Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
  • A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
  • A24F40/485—Valves; Apertures
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F47/00—Smokers' requisites not otherwise provided for
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
  • A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
  • A24B15/10—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
  • A24B15/16—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes of tobacco substitutes
  • A24B15/167—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes of tobacco substitutes in liquid or vaporisable form, e.g. liquid compositions for electronic cigarettes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
  • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/06—Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
  • A61M2205/82—Internal energy supply devices
  • A61M2205/8206—Internal energy supply devices battery-operated

Definitions

• This application relates to a device and method for preventing the back flow of liquid and vapor from a cartomizer section into a battery section of an electronic cigarette, and an improved method of sealing a cartomizer section during storage thereof through the use of a one-way valve included in the cartomizer section.
• an electronic cigarette is a "two-piece" (hereinafter referred to as a "two-piece") device having a first battery section B and a second cartomizer section A, wherein the cartomizer section A is detachable from the battery section B (hereinafter an "Electronic Cigarette” or "E-cigarette”).
• an electronic Cigarette is shown in Figures 1 and 2.
• the battery section B contains a power cell, a chipset (i.e. control circuitry) and an airflow sensor.
• the cartomizer section A contains a heating element and a container (reservoir) of "e-liquid” which comprises flavorings and a vaporizing base, such as glycol (hereinafter referred to as the "cartomizer”).
• the battery section and cartomizer section can be physically and electrically connected by a threaded engagement.
• the battery section has the "male” threaded portion and the cartomizer section has the “female" threaded portion, as shown in Figure 2.
• e-cigarettes which include side vents that allow most of the vapor to exit through the side vents thereof during exhalation still include an opening for the vapor to travel into the battery section , which thereby exposes the components within the battery section to the damaging effects of the vapor. It is therefore advantageous to prevent the vapor from leaving the cartomizer section and continuing in the direction of battery components included in the battery section, to avoid its damaging effects on the battery components.
• Disposables are convenient for the user, they present difficulties for long term storage and shelf life. Disposables lack some of the advantages of a two-piece.
• the ends of the cartomizer section can be sealed with caps or plugs. Sealing the two ends of the cartomizer section prevents moisture in the environment from being absorbed by the e- liquid, which often decreases the viscosity of the e-liquid and can cause leaking of the e- liquid into a user's mouth during smoking.
• the seals also prevent e-liquid or nicotine from evaporating or dripping out of the cartomizer section.
• a cartomizer section of an electronic cigarette which can be connected to a battery section of the electronic cigarette.
• the cartomizer section comprises a liquid reservoir operable to store liquid material and a one-way valve.
• the one-way valve is operable to seal an end of the cartomizer section which is in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir.
• the one-way valve is configured to allow one directional air flow towards a user's mouth during a draw on the electronic cigarette so as to prevent back flow of vapor produced during operation of the electronic cigarette towards the battery section thereof.
• a one-way valve that can be included in a cartomizer section of an electronic cigarette, allowing one directional air flow towards a user's mouth, while preventing back flow of vapor or e-liqviid towards the battery section of the electronic cigarette. Accordingly, during prolonged storage, the one-way valve provides a seal for the cartomizer section, which prevents e-liquid stored in a liquid reservoir of the cartomizer section from draining into the battery section, and greatly reduces evaporation of e-liquid and nicotine out of the cartomizer section. Additionally, the one-way valve prevents ambient air moisture from being absorbed into the e-liquid, preserving its viscosity and preventing leaking.
• sealing properties of the one-way valve allows for disposable electronic cigarettes to be stored for extended periods with minimal loss of e- liquid and nicotine potency, greatly extending the shelf life thereof Additionally, because the one-way valve prevents the flow of excess e-liquid into the battery section, there is no longer a limitation on the orientation of the disposables during transportation or storage. Whereas before, one had to store and ship the disposables in an upright position with the battery section oriented above the cartomizer section to avoid leakage of e-liquid into the battery section, embodiments as disclosed herein allow for the disposables to be stored and shipped in any orientation.
• the one-way valve extends the longevity of the electronic cigarette by preventing the back flow of vapor towards the battery section, thereby eliminating the damage typically caused by vapor on the battery components of the battery section.
• the one-way valve provides a seal between the cartomizer section and the battery section which can extend the life of the e-liquid of the electronic cigarette between smoking sessions.
• the presence of a one-way valve prevents liquid leakage and evaporation of e-liquid from the distal end of the cartomizer section.
• a plug can be used to seal the mouth end insert of the cartomizer section or disposable between uses.
• FIGS 3A-D and Figures 4A-C illustrate embodiments of a one-way valve 300 as disclosed herein.
• a one-way valve 300 can be formed as a generally cylindrical shape forming an elongated portion 320 with one end that is blocked which forms a valve face 305.
• the valve face 305 can have a cut or a slit 310 on a surface thereof.
• the cut or slit 310 can extend across the entire surface (along the diameter) of the valve face 305.
• Two flaps 315a,b are formed on opposite sides of the slit 310. Under normal storage conditions or between puffs, the two flaps 315a,b on opposite sides of the slit 310 can be situated tightly adjacent to each other so as to form a tight seal against air and e-liquid.
• valve face 305 can include more than one slit thereon wherein the slits can be made by making 3 or 4 (criss-cross) symmetrical cuts on the valve face 305, thus creating 3 or 4 flaps respectively.
• the slits 310 do not need to be straight or symmetrical. They can be wavy, saw-toothed or virtually any shape imaginable.
• the one-way valve 300 should be preferably made of a flexible and/or stretchable material such as rubber or silicone, so that when the smoker inhales, a vacuum is formed above the surface of the valve face 305, creating a negative pressure. This negative pressure pulls the flaps 315a,b on opposite sides of the slit 310 to fold up and away from each other, forming an air pathway in the direction towards a mouth of the user. If a user exhales or blows into the e-cigarette, a positive pressure is applied on the surface of the valve face 305, forcing the flaps 315a,b to go back to their original shape and block the back flow of vapor.
• a vacuum is formed above the surface of the valve face 305, creating a negative pressure. This negative pressure pulls the flaps 315a,b on opposite sides of the slit 310 to fold up and away from each other, forming an air pathway in the direction towards a mouth of the user. If a user exhales or blows into the e-cigarette, a positive
• the one-way valve 300 can be made of one material or a composite of materials, and does not necessarily need to have uniform flexibility and elasticity throughout.
• the flaps 315a,b can include edges or "lips" 316a,b (see Figure 4B) along the slit 310 which may be made more rigidly than the flaps 315a,b, and the opening motion can occur at the joints where the "lips" 316a,b meet at the extremities of the slit 310.
• Figure 5 depicts a schematic of a cutaway section of a cartomizer section 500 including a one-way valve 300. Some components of the cartomizer section 500 have been removed for the purpose of simplicity.
• the cartomizer section can include a liquid reservoir, heating coil, an air channel (i.e. airflow path) and other components as shown in WO 2012/142293.
• the cartomizer section 500 can be generally cylindrical and can include a center space 505 therein.
• the center space 505 can include a metal or plastic "post" 510 which can protrude in an axial direction of the cartomizer section 500 towards a mouth end insert 650 (see Figure 6).
• the one-way valve 300 should be made of the correct size so as to fit tightly onto the post 510 of the cartomizer section 500.
• the cylindrical length of the one-way valve 300 should be such that the valve face 305 of the valve 300 should either sit directly on the top of the post 510 (to prevent the flaps from opening in the wrong direction) or it should extend at least slightly beyond the top of the post 510 (up to 3 mm).
• the valve face 305 should preferably be axially spaced from a heater such as a heating coil 620 (see Figure 6) so that it does not melt or warp from the elevated heat of the heater. It is therefore also recommended to preferably make the valve out of a heat resistant material such as for example silicone.
• Figure 6 depicts a cutaway section of an electronic cigarette 600, also showing a one-way valve 300 installed onto a post 510 in a cartomizer section 601.
• the electronic cigarette 600 can include a separate cartomizer section 601 which is disposable and a separate battery section 602 which is reusable, or alternatively, the cartomizer section 601 and the battery section 602 can be an integral piece wherein the electronic cigarette 600 is disposable.
• the valve face 305 of the one-way valve 300 is located between the top of the post 510 and the heating coil 620.
• the battery section 602 can include an airflow sensor, battery, and other components as shown in WO 2012/142293.
• the elongated portion 320 of the one-way valve 300 is typically cylindrical, it can alternatively have a square, rectangular or virtually any-shaped cross- section. In fact, that elongated portion 320 of the one-way valve 300 does not necessarily need to exist, and indeed, just the valve face 305 of the one-way valve 300 is enough for the one-way valve 300 to function. As seen from Figures 3A-D and 4A-C, the valve face 305 can be flat (see Figures 4A-C), or contoured and protruding (See Figures 3A-D).
• valve face 305 of the one-way valve can protrude outwardly, or alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 3D, the valve face 305 of the one-way valve 300 can be contoured such that the slit 310 of the valve face 305 fits in a recess thereof.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
• Pulmonology (AREA)
• Anesthesiology (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Hematology (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Hybrid Cells (AREA)
• Media Introduction/Drainage Providing Device (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Gas Exhaust Devices For Batteries (AREA)
• Manufacture Of Tobacco Products (AREA)

Priority Applications (7)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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ID=51753253

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (10)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (88)

Citations (1)

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• 2014
  • 2014-05-27 US US14/287,658 patent/US20140355969A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2014-05-28 CA CA2913172A patent/CA2913172A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2014-05-28 KR KR1020157033286A patent/KR20160048036A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2014-05-28 UA UAA201512771A patent/UA117752C2/uk unknown
  • 2014-05-28 MX MX2015015983A patent/MX2015015983A/es unknown
  • 2014-05-28 EP EP14786710.5A patent/EP3003076A2/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2014-05-28 RU RU2015155880A patent/RU2654393C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2014-05-28 WO PCT/IB2014/001924 patent/WO2014199232A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2014-05-28 AR ARP140102112A patent/AR096484A1/es unknown
  • 2014-05-28 CN CN201480031148.XA patent/CN105283088A/zh active Pending

Patent Citations (1)

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