the through hole.

1 . A non-nicotine pod assembly for a non-nicotine e-vaping device, comprising:
 a first section defining a pod outlet and configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation; and   a second section connected to the first section, the second section defining a pod inlet and configured to heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, the pod inlet in fluidic communication with the pod outlet via a flow path, the flow path including a first diverged portion, a second diverged portion, and a converged portion.   
     
     
         2 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first section is configured to hermetically seal the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation until an activation of the non-nicotine pod assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the second section includes a perforator configured to release the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the first section during the activation of the non-nicotine pod assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the perforator includes a notch configured to engage with a clip to preclude a premature actuation of the perforator. 
     
     
         5 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pod inlet is upstream from the first diverged portion and the second diverged portion of the flow path. 
     
     
         6 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the converged portion of the flow path is downstream from the first diverged portion and the second diverged portion. 
     
     
         7 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first diverged portion and the second diverged portion convene to form the converged portion of the flow path. 
     
     
         8 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second section includes a divider configured to direct an incoming air flow into the first diverged portion and the second diverged portion of the flow path. 
     
     
         9 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the divider is wedge-shaped and configured to split the incoming air flow into opposite directions. 
     
     
         10 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first diverged portion includes a first curved segment. 
     
     
         11 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second diverged portion includes a second curved segment. 
     
     
         12 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first diverged portion and the second diverged portion are symmetrical portions bisected by an axis corresponding to the converged portion of the flow path. 
     
     
         13 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second section includes a heater and a wick downstream from the converged portion of the flow path. 
     
     
         14 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the heater includes a folded heating element configured to grip the wick. 
     
     
         15 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the folded heating element includes at least one prong configured to protrude into the wick. 
     
     
         16 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the second section further includes an absorbent material seated within a holder, the absorbent material being downstream from and in fluidic communication with the wick. 
     
     
         17 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the absorbent material is configured to receive the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the first section, and the wick is configured to transfer the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the absorbent material to the heater. 
     
     
         18 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the absorbent material has an annular form, and the wick has a planar form. 
     
     
         19 . The non-nicotine pod assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the holder includes a base portion and a cylindrical portion. 
     
     
         20 . A non-nicotine e-vaping device, comprising:
 a non-nicotine pod assembly including a first section and a second section, the first section configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, the second section configured to diverge and converge an air flow into the non-nicotine pod assembly prior to a passage of the air flow through the first section; and   a device body defining a through hole configured to receive the non-nicotine pod assembly such that a pod inlet for the air flow is exposed when the non-nicotine pod assembly is seated within the through hole.