Personal vaporizer having reversing air flow

Abstract

A personal vaporizer has an atomizer module having a heating element and an atomizer cup for receiving vaporizing medium. A flow module is releasably attached to the atomizer module. The flow module intakes ambient air and directs the air into a vaporizing chamber at and adjacent the atomizer cup, where the air mixes with atomized medium to form a vapor. The vapor exits the vaporizing chamber via one or more exit passages defined through the flow module. Vapor is directed from the exit passages into a mouthpiece and further into the user's mouth.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A personal vaporizer having a distal end and a proximal end, a distal direction defined moving axially from the proximal end toward the distal end, a proximal direction being opposite the distal direction, comprising:
 an atomizer module comprising an atomizer cup having a distal wall and a side wall extending in the proximal direction from the distal wall to a proximal edge, a heating element being arranged in or adjacent the atomizer cup, the cup being configured to accept a vaporizing medium so that the vaporizing medium is atomized when the heating element is energized;   a vaporizing chamber defined in part by the distal and side walls of the atomizer cup, the vaporizing medium being contained within the vaporizing chamber;   a flow body selectively attachable to a proximal side of the atomizer module, the flow body comprising an inlet passage through a side of the flow body, the inlet passage communicating with a delivery passage that extends in the distal direction from the inlet passage to a delivery opening, the delivery passage and delivery opening being defined by the flow body, the delivery opening being distal of the inlet passage and proximal of the vaporizing chamber, and being configured to direct intake air into the vaporizing chamber;   an exit passage communicating with the vaporizing chamber and defined by the flow body adjacent the delivery passage, and an exit opening communicating with the exit passage and being proximal of the vaporizing chamber; and   a mouthpiece having a mouthpiece outlet that is in communication with the exit passage, the mouthpiece being proximal of the flow body;   wherein a vaporizing chamber flow path is defined within the vaporizing chamber between the delivery opening and the exit passage, and atomized vaporizing medium becomes entrained in the air flowing along the vaporizing chamber flow path so as to form a vapor; and   wherein the vaporizer is configured so that as air is drawn out of the mouthpiece outlet, air is drawn in through the inlet passage and flows along the vaporizing chamber flow path.   
     
     
       2. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 1 , wherein the exit opening is proximal of the delivery opening. 
     
     
       3. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 2 , wherein the delivery opening is distal of the atomizer cup proximal edge. 
     
     
       4. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 3 , wherein the flow body has a distal wall, and the delivery opening is formed through the distal wall, and the vaporizing chamber is defined by the distal and side walls of the atomizer cup and by the distal wall of the flow body. 
     
     
       5. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 2 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the vaporizing chamber increases along the vaporizing chamber flow path. 
     
     
       6. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 5 , wherein delivery of air is accelerated and directed toward the distal wall of the atomizer cup and imparts turbulent flow characteristics to the accelerated air. 
     
     
       7. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 2  additionally comprising a distal vapor chamber distal of the atomizer cup, and a vapor tube extending proximally from the distal vapor chamber to a mouthpiece. 
     
     
       8. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 7 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the delivery passage decreases moving distally along its length so that air flowing distally through the delivery passage is accelerated. 
     
     
       9. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 1  additionally comprising an exit groove formed in the side wall of the atomizer cup, the exit opening communicating with the exit groove, and wherein the vapor flows distally through the exit groove. 
     
     
       10. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 1 , wherein the delivery opening directs a flow of air towards a center of the atomizer cup distal wall, and wherein the exit opening is radially spaced from the center of the atomizer cup. 
     
     
       11. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 1 , wherein the delivery opening directs a flow of air towards a first side of the atomizer cup, and wherein the exit opening is at or adjacent a second side of the atomizer cup generally opposite the first side. 
     
     
       12. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 1 , comprising a flow director extending distally beyond the distal end of the flow body and additionally comprising a tab extending distally from a distal wall of the flow director. 
     
     
       13. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 1 , wherein the flow body has a distal wall, and the vaporizing chamber is defined by the distal and side walls of the atomizer cup and by the distal wall of the flow body. 
     
     
       14. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 1 , wherein the flow body is movable as a unit. 
     
     
       15. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 14 , wherein the mouthpiece is selectively detachable from the flow body. 
     
     
       16. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 14 , wherein the delivery opening of the flow body is distal of the atomizer cup proximal edge. 
     
     
       17. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 14 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the delivery opening is less than a cross-sectional area of the inlet passage so that intake air is accelerated moving distally through the delivery passage and delivery opening prior to entering the vaporizing chamber and prior to contacting vaporizing medium. 
     
     
       18. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 17 , wherein the vaporizing chamber flow path changes direction between the delivery opening and the exit opening from being distally-directed to being proximally-directed. 
     
     
       19. A personal vaporizer, comprising:
 an atomizer module comprising an atomizer cup having a distal wall and a side wall extending from the distal wall to a proximal edge, a heating element being arranged in or adjacent the atomizer cup, the cup being configured to accept a vaporizing medium so that the vaporizing medium is atomized when the heating element is energized;   a vaporizing chamber defined in part by the distal and side walls of the atomizer cup, the vaporizing medium being contained within the vaporizing chamber;   a flow body selectively attachable to the atomizer module, the flow body comprising an inlet passage through a side of the flow body, the inlet passage communicating with a delivery passage that extends distally to a delivery opening, the delivery opening being distal of the inlet passage and proximal of the vaporizing chamber, and being configured to direct intake air into the vaporizing chamber toward the distal wall;   an exit passage communicating with the vaporizing chamber and extending through the flow body, and an exit opening communicating with the exit passage and being proximal of the vaporizing chamber; and   a mouthpiece having a mouthpiece outlet that is in communication with the exit passage;   wherein a vaporizing chamber flow path is defined between the delivery opening and the exit passage, intake air directed into the vaporizing chamber is redirected by the distal wall or vaporizing medium to become turbulent, and atomized vaporizing medium becomes entrained in the turbulent air flowing along the vaporizing chamber flow path so as to form a vapor;   wherein a cross-sectional area of the delivery opening is less than a cross-sectional area of the inlet passage so that intake air is accelerated moving distally through the delivery passage and delivery opening prior to entering the vaporizing chamber and prior to contacting vaporizing medium;   wherein the vaporizer is configured so that as air is drawn out of the mouthpiece outlet, air is drawn in through the inlet passage and flows along the vaporizing chamber flow path; and   wherein the vaporizing chamber flow path changes direction from being distally-directed to being proximally-directed between the delivery opening and the exit opening.   
     
     
       20. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 19 , wherein the delivery opening is distal of the exit opening. 
     
     
       21. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 19 , wherein the flow body has a distal wall, and the vaporizing chamber is defined by the distal and side walls of the atomizer cup and by the distal wall of the flow body. 
     
     
       22. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 21 , wherein the distal wall of the flow body is distal of the atomizer cup proximal edge. 
     
     
       23. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 19 , wherein the vaporizing chamber has a cross-sectional flow area greater than a cross-sectional area of the delivery opening. 
     
     
       24. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 23 , wherein intake air that was accelerated moving distally through the delivery passage and delivery opening slows moving through the vaporizing chamber along the vaporizing chamber flow path. 
     
     
       25. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 24 , wherein the delivery passage has an upstream portion and a downstream portion, and wherein a cross-sectional area of the downstream portion is less than a cross-sectional area of the upstream portion. 
     
     
       26. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 24 , wherein the heating element is contained within the vaporizing chamber, and wherein accelerated intake air is directed from the delivery opening towards the heating element within the vaporizing chamber, and the intake air becomes turbulent within the vaporizing chamber. 
     
     
       27. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 24 , wherein the vaporizing chamber flow path comprises a radially-directed portion between a distally-directed portion and a proximally-directed portion, and flow is turbulent within the radially-directed portion. 
     
     
       28. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 27 , wherein vaporizing medium being heated by the heating element is interposed in the radially-directed portion. 
     
     
       29. A personal vaporizer, comprising:
 an atomizer module comprising an atomizer cup having a distal wall and a side wall extending from the distal wall to a proximal edge, a heating element being arranged in or adjacent the atomizer cup, the cup being configured to accept a vaporizing medium so that the vaporizing medium is atomized when the heating element is energized;   a vaporizing chamber defined in part by the distal and side walls of the atomizer cup;   a flow body selectively attachable to the atomizer module, the flow body comprising an inlet passage through a side of the flow body, the inlet passage communicating with a delivery passage that extends distally to a delivery opening, the delivery opening being distal of the inlet passage and being configured to direct intake air into the vaporizing chamber;   a flow director extending distally beyond the distal end of the flow body and additionally comprising a tab extending distally from a distal wall of the flow director, the delivery passage being defined within the flow director, and the delivery opening is defined through the distal wall of the flow director;   an exit passage communicating with the vaporizing chamber and extending through the flow body, and an exit opening communicating with the exit passage and being radially spaced from the delivery opening; and   a mouthpiece having a mouthpiece outlet that is in communication with the exit passage;   wherein a vaporizing chamber flow path is defined between the delivery opening and the exit passage, and atomized vaporizing medium becomes entrained in the air flowing along the vaporizing chamber flow path so as to form a vapor; and   wherein the vaporizer is configured so that as air is drawn out of the mouthpiece outlet, air is drawn in through the inlet passage and flows along the vaporizing chamber flow path.   
     
     
       30. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 29 , wherein the tab is disposed adjacent the delivery opening. 
     
     
       31. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 30 , wherein a distal edge of the tab is disposed adjacent the heating element in the vaporizing chamber. 
     
     
       32. A personal vaporizer as in  claim 30 , additionally comprising a second tab extending distally from the distal wall of the flow director, wherein the second tab is disposed adjacent the delivery opening on a side of the delivery opening opposite the tab. 
     
     
       33. A personal vaporizer having a first end and a second end, a first direction defined moving from the second end toward the first end, a second direction being opposite the first direction, comprising:
 an atomizer comprising a vaporizing chamber having an end wall and a side wall extending in the first direction from the end wall to an open end, a heating element being arranged in or adjacent the vaporizing chamber, the heating element configured to atomize a vaporizing medium contained in the vaporizing chamber when the heating element is energized;   the vaporizing chamber configured to receive a flow of intake air moving in the second direction through the vaporizing chamber open end;   the vaporizing chamber configured so that when the heating element is energized, vaporizing medium in the vaporizing chamber is atomized and intake air is mixed with atomized vaporizing medium in the vaporizing chamber to form a vapor; and   a vaporizing chamber vapor path defined within the vaporizing chamber and extending in the first direction toward the open end;   an outer vapor flow path defined radially-spaced from the vaporizing chamber and in communication with the vaporizing chamber vapor path; and   a mouthpiece having a mouthpiece outlet that is in communication with the outer vapor flow path.   
     
     
       34. The personal vaporizer of  claim 33 , wherein the outer vapor path is configured to conduct vapor in the second direction past the atomizer cup. 
     
     
       35. The personal vaporizer of  claim 33 , wherein the outer vapor path is configured to conduct vapor in the second direction. 
     
     
       36. The personal vaporizer of  claim 35 , comprising a housing supporting the vaporizing chamber and having a housing open end, a space defined between the housing open end and the vaporizing chamber open end. 
     
     
       37. The personal vaporizer of  claim 36 , wherein a radial vapor flow path is defined in the space, and wherein the radial flow path connects the vaporizing chamber vapor path to the outer vapor path. 
     
     
       38. The personal vaporizer of  claim 33 , wherein the outer vapor flow path extends in the second direction adjacent the side wall of the vaporizing chamber and past the end wall of the vaporizing chamber to a bottom vapor chamber. 
     
     
       39. The personal vaporizer of  claim 38 , additionally comprising a bottom radially-extending flow path defined by the bottom vapor chamber. 
     
     
       40. The personal vaporizer of  claim 39 , additionally comprising a vapor tube radially offset from the outer vapor flow path and having an upstream end communicating with the bottom radially-extending flow path. 
     
     
       41. The personal vaporizer of  claim 40 , wherein the vapor tube comprises a downstream end, and a vapor tube path is defined moving in the first direction from the upstream end to the downstream end. 
     
     
       42. A personal vaporizer, comprising:
 an atomizer comprising a cup having a bottom wall and a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall to an open end, a vaporizing chamber being defined within the cup, the cup adapted to receive a vaporizing medium within the vaporizing chamber, a heating element being arranged in or adjacent the cup;   a housing supporting the cup, the housing having an open end and defining a delivery passage extending from the housing open end to the cup open end, the delivery passage configured to conduct intake air therethrough in a first longitudinal direction to and through the open end of the cup; and   a mouthpiece having a mouthpiece outlet;   wherein the vaporizing chamber is configured so that when the heating element is energized, vaporizing medium contained within the vaporizing chamber is atomized and intake air is mixed with atomized vaporizing medium in the vaporizing chamber to form a vapor; and   a chamber vapor flow path is defined in the vaporizing chamber and is directed in a second longitudinal direction generally opposite the first longitudinal direction, the chamber vapor flow path being radially offset from the elongated delivery passage; and   wherein the vapor flow path is configured to conduct vapor out of the vaporizing chamber; and   a second vapor flow path defined between the cup side wall and the housing, wherein the second vapor flow path is configured to receive vapor from the chamber vapor flow path and conduct vapor in the first longitudinal direction, the second vapor flow path communicating with the mouthpiece outlet.   
     
     
       43. The personal vaporizer of  claim 42 , wherein a space is defined between a top edge portion of the cup and the housing open end, and a first radial vapor flow path is defined in the space, wherein the first radial vapor flow path connects the chamber vapor flow path to the second vapor flow path. 
     
     
       44. The personal vaporizer of  claim 43 , wherein the top edge portion of the cup defines the open end of the cup. 
     
     
       45. The personal vaporizer of  claim 42 , wherein the second vapor flow path extends in the first longitudinal direction past the cup bottom wall to a point vertically below the cup bottom wall. 
     
     
       46. The personal vaporizer of  claim 45 , additionally comprising a vapor tube radially offset from the second vapor flow path, an upstream end of the vapor tube being vertically lower than the cup bottom wall, a downstream end of the vapor tube being vertically higher than the cup open end, the vapor tube defining a vapor tube flow path configured to receive vapor from the second vapor flow path and communicate the vapor in the second longitudinal direction. 
     
     
       47. The personal vaporizer of  claim 46 , additionally comprising a second radial vapor flow path vertically lower than the cup bottom wall, the second radial vapor flow path configured to communicate vapor from the second vapor flow path to the vapor tube flow path. 
     
     
       48. The personal vaporizer of  claim 47 , comprising a bottom chamber vertically below the cup bottom wall, the second radial vapor flow path being defined by the bottom chamber. 
     
     
       49. The personal vaporizer of  claim 46 , wherein the vapor tube flow path is radially spaced from the delivery passage. 
     
     
       50. The personal vaporizer of  claim 49 , wherein a downstream end of the vapor tube is vertically higher than the cup open end, and the vapor tube defines a vapor tube flow path configured to receive vapor from the second vapor flow path and communicate the vapor in the second longitudinal direction. 
     
     
       51. The personal vaporizer of  claim 45 , comprising a bottom chamber vertically below the cup bottom wall, the second vapor flow path communicating with the bottom chamber.