KR20210105338A - electronic cigarette - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic cigarette (100) comprising: a cartridge assembly (140) comprising a plurality of liquid reservoirs (122) each provided as separate cartridges (140a) each containing a single liquid reservoir (122); and a body (110) having a cartridge pedestal (145) configured to be releasably connectable to a cartridge assembly (140), the body (110) having an elongate shape and from at least one liquid reservoir (112). a regulating device (160) and a power supply (112) configured to selectively activate delivery of liquid to at least one heater (180) of the cigarette (100), the cartridge pedestal (145) including a tubular receiving cavity; , the separate cartridges are formed such that their combined axial cross-section coincides with the axial cross-section of the tubular receiving cavity.

Description

electronic cigarette

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette, and more particularly to an electronic cigarette in which vapor is generated from an aerosol-generating liquid.

In general, the term electronic cigarette or e-cigarette is applied to a portable electronic device that mimics the feeling or experience of smoking a cigarette with a traditional cigarette. Electronic cigarettes operate to generate an aerosol (commonly referred to as a vapor) that is then inhaled by a user by heating the aerosol-generating liquid to the point of vaporization.

Thus, using e-cigarettes is sometimes referred to as “vaping”. Aerosol-generating liquids in e-cigarettes are sometimes referred to as “e-liquids” and generally include nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin and flavorings.

Most e-cigarettes contain a reservoir with a single e-liquid flavor. Such a reservoir may be disposable in the form of a cartridge containing e-liquid for one or several vaping sessions, and may include a heating element in the disposable portion. Alternatively, the tank may be refillable by the user and configured as a permanent part of the e-cigarette.

WO2013/152873 discloses an electronic cigarette having a plurality of liquid reservoirs and mixing means allowing a user to set a desired flavor mixing ratio. However, to change the flavor of the steam, the user must manually change the setting. It can be difficult for the user to calibrate the device on their own to create the desired setting of flavor and to achieve satisfactory results.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic cigarette that provides an easy and accurate flavor mixing function.

In addition, compared to conventional cigarettes, the electronic cigarette has a disadvantage in that the smoking consciousness does not have a clear start and end. In the case of conventional cigarettes, the start and end are defined by the length of the cigarette and the visual change in the cigarette during smoking. Thus, for example, by notifying the user when the e-cigarette can be turned off after smoking, providing an e-cigarette that can provide a defined smoking awareness for the user, and assisting the user in operating the device correctly. it is advantageous

In addition, e-cigarettes typically contain components that are used multiple times, thus limiting the user to a particular type of flavor or flavor combination in general compared to typical off-the-shelf cigarettes, where the user can purchase a disposable pack with a new flavor at any time. .

The above object is achieved by an electronic cigarette as defined in claim 1 and a consumable as defined in claim 15 .

According to a first aspect, there is provided an electronic cigarette comprising:

a plurality of liquid reservoirs configured to store different liquids;

at least one heater, each liquid reservoir being fluidly coupled to the at least one heater;

a regulating arrangement configured to selectively activate transfer of liquid from the at least one liquid reservoir to the at least one heater;

a memory configured to store a liquid reservoir activated for delivery of liquid to the at least one heater, and at least one program defining a duration for activation;

a controller configured to selectively control activation of each liquid reservoir according to at least one program in the memory; a timer configured to adjust the amount of time each liquid reservoir is activated;

Accordingly, the electronic cigarette is configured to produce a vapor having a change in its composition over time.

The liquid reservoir can be an integral part of the e-cigarette, so that they can be recharged and reused. Further, the liquid reservoir may be part of a consumable, such as a cartridge, and the consumable may be inserted into the e-cigarette and extracted from the e-cigarette when at least one or all of the liquid reservoirs are depleted. In addition, the liquid reservoirs may be individually insertable into and extractable from the e-cigarette, allowing the user to insert different liquid reservoirs of the desired type and composition into the e-cigarette, thereby activating a vapor of a new composition. can do it Additionally, each such individually insertable and extractable liquid reservoir may function as a cartridge itself, and the electronic cigarette may be configured to receive a plurality of cartridges.

The term "cartridge" is used herein in its broadest sense and should not limit the external form of the consumable; Rather, it is a consumable that can be at least partially, preferably completely inserted into, or attachable to, the e-cigarette and which can be removed from the e-cigarette if desired, particularly when one or more liquid reservoirs of the cartridge are depleted. means to indicate Numerous embodiments will be described herein with respect to cartridges. However, it should be understood that in each case the cartridge may be replaced with any other suitable type of consumable.

The change in vapor composition may be a result of a liquid having a variable liquid composition being vaporized and/or may be a result of a variable mixture of vapors produced by different liquids being vaporized simultaneously.

The timer may be configured to measure time in seconds (or milliseconds, etc.) and/or in number of puffs.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge for an electronic cigarette, the cartridge having a plurality of liquid reservoirs formed as separate compartments, the cartridge further comprising a memory configured to store at least one program; The program includes instructions that enable the conditioning device of the electronic cigarette to produce a vapor having a change in its composition over time.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic cigarette comprising: a plurality of cartridges (or cartridge assemblies) each having at least one liquid reservoir; and

a body having a cartridge seating configured to be releasably connectable to a plurality of cartridges;

The body has an elongate shape and includes a power supply and a regulating device configured to selectively activate the transfer of liquid from the at least one liquid reservoir to the at least one heater of the electronic cigarette;

The cartridge pedestal includes a tubular receiving cavity, wherein the plurality of cartridges are formed such that a combined axial cross-section of the plurality of cartridges coincides with an axial cross-section of the tubular receiving cavity.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a consumable for an electronic cigarette, the consumable comprising a heater and a liquid reservoir, the housing of the consumable having an axial cross-section in the shape of a portion of a circle (preferably semi-circular) have

Further preferred variants and variants will be described hereinafter in conjunction with the description in conjunction with the drawings and the dependent claims.

In some preferred embodiments, the regulating device comprises at least one valve. In this way, the delivery of the liquid can be more precisely controlled.

In some preferred embodiments, the valve further comprises a valve body configured to activate and alter the supply of liquid from the plurality of liquid reservoirs. This allows more flexibility in combining liquids to achieve different flavor combinations.

In some preferred embodiments, the valve is a rotatable body having a plurality of channels configured to be selectively aligned with and selectively disaligned with an outlet of the liquid reservoir.

In some preferred embodiments, the regulating device comprises a plurality of valves. In some such embodiments, each valve is configured to regulate the flow of liquid from a respective liquid reservoir.

In some preferred embodiments, the conditioning device comprises a plurality of heaters, each liquid reservoir being fluidly coupled to the at least one heater. In this way, each heater can be specially tuned or controlled to heat and vaporize a particular liquid, for example taking into account different vaporization temperatures and the like.

In some preferred embodiments, each liquid reservoir is connected to a dedicated heater. That is, the e-cigarette may contain the same number of heaters as the liquid reservoir it contains. Accordingly, each liquid from each liquid reservoir may be individually heated to a respective optimal vaping temperature and/or the liquid from each liquid reservoir may be independently heated (or not heated). may not). Where the liquid reservoir is external to the e-cigarette (ie, disposed on the consumable), the e-cigarette preferably comprises the same number of heaters as the fluid transfer elements it contains, the fluid transfer elements being removed from the liquid reservoir. configured to guide the aerosol-generating liquid to the heater, each fluid delivery element being fluidly connected to a respective dedicated heater, and vice versa.

In some preferred embodiments, the controller is configured to selectively control activation of each heater according to at least one program in the memory.

In some preferred embodiments, the timer is configured to adjust the time each heater is activated.

In some preferred embodiments, the at least two heaters may be activated at separate times. Thus, for example, by activating the first heater first and then activating the second heater with a time offset, it is possible to more accurately produce a vapor composition that varies over time. In particular, flavoring agents can thus be mixed and staged from one flavor to another without drastic changes or differences.

In some preferred embodiments, at least two heaters may be activated at the same time. It is thus possible to simultaneously produce a composite vapor composition from at least two different liquids from at least two different liquid reservoirs.

In some preferred embodiments, the at least two liquid reservoirs contain an active ingredient, such as nicotine. In some preferred embodiments, the liquid reservoir contains liquids of different strengths or concentrations (eg, different nicotine strengths) of the active ingredient. In some preferred embodiments, the at least two liquid reservoirs comprise liquids having the same composition, except for their respective strengths or concentrations of the same active ingredient (eg, nicotine). Preferably, the change in vapor composition over time comprises or consists of a change in the strength or concentration (eg, nicotine strength) of the active ingredient. In this way, the electronic cigarette can be used to accurately dose the drug or active ingredient of the drug, according to a predetermined dosage regime.

In some preferred embodiments, the liquid reservoir contains at least two different flavored liquids. Preferably, the change in vapor composition (eg according to at least one program stored in the memory) comprises or consists of a change in flavor.

In some preferred embodiments, the at least one liquid reservoir comprises a flavor-free or flavor-neutral (ie, flavor-free) liquid. Such flavor-neutral liquids can be used to efficiently deliver the active ingredient of e.g. drugs, which can be used to dilute other overly strong flavors or add accordingly to any possible flavor composition that can be provided by an electronic cigarette. .

In some preferred embodiments, the program comprises different heating profiles to achieve different intensities of flavor and/or different intensities of concentrations of active ingredients.

In some preferred embodiments, the liquid reservoir is provided on a support forming a single cartridge, and at least one program is located in the cartridge's memory.

In some preferred embodiments, the at least one program is located in the memory of the body of the electronic cigarette.

In some preferred embodiments, the at least one program comprises different heating profiles to achieve different flavor intensities. Such a heating profile may include a series of heaters to be activated for a specific duration and to a specific heating temperature.

In some preferred embodiments, the at least one program comprises a set of different heating profiles, each heating profile being associated with a particular composition and/or flavoring agent.

In some preferred embodiments, the program is created and created by the user, for example, using the user interface of the e-cigarette, or using an app running through a mobile device connectable to the e-cigarette through a wireless or wired connection interface. / or can be adjusted.

In some preferred embodiments, the timing and flavor combination (eg, of at least one program) may be set by the user.

In some preferred embodiments, the at least one program is based on sensor input (eg, input from a particle sensor, such as a food molecular sensor). In this way, the vapor composition may be set automatically, for example, based on the user's previous consumption, and/or the chemical balance in the user's mouth (eg acid/basic). For example, some components of the vapor, in combination with certain molecules or certain chemical balances, may taste particularly good or particularly bad, or may even cause nausea or other unwanted effects. In such a case, the sensor input may be used to automatically adjust the vapor composition to at least compensate for such effects.

Further, the sensor may be a sensor configured to detect a circadian rhythm of the user, wherein the controller is configured to: based on the detected circadian rhythm, preferably additionally based on a current time and/or a current date , adjust and/or select a program.

In some preferred embodiments, the program comprises a set of different heating profiles. Each heating profile may be associated with a particular composition and/or flavor. As noted above, certain vapor compositions may require a particular heating profile to optimize the taste and/or delivery of the active ingredient.

In some preferred embodiments, the heater is in the form of or comprises a needle with a capillary tube. The needle may be configured to function as a fluid delivery member by a capillary effect.

In some preferred embodiments, the heaters (collectively or each individually, or individually a group of heaters) are movable between a retracted position and an extended position. This is because the heater can then be moved to an extended position to puncture a seal or package on the consumable and access the aerosol-generating liquid stored therein, so that the heater is formed of a puncturing member, such as a needle, or It is particularly preferred if it is formed by comprising.

In some preferred embodiments of the cartridge according to the second aspect of the present invention, the cartridge further comprises a plurality of heaters each connected to a dedicated liquid reservoir.

In some preferred embodiments of the electronic cigarette according to the third aspect of the present invention, the combined axial cross-section of the plurality of cartridges is essentially or exactly the same as the axial cross-section of the tubular receiving cavity.

In some preferred embodiments, the cartridge pedestal includes a plurality of electrical connectors configured to connect to an atomizer assembly.

In some preferred embodiments, the cartridge includes an integral nebulizer comprising a heater and a fluid transfer element, and the cartridge pedestal includes a plurality of electrical connections configured to be coupled to each cartridge.

In some preferred embodiments, the electrical connection consists of resilient contacts.

In some preferred embodiments, the nebulizer assembly includes a plurality of puncturing members.

In some preferred embodiments, the cartridge seat further comprises a puncturing member configured as a fluid transfer element. Preferably, the fluid transfer element is a porous member.

In some preferred embodiments, the cartridge seat includes guiding elements configured to position the cartridge in an angular position such that the cartridge is aligned with a connector on the cartridge seat.

In some preferred embodiments, the elongate body further comprises a user control device configured to allow the user to control the amount of liquid used from each liquid reservoir to generate the aerosol.

In some preferred embodiments, the user control device is selected from the group comprising a scroll wheel, a set of two buttons, a rocker button, and a rotary dial.

In some preferred embodiments, the user control device is a rotary dial located at the distal end of the elongate body opposite the mouthpiece or mouthpiece connector of the electronic cigarette.

In some preferred embodiments, the electronic cigarette further comprises a display, wherein the display is configured to display a proportion of the flavoring agent in the vapor.

In some preferred embodiments, the display is a light source (eg, RGB LED) configured to display nicotine intensity or flavor by different colors or by different intensities of colors.

In some preferred embodiments, the display is located at an end portion of the body distal to the cartridge seat, and the rotary dial is disposed around the end portion of the distal end.

In some preferred embodiments, at least one of the liquid reservoirs comprises a flavoring agent.

In some preferred embodiments, the at least two liquid reservoirs comprise aerosol generating compositions of different nicotine strengths.

In some preferred embodiments, one of the liquid reservoirs comprises a nicotine-free aerosol generating composition.

In some preferred embodiments, the electronic cigarette further comprises a sleeve configured to seal the liquid reservoir and hold them together.

In some preferred embodiments, the sleeve further comprises a mouthpiece portion or a mouthpiece connector.

In some preferred embodiments of the consumable according to the second or fourth aspect, the liquid reservoir comprises a vaporization chamber, a first portion of a vapor outlet channel from the vaporization chamber, and a groove, the grooves of the at least two liquid reservoirs comprising: Form a vapor outlet channel.

In some preferred embodiments, the consumable comprises an inter-locking connector.

In some preferred embodiments, the consumable comprises an air flow diverter configured to generate turbulence in the vapor channel.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like parts, and As a drawing:
1A shows a schematic diagram of an electronic cigarette, consumable, and smoking system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
1B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic cigarette of FIG. 1A;
2A shows a schematic diagram of a portion of an electronic cigarette according to another embodiment of the present invention;
2B shows a schematic diagram of a portion of an electronic cigarette according to another embodiment of the present invention;
3 shows a schematic exploded view of a portion of an electronic cigarette according to another embodiment of the present invention;
4A-4D show schematic views of a cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 shows a schematic exploded view of a cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 shows a schematic diagram of a heater as used in some embodiments of the present invention;
7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
8-10 show schematic diagrams of an electronic cigarette according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the present invention and many attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily understood as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description.
In order to facilitate a more abstract drawing of the embodiments, it will be understood that conventional and/or well-known elements that may be useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiments are not necessarily drawn. Elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale with respect to each other. Terms and expressions used herein have the general meanings given to them in connection with their respective fields of investigation and study, except where a specific meaning is otherwise set forth herein. will understand that

1A and 1B of the drawings, an electronic cigarette 100 is shown.

The electronic cigarette 100 includes a body 110 and a mouthpiece portion 111 . Mouthpiece portion 11 may form the mouthpiece itself, or may include a connector structure for connecting the mouthpiece (“mouthpiece connector”). The aerosol or vapor generated by the electronic cigarette 100 may be inhaled through the mouthpiece portion 111 .

As described below, an aerosol is generated by heating at least one aerosol-generating liquid. Electrical energy for heating is provided by a power source 112 (eg a battery, preferably a rechargeable battery) of the electronic cigarette 100 . As shown in FIG. 1B , the electronic cigarette 100 includes a plurality of liquid reservoirs 122 , a conditioning device 160 , at least one heater 180 (not shown in FIG. 1B ), a controller 136 , and a timer 134 .

Liquid reservoir 122 is configured to store different liquids. Liquids may contain different active ingredients or different flavoring agents, such as different nicotine strengths, acids, and the like. Thus, an aerosol-generating liquid may have different flavors (e.g., one aerosol-generating liquid may be unflavoured or flavor-neutral and the other may contain menthol aroma), different physical properties (e.g., vaporization temperature), and/or different strengths or concentrations of the active ingredient. The liquid reservoir 122 may be configured as a replaceable/disposable cartridge 122 . Additionally, the e-cigarette 100 may have at least one integral liquid reservoir, with a liquid reservoir 122 provided when the cartridge 122 is inserted into the e-cigarette 100 .

For example, the integral liquid reservoir may contain an unflavored aerosol-generating liquid comprising an active ingredient (eg, nicotine), whereas the liquid reservoir 122 contains little or no active ingredient. an aerosol-generating liquid that does not contain it. In this way, for example, a user who intends to inhale a certain amount of an active ingredient on a regular or constant basis can fill the integral liquid reservoir of the electronic cigarette 100 for providing the active ingredient and then dispense the active ingredient. It is possible to place an assembly of liquid reservoirs 122 within a cartridge 140 that contains a flavoring agent of the desired type to be mixed into the vapor to be generated with the vaporized liquid comprising it.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the electronic cigarette 100 includes or has a plurality of liquid reservoirs 122 (eg, three liquid reservoirs 122 as shown) or into a plurality of liquid reservoirs 122 . It may include a single cartridge pedestal 145 configured to receive the cartridge assembly 140 made. The cartridge pedestal 145 may be located at a distal end (eg, a battery portion) of the body of the electronic cigarette 100 and may be constructed of a hollow tube.

In one embodiment, the cartridge assembly 140 may be configured as shown in FIGS. 4A-4D . Accordingly, the cartridge assembly 140 may include a housing 143 , a liquid reservoir 122 , and may include a fluid transfer element 120 . The liquid reservoirs 122 may be provided as separate cartridges 140a each containing a single liquid reservoir 122 . Preferably, the axial cross section of the cartridges is formed with respect to the cartridge seat 145 such that the axial cross section of the plurality of (at least two) cartridges 122 coincides with the axial cross section of the cartridge seat 145 .

The cartridge assembly 140 is configured to occupy a space of the cartridge seat 145 when at least two cartridges 140 are mounted together. Accordingly, the housing 143 of the cartridge 140 may have an axial cross-section that is in the shape of a portion of a circle (preferably a semicircle or a quarter circle). It is also possible to combine the two quarter circles forming the dual cartridge assembly 140 into a single unit.

5 shows in an exploded schematic detailed view of a cartridge 140 according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the cartridge 140 may include a valve 150 including a valve closing member 152 (eg, in the form of a ball) and a valve seat 153 . The valve closing member 152 is biased by the valve seat 153 to close the channel 151 , thereby closing the liquid supply from the liquid reservoir 122 . The cartridge pedestal 145 includes a fluid transfer element 120 . The fluid transfer element 120 is configured to contact a valve seat defined by the perimeter of the channel. In another embodiment, the heater 180 may be a capillary configured to receive a liquid from a liquid reservoir and vaporize the liquid into a vapor.

As can be seen in the alternative embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A , 2B and 6 , fluid communication between the liquid reservoir 122 and the heater 180 is direct with a portion of the heater 180 in the form of a capillary tube. It can be set by contact.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6 , the heater 180 may have a shape of a capillary tube 180a and may have an elongate shape having an absorption portion 180b and a heating portion 180c. Accordingly, the absorbing portion 180b may act as a fluid transfer element 120 for transferring fluid from the liquid reservoir 122 to the heating portion 180c. Preferably, the temperature of the absorbent portion 180b during use of the electronic cigarette 100 is less than the temperature of the heating portion 180c during use. Accordingly, liquid may be transferred from the liquid reservoir 122 to the heater 180 by capillary action.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 , the cartridge 140 may include a plurality of liquid reservoirs 122 . Accordingly, the axial cross-section of the liquid reservoir 122 can, in combination, be formed so that their shape matches the shape of the cartridge pedestal 145 . "Corresponding" in this context may be understood to mean that the axial cross-sections arranged alongside each other essentially fill the axial cross-section of the cartridge pedestal 145 .

For example, the cross-section of the liquid reservoir 122 may be formed in a semi-circular shape, a quarter-circle shape, or the like. Preferably, heater 180 includes a number of capillaries 180a (and corresponding absorbing portion 180b and heating portion) equal to the maximum number of cartridges 140 (cartridge pedestal 145 is configured to receive them at any time). 180c)). Alternatively, one heater 180 may be provided for each of the maximum number of cartridges 140 .

6 , a heater 180 is shown according to one embodiment comprising four capillaries 180a each having a corresponding absorbing portion 180b and a heating portion 180c. Preferably, the individual heating portions 180c are individually controllable to heat the liquid absorbed by the corresponding absorption portions 180b. In that way, liquids from different liquid reservoirs 122 may be heated at different times and/or to different temperatures.

Preferably, such a heater 180 is configured for use with a cartridge pedestal 145 configured to simultaneously receive up to four different cartridges 140 , with each absorbent portion 180b comprising four different cartridges 140 . each will be in fluid contact with one of the cartridges 140 .

The heater 180 of the same configuration is equally suitable for the case where the same cartridge pedestal 145 includes, for example, three different cartridges 140, and one cartridge 140 is shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. and a semi-circular cross-section as shown in FIG. 5, and the two cartridges each have a quarter-circular cross-section. Of course, cartridge pedestal 145 includes only two cartridges 140 (eg, both are formed in a semi-circular cross-section, or one is formed in a quarter-circular cross-section and one is formed in a three-quarter circular cross-section). The same applies even if the cartridge pedestal 145 includes only one cartridge 140 having a complete circular cross section.

In addition, the heaters 180 may have different numbers of capillaries 180a (corresponding numbers of absorbing portions 180b and heating portions 180c , for example 2, 3, 5, 6, or It will be understood that more capillaries (180a) may be configured.

In another exemplary embodiment, the cartridge may be constructed similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 5 , but instead of the valve 150 , it may include a punctureable membrane or septum that seals its liquid reservoir 122 . Accordingly, such a cartridge is configured to be connected to a fluid transfer element in the form of a perforated member within the cartridge pedestal 145 . Preferably, the membrane has high elasticity so that it can reseal when the cartridge 140 is retracted from the puncturing member.

As can be seen in FIG. 5 , the cartridge 140 further includes a connecting portion 154 and a vapor outlet portion 155 . The connecting portion 154 is configured to be connected to the main body 110 . A vapor groove 147 extends from the connecting portion and the vapor outlet portion. The vapor grooves 147 of each cartridge 140 form a closed vapor channel when at least two cartridges 140 are positioned inside the cartridge pedestal 145 (ie, a plurality of cartridges 140 ). The vapor grooves 147 of the may together form a closed vapor channel). Accordingly, the vapor channels are configured to activate a flow of vapor from the vaporization chamber 146 located in the vicinity of the heater 180 . The vaporization chamber 146 may be located partially inside the cartridge 140 , may be partially located inside the cartridge pedestal 145 , may be completely located within the cartridge 140 , or the body 110 . It can be completely positioned within the cartridge seat 145 of the.

The cartridge 140 may be provided as a cartomizer, and thus includes an integral heater 180 . In this embodiment, a fluid transfer element 120 , such as an absorbent body for transferring liquid from the liquid reservoir 122 to the heater, is also incorporated into the cartridge 140 . Electrical contacts may be provided at the connecting portion 154 of the cartridge. To this end, cartridge pedestal 145 may include a plurality of pairs of electrical contacts configured to individually provide power to each cartridge heater. A pair of electrical contacts may be provided having a first contact located on a lower surface (ie, a distal or proximal end surface) of the cartridge 140 , and a second electrical contact provided around the perimeter of the cartridge 140 .

The electrical contact inside the cartridge pedestal 145 may be provided as an elastic contact configured to be connected to the first power terminal of the cartomizer cartridge. The resilient contact establishes proper contact between the cartridge and the terminal so that the cartridge can be connected throughout the variable insertion depth within the cartridge pedestal 145 .

The heater 180 may be integrated into the cartridge. Such cartridges are sometimes referred to as "cartomizers". Alternatively, as similarly shown in FIG. 6 , heater 180 includes a plurality of heaters (eg, heating portion 180c) and corresponding fluid transfer elements (eg, absorbing portion 180b). It can be formed as a separate nebulizer part comprising Each fluid transfer element is configured to establish a fluid connection between one liquid reservoir in the cartridge and one corresponding heater.

The fluid transfer element 120 may be a perforated member disposed on the cartridge seat and may be configured to penetrate into the cartridge 140 to establish a fluid connection between the liquid reservoir 122 and the heater 180 .

To further enhance the mixing of vapors from different heaters, vapor grooves 147 (and, consequently, vapor channels formed by multiple vapor grooves 147) are configured to create turbulence within the vapor channels. configured airflow diverter 148 . As can be seen in FIG. 4C , the airflow diverter 148 may be a projection 148 extending transversely with respect to the vapor groove 147 . The protrusion 148 may have a hemispherical shape. Cartridges 140 with different liquids may have projections 148 in different axial lengths of the cartridge to further enhance turbulence.

The inner wall of the cartridge seat 145 and the cartridge 140 may include interlocking guides 149a and 149b to accurately position the cartridge 140 on the cartridge seat 145 . The guide is a rail member 149c of the mouthpiece portion 111 , and/or a keyway 149a on the cartridge 140 and a rail member 149b of the cartridge seat 145 , for example at its inner surface. ) can be provided. The interlocking guide extends into the cartridge seat 145 in the insertion direction of the cartridge 140 . Accordingly, the electrical contact of the cartridge 140 may be aligned with the electrical contact of the cartridge pedestal (145).

Cartridge 140 also includes mating connectors 150a, 150b, as shown in FIG. 7 , such that the liquid reservoir may form or be connected to a uniform mouthpiece portion 111 . ) may be included. The engagement connector may include a keyway 150a and a rail member 15b. The mating connector provides stability to the constructed cartridge. Additionally, depending on the mating connector, the cartridge can be used directly as a mouthpiece.

Additionally or alternatively, as can be seen in FIG. 3 , the electronic cigarette 100 may further include a mouthpiece portion 111 formed as a sleeve around the cartridge 140 . The sleeve is configured to seal the cartridge 140 and hold them together. To this end, the sleeve may be insertable into the cartridge seat 145 or connectable to the cartridge seat 145 by, for example, a screw component.

As shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9, and 10 below, the electronic cigarette 100 is a user control device 170 configured to allow a user of the electronic cigarette 100 to control the mixing of liquids. ) may be further included. Liquids may contain different flavoring agents or different concentrations of ingredients (eg, nicotine), as described above. For example, depending on the control device, it is possible to control the amount of liquid used from each liquid reservoir 122 to generate the aerosol. 8A , 8B , 9 and 10 , two separate cartridges 140 having two different liquid reservoirs 122 are configured to receive, or each may contain different liquids and/or the like. An embodiment is shown in which the electronic cigarette 100 contains two different liquids, by being configured to receive a cartridge 140 .

As can be seen in FIGS. 9A and 9B , the user control device 170 may be in the form of a rocker button 171 or, as shown in FIG. 8 , includes two separate buttons 172 , 173 . or in the form of a set of two separate buttons 172 , 173 . By actuating one of the locking ends of the rocker button 171, or one of the two separate buttons 172, 173, upon mixing of the vapor generated for inhalation by the user, The amount and/or percentile is increased while the amount and/or percentile of the other of the two different liquids is increased by actuating the other one of the two separate buttons 172, 173 or the other locking end, respectively, respectively. The e-cigarette 100 may be configured such that the number is increased upon mixing.

The set of buttons 172 , 173 may have more than three buttons, or rocker buttons 171 with more than two locking ends, in each case preferably the number of buttons/locking ends. It should be understood that , corresponds to the maximum number of different liquids and/or different cartridges insertable into the electronic cigarette 100 . In that way, the user can directly set their preferred mix.

The electronic cigarette 100 may further include a display 175 (ie, a visual indicator) configured to display (or indicate) the proportion of the flavoring agent in the vapor (ie, the liquid in the resulting liquid vaporized). Display 175 may be formed of a light bar indicating the relative proportions of the selected liquid.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10 , the user control device 170 may include a rotary dial 174 , or may be in the form of a rotary dial 174 . The rotatable dial 174 may be positioned on the distal end of the electronic cigarette 100 opposite the mouthpiece portion 111 . If a rotary dial 174 is used, the display 175 may be positioned within the center of the rotary dial 174 . For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , display 175 includes a number of illuminant elements (bars, dots, starts, etc.) arranged in a circle, preferably concentric with rotary dial 174 . ) may be included. This creates a compact user control unit 170 and display 175 , which is located outside the area where the user would normally place their finger, so that accidental alteration of the user control unit 170 during vaping does not occur. .

However, in a simpler embodiment, the display may be a light source (eg, RGB LED) configured to indicate the flavor, flavor mix, or nicotine intensity of the vapor with different colors and/or intensity of color(s). Optionally, a plurality of light sources may be used.

The electronic cigarette 100 further includes a conditioning device 160 configured to selectively activate the transfer of liquid from the at least one liquid reservoir 122 to the at least one heater 180 . Accordingly, the regulating device is configured to open and close the liquid delivery from the different liquid reservoirs 122 .

The regulating device may include a valve. The valve may include a valve body configured to activate and alter the supply of liquid from the plurality of liquid reservoirs. The valve body may have a plurality of channels configured to be aligned and disaligned with an outlet of the liquid reservoir, each valve configured to regulate a flow of liquid from a respective liquid outlet. For example, the valve body may be rotatable. The regulating device further includes an actuator coupled to the controller and the at least one valve.

Alternatively, the regulating device 160 may include a plurality of valves. Each valve may be connected to its own liquid reservoir or multiple reservoirs.

In other embodiments as shown in FIGS. 2B and 6 , the conditioning device 160 may include a plurality of heaters. The heater may be implemented as, for example, a resistive heating element (eg, a heating wire). The individual heaters of the plurality of heaters may be part of a single heater structure that is divided into multiple individually controllable segments as heaters.

Each heater 180 is connected to at least one fluid transfer element 120 , and the at least one fluid transfer element 120 is connected from a liquid reservoir 122 to a heater 180 connected to the fluid transfer element 120 . configured to guide the aerosol-generating liquid. The fluid delivery element 120 may comprise a wick or needle that delivers the aerosol-generating liquid, for example by capillary action. Further, the heater 180 may be formed integrally with the fluid transfer element 120 (ie, the heater 180 may be formed such that they also function as the fluid transfer element 120 ).

In some embodiments, the liquid reservoir 122 may be a compartment within the housing 110 of the e-cigarette 100, wherein the compartment within the housing 110 of the e-cigarette 100 comprises at least one, preferably more aerosol. It is filled with the generating liquid and is preferably refillable.

The electronic cigarette 100 further includes a control circuit 130 . The control circuit 130 includes a memory 132 configured to store at least one program defining a series of liquid reservoirs 122 that are activated during a liquid delivery duration for activation. Thus, in embodiments where a plurality of dedicated heaters 180 are used, the control circuit 130 may control the heater activation time (ie, which heater is activated when), and the duration for activation. When a valve is used in a regulating device, the control circuit 130 may control the actuator of the valve to position the valve to activate liquid delivery from the selected liquid reservoir 122 to achieve a vapor of a desired composition. have.

The memory 132 may be/are fixedly integrated into the body of the e-cigarette 100 and/or may be partially or fully removable with the e-cigarette 100 . For example, memory 132 may be implemented as a computer memory, such as a semiconductor memory, as a memory chip, such as a SIM card, or may be implemented in any other known manner for storing memory. Accordingly, memory 132 containing new and/or updated programs may be inserted into e-cigarette 100 by a user. The program may include a heating profile (ie, information about which heater should be heated to what temperature or temperatures, when and for how long), or used with one or more heating profiles stored separately in memory 132 . It may be possible.

In one embodiment, the cartridge has heating elements (eg, heating coils) having different electrical resistances, wherein at least two different electrical resistances are indicative of each different liquid type. The control circuit 130 of the body may be configured to measure the electrical resistance of each heating element and determine the liquid type based on the measured electrical resistance.

Also, memory 132 (and in particular at least one program stored therein) may be updated by a user via a user interface. For example, the e-cigarette 100 may include a user interface (such as a touch screen, a number of manipulators such as buttons and/or dials, etc.), which allows the user to access a portion of one or more programs stored in memory 132 or All parameters can be changed.

Preferably, the electronic cigarette 100 comprises a wired connection or a wireless interface, via which parameters of one or more stored programs to remove programs from and/or add new programs to memory 132 . A user's computing device, such as a cell phone, tablet, laptop, etc., may be connected to the memory 132, preferably wirelessly, to change it. Preferably, the interface is configured and/or configured to enable a user, when changing a parameter, to extend or shorten a duration of a heater activation time of the one or more heaters, and to set the heater activation time of the at least one heater by at least one is configured to allow changing before or after time in relation to another heater activation time of . Alternatively, the interface may present the user with a list of options, such as "stronger taste" or "more refreshing," and then switch the user's settings to a heating profile and/or an appropriate setting within the at least one program. can do it

By way of the interface, data indicating which type of aerosol-generating liquid is present in each liquid reservoir 122 or, more directly, which type of aerosol-generating liquid is currently arranged to be supplied to which heater, is provided to the computing device. can be sent to In this way, if the user changes the heater activation time of that heater in any way, the user knows what type of aerosol-generating liquid is affected.

The control circuit 130 also includes a timer 134 configured to control the activation of each liquid reservoir 122 in accordance with a program selected from the memory 132 . Thus, the timer 134 can control the amount of time the valve is in each position, or in particular monitor how long each heater is active (i.e., measure the heater activation time) and output a corresponding heater activation time signal. In order to do this, the time at which each heater is activated can be adjusted. The heater activation time signal may indicate time in seconds (or milliseconds, etc.) or in number of suctions, for example.

The control circuit 130 further includes a controller 136 configured to selectively control activation of each heater according to at least one program in memory 132 and/or according to at least one heating profile. A timer 134 may be integrated into the controller 136 .

The program may include two or more heaters activated simultaneously, and/or two or more heaters activated at different times. The activation times of the two or more heaters may in particular overlap for at least 10%, at least 30%, at least 50%, at least 70% or at least 90% of the activation times of either one. The heater activation time for each heater may have the same duration. Alternatively, some heater activation times may have different durations. In some embodiments, all heaters may have different heater activation times.

One important characteristic of e-cigarettes is the temperature at which the consumable is heated to generate an aerosol. This temperature is also referred to as the “vaping temperature”. Vaping temperature can significantly affect a user's vaping experience for a number of reasons. Excessive heating can increase the temperature of the inhaled vapors to unpleasant levels, can lead to faster consumption of consumables (especially aerosol-generating liquids), and can cause more rapid degradation of the components of the e-cigarette. Also, since different components of the e-liquid may release and/or vaporize flavor at different temperatures, the optimum vaping temperature for differently configured consumables may be different.

Each heater may have a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the heater and provide a corresponding heater temperature sensor signal to the controller 136 . Based on such a heater temperature sensor signal, the controller 136 may control individual vaping temperatures of the heaters, which may be different from each other. The electronic cigarette 100 may be configured such that the vaping temperature of the heater is at least partially different and fixed. In such a case, as described below, the aerosol-generating liquid may be placed in the cartridge 140 according to their respective vaping temperatures. In other embodiments, for example based on information regarding the aerosol-generating liquid currently supplied to each individual heater, specifically, for example as described below with respect to the data storage of the cartridge 140 , the aerosol Based on the information regarding the vaping temperature of the generated liquid, the vaping temperature of each heater may be individually controllable by the controller 136 .

If the heaters are activated at different times and/or during different heater activation times, preferably according to a program stored in memory 132, the vapor composition of the vapor varies with time.

1 and subsequent FIGS. 2A and 2B , electronic to receive a consumable (in particular a cartridge 140 ) comprising at least one liquid reservoir 122 , and preferably at least two liquid reservoirs 122 . One embodiment in which a cigarette 100 is constructed is shown. More preferably, the at least two liquid reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140 comprise two different aerosol-generating liquids, ie, aerosol-generating liquids of different compositions.

Accordingly, the (at least one) liquid reservoir integrated into the electronic cigarette 100 may be larger than one or all of the liquid reservoirs of the cartridge 140 , or even larger than the cartridge 140 itself.

In the following, the case where there is no liquid reservoir integrated in the electronic cigarette 100 will be described in more detail. The embodiment of FIG. 1 is also shown in conjunction with FIGS. 2A and 2B .

2A shows a schematic perspective view of a sealed cartridge 140 comprising a fluid transfer element 120 of an electronic cigarette 100 , and a liquid reservoir 122 . A liquid reservoir 122 may be provided on a support 123 configured to group a plurality of reservoirs 122 together.

2A shows a cartridge 140 having three different liquid reservoirs 122 each of the same size, sealed to prevent spillage of the aerosol-generating liquid. The three different liquid reservoirs 122 are arranged side by side, separated by respective divider walls, and are rectangular in shape. Preferably, each liquid reservoir 122 comprises a different aerosol-generating liquid than the other liquid reservoirs 122 such that, in this embodiment, the cartridge 140 delivers three different aerosol-generating liquids.

As is also apparent from FIG. 2A , when the cartridge 140 is fully and correctly inserted into or attached to the electronic cigarette 100 , the fluid transfer element 120 engages the cartridge 140 in a predefined manner. are sorted by Preferably, each fluid transfer element 120 is aligned with exactly one liquid reservoir 122 of the cartridge 140 . In this way, a maximum variety of flavors can be provided to the user.

Accordingly, the present invention provides that each liquid reservoir 122 of the cartridge 140 is removed from the electronic cigarette 100 when the cartridge 140 is inserted into or attached to the electronic cigarette 100 in a predefined manner. Also provided is a cartridge (140) comprising at least one (preferably exactly one) fluid transfer element (120) 100 and a plurality of liquid reservoirs (122) arranged and configured to align according to a predefined manner. .

2B shows a capillary tube acting as a fluid transfer element 120 by capillary action after the heater 180 has punctured the puncturing member (specifically, after they have punctured the seal or membrane protecting the liquid reservoir 122 of the cartridge 140 ). It shows that each can be formed with a needle including a needle).

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a smoking system 1000 comprising a cartridge 140 according to the present invention and an electronic cigarette 100 according to the present invention configured to be aligned with each other in the manner described above.

1 and 2A , cartridge 140 has only three liquid reservoirs 122 arranged such that each liquid reservoir 122 is aligned with six fluid transfer elements 120 . In different cartridges 140 for the same e-cigarette 100, the distribution may be different.

1 and 2A, the cartridge 140 has a seal 142 or packaging constructed and arranged to seal one or more liquid reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140 to prevent leakage. have more For example, the cartridge 140 may be formed of a plurality of liquid reservoirs 122 that may subsequently be filled with at least two different aerosol-generating liquids, and a sealing foil is then placed over the liquid reservoirs 122 . and fixed to seal them.

1 and 2A , the fluid transfer element 120 of the electronic cigarette 100 is a puncturing member configured to puncture the seal or packaging that seals the individual liquid reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140 . It is embodied to include or consist of a perforated member 124 . The puncturing of the liquid reservoir 122 may be performed consistent with the cartridge 140 being fully and accurately inserted into the receiving cavity of the e-cigarette 100 . The puncturing member may be configured as a hollow tube (eg, with a hollow needle) having a pointed end into which the aerosol-generating liquid is drawn through capillary action from the liquid reservoir 122 . In some embodiments, the fluid transfer element 120 , the puncturing member 124 , and the corresponding heater may be implemented as a single element (ie, the heater may function as a heater, as a fluid transfer element, and as a puncturing member). have).

The receiving cavity of the electronic cigarette 100 may include a piercing member 124 , wherein when a user first inserts the cartridge 140 into the receiving cavity, the piercing member 124 pierces the cartridge. The user is arranged to press-fit the seal or packaging of the cartridge 140 into contact with the puncturing member 124 until the seal or packaging of the liquid reservoir 122 of 140 is punctured. In other embodiments, the puncturing member 124 may be movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and the puncturing member 124 may be moved only when they are in the extended position, the seal 142 of the cartridge 140 . perforate the The cartridge 140 may then be inserted into the electronic cigarette 100 without its seal 142 being automatically perforated. Thus, the contents of the cartridge 140 can be kept fresh longer (ie, until the user actually wants to start a vaping session, at which point the user can use an actuating member such as a push button or lever to will extend the puncturing member 124).

When the puncturing member 124 punctures the seal 142 or the packaging of the liquid reservoir 122 , the fluid delivery element 120 directs the aerosol-generating liquid in the liquid reservoir 122 to the respective heater, thereby evaporating the vapor. heated to generate

Cartridge 140 may have a data store containing information regarding what type of aerosol-generating liquid is contained in each liquid reservoir 122 of cartridge 140 . That is, the information may indicate which aerosol-generating liquid in the cartridge 140 is disposed in which liquid reservoir 122 and/or has what composition it has. Additionally, the information may indicate an optimal vaping temperature for each aerosol-generating liquid, or may allow the controller 136 to determine a vaping temperature for each aerosol-generating liquid via a database, lookup table, internet link, etc. information can be presented. The controller 136 may then control each heater to function at the respective vaping temperature.

Information may be transferred from the data store of cartridge 140 to e-cigarette 100 (eg, controller 136 or memory 132), such that information contained in one of liquid reservoirs 122 of cartridge 140 may be transferred. The controller 136 knows which heater should be activated to generate vapor from a particular aerosol-generating liquid. In this way, for example, both types of cartridges 140 contain, inter alia, the same aerosol-generating liquid, but disposed of a liquid reservoir 122 containing the aerosol-generating liquid at different locations in the cartridge 140 . If so, the controller 136 knows the corresponding location of the aerosol-generating liquid and, accordingly, controls the heater, based on the at least one program and/or heating profile.

Information from cartridge 140 may be transmitted wirelessly from cartridge 140 to e-cigarette 100 , such as by RFID or Bluetooth, for example, or a contact interface may be provided, whereby , the controller 136 may determine the contents and/or location of the aerosol-generating liquid contained in the liquid reservoir 122 of the cartridge 140 .

Additionally, information regarding the cartridge 140 may be printed as a code segment on a portion of the cartridge 140 (eg, on the surface of the cartridge 140 ). Accordingly, such a code segment may serve as a data store for the cartridge 140 . The code segment may be read electrically and/or optically by the e-cigarette 100 , ie by an electric and/or optical reading device of the e-cigarette 100 .

Alternatively, the data storage on the cartridge may be in the form of a memory configured to store a plurality of programs. The program may include different combinations and sequences of liquids in the cartridge. To this effect, the main body may be configured to select one of the programs contained in the memory. The cartridge may further include an indication or description of the program available through the cartridge to notify the user regarding the flavor characteristics of the program.

Accordingly, the data store of the cartridge 140 may further include a complete program followed by the controller 136 . Accordingly, the controller 136 may be configured to automatically select and follow a program from the data store. For example, a particular cartridge 140 may be designed to provide the user with a flavor journey resembling a multi-course meal by carefully mixing and varying the vapor composition over time. A single program for this flavor bias may be stored in the cartridge 140 so that the controller 136 of the electronic cigarette 100 automatically follows it, or there may be a plurality of programs stored in the cartridge 140, as described below. As described in detail, for example, the user's preferences, the settings of the e-cigarette 100 (eg, the desired duration of a flavor bias displayed by the user via the user interface), the time of day, the user's 24 Based on time during the time cycle rhythm, prescribed drug dose, sensor data, and/or personal data, controller 136 automatically selects a program from the plurality of programs.

Information regarding the contents of the cartridge 140 may be displayed to the user by the user's mobile device, for example as an app on a smartphone, via the display of the electronic cigarette 100 and/or via the optional interface described above. can Thus, for example, by selecting from aerosol-generating liquids available from a particular type of cartridge 140 that the user enters into the e-cigarette 100 by way of a user interface or is automatically determined, the user may construct a personalized flavor program. can Instead of a single cartridge 140 , the electronic cigarette 100 may be configured to receive a plurality of cartridges 140 each providing information regarding its contents to the controller 136 in one of the manners described above.

Similarly, the electronic cigarette 100 allows the user to input, eg, using a user interface, what type of flavor program the user would like to experience, eg, by selecting from optional flavors provided from a server. can be configured. Then, in order to enable the e-cigarette 100 to create a desired flavor program, the user can determine which cartridge should be inserted into the e-cigarette 100 by the display of the e-cigarette 100, and/or the e-cigarette. The user may be notified by a mobile device connected by an interface to 100 .

In addition, the flavor program can be set partially or fully automatically. The e-cigarette 100 may include at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense an environmental condition and/or a state or characteristic of the user, and to determine or adjust a program of the e-cigarette 100 accordingly. do.

For example, a determination routine and/or sensors of controller 136 may determine the user's circadian rhythm and transmit data regarding the rhythm to the controller. The controller may then refer to memory 132 , which may include a database connection section of a circadian rhythm with parameters of the vapor composition. The database may be a general-purpose database for all users, or it may be personalized for one or more individual users.

Determination of the circadian rhythm is a decision routine executed via the controller 136 that can record time and enable the user to provide information to help synchronize the controller 136 to the user's circadian rhythm. may be assisted and/or performed by The determining routine may be configured to determine the circadian rhythm, also based on previous use of the device, which may be determined by the controller 136 and stored in the memory 132 . Further, the determining routine may receive measurements and/or personal data from the user's mobile device (eg, from a smart watch or smartphone) and determine a circadian rhythm based on the measurements and/or personal data. can Personal data may include, for example, sleep patterns or patterns of other activities of the user.

For example, a user may prefer a vapor composition that is perceived as "mild" after waking up in the morning, may prefer a stronger flavor during the day, and may prefer a more balanced vapor composition in the evening. The electronic cigarette 100 may include a clock configured to provide a time of day to the controller 136, which is configured to select a program and/or adjust the vapor composition of the program based on the time of day. can be configured.

Thus, in combination with sensors and/or routines for determining the user's circadian rhythm, the e-cigarette 100 can always provide the user with the most desirable vapor composition whenever the user activates the e-cigarette 100. have. For example, the sense of taste and/or smell of most users changes over time, particularly with circadian rhythms. When the user's sense of taste and/or smell is relatively lower, for example by increasing the ratio of flavor-delivering aerosol-generating liquid to unflavoured or flavor-neutral aerosol-generating liquid, and when the user's sense of smell is higher, the By decreasing the rate, the program can be configured such that the user's perceived flavor experience is constant over time.

The electronic cigarette 100 provides the user with different flavor intensities (preferably at different times of the day and/or at different times associated with the user's circadian rhythm), the user's It may be configured to perform a test on the user that requires input. The controller 136 may be configured to select and/or adjust a program stored in the memory 132 based on a result of the test.

In another embodiment, when the electronic cigarette 100 is used to take a drug having an unpleasant odor and/or taste, the vapor composition is configured to mask such odor and/or taste from the user or to be neutralized by the vapor composition. can be

In addition, an internal clock and/or sensor for determining the circadian rhythm may be used to ensure or facilitate the prescribing of the user's medication depending on the dosage regime. For example, a user may be prescribed a relatively lower dose of the drug during the morning (and/or for several hours after waking up), and during the afternoon (and/or for several hours before going to sleep or after a previous period). Relatively higher doses of the drug may be prescribed. Accordingly, the electronic cigarette 100 may be used as a device for delivering a preset drug dose to a user over time. The program controlling the addition of drugs to the vapor composition may be configured or approved by the physician, and preferably may not be changeable by the user.

Further, the internal clock may be configured to provide a current date, and the program may include a program for stopping the drug, for example, the dose of the drug is decreased daily. The program may be configured to compensate for the decreased amount of the drug by corresponding changes in the other components of the vapor composition. For example, a decreasing amount of nicotine can be compensated for by an increasing amount of an aerosol-generating liquid that has a tobacco flavor or produces a feeling close to the feeling of actually smoking a cigarette. Similarly, if a particular active ingredient causes a particular feeling in the user upon inhalation, a decreasing amount of the active ingredient can be compensated for by an increasing amount of the aerosol-generating liquid that causes the same feeling in the user. Accordingly, the user may feel that the drug content is not reduced at all.

In some preferred embodiments, the e-cigarette 100 may further include a particle sensor, such as a food molecular sensor. In this way, for example, the vapor composition may be automatically set by the controller 136 based on the user's previous consumption and/or the chemical balance in the user's mouth (eg, acid/basic). Preferably, the particle sensor is disposed on the mouthpiece 111 of the electronic cigarette 100 , or on a connector for connecting the mouthpiece to the electronic cigarette 100 . Preferably, the particle sensor is positioned and configured to detect molecules in the user's saliva, for example using molecularly imprinted polymers.

The setting may be stored in the memory 132 by the user according to the user's preference. For example, a user may prefer a vapor composition with a refreshing feeling or refreshing effect after eating a spicy meal. The particle sensor may be configured to detect capsaicin in the user's breath and/or saliva and to select a "after a spicy meal" program, or to select a "after a spicy meal" setting within the program. Similarly, as a user's taste and/or smell may become dull after a particularly flavorful meal, the vapor composition may have to be adjusted to further include stronger flavoring agents to counteract the effect.

Cartridge 140 may also contain an aerosol-generating liquid that, after being inhaled, acts as a palate cleanser to help the user better perceive flavor. The controller 136 may be configured to automatically add a heater activation time for a heater arranged to heat the mouth aerosol-generating liquid prior to every program, based on the sensor signal of the particle sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the memory 132 may include a special mouthwash program that includes a heater activation time for the mouthpiece aerosol-generating liquid. The controller 136 may be configured to automatically select a mouthwash program based on a sensor signal of the particle sensor and/or a user may manually activate the mouthwash program.

In addition, the particle sensor may be configured to detect malodors in the breath or mouth of a user, and to select a vapor composition or program specifically to counteract or reduce the detected malodors. Specifically, a vapor composition set according to other criteria (eg, personal preference, contents of cartridge 140 and/or time of day, etc.) may contain an agent designed to neutralize a detected malodor or malodors in the user's breath. It can be adjusted to include additionally. Addition of such a breath-improving agent to the vapor composition may be triggered by measuring a concentration of a particular chemical relative to a predefined threshold, wherein the measured concentration may be the same as or different from the first threshold. It can persist until it falls below a certain (especially lower) threshold.

By completely and accurately inserting the cartridge 140 into the e-cigarette 100 by a user so that the fluid transfer element 120 can or guide the aerosol-generating liquid from the cartridge 140 to the heater of the e-cigarette 100 . (eg, by closing the e-cigarette 100 thereafter), a typical vaping session may begin. The user then turns on the electronic cigarette 100 and places the mouthpiece over the user's lips.

Controller 136 may then apply a flavor selection algorithm to determine an initial program (ie, initial vapor composition and temperature settings to use). The initial vapor composition may include only vapors from a single aerosol-generating liquid, but may include vapors from a plurality or even all of the aerosol-generating liquids available from the cartridge 140 .

During the course of the vaping session, by activating and/or deactivating different heaters, and/or based on the selected flavor program and/or any input as described above (eg, sensor data, and/or related to the user Personal data (based on circadian rhythm, composition of the user's breath or saliva, time of day, current date, etc.), and/or data from the data store of cartridge 140), to function with different vaping temperatures. By controlling the heater, the controller 136 can adjust the vapor composition. Of course, the user may be allowed to manually change some or all of the program's settings using the user interface of the electronic cigarette 100 . For example, a user control device may be used to skip a flavor that the user does not like and advance to the next flavor. Memory 132 may record that the user did not like the order, and may remove it from the program.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternative and/or equivalent embodiments exist. It is to be understood that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with convenient guidance for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, and provide illustrative examples without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. It is understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in the embodiments. Overall, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments described herein.

Also, in this document, “comprise”, “comprising”, “include”, “including”, “contain”, “comprising” The terms "containing)", "having", "having", and any ending changes thereof, are intended to be understood in an inclusive (ie, non-exclusive) sense, and thus the process, method, apparatus, An apparatus or system is not limited to those features or parts or elements or steps listed, but includes other elements, features, parts or steps not expressly listed or unique to such a process, method, article, or device. you will understand that you can Also, as used herein, the terms “a” and “an” are intended to be understood to mean one or more, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. are used only as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements or establish a specific ranking of importance for their purposes.

List of Drawings

100: electronic cigarette

110: body

111: mouthpiece part

112: power

120: no guide

122: liquid reservoir

123: support

124: perforated member

130: control circuit

132: memory

134: timer

136: controller

140: cartridge

142: seal

143: housing

145: cartridge seat

146: vaporization chamber

147: steam home

148: air flow diverter

149a: keyway

149b: rail member

149c: rail member

150: valve

150a: rail member

150b: keyway

151: channel

152: closing member

153: valve seat

154: connection part

155: steam outlet part

160: adjusting device

170: user control device

171: rocker button

172: button

173: button

174: rotary dial

175: display

180: heater

180a: capillary

180b: absorbent part

180c: heating part

1000: smoking system

Claims (18)

An electronic cigarette (100) comprising:
a cartridge assembly 140 comprising a plurality of liquid reservoirs 122 each provided as separate cartridges 140a each containing a single liquid reservoir 122; and
a body (110) having a cartridge pedestal (145) configured to be releasably connectable to the cartridge assembly (140);
The body 110 has an elongate shape and is configured to selectively activate the transfer of liquid from the at least one liquid reservoir 112 to the at least one heater 180 of the electronic cigarette 100 . ) and a power supply 112,
The cartridge pedestal 145 includes a tubular receiving cavity,
wherein the separate cartridges (140) are formed such that their combined axial cross-section coincides with the axial cross-section of the tubular receiving cavity;
Electronic Cigarette (100). According to claim 1,
The cartridge pedestal 145 is configured to be connected to the atomizer assembly,
the nebulizer assembly comprising a plurality of compartments;
Each compartment houses a separate atomizer comprising a heater 180 and a fluid transfer element 120 . 3. The method of claim 2,
The cartridge pedestal (145) includes a plurality of electrical connectors configured to be coupled to the atomizer assembly. 4. The method of claim 3,
The cartridge assembly (140) comprises an integral atomizer comprising a heater (180) and a fluid transfer element (120),
The cartridge pedestal (145) includes a plurality of electrical connections configured to connect to respective liquid reservoirs (122) of the cartridge assembly (140). 5. The method of claim 4,
The electronic cigarette (100), wherein the electrical connection consists of resilient contacts. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the atomizer assembly comprises a plurality of puncturing members. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The cartridge pedestal (145) further comprises a perforation member configured as a fluid transfer element. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The cartridge rest (145) includes a guide element (149b) configured to position the cartridge assembly (140) in an angular position such that the cartridge assembly (140) is aligned with a connector of the cartridge rest (145). Electronic Cigarette (100). 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The body 110 further comprises a user control device 170 configured to allow a user to control the amount of liquid used from each liquid reservoir 122 to generate the aerosol. ). 10. The method of claim 9,
The user control device 170 includes an electronic cigarette 100 selected from the group comprising a scroll wheel 174 , a set of two buttons 172 , 173 , a rocker button 171 , and a rotary dial 174 . ). 11. The method of claim 10,
The user control device 170 is a rotatable dial 174 located at the distal end of the body 110 opposite the mouthpiece connector or mouthpiece portion 111 of the electronic cigarette 100. 100). 12. The method of claim 11,
A display 175 is positioned at an end portion of the body 110 distal to the cartridge pedestal 145,
and the rotary dial (174) is disposed around the end portion of the distal end. 13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
at least one of the liquid reservoirs (122) comprises a flavoring agent. 14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The at least two liquid reservoirs (122) comprise aerosol generating compositions of different nicotine strengths. A consumable (140) for an electronic cigarette (100), comprising:
The consumable 140 includes a heater 180 and a liquid reservoir 122,
The housing of the consumable (140) has an axial cross section in the shape of a part of a circle, preferably in the shape of a semicircle,
Consumables 140 for e-cigarette 100 . 16. The method of claim 15,
The liquid reservoir (122) comprises a vaporization chamber (146), a first portion of a vapor outlet channel from the vaporization chamber, and a groove (147);
wherein the grooves (147) of the at least two liquid reservoirs (122) form a vapor outlet channel. 17. The method of claim 16,
The consumable (140) comprises a mating connector (150a, 150b). 18. The method of claim 17,
The consumable (140) comprises an air flow diverter (148) configured to generate turbulence in the vapor channel.

Images