# US 10,440,997 B2 · Capsule having a liquid transporting element for uses with an electronic smoking device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,440,997 B2 - Document ID: US10440997B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/519,475 - Filed: 2015-10-12 - Published: 2017-08-17 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-17 - Assignees: Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. - Applicants: Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. - Inventors: Vaclav Borkovec; Fiona Collins; Shona Davidson; Andrew Rowbotham - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10440997B2 ## CPC - A61M 15/06: Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes - A24F 40/42: Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors - A61M 15/0028: {using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up} - A61M 15/0033: {Details of the piercing or cutting means} - B65B 3/04: Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles - B65B 7/28: by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers - B65D 47/36: Closures with frangible parts adapted to be pierced, torn or removed, to provide discharge openings (caps with pierceable membranes B65D41/20, B65D41/50; arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures B65D51/18) - A24F 40/10: Devices using liquid inhalable precursors - A61M 2205/123: with incorporated reservoirs - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A24F: SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES (inhaling appliances for medical purposes, shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes A61M15/06) - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract A capsule for use with an electronic smoking device includes a shell (105) having a lateral wall (101, 102) and an end wall (103), wherein the lateral wall (101, 102) and the end wall (103) defines a cavity (110) open at one end (111). A puncturable membrane (104) seals the open end (111) of the cavity (110). A liquid is contained within the cavity (110) by the shell (105) and the puncturable membrane (104), wherein a liquid transporting element (120) is arranged within the cavity (110) enclosed by the puncturable membrane (104) and immersed in the liquid. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A capsule for use with an electronic smoking device, the capsule comprising: a shell having a lateral wall and an end wall, the lateral wall and the end wall defining a cavity open at one end; a puncturable membrane sealing the open end of the cavity defined by the end wall and the lateral wall; a liquid contained within the cavity by the shell and the puncturable membrane; and a liquid transporting element arranged within the cavity enclosed by the puncturable membrane and immersed in the liquid, the liquid transporting element comprising fibres of an inorganic material defining passages between the fibres for transporting the liquid. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the liquid transporting element comprises fibres of different thickness. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the fibres are provided in groups and the groups of fibres are braided to form a rope. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the cavity has a longitudinal axis and the fibres are substantially oriented in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the fibres of the liquid transporting element comprise an inorganic material based on silicon oxide. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the fibres of the liquid transporting element comprise a glass material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The capsule according to claim 1, wherein a length of the liquid transporting element in a direction from the end wall of the shell to the puncturable membrane enclosing the open end of the cavity is shorter than the distance from the end wall of the shell to the puncturable membrane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The capsule of claim 1 with the liquid transporting element having a center portion with first pores having a first pore size, the center portion being surrounded by an outer portion with second pores having a second pore size different from the first pore size. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The capsule of claim 1 with the liquid transporting element having an axially inhomogeneous pore size distribution. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The capsule of claim 1 with the liquid transporting element having a radially inhomogeneous pore size distribution. ### Claim 11 A capsule for use with an electronic smoking device, the capsule comprising: a shell having a lateral wall and an end wall, the lateral wall and the end wall defining a cavity open at one end; a puncturable membrane sealing the open of the cavity defined by the end wall and the lateral wall; a liquid contained within the cavity by the shell and the puncturable membrane; and a self-supporting liquid transporting element arranged within the cavity enclosed by the puncturable membrane and immersed in the liquid. ### Claim 12 An electronic smoking device, comprising: an elongated housing comprising a first hollow part and a second hollow part releasably connected to the first hollow part, the first hollow part and the second hollow part defining an internal space of the housing; a replaceable capsule removably inserted into the internal space of the housing, the replaceable capsule including a shell having a lateral wall and an end wall, the lateral wall and the end wall defining a cavity open at one end, a puncturable membrane sealing the open end of the cavity, a liquid contained within the cavity by the shell and the puncturable membrane, and a liquid transporting element immersed in the liquid, the liquid transporting element comprising fibres of an inorganic material defining passages between the fibres for transporting the liquid; an electrically heatable atomizer within the internal space of the housing, the atomizer comprising a rupture element extending into the open end of the cavity of the capsule through a rupture of the puncturable membrane of the capsule when the capsule is inserted into the internal space, wherein the rupture element comes into fluid contact with the liquid transporting element of the capsule. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The electronic smoking device according to claim 12, wherein the first hollow part has a closed first end and an open second end, and the second hollow part has a first end and a second end, with the open second end of the first hollow part engaged with the first end of the second hollow part, and the second end of the second hollow part forms a mouth piece wherein the capsule is insertable into the first hollow part with the puncturable membrane adjacent to the atomizer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The electronic smoking device according to claim 13, wherein an air passage is formed between an outer surface of the capsule and an inner surface of the first hollow part to allow an air stream from the atomizer to the mouth piece. ### Claim 15 A method for filling a capsule, comprising: feeding an empty capsule from a stock to an insertion apparatus wherein the capsule comprises a shell having a lateral wall and an end wall, the lateral wall and the end wall defining a cavity open at one end; feeding a liquid transporting element to the insertion apparatus; inserting the liquid transporting element into the cavity of the capsule from the one end of the capsule; filling the cavity of the capsule with a liquid; and sealing the one end of the cavity with a puncturable membrane.