CN117598529A

CN117598529A - Electronic cigarette device and method for disinfecting cigarette holder of electronic cigarette

Info

Publication number: CN117598529A
Application number: CN202311762230.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 阿贝哈塞拉·本雅明
Original assignee: Shenzhen Shuangying Electronic Technology Co ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen Shuangying Electronic Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2023-01-05
Filing date: 2023-12-19
Publication date: 2024-02-27
Also published as: WO2024146377A1; CN221670967U

Abstract

An electronic cigarette device, such as a nebulizer, has a flexible body portion with a mouthpiece at one end and a recess at the other end. The mouthpiece may be received in the recess and stored such that the recess acts as a cover. The recess includes a disinfecting LED light that can be turned on and off manually or automatically when a portion of the mouthpiece is placed in the recess. The body includes a flexible single-cell ribbon battery. Furthermore, the body may comprise a compartment containing the container of inhalation material, the heating element, the microcontroller and the switch.

Description

Electronic cigarette device and method for disinfecting cigarette holder of electronic cigarette

Technical Field

The invention relates to an electronic cigarette atomizer, in particular to a flexible electronic cigarette device and a method for disinfecting a cigarette holder of the electronic cigarette.

Background

At present, the prior art does not have a flexible atomizer, and also does not have a method which is specially used for carrying and sterilizing a cigarette holder conveniently. The requirements of the prior art on the use of the electronic cigarette are not met, for example, the traditional electronic cigarette can realize the basic suction function, but as the electronic cigarette is frequently used by a user, the electronic cigarette needs to be carried in real time, so that the electronic cigarette is prevented from entering a cigarette holder and the interior after being sucked, the risk of gathering virus and bacteria can be increased when the electronic cigarette is exposed in the air for a long time, the traditional solution is that a special cover body is arranged for covering the cigarette holder, but because the cover body is an additional accessory, is smaller, is easy to lose and is easy to pollute the cover body; there is currently no good solution to the above particular needs.

Disclosure of Invention

The present application is a continuation of the application filed in the United states at day 2021, 12, 13, with application Ser. No.17/549,360.

In view of the drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention provides an electronic cigarette device, comprising a main body, wherein the main body has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end and the distal end refer to the proximal and the distal of the relative positions, for example refer to two opposite ends of the main body respectively, and the distal end is another end different from the proximal end;

the main body is internally provided with a flexible battery, the flexible battery can be defined as a battery which has shape retention and flexibility, and the flexible battery is a known technology for realizing industrialization at present;

a mouthpiece is provided at the proximal end and a recess is provided at the distal end, the body being bendable such that the mouthpiece is inserted and stored in the recess. The main aspect of the invention is to utilize the characteristic of the bendable electronic cigarette, so that the cigarette holder can be inserted into the electronic cigarette by utilizing the bending of the electronic cigarette, and the cigarette holder can be stored, thus the cigarette holder can be conveniently covered without additionally adding a special cover body, the condition that external dust, viruses and the like enter the cigarette mouth and the inside when the electronic cigarette is not used is avoided, meanwhile, the cover body is not required, the inconvenience caused by easy loss of the cover body in the traditional electronic cigarette is solved, and the problem that the traditional cover body is easy to be polluted to further pollute the cigarette mouth is solved.

As a further improvement of the invention, one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are arranged inside the recess or adjacent to the recess or around the recess, which emit light of a specific wavelength, which can destroy bacteria and viruses. The LED is arranged at the position, so long as the irradiation disinfection of the cigarette holder can be realized. The main aspect of the invention is to utilize the sterilizing device carried by the electronic cigarette to sterilize the cigarette holder, thereby further reducing the risk of virus, bacteria and the like at the cigarette holder.

As a further development of the invention, the wavelength range is 100-280 nm. According to the current data, the light with the wavelength range can realize a better disinfection effect, so that the electronic cigarette can be selected in the range in design.

As a further development of the invention, the wavelength range is 200-280 nm. As a further preferred embodiment, the wavelength of the light may be set at 200-280 nm.

As a further development of the invention, the one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are connected to a Light Emitting Diode (LED) switch. The Light Emitting Diode (LED) switch can realize the switch of the Light Emitting Diode (LED), can realize the switch of the Light Emitting Diode (LED) when the Light Emitting Diode (LED) needs to be disinfected for use, and can be turned off when the Light Emitting Diode (LED) does not need to be used.

As a further improvement of the invention, the switch automatically turns on the one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) when the mouthpiece portion or all is inserted into the recess.

As a further improvement of the present invention, the main body forms an endless belt with the mouthpiece accommodated in the recess. The main aspect of the invention is to utilize the characteristic of the bendable electronic cigarette, so that the cigarette holder can be inserted into the electronic cigarette by utilizing the bending of the electronic cigarette, the cigarette holder is stored in a ring shape, the cigarette holder can be more convenient to carry and find and use, for example, the cigarette holder can be worn on the wrist or inserted on some portable articles such as a rope of a satchel as a bracelet, and meanwhile, the cigarette holder can be conveniently found when being placed in some spaces, for example, the ring-shaped electronic cigarette can be found in a box or a bag more easily.

As a further development of the invention, the body comprises a compartment in which the container of inhalation material, the heating element, the microcontroller and the switch are arranged.

As a further development of the invention, both the heating element and the microcontroller are electrically connected to the flexible battery. In certain embodiments, the heating element may also be connected to the battery via the microcontroller, so that the battery supplies power to the heating element under the control of the microcontroller.

As a further development of the invention, the capsule is biased proximally.

As a further improvement of the invention, the cabin also comprises one or more air inlets which are communicated with the cigarette holder, and when a user inhales, the air inlets are used for air intake, so that the normal starting and running of the electronic cigarette are ensured.

As a further improvement of the invention, the electronic cigarette device further comprises a biometric sensor, a mouthpiece closure sensor, a communication device, a display, a speaker, an indicator, the microcontroller being electrically connected to and controlling the biometric sensor, the mouthpiece closure sensor, the switch, the communication device, the display, the speaker, the indicator, the one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and the heating element.

Also, in one broad aspect, the invention provides a method of sterilizing a mouthpiece of an electronic cigarette, by inserting the mouthpiece at a proximal end of the body into a recess at a distal end of the body when the electronic cigarette is not being smoked, and sterilizing the mouthpiece with light of a particular wavelength emitted by one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) within the recess. The invention utilizes the characteristic of the bendable electronic cigarette, so that the cigarette holder can be inserted into the electronic cigarette by utilizing the bending of the electronic cigarette, and the cigarette holder can be stored, thus the cigarette holder can be conveniently covered under the condition that a special cover body is not additionally arranged, the condition that external dust, viruses and the like enter the cigarette holder part and the inside when the electronic cigarette is not used is avoided, meanwhile, the cover body is not required, the inconvenience caused by easy loss of the cover body in the traditional electronic cigarette is solved, and the problem that the traditional cover body is easy to be polluted to further pollute the cigarette holder part is solved. The LED is arranged in the concave part, so that the irradiation disinfection of the cigarette holder can be realized, the specific position of the LED in the concave part is not limited, the cigarette holder is disinfected by the disinfection device carried by the electronic cigarette, and the risk of virus, bacteria and the like at the cigarette holder is further reduced.

As a further improvement of the invention, the body is bendable, the body forming an annulus with the mouthpiece received in the recess.

As a further improvement of the invention, the one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are automatically turned on when the mouthpiece is partially or fully inserted into the recess.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic cigarette device in an extended position.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the e-cigarette device in a partially closed position.

Fig. 2B is a perspective view of the e-cigarette device in a closed position.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a microcontroller and various electronic components of the e-cigarette device.

The figures are schematic representations for purposes of illustration and do not necessarily depict the actual relative sizes or positions of the elements shown. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustrating one or more embodiments of the invention and are not to be taken as limiting the scope or meaning of the claims.

Detailed Description

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Throughout the description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the present invention. That is, the following description provides examples, and illustrates different examples based on the drawings. However, these examples are not limiting as they are intended to provide examples of the invention only and not all possible implementations thereof.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be further described by the following non-limiting examples which will serve to illustrate various features of the invention. These examples are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the invention. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an electronic cigarette device 10 configured as a nebulizer having a proximal end 11 and an opposite distal end 12. A mouthpiece 13 is provided at the proximal end 11 on which a user may place his mouth for smoking from the electronic cigarette device. At the distal end 12 is a recess 14, which recess 14 may act as a cap 13 for the mouthpiece, as described further herein. In some embodiments, one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 16 are disposed inside the recess 14, or adjacent to the recess 14 or around the recess 14, and emit light having a wavelength in the range of 100-280 nanometers, more specifically, 200-280 nanometers, which is believed to be in the high frequency short wave Ultraviolet (UVC) range effective to destroy microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and the like.

The body 15 of the atomizer is malleable and flexible and can be achieved by using a flexible housing composed of flexible plastic, rubber, and combinations thereof. The electronic cigarette device 10 also includes a flexible battery, such as a flexible ribbon battery, which in some embodiments includes a single ribbon flexible rechargeable battery, such as a 3.7 volt, 130 milliamp "ultra thin ultra safe flexible lithium ceramic battery" (Ultrathin Ultra Safe Flexible Lithium Ceramic Battery) (for reference only), within the body 15. This configuration of the single ribbon cell eliminates the need for multiple cells or stacked cells and optimizes the connection and flexibility of the body 15. Further, the use of a single cell may provide the body 15 with a unitary structure such that, in some embodiments, the body 15 is manufactured as a separate part (e.g., by extrusion).

The body 15 also includes other components of the electronic smoking device including a container of inhalation material, a heating element, a microcontroller and a switch, which may be a membrane, which turns on the heating element when the user draws (e.g. draws air through the device) or which may be connected to an external button to manually turn on the heating element. Referring to fig. 3, a microcontroller 30 may be in electrical communication with and control various components of the electronic cigarette apparatus 10, including a biometric sensor 31 (e.g., a fingerprint lock), a mouthpiece closure sensor 32, a switch 33 (for inhalation detection as described above), a wired or wireless communication device 34, a display 35, a speaker or buzzer 36, an indicator 37 such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED), one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 16, a heating element 38. These elements, whether independent or through a microcontroller, are powered 39 by a battery, which is a single ribbon battery as described above.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned components of the electronic smoking device are configured as a pod (or cartridge) 19 located near the proximal end 11 of the electronic smoking device 10, adjacent to the mouthpiece 13 and integrated with the mouthpiece 13. As is known in the art, the electronic cigarette may need to be provided with an air inlet hole, which may be provided at any feasible location of the electronic cigarette, such as on the main body, and in some embodiments, the compartment 19 includes an air inlet hole 191 at a distal end 19 'of the compartment 19, the distal end 19' being substantially closer to the proximal end 11 of the electronic cigarette device 10 than the distal end 12 of the electronic cigarette device 10. The air inlet holes 191 communicate with the mouthpiece 13 so that air flow (e.g., air drawn in by the device) may pass through the capsule 19.

In some embodiments, the compartment 19 is less than 50% of the overall length of the body 15, biased toward the proximal end 11. In other embodiments, the compartment 19 is less than 25% of the overall length of the body 15, biased toward the proximal end 11. In other embodiments, the compartment 19 is less than 10% of the overall length of the body 15, biased toward the proximal end 11. In other embodiments, the compartment 19 is less than 5% of the overall length of the body 15, biased toward the proximal end 11. These configurations improve the flexibility and connectivity of the body 15. In some embodiments, the pod 19 is removably attached to the body 15 by a snap fit, threaded connector, magnetic connector, or other removable connector. In some embodiments, the detachable connector is configured to also serve as an electrical contact to transfer current from the battery in the body 15 to the e-vaping device component of the compartment 19.

In some embodiments, an internal flexible ribbon battery powers the heating element, the microcontroller, and one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 16. In some embodiments, microcontroller 30 is programmed to logically control various functions of electronic cigarette device 10. Still further, in some embodiments, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) switch (which in some embodiments may be a switch with a proximity sensor) 18 is provided at the recess 14, such that the Light Emitting Diode (LED) is automatically turned on when the mouthpiece 13 is inserted (partially or otherwise) into the recess 14.

As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, the electronic smoking device 10 is flexible such that the proximal end 11 and the distal end 12 may be connected to form a "closed" state such that the mouthpiece 13 may be inserted and stored in the recess 14. In some embodiments, the e-cigarette device 10 may be formed in a ring shape, although other configurations are possible depending on the size of the device components. In some embodiments, the manner of engagement of the recess 14 and the mouthpiece 13 includes a snap fit or interference fit. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 16 are automatically turned on when the recess 14 is at least partially engaged on the mouthpiece 13, such that the one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 16 are automatically turned on for sterilization when the e-cigarette device 10 is in the closed (or partially closed) position. In some embodiments, automatic activation of the one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 16 is achieved by a mouthpiece closure sensor 32 in communication with the one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 16 via a microcontroller 30.

It should therefore be appreciated that the present invention provides an electronic cigarette device 10 configured with an integrated antiseptic cap that greatly improves the overall hygiene of the device and prevents the device from becoming contaminated with excess materials, chemicals, bacteria and viruses when not in use.

It is to be noticed that the term 'comprising', used in the claims, should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the contents listed thereafter. Therefore, the scope of the expression "an apparatus including the components a and B" should not be limited to an apparatus composed of only the components a and B. For the purposes of the present invention, this expression means that the only relevant parts of the device are a and B. In other words, unless expressly stated otherwise, the terms "comprising," including, "and variations thereof mean" including but not limited to.

Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term 'coupled', used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression "device a coupled to device B" should not be limited to devices or systems in which the device a output is directly connected to the device B input. The term means that there is a path between device a and device B. The output of device a and the input of B may be paths including other devices or means.

The recitation of specific items herein is not intended to imply exclusive inclusion of such items with each other unless explicitly stated otherwise. Unless expressly stated otherwise, "a" and "the" mean "one or more".

The elements of the invention are capable of transmitting signals to each other without continuous communication unless explicitly specified otherwise. Additionally, elements of the invention may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more other elements or other intermediaries.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced by other than the embodiments described above, which are presented in this description for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. The specification and drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Note that various equivalents of the specific embodiments discussed in this specification can also implement the present invention. That is, although the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, any alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims. The article, process, or method exhibiting a difference from one or more of the foregoing exemplary embodiments does not imply that the article or process is outside the scope of the claims (literal scope and/or other legal scope).

Claims

1. An electronic cigarette device, characterized in that: the flexible battery holder is arranged in the main body, a cigarette holder is arranged at the proximal end, a concave part is arranged at the distal end, and the main body can be bent to enable the cigarette holder to be inserted into and stored in the concave part.

2. The electronic cigarette device of claim 1, wherein: one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are provided inside the recess, or adjacent to the recess, or around the recess, which emit light of a specific wavelength that can destroy bacteria and viruses.

3. The electronic cigarette device of claim 2, wherein: the wavelength range is 100-280 nanometers.

4. The electronic cigarette device of claim 2, wherein: the wavelength range is 200-280 nanometers.

5. The electronic cigarette device of claim 1, wherein: the one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are connected to a Light Emitting Diode (LED) switch.

6. The electronic cigarette device of claim 5, wherein: the switch automatically turns on the one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) when the mouthpiece portion or all is inserted into the recess.

7. The electronic cigarette device of claim 1, wherein: the body forms an annulus with the mouthpiece received in the recess.

8. The electronic cigarette device of claim 1, wherein: the body includes a compartment within which is disposed a container of inhalation material, a heating element, a microcontroller, and a switch.

9. The electronic cigarette device of claim 8, wherein: the heating element and the microcontroller are both electrically connected with the flexible battery.

10. The electronic cigarette device of claim 8, wherein: the chamber is biased proximally.

11. The electronic cigarette device of claim 8, wherein: the capsule further comprises one or more air inlet apertures in communication with the mouthpiece.

12. The electronic cigarette device of claim 8, wherein: the cigarette holder closing sensor, the communication device, the display, the loudspeaker and the indicator are electrically connected with and control the biological characteristic sensor, the cigarette holder closing sensor, the switch, the communication device, the display, the loudspeaker and the indicator, and the one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and the heating element.

13. A method of sterilizing an e-cigarette holder, comprising: a mouthpiece at a proximal end of an e-cigarette body is inserted into a recess at a distal end of the e-cigarette body while the e-cigarette is not being smoked, the mouthpiece being sterilized by one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) within the recess emitting light of a particular wavelength.

14. A method of sanitizing an e-cigarette holder as in claim 13 wherein: the wavelength range is 100-280 nanometers.

15. A method of sanitizing an e-cigarette holder as in claim 13 wherein: the wavelength range is 200-280 nanometers.

16. A method of sanitizing an e-cigarette holder as in claim 13 wherein: the body is bendable, the body forming an annulus with the mouthpiece received in the recess.

17. A method of sanitizing an e-cigarette holder as in claim 13 wherein: the one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are automatically turned on when the mouthpiece portion or all is inserted into the recess.