WO2015107552A1

WO2015107552A1 - Device and method of vaporizing a liquid material

Info

Publication number: WO2015107552A1
Application number: PCT/IN2015/000027
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pradip A. MITRA; Jayram MADHUSUDAN; Hitendra GANDHI; Seetharama C. Deevi; C. Raja SHEKAR
Original assignee: Godfrey Phillips India Limited
Priority date: 2014-01-17
Filing date: 2015-01-16
Publication date: 2015-07-23

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a device, such as an e-cigarette, which comprises of a housing (115); a power unit section (130), a filter section (140);a cap which covers the LED (111), with at least a single inlet hole (121) for air flow fitted inside a power unit section (130); and the mouth piece (1 19) with at least a single hole (120) fitted inside the filter section (140), which allows an aerosol to be drawn by the user; and a cartridge (117) fitted inside the filter section (140) and comprising an e-liquid solution; and the heating element (118) embedded in the filter section which enables aerosolization of the e-liquid without generation of toxic components; an insulating sleeve (116) covering the heating element (118) which serves as a means to provide a flow passage to the aerosol; with a power source along with a charging port; a controller (112) embedded in the power unit section and powered by the power source (114) which regulates the temperature of the heating element (118) by measuring the resistance of the heater and the terminal voltage of the power unit; and a display unit (122) fitted inside the power unit section displays calculated parameters based on predetermined settings; a sensor (125) fitted inside the power unit section to measure the air flow, temperature change, pressure change and any other physical or electrical parameters and to communicate the readings to the display device (122); and whereinthe controller (112) regulates the puff and temperature profiles of the device, wherein the controller (112) regulates charging /discharging behavior of the power source of the device and the controller ensures safe operation of the device with the presence of an electronic circuit from short circuiting.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD OF VAPORIZING A LIQUID MATERIAL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention pertains to a device that provides sensory experience to the users. More particularly, the present invention pertains to novel E-cigarette or vaping devices or inhalation devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices have become popular as replacement products to conventional cigarettes and for those who are unwilling to quit tobacco smoking or unable to quit with medical advice and pharmaceutical methods. Generally e- cigarettes have an advantage over other nicotine supplements in that electronic cigarette may aid in smoking cessation and are likely to be more effective than traditional pharmacotherapy, as the physical stimuli of holding and puffing on the electronic cigarette may be better at satisfying short term craving. E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices are expected to be less toxic than traditional cigarettes, and evidence suggests that they are safer than conventional cigarettes, and possibly as safe as any other nicotine replacement product. The conventional cigarette provides smoking experience by burning of tobacco wrapped in a paper, and the smoke consists of several constituents such as tar, aldehydes, Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbon's (PAH's), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Benzo-o-pyrene along with nicotine vapor. It has been known that smoke constituents such as tar, aldehydes, PAH's, CO and several other compounds are harmful, and hence, product development efforts were directed at providing nicotine vapor without tar, CO, aldehydes and PAH's to the smoker.

Hence, the present invention provides a novel device and method of vaporizing the tobacco extract and other flavored liquid with or without nicotine in a controlled way and produce nicotine vapor without harmful components such as carbon monoxide (CO), Benzo-o-pyrene, aldehydes, poly aromatic hydrocarbon's (PAH's) and tar by the way of controlled heating in the E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices. The E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices of the present invention comprises of several novel and inventive elements and the elements in functional combination provide the novel and inventive device of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES:

Figure 1: Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of the device of the present invention being an E- cigarette.

Figure 2: Figure 2 depicts the circuit structure of the E-cigarettes, an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3: Figure 3 depicts a controller structure in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4: Figure 4 depicts a further embodiment of the device of the present invention being an E-cigarette.

Figure 5: Figure 5 depicts a further embodiment of the device of the present invention being an E-cigarette

Figure 6: Figure 6 depicts a further embodiment of the device of the present invention being an E-cigarette

Figure 7: Figure 7 depicts a further embodiment of the device of the present invention being an E-cigarette.

Figure 8: Figure 8 depicts a further embodiment of the device of the present invention being an E-cigarette.

Figure 9: Figure 9 depicts a further embodiment of the device of the present invention being an E-cigarette.

Figure 10: Figure 10 depicts a further embodiment of the device of the present invention being an E-cigarette

Figure 11 : Figure 1 1 depicts a further embodiment of the device of the present invention being an E-cigarette

Figures 12 and 13: Figures 12 and 13 depict further embodiments of the device of the present invention being an E-cigarette

Figure 14: Figure 14 depicts a schematic diagram of a cartridge having ground tobacco in accordance with the present invention. Figure 15: Figure 15 depicts a further embodiment of the device of the present invention being an E-cigarette.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention pertains to a novel E-cigarette or vaping devices or inhalation devices. In particular, the present invention pertains to novel e-cigarettes, with various enhanced features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

Accordingly, the present invention pertains to a novel E-cigarette or vaping devices or inhalation devices.

The e-cigarette of the present invention comprises:

(i) a housing (1 15);

(ii) wherein the housing further comprises a power unit section (130), a filter section (140);

(iii) wherein the cap which covers the LED ( 1 1 1 ) comprises at least a single inlet hole (121) for air flow fitted inside a power unit section ( 130);

(iv) wherein the mouth piece (1 19) with at least a single hole (120) fitted inside the filter section (140) allows an aerosol to be drawn by the user;

(v) wherein the cartridge (1 17) is fitted inside the filter section (140) and comprises an e- liquid solution;

(vi) wherein the heating element ( 1 18) embedded in the filter section enables

aerosolization of the e-liquid without generation of toxic components;

(vii) wherein the insulating sleeve (1 16) covering the heating element (1 18) serves as a means to provide a flow passage to the aerosol;.

(viii) wherein the power source is a lithium battery ( 1 14)and is fitted inside the power unit section designed to power the e-cigarette;

(ix) wherein a charging port is fitted inside the power unit section to charge the power source using a V8 connector;

(x) wherein the insulating material covers the terminals of the power source to prevent short circuit; (xi) wherein the controller (1 12) embedded in the power unit section and powered by the power source (1 14) regulates the temperature of the heating element (1 18) by measuring the resistance of the heater and the terminal voltage of the power unit ;

(xii) wherein the display unit ( 122) fitted inside the power unit section displays

calculated parameters based on predetermined settings;

(xiii) wherein at least a single sensor (125) is fitted inside the power unit section to measure the air flow, temperature change, pressure change and any other physical or electrical parameters and to communicate the readings to the display device (122);

(xiv) wherein the controller ( 1 12) regulates the puff and temperature profiles of the device, wherein the controller (1 12) regulates charging /discharging behavior of the power source of the device and

(xv) wherein the controller ensures safe operation of the device with the presence of an electronic circuit from short circuiting.

The E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices of the present invention may be illustrated by means of a Figure 1. The E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices of the present invention comprises of a housing ( 1 15). One end of the E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices comprises a Light Emitting Diode (LED), (1 1 1 ) which is covered by a cap, which is placed or embedded at the tip end of the E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices. The LED cap may be designed to, fit and/or glued inside the housing of the E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices (1 15). The LED cap may be structurally designed in such a way that it may include one or multiple inlet holes ( 121) to allow air to enter the housing when the user would inhale from the mouth end ( 120).

The device may in addition comprise a charging port, discussed in the co-pending Indian application being 138/DEL/2014. The charging port may be configured to receive a V8 connector and attached by means of a USB cable male to male to a USB connector.

It is preferable to provide a single or multiple light emitting diode ( 1 1 1 ) or any other light device configured in the LED cap to simulate the burning of the tip of E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices. The light element may be configured so as to vary the intensity of the light device based on the amount of air flow between the two ends being (120) & (121). LED may be a separate device or part of sensor or controller. The sensor detects the change in resistance of air flow passing through the device.

The cartridge may be an absorbent material (1 17) located inside the filter section (140), within the housing (1 15). The absorbent material may be selected from the group comprising polyester, wool, cotton or porous ceramic, porous metallic or porous inter-metallic or any other absorbent material and may be shaped or roll to be fitted inside the filter section (140) within the housing ( 1 15). The absorbent material may be porous, with inter connected porosity and such porosity aids in the storage of the liquid. The e-liquid may directly be present in the cartridge without any absorbent material. The aerosol ization of the e-liquid solution may be effected by the heating element (1 18) and the heating element may be placed or embedded near the cartridge (1 17) in the filter section (140) within the housing (1 15). The liquid may be transported to the heating element by surface tension and capillary effect and this may be further enhanced by a mechanism, such as a wick ( 126, 226 in Figure 2, 426 in Figure 4), for transport of liquid from cartridge (1 17) to the heater ( 1 18). An insulating sleeve (1 16) is covers the heating element to insulated the cartridge ( 1 17) from heater ( 1 18). The insulating sleeve ( 1 16) may be formed of a thermally insulating polymeric fiber ( 1 16). The sleeve may (1 16) also serve as a means to provide a flow passage to the aerosol that are released from the heater (1 18) to exit from the outlet hole (120). The mouth piece of filter cap ( 1 19) is located at the opposite end of the E- cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices (i.e., opposite to the LED cap (1 1 1)). The mouth piece (1 19) is designed in such a manner that it has an outlet hole ( 120) where user can inhale the aerosol generated by the E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices.

The device also comprises of a display unit or a communication device ( 122), which may be used by the user to change and monitor the various settings and state of E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices.

A sensor ( 125) is connected to the controller ( 1 12) and the communication device (122). The sensor ( 125) may be individual or a group of sensors, preferably a group of sensors. The sensor ( 125) may measure the air flow, temperature change, pressure change or any other physical or electrical parameters. The sensor may send and receive signals form ( 1 12) and also communicate to the communication device (122) such as a display. Communication device would convert input signals to alpha numeric characters and displayed in the communication device (122). The display may also be through light signals. The controller may be configured to detect the resistance of heater and control and monitor, the voltage of the battery, the display device, the LED and the sensor. The controller is such that it is able to modulate the energy supplied to the heater; an aerosol may be generated without generating toxic compounds irrespective of voltage of the lithium battery. The Controller may also be attached to various other components such as mosfet, transistor, resistor, capacitors, inductors and other such components, as may be needed as part of the electronic circuit.

The entire device is powered by a power source ( 1 14), the power source is preferably a lithium battery. The lithium battery may be a lithium ion battery, a lithium sulphur battery or other lithium batteries. One embodiment of the battery of the present invention is disclosed in the copending PCT application (being simultaneously filed), drawing priority from the Indian provisional application 139/DEL/2014 having a priority date 17^th January, 2014. The power source (1 14) is designed to power the heating element (1 18), the LED situated in LED cap (1 1 1 ), the communication device (122) and the sensor (125) and any other device in (1 15) which requires power for operation. The controller (1 12) is placed or embedded in the power unit section ( 130) and is powered by the power source (1 14). The controller may be configured to control and monitor the heating element (1 18), the power source (1 14), communication device (1 12), sensor (125), LED. The E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices may also comprise of electrical insulating material (1 13) or (123) that may be provided to the power source ( 1 14) at both terminal ends to prevent short circuit. The material used may be any type of insulation tape or soft insulation pads, insulating gel or any other insulating material or liquid repellent coating. An insulation material may also be used to prevent short circuit of electric components.

The partition ( 124) between the power unit section ( 130) and the filter section (140) is such that it physically supports the heater terminal wires and insulating sleeve (1 16). The partition ( 124) may be made up of any material, which prevents the flow of the liquid from one section to another. The various components or parts of E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices may be constructed of suitable materials such as plastic, wood, glass, metal, ceramic, inter-metallic, or composites thereof. These materials may be coated by a variety of chemical deposition techniques and physical deposition techniques such that the outer tube material may be aesthetically pleasing to the user and provides structural integrity and thermal insulation.

The controller as described herein is coupled with a sensor, a switch button, and a display and is selected from the group comprising an application based integrated circuit, a CPU and any other controller. The programmable controller supplies modulated voltage and current to the heater and is continuously powered by the power source. The controller further comprises at least one switch used to signal the controller and display various monitoring aspects selected from the group comprising number of puff cycles consumed, on a daily basis, number of puff cycles pending, cigarette equivalent pending, cigarette equivalent consumed, amount of volatile liquid remaining, amount of nicotine consumed, amount of nicotine remaining, date and time, charge remaining in the battery and vaping profile. The switch may be utilized to display various modes in the display screen and enables the user to display the desired data. The electronic circuit may further be utilized by the user to select and optimize parameters in a limited manner, which would allow the user to modify the working of the device to suit personal usage but still obtain maximum safe usage.

The monitoring aspect is displayed in the form of alphanumeric characters and a switch is utilised to display various modes in the display screen and enables the user to display the desired data.

In another embodiment the present invention discloses an E-cigarette or a vaping device or an inhalation device (see Figure 15). The e-cigarette of the present invention may consist of single unit (Figure 1 ) or may comprise two different units ( 1530 and 1540) that may be assembled and disassembled by the user as described in Figure 15. The device of figure 15 may be assembled by various mechanisms such as coupling, screw fit, push to fit and other male female connector combinations. The power unit is capable of being recharged in such a device ( 1530). It is understood by a person skilled in the art that the recharging of the device would be adapted to fit the chargeable unit and would be compatible in fit. It is also understood that the cartridge (1540) in such a unit may be replaceable.

The device of the present invention may be charged in any manner as described herein above and may also be charged by the use of a charging connector amenable to V8 connection as disclosed in the co-pending Indian application with priority date of 17^th January, 2014 and priority application number, being the Indian Provisional Application number being 138/DEL/2014.

In an embodiment, the present invention discloses a Controller (212) which may be advantageously fitted into an E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices. The controller (212) may be a micro-controller.

In an embodiment, the Controller (212) of the present invention may be connected to various elements of E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices. This may be explained by means of illustration at Figure 2. Figure 2 discloses the controller (212), which is connected to the heating element (218) and which aerosolizes the liquid during operation. (217).

The controller of the present invention may be coupled with a sensor (225), a switch button (229) and display (228), LED (21 1). The controller (212) may be an application based integrated circuit (CKT), a CPU, or any other controller. The controller is programmed to supply regulated power to the heater, such that the heater is heated to a desired temperature. The desired temperature may be obtained by programming the Controller, such that the heater is heated, using either a constant voltage or constant current conditions. Furthermore, the power may be supplied to the heater, during the entire puffing regime or may be a supplied by a using a pulse width modulation. The pulse modulation may be regulated/controlled such that the heater achieves its desired temperature within 0.2 to 0.5 seconds or during the initial part of the puff. The Controller is continuously powered by the power source (214). The liquid may be heated with a controlled temperature and time, along with pulse width modulation, gives rise to an aerosol without over-heating and generating undesirable harmful or toxic compounds. The desired temperature may be selected based on a chemical analysis and particle size of the aerosol. Such an aerosol contains the desired amount of nicotine along with aerosolized propylene glycol and glycerine as carriers and other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or GRAS components, without any decomposition products such as formaldehyde.

The liquid may also be suitable for aerosols, without nicotine and such aerosols, mainly comprise of flavorants or medicaments. The sensor (225) senses the airflow whenever a puff is taken and provides an input signal to the controller (212). On receipt of the input signal, the controller will activate the heating element (218). The sensor may also be coupled to a LED (21 1). The sensor (225) signals the Controller, which simulates the LED to mimic a burning tip of a normal cigarette. In another embodiment of the device of the present invention, a micro controller is programmed with a fuzzy logic algorithm such that it monitors the puff length, puff volume during the first 10 to 20 puffs of the user and adjusts the heating profile such that the user gets an aerosol tailored to his sensory needs and yet receives an aerosol with no harmful or toxic compounds. Furthermore, the microcontroller of the present invention is programmed to detect and indicate through a communicating device, information pertaining to the charge contained in the battery and number of puffs remaining and/or consumed by the user. The Controller may be further programmed such that it restricts the user to draw a puff length longer than what is considered to be safe without generating harmful constituents or damage to the device. The Controller detects the resistance of the heater coil and discharge voltage and capacity of the battery and provides controlled energy such that the aerosol generated is tailored to the sensory needs of the user with no harmful or toxic compounds.

The present invention also provides for a switch (229), which may be used to signal the controller to display or/and modify various monitoring aspects such as total number of puff cycles consumed, number of puff cycles consumed on daily basis, number of puff cycles pending, cigarette equivalent pending, cigarette equivalent consumed, amount of volatile liquid remaining, amount of nicotine consumed, amount of nicotine remaining, date and time, charge remaining in the battery. The values as above would be displayed on a display screen (228) capable of displaying alphanumeric characters. The display screen may display digits, symbols, figures, shapes, series of lines, alphabets, and series of lights. The display (228) may be a LCD, LED, a segment display or a pixel display. The switch (229) may be utilized to display various modes in the display screen. The various modes would enable the user to display the desired data. In some embodiments of the present invention there may be more than one heating element to provide sufficient temperature to volatilize material contained in the cartridge (217). Triggering of multiple heaters may be carried out with the help of a Controller.

In some embodiments of the present invention there will be at least one switch, a keypad, a display (e.g. series of 7 segment display, LCD, LED, Pixel display, series of lights), I/O port (e.g. Serial port, USB, Micro USB), and a Wireless transceiver (e.g. Bluetooth Transceiver, Wi- Fi Trans-receiver)

The working of the controller of the present invention may also be illustrated by means of figure 3. In figure 3 the controller (312) may be configured to control and monitor, the heater (318), the power source (314), the communication device (322), the LED (31 1 ), the sensor (325). The controller (312) may be an application based integrated circuit, a CPU or any other controller, which has a built-in memory. The controller may have an in-built software program that may be implemented as computer writable and a readable instruction configured to be stored in the memory of the controller (312). The controller may have an integrated counter (312.1) and timer and (312.2) and the counter and the timer are capable of being activated by the pressure sensor, air flow sensor or any other comparable sensor. The counter (312.1 ) may be used to calculate the number of puffs consumed by the user and may also count and track other parameters such as number of puffs consumed by the user per day, per hour, per week, per month or as desired by the user or healthcare professional. The timer (312.2) may be used to set the time delay between each puff, time delay to energize single or multiple heaters or the length of time the power source may supply energy to the heater.

The controller (312) may also be used in conjunction with the communication device (322), to regulate the amount of nicotine discharged in a puff and/or the duration of a puff. The device of the present invention regulates and calculates the user average puff profile based on a predetermined number of iterations and is in the range of 10 to 20. The sensor (325) may be a flow sensor, a pressure sensor or any other sensor which detects air stream passing through the device. The sensor may be present individually, or in a group and may be used to measure air flow, temperature change , pressure change or any other physical or electrical parameters. When a puff is taken by the user, the sensor (325) triggers an input signal and as soon as the input is received by the controller (312) it will trigger the heater (318), which will provide sufficient temperature to volatilize the aerosol generating material. The heating element (318), the communication device (322), the controller (312), the LED (31 1 ) and the sensor (325) are all powered by the power source (314). The power source may be a rechargeable or disposable battery, preferably a rechargeable battery discussed in the co pending priority application, being the Indian provisional application dated 17^th January, 2015and having a provisional application number 139/DEL/2014, currently being filed as a PCT application. The communication device (322) in conjunction with controller (312) and other components may allow user to monitor the state of E-cig.

In another embodiment, Figure 4 of the present invention discloses another E-cigarette or vaping device or inhalation device of the present invention. The E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices as disclosed in Figure 4 is similar to that of Figure 1 in all aspects, however, the size (421.1) and the number (421.2) of the inlet hole are different. The inlet hole allows the atmospheric air to enter the E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices housing and the user inhales from the mouth end. Therefore, as the area of the inhalation hole increases, the amount of atmospheric air entering the E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices housing increases and the vaping effect differs. In one embodiment as specified at Figure 4, the present invention has two inlet holes and the size of the inlet holes may vary.

A further embodiment of the E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices of the present invention is provided in Figure 5. Figure 5 discloses a device in which there are three inlet holes depicted as (521 .1 ) (521 .2) and (521.3). Figure 6 and 7 disclose further embodiments of the device of the present invention, wherein (the outlet hole located at the mouth piece) may be tapered as in Figure 6 (620) or may have two parallel opening outlets as in Figure 7 depicted as (719) and (720). The size and the number of the holes may be optimized using fluid dynamics program such as Fluent. The heating element may be wound helically, horizontally or vertically. Figures 8, 9, 10 and 1 1 of the present invention disclose further embodiments of the device of the present invention. The various parts of Figures-8, 9, 10 and 1 1 track the disclosure in Figure 1. In addition Figures-8, 9, 10 and 1 1 depict various embodiments of the heating element. Figure 1 discloses that the heater coil may be wound helical horizontally akin to a 'Τ' format ( 1 18). Figure 8 depicts a heating element, which may be placed flat and horizontally (818). Figure 9 depicts that the heater coil may be wound helical vertically (918). The heater coil being wound helical horizontally in inverter akin to a 'T' format is disclosed at Figure 10 (101 8). The disclosure at Figure 1 1 depicts a further embodiment, wherein the device of the present invention, comprises two heater coils which may be wound helical horizontally one above the other (1 1 18.1 ) and ( 1 1 18.2).

The display (228) of figure (2) may be located within the housing of E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices. In some embodiments of E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices Sensor, LED and Controller may be a single unit. In some embodiments of E- cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices there may be two switches instead of one switch. Such a pattern is demonstrated in Figure 12.

As depicted at Figure 12, the E-cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices of the present invention includes a screen (1200) and two switches (1201 .1 ) and (1201.2). (1200) is the display placed on housing of E Cigarette Model, to communicate with user. Display may have a partition, to display two different data simultaneously (1200.1 ) such as total number of puffs,, number of puff cycle consumed on daily basis, no of puff cycle pending, Cigarette Equivalent pending, Cigarette Equivalent consumed, date time, battery duration etc. (1201.1 ) In another embodiment, the present invention also envisages a device with a single display screen, a switch and a dial type switch or a regulator switch. Such a product may be as illustrated at figure 13. In figure 13 ( 1300) is a display screen, and is designed to display data such as such as total number of puffs,, number of puff cycle consumed on daily basis, no of puff cycle pending, Cigarette Equivalent pending, Cigarette Equivalent consumed, date time, battery duration etc. ( 1301 ) is a switch which may be used to select different modes of display ( 1200). In yet another embodiment, the present invention discloses novel rechargeable battery for E- cigarettes or vaping devices or inhalation devices. The Tobacco extract of the present invention may be prepared by mixing a layer of ground tobacco along with other tobacco extract and water and heated in the controlled manner. Heating of this mixture at a very low temperature in a controlled manner (low temperature pyrolysis) ensures that the waxes, nicotine and flavors may be released from the ground tobacco layer or pellet may be extracted using supercritical extraction technique with carbon-di-oxide as solvent. Preferably, the tobacco extract may in addition contain other GRAS approved materials such as propylene glycol and glycerin. The tobacco extract of the present invention may also be prepared by supercritical fluid extraction using carbon-di-oxide as a solvent at high pressures and moderate temperatures.

The e-liquid solution of the present invention may contain GRAS materials such as propylene glycol, water and glycerin or their mixtures, along with desired flavourant or medicament. The e- liquid may further contain nicotine in varying strengths 0.6% to 4% w/v of the e-liquid solution. The e-liquid may match doses akin to nicotine patches or conventional cigarettes. The nicotine may be synthetic nicotine or extracted from tobacco. The nicotine extracted from tobacco, may contain in addition other volatile and semi-volatile compounds extracted from the tobacco.

The flavourant or medicament of the present invention may be prepared by mixing various flavors or flavors' and medicament or may be a combination of medicaments. Preferably, the flavourant or medicament may in addition contain other GRAS materials such as propylene glycol and glycerin. The volatile components of the mixture from the porous polymeric material ( 1701 ) may be aerosolized by gentle heating using the heating element (1718). A fiber glass sleeve ( 1716) may be wrapped around the heating element (1718) (see Figure 14). It is understood by a person skilled in the art that the various embodiments and elements of the devices as disclosed in the specification and in the figures may be combined individually for an element or a group of element and such combination is covered within the scope of the said specification. The novel device of the present invention maybe used for vaporizing a liquid for sensorial enjoyment or for vaporizing liquid meant to be used as medicament for therapeutic purpose or vaporizing liquid meant for providing fragrance, i.e., perfumes.

The length of the device of the present invention is in the range of 70 to 200 mm in length and the diameter of the present invention is in the range of 7 mm to 25mm. The device is preferably cylindrical in shape and may weigh in the range 3.4 g to 100 g.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION:

Without being limited by theory, the various advantages of the device of the present invention include the option to the user to determine and understand various aspects of the usage of the device. Furthermore, the device of the present invention provides sensorial enjoyment in controlled manner, without the presence of harmful or toxic ingredients in the aerosol. Furthermore, the device of the present invention combines various novel aspects such as an improved microcontroller, battery and charging means.

It may be understood by a person skilled in the art that the present invention is accompanied by figures. The figures form a part of the invention. The figures encompass the embodiment as illustrated in each figure. It is understood by a person skilled in the art that other variations of the device and combinations thereof are envisaged within the scope of the invention. The method of performing the invention using the device is also envisaged within the scope of the said invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. An e-cigarette comprising:

(i) a housing (115);

(iii) wherein the cap which covers the LED (1 11) comprises at least a single inlet hole (121) for air flow fitted inside a power unit section (130);

(v) wherein the cartridge (1 17) is fitted inside the filter section (140) and comprises an e-liquid solution;

(vi) wherein the heating element (1 18) embedded in the filter section enables

aerosolization of the e-liquid without generation of toxic components;

(viii) wherein the power source is a lithium battery (1 14)and is fitted inside the power unit section designed to power the e-cigarette;

(x) wherein the insulating material covers the terminals of the power source to prevent short circuit;

(xi) wherein the controller (1 12) embedded in the power unit section and powered by the power source (1 14) regulates the temperature of the heating element (1 18) by measuring the resistance of the heater and the terminal voltage of the power unit ;

(xii) wherein the display unit (122) fitted inside the power unit section displays calculated parameters based on predetermined settings;

(xiii) wherein atleast a single sensor (125) is fitted inside the power unit section to measure the air flow, temperature change, pressure change and any other physical or electrical parameters and to communicate the readings to the display device (122);

(xiv) wherein the controller (1 12) regulates the puff and temperature profiles of the device, wherein the controller (1 12) regulates charging /discharging behavior of the power source of the device and (xv) wherein the controller ensures safe operation of the device with the presence of an electronic circuit from short circuiting.

2. The e-cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is coupled with a sensor, a switch button, and a display.

3. The e-cigarette as claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller is selected from the group comprising an application based integrated circuit, a CPU and any other controller.

4. The e-cigarette as claimed in claim 3, wherein the programmable controller supplies modulated voltage and current to the heater and is continuously powered by the power source.

5. The e-cigarette as claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller further comprises at least one switch used to signal the controller and display various monitoring aspects selected from the group comprising number of puff cycles consumed, on a daily basis, number of puff cycles pending, cigarette equivalent pending, cigarette equivalent consumed, amount of volatile liquid remaining, amount of nicotine consumed, amount of nicotine remaining, date and time, charge remaining in the battery and vaping profile.

6. The e-cigarette as claimed in claim 5, wherein the monitoring aspect is displayed in the form of alphanumeric characters.

7. The e-cigarette as claimed in claim 5, wherein the switch is utilized to display various modes in the display screen and enables the user to display the desired data.

8. The e-cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor detects the change in resistance of air flow passing through the device.

9. The e-cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power source is lithium based battery, lithium ion battery or a lithium sulphur battery.

10. The e-cigarette as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing comprises at least a single heating element wound helically, horizontally or vertically.

1 1. The e-cigarette as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor, LED and controller are present in a single unit.

12. The e-cigarette as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the charging port (100) is configured to receive a V8 connector and attached by means of a USB cable male to male to a USB connector.

13. The method of functioning of the e-cigarette as claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to detect the resistance of heater and control and monitor, the voltage of the battery, the display device, the LED and the sensor.

14. The method of functioning of the e-cigarette as claimed in claim 2 and 13; wherein a controller is able to modulate the energy supplied to the heater such that aerosol is generated without generating toxic compounds irrespective of voltage of the lithium battery.