Dial-a-flavor technology

[kinabaloo]

My idea is to allow a wide range of flavors to be automatically made via an electronic interface that may be controlled by custom software on a computer or the PVs on-board microprocessor system. The scope of this idea covers a desktop device that can mix an e-juice from a multi-compartment container of flavors and base ingredients; and a similar technology built into a personal vaping device. The desktop version will probably employ miniature pumps (2x1x1cm) while the smaller version in PVs will use ultrasonic piezoeletric transducers to mix the flavour into the base juice, the settings either sent via USB, wireless communication from handheld devives using any suitable protocol or possibly controllable on the device itself. In a similar way, the nicotine content could also be controlled and easily changed.

To understand how the piezoelectric transducers can mix a flavour on the fly, consider how similar technology can produce various colors in an inkjet printer.

You heard it here first

 

[kinabaloo]

Some background.

I see the best use of a piezo as beng able to deliver a consistent and known dose of fluid to the atomiser heater coil, without all the wicking stuff (atomiser wicking and cart wicking. The juice could be held away from the mouthiece, be of a larger quantity, and will not leak. Could solve so may problems.

Inkjets use ultrasonic piezo transducers. Small, cheap and ideal for wetting the heater coil consistently from a sealed (but refillable) juice container. On the battery side of the nichrome heater coil.


Advantages :

* no leaking likely
* higher capacity of juice possible
* consistent juice flow
* known dose (could even be variable)
* don't need any wicking

Disadvantages :

* slight cost increase (perhaps; no hand-built wicking would be a saving; but perhaps increased production cost overall)
* might introduce incompatability with existing kit (no big deal); the refillable, high capacity juice reservoir can be positioned between battery and atomizer (maintaining electrical throughput)

 

[Tasdad]

Too many big words.

Are you talking about something that would be set up in a store to make a flavor for a customer(like mixing a custom color paint at Home Depot) or a device you could load up with several flavors and when you go to vape you decide which one you want and that's what you get?

First way seems plausible, second seems unlikely.

Or did all the big words confuse me?

 

[Tasdad]

Heh, you posted your second post while I was typing.

I see where you're going with this. This would be an interesting idea. Someone else was trying to make an atomizer that was fed by a bottle of fluid automatically but it used the current atomizers.

This would definitely require a different type of atomizer, but I can see how it might be a cool idea. I am definitely all for more control over exactly how much nic we're ingesting.

I like the idea.

 

[kinabaloo]

I wish to use the same nichrome wire heater element, nothing wrong with that aspect of current atomisers. Even the metal wicking works fine but the carts are the problem - and ultimately that the juice is not in a sealed system (will not go down well with the fda).

The larger version is easier to understand and yes, would be ideal for a shop (or even online supplier, who could employ it as a 'mix-on-demand' system. The smaller on board one might seem infeasible but remember that the flavors need only a small compartment. I know this cannot fit in a 901 or 801 etc. but in newer, non-tube, larger designs it will be possible. Not huge by any means, but a bit larger.

Using piezo mixing, the flavor could be adjusted/tweaked literally draw by draw. The system need not hold hundreds of flavors! A basic one might hold just 3 - say, strawbery, vanilla and chocolate.

When reconnected to the basecamp software, the mixes used and nicotine delivered etc - all this kind of data - will be sent back (via usb or livewire etc) to the software package.

Actually, not so 'way out' as it seems, consider what mobiles can do these days. Indeed the mobile can be the out-of-office control system for the wireless-enabled PV.

Even current VPs like the 901 etc have a digital controller on board with some sort of data processing 'software'. Even if it is now an EPROM, it could be a microprocessor.

Example miniature pump: http://www.micropumps.co.uk/

 

[Tasdad]

It is an intriguing idea.

The bottle size would be able to be pretty small. Most people vape less than 3ml per day. At 10% for flavoring, each flavor could be a .1ml bottle. Theoretically, the thing could be as small as a Screwdriver or Magnum mod. (of course the atomizer/juice area would be the thick part)

The only thing about the atomizer wicking would be that the wick holds a drop or two of fluid, so when you changed from strawberry to chocolate there would still be strawberry in the wick, so it would take a bit to get to the chocolate. I guess a smaller wick would work better.

It would be very cool to pull out my PDA/phone and tell my e-cig that I want vanilla for a while. Bluetooth is fairly small and could be used in this situation.

 

[kinabaloo]

As part of the home system will be a recharge unit, similar to a battery recharge unit but this one recharges the VP with juices. Probably it is part of the desktop juice mixer system. Place the VP into position on the charger at night (or any other time) and in moments the sytem refills the flavours and base liquids as required.

ps : there is not actually a need for any wicking with piezos firing juice straight onto the heater coil. Flavor change would be instant.

 

[kinabaloo]

Tasdad - Finally I remember the name - yes, Bluetooth! - was desprately trying to remember the name of that proprietary system. Yes, a good example of wireless communication eminently suitable for this.

I am so pleased to get quick feedback from someone who immediately sees what this is all about Yes, SD or magnum are suitable sizes to contain this, which could as you say be smaller than at first seems possible.

Off to dreamland now (if not already there) ...

 

[Tasdad]

It is definitely an intriguing prospect.

 

[J W in Texas]

Well, I'll just say that when you guys dream, you dream big! I like the whole idea. I was also wondering about the wick still holding the previous flavor. Too bad it couldn't rotate. Have three wicks for three flavors. It could look like a dial that you just rotate with your finger. Ooops...now who's dreaming?

Love the brainstorming guys...don't stop, please

 

[Phalse]

Ok, how about the scent machine is hooked up to your TV or the internet and puffs out different smells depending on the show/movie scene or over the internet.
How does "Kate" from the show Lost smell?
Essence-o-burger with cheese?
Baby poo for diaper commercials?
Can you make scent of rotting corpses for zombie flicks?



So I could make you smell stuff in my E-mail!

 

[somberbear]

even if you dont dial a flaver, an ink jet like wick and heater element would rock , mainly cause you could place a nice heating element closer reducing the drop out or even interoduce it to a heated chamber for vaporization or into a venturi...

i been working on a magnum , and i always wish i could put the cart on the battery side , about the size of a c123a battery with a ceramic wick.... and just replace a bottle as needed...

i am adapting an automatic switch and working on an in the case charger... my other big hold back is relearning all the electronics theroy i learned in high school....

oh well back to fiddling.

 

[tribalmasters]

It will look like the inside of the HP printers with ink pumps but instead of ink will be delicious e-liquid I don't think the mixing inside the cig will work well tho hehe

 

[kinabaloo]

Phalse - in theory that could all be done because the system can ceate a smell real time and automatically send it into the air by piezo or heater+fan. In these uses though (TV) one would use scents not juices. While taste can be constructed from just five basic tastes (salt, sweet, sour, ...) for smell, there would need to be many more.

By sending just the information and instructions, two systems understanding the same language can recreate complex reality over a distance (the difference between email and snailmail). HTML recreates a layout. A juice or scent box could recreate an e-juice or aroma (provided you had all the required ingredients).

Tribalmasters - most people vape just 1-2 ml per day. That's a small size. It can be done, but perhaps not in a mini or micro. The printer head contains many piezo elements and is tiny. The printer is large only because of its use orinting paper.