United States Patent
`Takeuchi
`
`[19]
`
`US006155268A
`[111 Patent Number:
`[451 Date of Patent:
`
`6,155,268
`Dec. 5, 2000
`
`[54] FLAVOR-GENERATING DEVICE
`
`5,743,251 4/1998 Howell et al..
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Manabu Takeuchi, Tokyo, Japan
`
`[73] Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc., Tokyo, Japan
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 09/120,457
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Jul. 23, 1998
`
`[30]
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jul. 23, 1997 [JP] Japan .................................... 9-197033
`
`Int. Cl.7 ...................................................... A24F 47/00
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl .............................................. 131/273; 131/194
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 131/335, 271,
`131/273, 194, 336, 272
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`9/1981 Ottestad .
`4,288,396
`4,303,083 12/1981 Burmss, Jr..
`2/1989 Lerner.
`4,805,614
`8/1990 Gori.
`4,945,931
`5,060,671 10/1991 Counts el al..
`9/1992 Counts et al..
`5,144,962
`5,269,327 12/1993 Counts et al..
`9/1997 Higgins et al .......................... 131/194
`5,666,977
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0295122A2 12/1988 European Pat. Off..
`0358114A2
`3/1990 European Pat. Off..
`WO
`95/01137A1 1/1995 WIPO .
`
`Primary Examiner James Derrington
`Assistant Examiner~Rob McBride
`Attorney, Agen(, or Firm~irch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch,
`LLP
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A flavor-generating device includes a chamber having an air
`inlet port and a flavor inhalation port, and defining a gas
`passageway between the air inlet port and the inhalation
`port. A liquid container for storing a liquid flavor source is
`provided, and is maintained at substantially an atmospheric
`pressure. At least one liquid passageway is provided in fluid
`communication with the liquid flavor source at its first end
`portion and with the gas passageway at its second end
`portion. The liquid passageway transports the liquid flavor
`source therethrough by capillary force. A heater heats and
`evaporates the liquid flavor source at the second end portion
`of the liquid passagexvay.
`
`18 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`28
`
`22
`
`!6
`
`!4
`
`56
`
`44
`
`t22
`
`36O
`
`R.J. Reynolds Vapor
`IPR2017-01117
`R.J. Reynolds Vapor v. Fontem
`Exhibit 1012-00001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`nec. 5, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of S
`
`6,155,268
`
`28 21
`
`240-
`
`36b
`42
`
`22
`
`36
`
`56
`
`FIB. I
`
`Exhibit 1012-00002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 5, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of S
`
`6,155,268
`
`II ~ II I ’ I I I~ I
`.11 I ,I i’ i’1[,’ iIl’’,l I Ill,iI
`
`k\\\\~i ..... " " " " " ’
`
`Exhibit 1012-00003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 5, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of S
`
`6,155,268
`
`72
`
`o
`o
`
`FIG. 3
`
`74
`
`36
`
`FIG.
`
`FIG. 5
`
`36
`
`Exhibit 1012-00004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 5, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 of S
`
`6,155,268
`
`36
`
`32
`
`74 74
`
`FIB. 6
`
`36 36
`
`76
`
`36b 94
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Exhibit 1012-00005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 5, 2000
`
`Sheet 5 of S
`
`6,155,268
`
`34
`
`32
`
`362 403O
`
`FIG. 8
`
`1640
`
`61
`
`I02
`
`!O0
`
`404
`
`4
`4 422
`
`4220
`46
`
`424
`
`FIG. 9
`
`374
`
`422
`
`Exhibit 1012-00006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 5, 2000
`Dec. 5, 2000
`
`Sheet 6 of S
`Sheet 6 0f 8
`
`6,155,268
`6,155,268
`
`FIG.“
`
`FIG.10
`
`/
`/
`/
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1012-00007
`Exhibit 1012-00007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 5, 2000
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`6,155,268
`
`t
`
`20t c
`
`201
`
`FIG. 12
`
`20t0
`20~b
`
`-422
`
`362
`
`FIG. t3
`
`Exhibit 1012-00008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 5, 2000
`Dec. 5, 2000
`
`Sheet 8 0f 8
`
`Sheet S of S
`
`6,155,268
`6,155,268
`
`‘us\
`
`
`
`u“‘V‘‘1
`
`302
`
`42~
`
`7’
`
`
`\xwxx‘.\«\vK‘ww‘V‘\\\s\K\\\\\\W‘\\s\\v\“W\“X\
`
`ée.\\.m.
`
`
`“\wvmw.x§.ww\\\m‘.\xxéfimn\\wM‘st.
`g:
`
`/1
`
`302
`
`30~
`
`Exhibit 1012-00009
`Exhibit 1012-00009
`
`FIG. 14
`
`FIG. i5
`FIG.15
`
`
`
`
`

`

`1
`FLAVOR-GENERATING DEVICE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to a flavor-generating device
`for enjoying inhalation of flavor or for enjoying simulated
`smoking, and more particularly, to a flavor-generating
`device for generating flavor which is to be inhaled by a user
`by heating a liquid, flavor source without relying on com-
`bustion.
`Various types of flavor-generating devices in which a
`flavor material is evaporated by heating for enjoying inha-
`lation of flavor have been proposed to date.
`For example, Japanese Patent Disclosure (Kokai) No.
`3-232481 discloses a typical concept of a conventional
`simulated smoking article. In this flavor-generating device,
`a rod-like solid flavor material is used, and the flavor or
`inhalation target is generated by heating the solid flavor
`material with a heating element. In a flavor-generating
`device of this type, a large amount of solid flavor material is
`wasted where the flavor material is kept continuously
`heated. Disadvantageously, where the solid flavor genera-
`tion material is heated when a user wishes to inhale the
`flavor generated from the flavor material, a large time lag is
`generated between the actual inhalation of the flavor by the
`user and the generation of the flavor.
`A flavor-generating device capable of coping with the
`above-noted difficulty is disclosed in, for example, Japanese
`Patent Disclosure No. 3-277265. The disclosed device has a
`solid flavor material divided into a number of portions,
`wherein the divided portions of the solid flavor nraterial are
`heated one by one every time a user takes one puff of the
`flavor so as to generate the flavor which is to be inhaled by
`the user. In this flavor-generating device, the solid flavor
`material and the heating element collectively constitute an
`integral flavor-generating means. It follows that, after con-
`sumption of the flavor material, it is necessary to replace or
`discard the heating element together with the flavor material.
`This may be expensive and give rise to an environment
`problem.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,931 discloses a simulated smoking
`article using a pressurized aerosol container. In this device,
`vanes are rocked in response to the inhaling action of a user
`so as to mechanically open the outlet port of the aerosol
`container and, thus, to release the aerosol. This prior art also
`discloses a modification in xvhich a heating element for
`warming the aerosol cooled by the heat of evaporation is
`mounted at the outlet port of the aerosol container. In each
`of these devices, however, a pressurized aerosol is confined
`in the container by a valve which is opened or closed in
`response to the inhaling action of the user. It follows that a
`large amount of the aerosol may be leaked to the outside
`once the vane is opened. In other words, in each of these
`prior art articles, it is impossible to release continuously a
`predetermined suitable amount of the aerosol every time a
`user takes a single puff. Rather, all the pressurized aerosol
`tends to be released in two or three inhaling actions of the
`user.
`
`45
`
`5O
`
`55
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
`provide a flavor-generating device which can be driven with 6o
`a low energy, which effectively prevents a flavor source from
`being wasted, and xvhich permits generating flavor ~vhen a
`user takes a puff of the flavor, substantially without a time
`lag.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a flavor- 65
`generating device which can be made small in size and light
`in weight.
`
`6,155,268
`
`2
`According to the present invention, there is provided a
`flavor-generating device comprising a chamber having an air
`inlet port for introducing the air thereinto and an inhalation
`port through which a user inhales a flavor, and defining a gas
`5 passageway between the air inlet port and the inhalation
`port; a liquid container for storing a liquid containing a
`flavor substance, and maintained at substantially an atmo-
`spheric pressure; at least one liquid passageway having a
`first end portion which is in a fluid communication with the
`10 liquid and a second end portion which is in a fluid commu-
`nication ~vith the gas passageway, for transporting the liquid
`from the liquid container to the second end portion by
`capillary force; and a heater mounted at the second end
`portion of the liquid passageway, for heating and gasifying
`~5 or evaporating the liquid transported from the liquid con-
`tainer.
`In the flavor-generating device of the present invention, a
`liquid containing a flavor substance, i.e., a liquid flavor
`source, is transported fronr within a liquid container through
`20 the liquid passageway by a capillary force exerted by the
`liquid passageway. Thus, if the preceding liquid flavor
`source is gasified or evaporated at the outlet end portion of
`the liquid passageway, the succeeding liquid flavor source is
`supplied to the outlet end portion of the liquid passageway
`25 by thc capillary forcc. It follows that thc flavor-gcncrating
`device of the present invention can be driven as a whole at
`a low energy. As a result, it is possible to suppress waste of
`the flavor source. In addition, the flavor can be generated
`when the user takes a puff of the flavor. It should be noted
`3o in particular that the heater can be controlled on the basis of
`a signal from a sensor for detecting the inhaling action of the
`user, with the result that the flavor can be supplied to the user
`with a high stability.
`Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
`35 set forth in the description which folloxvs, and in part will be
`obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice
`of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention
`may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumen-
`talities and combinations particnlarly pointed out hereinaf-
`4O ter.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
`
`The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in
`and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently
`preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with
`the general description given above and the detailed descrip-
`tion of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to
`explain the principles of the invention.
`FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a flavor-generating device
`according to one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIGS. 2A to 2C illustrate the operation of the flavor-
`generating device shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a modification of the
`mechanism for supplying and gasifying a liquid flavor
`source according to the invention;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another modifica-
`tion of the mechanism for supplying and gasifying a liquid
`flavor source;
`FIG. 5 is a perspectNe view showing still another modi-
`fication of the mechanism for supplying and gasifying a
`liquid flavor source according to the invention;
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing still another modi-
`fication of the mechanism for supplying and gasifying a
`liquid flavor source according to the invention;
`
`Exhibit 1012-00010
`
`

`

`6,155,268
`
`3
`FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing still another modi-
`fication of the mechanism for supplying and gasifying a
`liquid flavor source according to the invention;
`
`FIG. 8 schematically shows a flavor-generating device
`according to another embodiment of the present invention;
`
`FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
`IX--IX of FIG. 8;
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the mechanism for
`supplying and gasifying a liquid flavor source used in the
`flavor-generating device of FIG. g;
`FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing still another
`modification of the mechanism for supplying and gasifying
`a flavor source;
`FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing still another
`modification of the mechanism for supplying and gasifying
`a liquid flavor sourcc according to thc invcntion;
`FIG. 13 is cross-sectional view taken along the line
`XII--XII of FIG. 12;
`FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing another
`embodiment of the liquid passageway for a liquid flavor
`sourcc uscd in a flavor-gcncrating dcvicc according to thc
`invention; and
`FIG. lg is a cross-sectional view showing still another
`en~bodiment of the liquid passageway for a liquid flavor
`source used in a flavor-generating device according to the
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TIlE
`INVENTION
`
`One feature of the present invention resides in that the
`transportation of a liquid flavor source from the liquid
`container containing the same to the heater site is effected by
`the capillary force or capillarity.
`In the present invention, the liquid passageway through
`which the liquid flavor source is transported by the capillary
`force can be constituted by the inner region of at least one
`capillary tube, a gap or space belween at least two plates
`spaccd apart from cach othcr in substantially parallcl, or an
`inter-communicating void or pore structure filled in an
`enclosure. The intercommunicating pore structure refers to a
`structure having intercommunicating voids or pores through
`which the liquid may be elevated from the inlet of the
`passageway which is in fluid communication with the liquid
`flavor source contained in the liquid container to the outlet
`of the passageway by the capillary force. Representative
`examples of the structure include open-cell foamed
`structure, and bundled fibers, but should not be limited
`thereto.
`The height from the liquid level of the liquid flavor source
`to thc outlet of thc liquid passageway is a height or vertical
`distance within which the liquid flavor source may be
`elevated by the capillary force, and is determined by the
`properties of the liquid flavor source and the width of the
`liquid passageway (the diameter for the capillary tube, the
`gap distance for the substantially parallel plates, etc.). When
`the passageway is inclined, the height is not the length of the
`liquid passageway, but the vertical distance from the liquid
`level of the liquid flavor source to the outlet of the liquid
`passageway.
`The height h can be calculated from the following equa-
`tion:
`
`,h=2v cos O/dpg
`
`(1)
`
`where v is the surface tension of the liquid flavor source,
`is the contact angle of the liquid flavor source with the
`
`4
`material which constitutes the liquid passageway, d is the
`width of the liquid passageway, p is the density of the liquid
`flavor source, and g is the gravitational acceleration.
`When the liquid passageway is defied by the intercom-
`5 municating pore structure as note above, the equation (1) is
`not directly applied. In such a case, the equation (1) can be
`applied, using, as d, an average diameter or size of the voids
`or pores in the intercommunicating pore structure.
`Since the liquid level is lowered duc to the gasification or
`evaporation, including the gasification by intentional
`10 heating, of the liquid flavor ~urce, it is desirable that the
`
`15
`
`height be determined taking the possible lowest level of the
`liquid flavor source into account. Further, it is preferred that
`the inlet of the liquid passageway reach the possible lowest
`level of the liquid flavor source in the container.
`In the present invention, it is preferred that the liquid level
`of the liquid flavor source bc under substantially atmo-
`spheric pressure because the liquid flavor source is elevated
`from the liquid container to the outlet of the liquid passage-
`way by the capillary force as noted above. The inside of the
`20 container can bc kept under the atmospheric pressure by
`providing, at the upper part of the container, a through hole,
`such as a pin hole, which communicates with the atmosphere
`outside the container.
`There will now bc described below some of the cmbodi-
`~_s merits of the present invention.
`FIG. 1 shows the construction of a flzvor-generating
`device 10 according to one embodiment of the present
`invention. In the device 10, the liquid passageway is con-
`stituted by a capillary tube.
`As shown in FIG. 1, the flavor-generating device 10
`3o includes a casing 12 made of plastic, metal, ceramic, wood,
`etc. The inner space of the casing 12 is partitioned into an
`upper chamber 121 and a lower chamber 122 by a partition
`wall 13. As will be described herein later, the upper chamber
`121 is used as a gas passageway 20 for forming a gaseous
`35 stream of a flavor which is to be inhaled by a user. On the
`other hand, the lower chamber 122 is used as a housing for
`housing a liquid container 32, a power source 44 and z
`control circuit.
`An inhalation port holder 14 defining a cylindrical open-
`4o ing is mounted at one side end portion of the upper chamber
`121 of the casing 12. A mouth piece 16 having an inhalation
`port 22 through which a user inhales a flavor is detachably
`inserted into the holder 14. The mouth piece 16, which is
`directly taken in the mouth of a user, is made of, for
`45 example, a plastic material or wood. Incidentally, it is
`possible to insert a filter into the holder 14 in place of using
`the mouth piece 16.
`On the other hand, an air intake port 18 for introducing the
`air into the upper chamber 121 is formed on the other side
`50 portion of the upper chamber 121. The gas passageway 20
`is dcfincd within thc uppcr chambcr 121 of thc casing 12,
`between the air intake port 18 and the inhalation port 22. It
`is possible to set the air intake port 18 in a manner to have
`an opening area conforming with a predetermined air intake
`55 amount. It is also possible to arrange an adjusting ring (not
`shown) having a plurality of openings in a manner to
`surround the air intake port 18 of the casing 12. In this case,
`the air flow rate into the gas passageway 20 can be adjusted
`by adjusting the position of the adjusting ring relative to the
`6o air intake port 18.
`A squeeze plate 24 having a squeeze hole 24a formed in
`the central portion is arranged within the gas passageway 20
`and positioned close to the air intake port 18. The squeeze
`hole 24a of the squeeze plate 24 act to regulate or direct the
`65 air introduced i?om the intake port 18 selectively toward a
`outlet portion 36b of a capillary tube 36 described in detail
`below.
`
`Exhibit 1012-00011
`
`

`

`6,155,268
`
`5
`The free space between the outlet portion 36b of the
`capillary tube 36 and the inhalation port 22 can act as a
`cooling chamber 21 which constitutes a part of the gas
`passageway. Corresponding to the cooling chamber 21, an
`outer air introduction hole 26 is formed through the ceiling
`of the upper chamber 121 to permit the outer air to be
`introduced into the cooling chamber 21. A gas containing a
`flavor, which is formed by the heating of the liquid flavor
`source with a heater 42, is mixed with the outer air within
`the cooling chamber 21 so as to be cooled and, then, flows
`to reach the inhalation port 22. The outer air introduction
`hole 26 can be set to have an opening area conforming with
`a predetermined outer air introduction amount. It is also
`possible to arrange an adjusting shutter 28 having a plurality
`of openings in the casing 12 in a manner to surround the
`outer air introduction hole 26, as shown in the drawing. In
`this case, the amount of the outer air introduced into the
`cooling chamber 21 can be adjusted by adjusting the posi-
`tion of the adjusting shutter 28 relative to the outer air
`introduction hole 26.
`Further, a filter (not shown) can be arranged between the
`cooling chamber 21 and the inhalation port 22 in a manner
`to cover the inhalation port 22. The filter serves to control
`the pressure loss to permit the gas containing the flavor to be
`inhaled comfortably by a user. The material of an ordinary
`tobacco filter such as cellulose acetate or pulp can be used
`for forming the filter.
`On the other hand, the liqnid container 32 housing a liqnid
`flavor source 34 is fixed within the lower chamber 122 of the
`casing 12. The liquid flavor source 34 is housed in the
`container 32 in an amount conforming with a plurality of
`puffs of a user. The liquid flavor source 34 contains at least
`a flavor substance. However, in order to add smoke to the
`flavor, it is possible for the liquid flavor source 34 to contain
`a substance forming aerosol when heated. As a substance for
`forming an aerosol, it is possible to use alcohols, sugars,
`water and a mixture of at least two of these materials. The
`alcohols used in the present invention include, for example,
`glycerin, propylene glycol, and a mixture thereof.
`To be more specific, it is possible for the liquid flavor
`source 34 to contain extracts from various natural products
`and/or components thereof depending on the use of the
`flavor-generating device. For example, where the device is
`used as a simulated smoking article, it is possible for the
`liquid flavor source 34 to contain tobacco conrponcnts such
`as tobacco extracts and a tobacco smoke condensate.
`The capillary tube 36 for transporting the liquid flavor
`source by the capillary force is inserted within the liquid
`container. The capillary tube 36 defines a liquid passageway
`37 for the liquid flavor source, and its lower end 36a is
`positioned in the vicinity of the bottom of the liquid con-
`tainer 32.
`In view of the liquid flavor source 34 mentioned above,
`preferably the inner diameter of the capillary tube 36 is set
`to fall within a range of 0.01 mm and 3 ram, more preferably
`a range of 0.05 mm to 1 ram, and particularly preferably 0.1
`mm and 0.8 mm.
`In order to ensure the transfer of the liquid flavor source
`34 by the capillary force, the liquid container 32 is provided
`with an opening 33 communicating with the outer atmo-
`sphere so as to maintain the inner pressure of the liquid
`container 32 at an atmospheric pressure. It is desirable for
`the opening 33 to be formed at the highest position of the
`container 32 during the ordinary operation of the flavor-
`generating device and to have a sulticiently small diameter
`so that the liquid flavor source 34 may not leak to the outside
`therethrough even if the device is inadvertently turned
`
`6
`upside down. For example, a pin hole extending through the
`wall of the container 32 satisfies the particular requirements
`of the opening 33.
`The upper end portion of the capillary tube 36 protrudes
`5 into the upper chamber 121 of the casing 12 somewhat
`downstream of the squeeze plate 24 and is equipped with the
`heater 42 serving to gasify the liquid flavor source 34. In the
`embodiment sho~vn in FIG. 1, the heater 42 consists of a
`tubular body mounted to the capillary tube 36 and having an
`10 inner diameter equal to that of the capillary tube 36. In other
`words, the outlet port 36a of the liquid passageway 36 is
`formed by the heater 42 itself. An electric power is supplied
`from a power source 44 detachably mounted within the
`lower chamber 122 of the casing 12 to the electric heater 42.
`~5 It is desirable to use as the poxver source 44 a DC power
`source available on the market such as a primary battery (dry
`battery), or a secondary battery (rechargeable battery).
`However, it is also possible to use an AC power source as the
`power source 44. It is also possible to mount the power
`20 source 44 outside the casing 12 or to mount the power source
`44 separately so as to use an electric wire connecting the
`power source 44 to the casing 12.
`The heater 42 and the power source 44 are driven, under
`the control of the control circuit 46 fixed within the lower
`~_5 chamber 122. To the control circuit 46, a switch 48 for the
`heater 42 which can independently turn the heater on, and a
`sensor 52 for detecting the inhalation action of a use are
`connected. Further, a switch 50 for the on/off operation of
`the power source 44 is connected to the power source 44.
`3o The switches 48 and 50 are provided on the outer surface
`of the lower chamber 122 of the casing 12.
`When the device is not used, operation of the device can
`be ceased by turning the power source switch 50 off manu-
`ally. Of course, when the device is used, firstly the power
`35 source switch is turned on. Further, the heater switch 48,
`when turned on after the power source switch 50 is turned
`on, can drive the heater 42 independently of the detection, by
`the sensor 52, of the inhalation action of a user. That is, after
`the power source 44 is driven, the heater can be made into
`4o a heated state by turning on the heater switch 48. When the
`control circuit 46 detects the on state of the heater switch 48,
`it ceases the operation of the sensor 52.
`Each of the switches 48 and 50 has a mechanism equal to
`a general small depression type switch such as a micro limit
`45 switch having an electrical contact.
`The sensor 52 for detecting the inhaling action of the user
`is arranged within the upper chamber 121 of the casing 12,
`and is positioned between the squeeze plate 24 and the
`heater 42. It is possible to use as the sensor 52 a general
`s0 pressure sensor for detecting a change in the pressure within
`thc chambcr 121 as a changc in clcctrical rcsistancc, as a
`change in electrical capacitance or as a piezoelectric elec-
`tromotive force, or a rocking vane type sensor for detecting
`a gas stream within the chamber 121.
`The control circuit 46 serves to start up the heater 42
`based on the signal from the heater switch 48 or in accor-
`dance with the inhaling action of the user based on the signal
`from the sensor 52 so as to gasify the liquid flavor source 34
`at the outlet portion 36b of the capillary tube 36. The signal
`6o processing and control are performed within the control
`circuit 46 in accordance with, for example, a known analog
`control, a two-position control or a combination thereof.
`A liquid amount sensor 54 for detecting the remaining
`amount of the liquid flavor source 34 is arranged within the
`65 liquid container 32. The sensor 54 may consist of a contact
`type sensor serving to detect a change in the electrical
`conductivity of the liquid container 32 acconrpanying a
`
`55
`
`Exhibit 1012-00012
`
`

`

`6,155,268
`
`7
`change in the remaining amount of the liquid flavor source
`34. Also, an electrical display means, e.g., a lamp $6 which
`may be constituted by a light emitting diode, is arranged on
`the outer surface of the lower chanrber 122 of the casing 12
`in order to inform the user that the remaining amount of the
`liquid flavor source 34 within the liquid container 32 is
`small. Each of the liquid amount sensor $4 and the lamp $6
`is connected to the control circuit 46 so as to be operated
`under control of the control circuit 46.
`Also, it is possible to apply an electrical locking to the
`device so as to inhibit the inhaling action of the user in
`addition to the lighting of the lamp $6 in order to inform the
`user that the remaining amount of the liquid flavor source 34
`is small. Incidentally, it is also possible to use as the sensor
`$4 a non-contact type sensor which detects a change in the
`remaining amount of the liquid flavor source 34 as a change
`in the reflectance of, for example, an ultrasonic wave.
`Apouring port $8 for replenishing the liquid flavor source
`34 is connected to the liquid container 32. An end portion of
`the pouring port $8 is exposed to the outside of the casing
`12 so as to permit pouring the liquid flavor source 34 into the
`liquid container 32. Usually, a removable cap $9 is provided
`in the exposed end portion of the pouring port 58. As
`described previously, the liquid container 32 has an inner
`volume large enough to store the liquid flavor source 34 in
`an amount corresponding to a plurality of puffs of the flavor
`en!joyed by the user. However, since the liquid flavor source
`34 can be replenished, the flavor-generating device of the
`present invention can be used continuously without replac-
`ing or exchanging the liquid container 32.
`Incidentally, a transparent peeping window (not shown)
`can be formed in that portion of the side wall of the casing
`12 which corresponds to the liquid container 32 in place of
`using the liquid amount sensor 54 in order to observe the
`remaining amount of the liquid flavor source 34 within the
`liquid container 32. In this case, the liquid container 32 itself
`must be formed of a transparent or translucent material.
`Naturally, the remaining amount of the liquid flavor source
`34 within the liquid container 32 can be observed through
`the peeping window so as to find the timing of replenishing
`the liquid flavor source 34. It is also possible to employ an
`optical system using a prism for obsc~wing the remaining
`amount of the liquid flavor source 34 ~vithin the liquid
`container 32.
`Tire flavor-generating device 10 shown in FIG. 1 can
`operated as in the following manner, in which the heater
`switch 48 is kept turned off.
`Specifically, where the device 10 is used for inhaling a
`flavor, the poxver source switch 50 is turned on first by a user.
`Then, the month piece 16 is taken in the mouth of the user
`for the inhaling action through the inhalation port 22. As a
`result, an inhaling action signal is transferred from the
`sensor 52 to the control circuit 46. Then, under the control
`of the control circuit 46, an electric power is supplied from
`the power source 44 to the heater 42 so as to turn the heater
`42 on.
`In this step, the liquid flavor source 34 is already trans-
`ported to the outlet port 36a of the capillary tube 36 by the
`capillary force of the capillary tube 36 as shown in FIG. 2A.
`If the heater 42 is turned on under this condition, the liquid
`flavor source 34 within the outlet port 36a is instantly
`gasified by the heat generated from the heater 42 as shown
`in FIG. 2B so as to be supplied into the gas passageway 20.
`Upon gasification of the liquid flavor source 34 within the
`outlet port 36a by the heating with the heater 42, the liquid
`flavor source 34 is newly supplied from the liquid container
`32 into the outlet port 36a of the capillary tube 36 by the
`
`5
`
`3o
`
`8
`capillary force of the capillary tube 36, as shown in FIG. 2C.
`In this fashion, supply and gasification of the liquid flavor
`source 34 are repeated within the outlet port 36a of the
`capillary tube 36.
`The gasified flavor source is mixed with the main air
`introduced through the air intake port 18 and the squeeze
`hole 24a into a region around the outlet port 36a of the
`capillary tube 36 in accordance with the inhaling action of
`the user and, then, the mixture is transferred into the
`10 inhalation port 22. The amount of the air introduced through
`the outer air inlet port 26 can be changed during the inhaling
`action, if necessary, by controlling the adjusting shutter 28.
`It follows that the taste of the air containing a flavor, which
`is transferred to the inhalation port 22, can be changed
`~5 appropriately in accordance with the preference of the user.
`FIGS. 3 to $ are perspective views each showing a
`modification of the mechanism for supplying and gasifying
`the liquid flavor source 34.
`In the modification shown in FIG. 3, a ring-shaped heater
`2o 72 is arranged to cover the outlet port 36a of the capillary
`tube 36.
`In the modification shown in FIG. 4, a rod-like heater 74
`is inserted into the outlet port 36a of the capillary tube 36.
`Further, in the modification shown in FIG. 5, a plate-like
`2s heater 76 is inserted into the outlet port 36a of the capillary
`tube 36.
`Any of these modifications permits producing the par-
`ticular fl~nction described previonsly in conjunction with the
`embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
`FIGS. 6 and 7 are oblique views each showing an addi-
`tional modification of the mechanism for supplying and
`gasifying the liquid flavor source 34.
`In the modification shown in FIG. 6, three capillary tubes
`36 are inserted into the liquid container 32. In addition, a
`3s rod-like heater 74 as shown in FIG. $ is inserted into the
`outlet port 36a of each of the capillary tubes 36.
`In the modification shown in FIG. 7, three capillary tubes
`36 are inserted into the liquid container 32. In addition, a
`heater frame 92 is mounted to the outlet ports 36a of these
`4o three capillary tubes 36. To be more specific, the heater
`frame 92 is provided with three plate-like heaters 76 as
`shown in FIG. 6 in a manner to correspond to the three outlet
`ports 36a of the capillary tubes 36. Further, air passageways
`94 are formed between adjacent capillary tubes 36 arranged
`45 in the heater franae 94 in a nranner to extend in the
`longitudinal direction of the capillary tube. Of course, the
`particular construction permits sufficiently mixing the gas-
`eous flavor substance with the air.
`FIG. 8 schematically shows the construction of a flavor-
`s0 generating device according to another embodiment of the
`prcscnt invcntion. FIG. 9 is an cnlargcd cross-scctional vicw
`taken along the line IX--IX of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a
`perspective view showing the liquid passageway and the
`heater together w