Vaping Pod with Pressure Regulator Protection

Abstract

To avoid e-liquid being expelled from a pod due to air pressure differentials between the interior and exterior of a pod, a pressure regulator such as a valve can be introduced into the pod. To prevent e-liquid moving adjacent to the pressure regulator and being expelled during pressure regulation, a barrier impermeable to the e-liquid is introduced into the pod to prevent movement of the e-liquid. This barrier may be air permeable and e-liquid impermeable, and may in some embodiments take the form of a mesh with apertures small enough that the surface tension of the e-liquid does not permit movement of the e-liquid through the mesh under normal circumstances.

1 . A pod for storing an atomizable e-liquid for use in a vaping system, the pod comprising:
 a reservoir for storing the e-liquid;   a pressure regulator within the reservoir for allowing equalization of pressure inside the reservoir with pressure outside the reservoir; and   a membrane, impermeable to the e-liquid in at least one direction, positioned within the reservoir to allow for separation of the e-liquid from an air pocket within the reservoir, and for keeping the air pocket within the reservoir within fluid communication with the pressure regulator.   
     
     
         2 . The pod of  claim 1  wherein the e-liquid comprises at least one of vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, nicotine and a flavoring. 
     
     
         3 . The pod of  claim 1  wherein the e-liquid comprises a cannabinoid. 
     
     
         4 . The pod of  claim 1  wherein the pressure regulator allows an air pressure within the reservoir to be regulated down to an air pressure outside the reservoir. 
     
     
         5 . The pod of  claim 1  wherein the pressure regulator is a vent. 
     
     
         6 . The pod of  claim 1  wherein the pressure regulator is a valve for allowing air to flow from inside the reservoir to outside the reservoir. 
     
     
         7 . The pod of  claim 1  wherein the membrane is permeable to air. 
     
     
         8 . The pod of  claim 1  wherein the membrane is positioned within the reservoir at a level at or above the level of the e-liquid stored within the pod. 
     
     
         9 . The pod of  claim 1  wherein the membrane is permeable to the e-liquid in one direction, and impermeable to the e-liquid in the other direction. 
     
     
         10 . The pod of  claim 9  wherein the membrane is impermeable to the e-liquid in the direction of the pressure regulator. 
     
     
         11 . The pod of  claim 1  wherein the membrane is formed of filaments spaced apart no greater than a threshold distance. 
     
     
         12 . The pod of  claim 11  wherein the threshold distance is determined in accordance with physical properties of the e-liquid. 
     
     
         13 . The pod of  claim 12  wherein the physical properties include at least one of a density of the e-liquid, a viscosity of the e-liquid and a surface tension of the e-liquid. 
     
     
         14 . The pod of  claim 11  wherein the threshold distance is determined in accordance with at least one of a maximum storage temperature and a volume of e-liquid to be stored in the reservoir. 
     
     
         15 . The pod of  claim 1  wherein the membrane is impermeable to the e-liquid in at least one direction under a defined set of conditions. 
     
     
         16 . A vaping device for atomizing an atomizable liquid, the device comprising:
 a battery for storing power;   control circuitry for controlling the delivery of power from the battery to a heater engaged with a wick;   a reservoir for storing the e-liquid for delivery to the wick;   a pressure regulator within the reservoir for allowing equalization of pressure inside the reservoir with pressure outside the reservoir; and   a membrane, impermeable to the e-liquid in at least one direction, positioned within the reservoir to allow for separation of the e-liquid from an air pocket within the reservoir, and for keeping the air pocket within the reservoir within fluid communication with the pressure regulator.   
     
     
         16 . The vaping device of  claim 15  wherein the e-liquid comprises at least one of vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, nicotine and a flavoring. 
     
     
         17 . The vaping device of  claim 15  wherein the e-liquid comprises a cannabinoid. 
     
     
         18 . The vaping device of  claim 15  wherein the pressure regulator is one of a vent and a valve for allowing air to flow from inside the reservoir to outside the reservoir. 
     
     
         19 . The vaping device of  claim 15  wherein the membrane is permeable to the e-liquid in one direction, and impermeable to the e-liquid in the other direction.