US20160029695A1

US20160029695A1 - Vapor safety ring for mechanical mods

Info

Publication number: US20160029695A1
Application number: US14/445,908
Authority: US
Inventors: Joe Benites; Kimberly Do
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-29
Filing date: 2014-07-29
Publication date: 2016-02-04

Abstract

A vapor safety ring for a mechanical mod having a battery, atomizer and push button. The vapor safety ring includes a battery electrical conductor and an atomizer electrical conductor. LEDS are connected to the vapor safety ring and are electrically positioned between the battery electrical conductor and the atomizer electrical conductor. A microprocessor is electrically positioned between the battery electrical conductor and the atomizer electrical conductor and is programmed to control power flow to the LEDS and to the atomizer. Power is provided to the microprocessor and a mechanical mod electrical circuit is completed when the mechanical mod push button is pushed and the mechanical mod battery makes contact with the battery electrical conductor. In a preferred embodiment, the microprocessor is programmed to stop power flow to the atomizer if the push button has been held down for a time limit exceeding a preset value. In a preferred embodiment the preset value is 8 seconds.

Description

The present invention relates to electronic cigarettes, and in particular, to safety and decorative devices for mechanical mods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An electronic cigarette is a cigarette-shaped device that commonly contains a nicotine-based liquid that is vaporized and inhaled, and is used to simulate the experience of smoking tobacco. There are different types of electronic cigarettes (also known as electronic vaping devices, e-cigarettes or e-cigs). A typical e-cigarette includes a built in microprocessor that acts as a safety device and is used to protect and guard against short circuits, The microprocessor is often a problem to the user and negatively affects the amount of vapor created by the e-cigarette.
In response, many users of personal vaporizers prefer to utilize a mechanical mod. A purely mechanical mod is a very basic personal vaporizer device. In essence, it is a tube that holds a replaceable rechargeable battery and on the tube is a push button that when engaged completes a circuit that delivers unregulated current to the atomizer. A mechanical mod contains no wiring or soldering, nor any electronics.
Because mechanical mods are void of circuit protection, they must be handled with a higher degree of caution as to prevent damage to the device and potential harm to the user. Mechanical mods are powered by unregulated voltage directly from the battery source. The only “built in” protection provided by some mechanical mods are ventilation holes drilled through the battery tube.
FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of prior art mechanical mod 10 and FIG. 4 shows an electronic diagram describing prior art mechanical mod 10. Atomizer section 11 includes mouth piece 12, atomizer housing 13 and threaded extension 14. Battery housing section 15 includes female threads 16, battery tube 17 and push button 18.
FIG. 2 shows atomizer section 11 threaded onto battery housing section 15. Battery 20 is housed inside battery tube 17. Spring 21 is connected between push button 18 and battery tube 17 and functions to keep battery 20 separated from atomizer 22.
In FIG. 3 the user has pressed push button 18 upwards causing spring 21 to compress allowing battery 20 to contact atomizer 22. Liquid 25 is vaporized and is contained in vapor compartment 26. The user can inhale the vapor through mouthpiece 12.
Prior art mechanical mod 10 has many desirable qualities. For example, battery 20 can be replaced or recharged as appropriate. Also, there is not a complicated microprocessor that interferes with vapor production, as with typical e-cigarettes. However, the absence of a microprocessor for safety control means that the user must be very careful in operating the mechanical mod. For example push button 18 can become accidently continuously pressed, causing the circuit to overheat. Mechanical mod 10 can then melt or even explode causing injury to the user.
What is needed is a safety device for the mechanical mod that adequately monitors the mod, warns the user as appropriate and does not negatively impact vapor production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a vapor safety ring for a mechanical mod having a battery, atomizer and push button. The vapor safety ring includes a battery electrical conductor and an atomizer electrical conductor. LEDS are connected to the vapor safety ring and are electrically positioned between the battery electrical conductor and the atomizer electrical conductor. A microprocessor is electrically positioned between the battery electrical conductor and the atomizer electrical conductor and is programmed to control power flow to the LEDS and to the atomizer. Power is provided to the microprocessor and A mechanical mod electrical circuit is completed when the mechanical mod push button is pushed and the mechanical mod battery makes contact with the battery electrical conductor. In a preferred embodiment, the microprocessor is programmed to stop power flow to the atomizer if the push button has been held down for a time limit exceeding a preset value. In a preferred embodiment the preset value is 8 seconds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 show a prior art mechanical mod.

FIG. 4 shows an electrical diagram for a prior art mechanical mod.

FIGS. 5-7 show a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an electrical diagram for a mechanical mod using a preferred vapor safety ring.

FIGS. 9-12 show a mechanical mod using a preferred vapor safety ring.

FIG. 13 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Vapor Safety Ring

FIGS. 5-12 show vapor safety ring 30. Safety ring 30 is powered by the battery 20. LEDS 33 will light as the circuit is complete and as mechanical mod 50 is utilized. If mechanical mod 50 is accidentally left on, safety ring 30 includes programming to stop electrical current to atomizer 22. The programming will additionally cause LEDS 33 to flash until either one hour has passed or the electrical circuit is disrupted. This is important as many mechanical mods include bottom push buttons that may become depressed (either by accident or on purpose) for an excessive time period. This can cause the mechanical mod battery to potentially over-heat, melt down or even explode. In another preferred embodiment vapor safety ring 30 includes programming so that the LEDS will no longer function if battery 20 is installed backwards in mechanical mod 50.
In one preferred embodiment, vapor safety ring 30 is a self-contained unit that be sold for utilization with preexisting mechanical mods. Safety ring 30 includes attachment threads so that it can be securely connected between atomizer section 11 and battery housing section 15.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view and FIGS. 6-7 show a side view of safety ring 30. FIG. 8 shows an electrical diagram of mechanical mod 50 having vapor safety ring 30. Safety ring 30 includes female threads 31 and male threads 32. Multiple LEDS 33 surround safety ring 30 as shown. Safety ring 30 also includes printed circuit board (PCB) 35 having PCB electrical conductors 36 and 37. PCB 35 also includes microprocessor 40. Preferably, vapor ring 30 includes contoured indentations 62 to minimize contact area with atomizer section 11.
FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of mechanical mod 50 and safety ring 30. Atomizer section 11 is positioned to thread onto female threads 31 of safety ring 30. Male threads 32 of safety ring 30 is positioned to thread onto the female threads of battery housing section 15.
In FIG. 10, atomizer section 11, safety ring 30 and battery housing section 15 have been connected as shown.
In FIG. 11 atomizer section 11 is threaded onto safety ring 30 and safety ring 30 is threaded onto housing section 15. Battery 20 is housed inside battery tube 17. Spring 21 is connected between push button 18 and battery tube 17 and functions to keep battery 20 separated from PCB electrical conductor 36 of safety ring 30. Preferably battery 20 is a 3.7 volt, 20-30 amp rechargeable battery.
In FIG. 12 the user has pressed push button 18 upwards causing spring 21 to compress allowing battery 20 to contact PCB electrical conductor 36 of safety ring 30. Liquid 25 is vaporized and is contained in vapor compartment 26. The user can inhale the vapor through mouthpiece 12.

LEDS

Preferably multiple LEDS 33 are 4-8 LED surface mounted lights that are blue in color. In another preferred embodiment LEDS 33 are dual colored, for example blue and red.

Microprocessor Control

As the circuit is completed, microprocessor 40 is programmed to light LEDS 33 continuously as the circuit remains complete.
Microprocessor 40 preferably includes programming to complete the additional safety functions listed below:
1) If circuit remains complete for 8 seconds microprocessor 40 includes programming to open switch 70 removing power to atomizer 22. Microprocessor 40 further includes programming to send a control signal to LEDS 33 causing them to blink until the circuit is broken either by push button 18 being released or battery 20 being removed or atomizer 22 being removed.
2) If a short occurs, microprocessor 40 includes programming to stop power flow to LEDS 33 and atomizer 22 so that neither works. Mechanical mod 50 will not function until the short is fixed.
3) If the battery is over-drained (below 7 amps), microprocessor 40 includes programming to stop power flow to LEDS 33 and atomizer 22 so that neither works. Mechanical mod 50 will not function until the battery is replaced with a charged one.
4) If the battery is over-discharged, microprocessor 40 includes programming to stop power flow to LEDS 33 and atomizer 22 so that neither works. Mechanical mod 50 will not function until the problem is remedied.
5) If the battery is placed backward into the mod, microprocessor 40 includes programming to stop power flow to LEDS 33 and atomizer 22 so that neither works. Mechanical mod 50 will not function until the battery is reversed.
6) In another preferred embodiment if the battery is placed backward into the mod, microprocessor 40 includes programming to stop power flow to LEDS 33 but continue to permit power flow to atomizer 22. Mechanical mod 50 will not function properly until the battery is reversed.

Other Preferred Embodiment

The above preferred embodiments discussed how vapor safety ring 30 is a self-contained unit that can be securely connected between atomizer section 11 and battery housing section 15 of a preexisting mechanical mod via a threaded attachment. This is a preferred embodiment because vapor safety ring 30 can be purchased separately and used with a mechanical mod that the user may already own. In another preferred embodiment vapor safety ring 30 is built into a mechanical mod so that threaded attachment is not necessary. For example FIG. 13 shows mechanical mod 80 having vapor safety ring 30 that is solidly connected to the top of battery housing section 15. Atomizer section 11 is threaded to the top of vapor safety ring 30.
Although the above-preferred embodiments have been described with specificity, persons skilled in this art will recognize that many changes to the specific embodiments disclosed above could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the attached claims and their legal equivalents should determine the scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A vapor safety ring for a mechanical mod having a battery, atomizer and push button, comprising:

A. a battery electrical conductor for removable connection to said battery,

B. an atomizer electrical conductor for electrical connection to said atomizer,

C. at least one LED electrically positioned between said battery electrical conductor and said atomizer electrical conductor, and

D. a microprocessor electrically positioned between said battery electrical conductor and said atomizer electrical conductor, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to:

i. permit and stop power flow to said at least one LED, and

ii. permit and stop power flow to said atomizer,

wherein power is provided to said microprocessor and wherein a mechanical mod electrical circuit is completed when said push button is pushed and said battery contacts said battery electrical conductor.

2. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1 further comprising a printed circuit board, wherein said microprocessor and said electrical power switch are mounted onto said printed circuit board.

3. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said at least one LED is a plurality of LEDS.

4. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said mechanical mod comprises:

A. an atomizer section, and

B. a battery housing section, wherein said vapor safety ring is attached via attachment threads between said atomizer section and said battery housing section.

5. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said mechanical mod comprises:

A. an atomizer section, and

B. a battery housing section, wherein said vapor safety ring is attached between said atomizer section and said battery housing section.

6. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to light said at least one LED when said push button is pushed and said battery contacts said battery electrical conductor.

7. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to stop power flow to said atomizer after said push button is pushed and said battery contacts said battery electrical conductor for a time period exceeding a preset limit.

8. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said preset time limit is eight seconds.

9. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to stop power flow to said at least one LED and said atomizer when a short occurs.

10. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to stop power flow to said at least one LED and said atomizer when said battery is over-drained.

11. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to stop power flow to said at least one LED and said atomizer when said battery is over-discharged.

12. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to stop power flow to said at least one LED and said atomizer when battery is placed backward into said mechanical mod.

13. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to stop power flow to said at least one LED when said battery is placed backward into said mechanical mod.