GB2521455A

GB2521455A - A chargeable electronic vapour provision device

Info

Publication number: GB2521455A
Application number: GB1322721.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Claire Riddington-Smith; Robert Jose Del Rosario
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-12-20
Filing date: 2013-12-20
Publication date: 2015-06-24
Also published as: GB201322721D0

Abstract

A chargeable electronic vapour provision device 12, e.g. an electronic cigarette, comprises an inhalation device 20 having a chamber for receiving a liquid substance to be vapourised; a heating element (11, Fig. 3) for vapourising a liquid substance received in the chamber and power supply means 1. The power supply means comprises a rechargeable battery (9, Fig. 2b) for providing power to the heating element. The vapour provision device further comprises means (3, Fig. 1a) for charging the rechargeable battery, wherein the charging means can comprise a solar panel. Suitably, the power supply means comprises a casing (2, Fig. 1a) in which the rechargeable battery and charging means are housed. The casing may partially surround the charging means so as to expose the solar panel of the charging means. Preferably, the power supply means and the inhalation device are releaseably connected. The heating element may be located in a protrusion of the power supply means, the protrusion being releaseably connectable to the inhalation device.

Description

A CHARGEABLE ELECTRONIC VAPOUR PRCVTSICN DEVICE

The present invention relates to a ohargeable electronio vapour provision device for the inhalation of vapour and particularly, but not exclusively, to a device (such as an electronic cigarette) for the inhalation of a vapour comprising nicotine.

BACKGROUND

Electronic vapour provision devices, such as electronic cigarettes (or c-cigarettes), traditionally comprise a battery part, an atomiser part, and a cartridge for storing a liquid substance to be atomised, the liquid substance containing flavouring and chemicals such as nicotine. The cartridge usually comprises a mouthpiece for inhalation and the atomiser part comprises heating means for heating the liquid substance.

When in use, the battery must be charged and connected to the atomiser part which, in turn, is connected to the cartridge.

Liquid substance can then be drawn from the cartridge to the atomiser part, often by a wicking material. Inhalation through the mouthpiece causes actuation of the heating means in the atomiser part which, using power supplied from the battery, heats the liquid substance in the cartridge and produces vapour subsequently inhaled by the user.

The battery part, atomiser part, and cartridge remain connected during this process and are only disconnected when replacing the cartridge, or replacing or charging the battery part. The battery part should typically be disconnected from the atomiser part when not in use since this can drain power from the battery of the battery part and reduce its lifespan.

A problem with the prior art devices is that they become unusable once the battery is discharged, unless a means for charging the battery is available, which can often not be the case.

The battery is often chargeable and is usually charged by connecting it to a mains outlet or a USB charger. Portable battery chargers are also available which themselves are usually supplied with power from a mains outlet or a USB port.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a single device which remains usable even once the battery has become discharged. This allows the user to disconnect the remainder of the smoke apparatus from the part supplying power, allowing for a more lightweight and manoeuvrable apparatus, as the means of supplying power to heat the liquid substance does not need to be fastened to the atomiser or cartridge when the apparatus is in use.

According to the present disclosure there is provided an electronic vapour provision device according to the appended Claim 1.

Preferably the charging means comprises a solar panel.

The power supply means may comprise a casing in which the rechargeable battery means arid charging means are housed, wherein the casing partially surrounds the charging means so as to expose the solar panel of said charging means.

Preferably the electronic vapour provision device further comprises means for releaseably connecting the power supply means to said inhalation device.

The means for releaseabiy connecting the power suppiy means to said inhalation device may comprise a screw-threaded connection.

Advantegeousiy, the power supply means comprises said charging means.

Preferabiy the power supply means comprises said means for vapourising a liquid substance.

Advantegeously, the vapourising means comprises heating means.

Preferably the heating means is located in a protrusion of the power supply means, the protrusion being releaseably connectable to said inhalation device.

The power supply means may further comprise electronic circuitry which controls the charging means.

The power supply means may further comprise electronic circuitry which controls heating means of the vapourising means.

Preferably the electronic vapour provision device further comprises an inlet for connecting the charging means to a supply of electrical power.

Preferably the electronic vapour provision device further comprises an outlet for connecting the rechargeable battery means to an external device so as to provide electrical power from the rechargeable battery means to the external device.

Advantageously, that the charging means, batteries and heating element are contained within the same device means the inhalation device need not remain connected to the power supply means during use. This is an improvement over the prior art since the resulting device is more lightweight and easier to manoeuvre. If the charging means is solar-powered then the power supply means does not require an external connection to be charged. This allows the user to charge the battery anywhere, removing dependence on a mains outlet or a USB connection. Such freedom is not currently a feature of the state of the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures la and lb are front and back views, respectively, of a power supply means of an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2a and 2b are front and back views, respectively, of assembled internal components of the power supply neans shown in Figures la and lb; Figure 3 is a top view of the power supply means shown in Figures ía and lb; and Figure 4 is a front view of said embodiment of the present invention in a configuration suitable for heating the liquid substance.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 4 wherein a front view of an electronic vapour provision device 12 is provided. Figures la and lb show power supply means 1 of the device 12. The power supply means 1 comprises batteries 9, battery charging means 3 partially surrounded by a casing 2, a heating element II, and electronic control circuitry associated with the charging means 3 and the heating element 11. The charging means 3 comprises a solar panel and exposure of the solar panel is necessary. But, it is to be understood that in an alternative embodiment the casing 2 could completely surround and cover the charging means 3, and a window could be provided in the casing.

The power supply means 1 includes an outwardly extending protrusion 4 onto which an inhalation device 20 is connected or secured (as shown in Figure 5) . The protrusion 4 has a cylindrical shape with a screw-thread provided on an exterior surface thereof, along a part of the length of said protrusion 4. The heating element 11 (see Figure 3) is provided within the cylindrical shape of the protrusion. As will be described in further detail below, the casing 2 also houses the aforementioned circuitry for controlling the recharging means and the heating element.

Referring now to Figure lb, switches 5,6 are provided for actuating charging means and the heating element respectively.

In the embodiment shown in Figure lb, these functions are controlled by two switches, but any number of switches may be provided. Indicators 7, shown in Figures lb as a series of LEDs, are provided for displaying the status of the power supply means 1 or of the operation being performed, for example progress in charging the battery, or the charge level of the battery.

Referring additionally now to Figures 2a and 2b, the power supply means is shown without the casing 2. Electronic circuitry 8, two batteries 9, and charging means 3 are shown mounted to a support structure 15. Although two batteries are shown, it is to be understood that any number of batteries may be employed, for example more batteries may be used to maximise the time between charging, the only limitation being the size of the batteries and the casing. Connecting means 10 are also provided to allow for electrical communication between the control circuitry 8 and the batteries 9, charging means 3, and the heating element (not shown in Figures 2a and 2b).

Referring additionally now to Figure 3, the top of the power supply means 1 is shown. The heating element II is visible within the protrusion 4. The heating element 11 is in thermal communication with the inhalation device 20 when said device is connected to the power supply means 1. The inhalation device 20 is provided with internal screw-threads for engaging with the external screw-threads provided on the protrusion 4.

The protrusion 4 and inhalation device are connected to one another by means of said screw-threads.

An inlet 13 is also provided in the power supply means 1 for attaching a cable to supply power to the charging means, which may be connected to a mains outlet or a USB port. When the charging means 3 is solar powered then power is provided not through the inlet 13 but by exposure to the sun. An outlet 14 is also provided for optionally powering an external device via a cable.

Referring additionally now to Figure 4, the inhalation device is shown connected to power supply means 1 in a configuration suitable for the power supply means 1 to heat a liquid substance held in the inhalation device 20, as will be described in more detail below.

Within the inhalation device 20 there is provided a chamber for housing the liquid substance to be heated. When a user wishes to inhale the liquid substance, the user connects the inhalation device 20 to the power supply means 1 via the protrusion 4. This ensures that the heating element 11 makes thermal contact with a chamber of the inhalation device 20 containing the liquid substance. The batteries 9 supply power to the heating element 11 via connecting means 10, thereby causing the heating element to heat the liquid in the device 20, producing a vapour ready for the user to inhale. The user then disconnects the device 20 from the power supply means 1 and inhales through the device 20 so as to inhale the vapour.

This process is controlled by the electronic circuitry 8 via connecting means 10 and can be actilated by the user through use of the heating switch 6. The power supply means 1 can then be stored until it is required again for use in heating a new supply of liquid sllbstance or in continued heating of the current supply of liquid substance. Optionally, the user may inhale through the device 20 while the device 20 remains connected to the power supply means 1.

When the batteries 9 need charging, the charging switch 5 is used to actuate the charging means 3, which then charges the batteries 9. This process is regulated by the circuitry 8 via connection means 10. Indicators 7 display the status of the charging process, and may display how much charge is stored in the battery.

The charging means powers the recharging of the batteries 9 from the exposure of the solar panel to the sun. The power supply means 1 does not then require any connection to an external device to provide power for charging the battery.

Otherwise, power can be supplied to the charging means 3 via a cable fastened to the inlet 13.

The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Alternative arrangements will be apparent to a reader skilled in the art. For example, the power supply means may be provided with a cylindrical shape so that, when connected to the inhalation device 20, the assembled vapour provision device 12 resembles a nraditional cigarette or cigar. In further alternative embodiments, the solar panel of the charging means can be replaced by or supplemented with a wind up mechanism which converts mechanical motion into electrical power.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An electronic vapour provision device (12) comprising -an inhalation device (20) having a chamber for receiving a iiguid substance to be vapourised; -means for vapourising a liquid substance received in said chamber; and -power supply means (1) comprising rechargeable battery means (9) for providing power to the vapourising means; wherein the vapour provision device further comprises charging means (3) for charging said rechargeable battery means.
2. An electronic vapour provision device (12) according to claim 1, wherein the charging means (3) comprises a solar panel.
3. An electronic vapour provision device (12) according to claim 2, wherein the power supply means (1) comprises a casing (2) in which the rechargeable battery means (9) and charging means (3) are housed, the casing (2) partially surrounding the charging means (3) so as to expose the solar panel of said charging means (3)
4. An electronic vapour provision device (12) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for releaseably connecting the power supply means (1) to said inhalation device (2)
5. An electronic vapour provision device (12) according to claim 4, wherein the means for releaseably connecting the power supply means (1) to said inhalation device (2) comprises a screw-threaded connection.
6. An electronic vapour provision device (12) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the power supply means comprises said charging means (3) -
7. An electronic vapour provision device (12) according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the power supply means comprises said means for vapourising a liquid substance.
8. An electronic vapour provision device (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said vapourising means comprises heating means.
9. An electronic vapour provision device (12) according to claim 8, wherein said heating means is located in a protrusion (4) of the power supply means (1), the protrusion being releaseably connectable to said inhalation device (2)
10. An electronic vapour provision device (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply means (1) further comprises electronic circuitry (8) which controls the charging means (3)
11. An electronic vapour provision device (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply means (1) further comprises electronic circuitry (8) which controls heating means of the vapourising means.
12. An electronic vapour provision device (12) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an inlet (13) for connecting the charging means (3) to a supply of electrical power.
13. An electronic vapour provision device (12) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an outlet (14) for connecting the rechargeable battery means (9) to an external device so as to provide electrical power from the rechargeable battery means (9) to the external device.