WO2021148361A1

WO2021148361A1 - Electronic cigarette

Info

Publication number: WO2021148361A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/050970
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eduardo Jose GARCIA GARCIA
Original assignee: Jt International Sa
Priority date: 2020-01-21
Filing date: 2021-01-18
Publication date: 2021-07-29
Also published as: EP4093219A1; CN114980756A; JP2023510688A

Abstract

An electronic cigarette (10) comprises a main body portion (14), a liquid store (22) and a vaporizing unit (24). The vaporizing unit (24) comprises a plurality of fluidic channels (32) configured to receive liquid from the liquid store (22) and having an inner surface (32b) configured to be heated to vaporize liquid in the fluidic channels (32). The liquid store (22) comprises a first reservoir (50) containing a vapor generating liquid to be vaporized in the fluidic channels (32) to form an inhalable vapor and a second reservoir (52) containing a cleaning liquid.

Description

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic cigarettes, and in particular to a liquid-containing cartridge for an electronic cigarette.

Technical Background

The term electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, is usually applied to a handheld electronic device that simulates the feeling or experience of smoking tobacco in a traditional cigarette. Common e-cigarettes work by heating a vapor generating liquid to generate a vapor that cools and condenses to form an aerosol which is then inhaled by the user.

Accordingly, using e-cigarettes is also sometimes referred to as “vaping”. The vapor generating liquid in the electronic cigarette usually comprises nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerine and flavorings.

Typical electronic cigarette vaporizers, i.e. systems or sub-systems for vaporizing the liquid, utilize a cotton wick and heating element to produce vapor from liquid stored in a capsule or tank. When a user operates the e-cigarette, liquid that has soaked into the wick is heated by the heating element, producing a vapor which cools and condenses to form an aerosol which may then be inhaled. Another type of vaporizer often used is a MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical-systems) unit comprising microfluidic channels that are configured to absorb liquid from the liquid store by capillary action and to vaporize the liquid by heating a portion, or the whole, of the fluidic channels. A problem associated with the use of such microfluidic channels is that they are prone to becoming obstructed by debris. This can result in reduced vapor generation (and, hence, reduced aerosol delivery to the user) and therefore inconsistent performance overtime.

In view of the above, the present disclosure seeks to provide an electronic cigarette with consistent performance over time. Embodiments of the present disclosure seek in particular to reduce the obstruction of a microfluidic vaporizer in a refillable or a cartridge-type electronic cigarette.

Summary of the Disclosure

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic cigarette comprising: a main body portion; a liquid store; and a vaporizing unit comprising a plurality of fluidic channels configured to receive liquid from the liquid store and having an inner surface configured to be heated to vaporize liquid in the fluidic channels; wherein the liquid store comprises a first reservoir and a second reservoir, the first reservoir contains a vapor generating liquid to be vaporized in the fluidic channels to form an inhalable vapor and the second reservoir contains a cleaning liquid.

The electronic cigarette provides consistent performance over time. In particular, the cleaning liquid in the second liquid reservoir can be used to remove debris from the fluidic channels in the vaporizing unit, thereby reducing obstructions in the fluidic channels and ensuring that the volume of vapor generated during use of the electronic cigarette remains at an acceptable level.

As used herein, the term “electronic cigarette” may include an electronic cigarette configured to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for smoking. An aerosol for smoking may refer to an aerosol with particle sizes of 0.5 to 10 pm. The particle size may be less than 10 or 7 pm. The electronic cigarette may be portable.

In general terms, a vapor is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapor can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature, whereas an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. It should, however, be noted that the terms ‘aerosol’ and ‘vapor’ may be used interchangeably in this specification, particularly with regard to the form of the inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by a user.

The cleaning liquid may be a flavor- neutral liquid. In some embodiments, the flavor- neutral liquid may consist of, or may comprise, one or more selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerine and water. The cleaning liquid is, therefore, non-harmful and may (e.g. in the case of propylene glycol or glycerine) have a boiling temperature and/or viscosity which are similar to, or the same as, the boiling temperature and/or viscosity of the vapor generating liquid. This may allow the vaporizing unit to be configured for optimal heating of the vapor generating liquid and the cleaning liquid.

The vaporizing unit may be arranged in the main body portion and the main body portion may further comprise a liquid supply unit which may be configured to selectively supply liquid to the vaporizing unit from the first reservoir or the second reservoir. The vaporizing unit is, thus, a re-usable component of the electronic cigarette and the liquid supply unit ensures that vapor generating liquid from the first reservoir or cleaning liquid from the second reservoir is reliably supplied to the vaporizing unit. A supply conduit may extend from an outlet of the liquid supply unit to the vaporizing unit.

The main body portion may comprise a first inlet conduit from the first reservoir and may comprise a second inlet conduit from the second reservoir. The first and second inlet conduits facilitate the supply of vapor generating liquid from the first reservoir or cleaning liquid from the second reservoir to the vaporizing unit.

The liquid supply unit may comprise a rotary mechanism, e.g. a rotatable selector, which may be configured to be rotated in order to selectively align one of the first and second inlet conduits with the vaporizing unit. Such an arrangement permits liquid to be supplied to the vaporizing unit from the first reservoir or the second reservoir. The liquid is then drawn through the fluidic channels in the vaporizing unit, e.g., by capillary action. The liquid supply unit may comprise a valve, and a supply conduit may extend from an outlet of the valve to the vaporizing unit. The liquid supply unit may comprise a pump, for example a first pump for conveying vapor generating liquid from the first reservoir to the vaporizing unit and a second pump for conveying cleaning liquid from the second reservoir to the vaporizing unit. A reliable supply of vapor generating liquid from the first reservoir to the vaporizing unit or of cleaning liquid from the second reservoir to the vaporizing unit is thereby achieved.

The electronic cigarette may further comprise a control unit and a memory configured to store a program, wherein the program contains instructions to execute a cleaning program having a heating profile, such as a variable heating profile having, e.g., a variable heating temperature. The use of a variable heating profile may allow the cleaning of the fluidic channels to be optimized.

The cleaning program may cause the temperature within the fluidic channels to increase, then decrease and then increase again. More particularly, the control unit may be configured to control the operation of the vaporizing unit to cause the temperature in the fluidic channels to increase, then decrease and then increase again. The initial increase in temperature may help to dissolve any debris within the fluidic channels, the subsequent decrease in temperature may then allow the cleaning liquid to flush out the debris without degradation, and the subsequent increase in temperature may heat up the fluidic channels to remove residual cleaning liquid and/or condensation.

The electronic cigarette may further comprise a user interface, e.g. a button, which may be configured to enable a user to activate the cleaning program. The user may thereby initiate the cleaning program at will, for example if the user perceives a reduction in vapor volume that may be indicative of a build-up of debris within the fluidic channels.

The control unit may be configured to detect depletion of the vapor generating liquid in the first reservoir and to subsequently initiate the cleaning program. Thus, the control unit may execute the cleaning program after a predetermined use of the electronic cigarette as represented by depletion of the vapor generating liquid in the first reservoir.

In some embodiments, the control unit may be configured to initiate the cleaning program only in response to a user input. This may provide a safety feature, such that the control unit proposes or recommends the cleaning program to the user, e.g. upon detecting depletion of the vapor generating liquid in the first reservoir, but where the cleaning program can only be initiated upon validation by the user as represented by the user input, e.g. a button press.

The electronic cigarette may comprise a first vapor outlet for vapor generated by heating vapor generating liquid from the first reservoir. The first vapor outlet may constitute a mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette. The electronic cigarette may comprise a second vapor outlet for vapor generated by heating cleaning liquid from the second reservoir. Such an arrangement may provide a different outlet route from the electronic cigarette for the different vapors that are generated by heating the vapor generating liquid and the cleaning liquid.

In some embodiments, the first vapor outlet may be connected to the second vapor outlet so that vapor generated by heating cleaning liquid from the second reservoir may be diverted through the second vapor outlet if a user exhales into the first vapor outlet. The second vapor outlet may be configured to be automatically opened when the cleaning program is initiated, such that vapor generated by heating cleaning liquid from the second reservoir is discharged from the second vapor outlet but not from the first vapor outlet. This ensures that the vapor generated by heating the cleaning liquid cannot be inhaled by a user through the first vapor outlet, thus preventing an unintended inhalation of vapor generated by heating the cleaning liquid from the second reservoir.

The electronic cigarette may include a cartridge comprising an integrated first reservoir and second reservoir. A simple structure is thereby achieved, and the vapor generating liquid and the cleaning liquid can advantageously be replenished by a simple replacement of the cartridge. The second reservoir may be arranged in a bottom part of the cartridge. This may allow a user to easily visualize the volume of vapor generating liquid that is present in the first reservoir.

The fluidic channels may be formed inside a block-shaped component. The fluidic channels may have a circular cross-section. The fluidic channels may be formed by plates arranged side by side to form a plurality of capillary channels. Such arrangements may simplify the structure of the electronic cigarette and promote the flow of liquid from the liquid store along the fluidic channels by capillary action.

The fluidic channels may be heated along their entire length. A heating element may extend along the entire length of each fluidic channel to heat the fluidic channels along their entire length. This arrangement may facilitate vaporization of the vapor generating liquid from the first reservoir or the cleaning liquid from the second reservoir as it flows along the fluidic channels.

The vaporizing unit may be a micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) vaporizing unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a first example of an electronic cigarette according to the present disclosure;

Figures 2a and 2b are schematic perspective and side views respectively of different examples of vaporizing unit suitable for use in an electronic cigarette according to the present disclosure;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a second example of an electronic cigarette according to the present disclosure; and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a third example of an electronic cigarette according to the present disclosure.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like features are denoted with the same reference numerals. Referring to Figure 1 , an electronic cigarette 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The electronic cigarette 10 comprises a mouthpiece portion 12, a power supply portion 14 and an exterior housing 16. The power supply portion 14 can also be referred to as a main body portion 14 of the electronic cigarette 10, which is advantageously configured as a re-usable unit, and comprises a power supply unit 18 and a control unit 20 comprising control circuitry for controlling the operation of the electronic cigarette 10. The electronic cigarette 1 further comprises a liquid store 22 and a vaporizing unit 24. As illustrated in Figure 1, the liquid store 22 can be included in a disposable cartridge 26. The main body portion 14 comprises a cartridge seating 28 configured to receive the cartridge 26. The vaporizing unit 24 is configured to receive liquid from the liquid store 22 and to heat the liquid to a temperature at which vaporization occurs (typically between about 190°C and 290°C). The vaporizing unit 24 is fluidically connectable to the liquid store 22 and comprises at least one heating element (not shown), and preferably a plurality of heating elements. The vaporizing unit 24 also comprises a plurality of fluidic channels 32, for example capillary channels.

As illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b, different forms of the vaporizing unit 24 are possible, as the fluidic channels 32 can be formed by different methods. In a first example illustrated in Figure 2a, the fluidic channels 32 can be configured as tubular channels 32 arranged inside a block-shaped component 34. The block-shaped component 34 may be formed from electrically conductive material such as silicon, doped ceramic, metal-ceramic, filter ceramic, semiconductor, germanium, graphite, semi-metal and/or metal. The fluidic channels 32 can be heated along their entire length via their outer surface 32a such that an inner surface 32b of the fluidic channels 32 is heated to vaporize liquid in the fluidic channels 32. In one example, one or more resistive heating elements (not shown) can be embedded in the blockshaped component 34 so that they extend along the length of the fluidic channels 32 and are substantially parallel thereto. The vaporizing unit 24 may also comprise electrical connectors (not shown), configured to electrically connect the vaporizing unit 24 to the power supply unit 18 and control unit 20.

In a second example illustrated in Figure 2b, the fluidic channels 32 can be formed by plates 38. The plates 38 are provided at a distance d from each other in order to create a gap sufficient to draw liquid into the fluidic channels 32 from the liquid store 22 by capillary action. One or more of the plates 38 are preferably heatable and can be provided in a high-resistivity material, for instance titanium, nickel, chrome, stainless steel or an alloy including at least one of these materials. The plates 38 are provided with a first end 40 configured for electrical connection to the power supply unit 18 and control unit 20 and a second end 42 configured as a vapor outlet. The vaporizing unit 24 can thus be formed as an elongate extension of heatable plates 38. The plates 38 may be held together as a stack by at least one insulating element (not shown). The stacked structure can be easily assembled as plates 38 stacked side-by-side and enables small fluidic channels 32 to be formed in a simple manufacturing process and with precision.

To achieve an accurate control of the vaporizing unit 24, the vaporizing unit 24 and the control unit 20 may be configured as a micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) component. The MEMS component structure provides a compact control circuitry to control the flow and vaporization within the fluidic channels 32. This enables the electronic cigarette 10 to precisely control parameters such as vapor volume and particle size.

It may be desirable to automatically clean the vaporizing unit 24 when seated in the electronic cigarette 10, because over time debris may form in the fluidic channels 32 and reduce the vapor volume generated during use of the electronic cigarette 10. As illustrated in Figure 1 , the liquid store 22 comprises a first reservoir 50 and a second reservoir 52. The first reservoir 50 contains a vapor generating liquid to be vaporized in the fluidic channels 32 to form an inhalable vapor. The second reservoir 52 contains a cleaning liquid which is preferably different from the vapor generating liquid in the first reservoir 50. Preferably, the viscosity of the cleaning liquid is higher than the viscosity of the vapor generating liquid and preferably the boiling temperature of the cleaning liquid is lower than the boiling temperature of the vapor generating liquid such that the cleaning liquid wicks through the fluidic channels 32 in the vaporizing unit 24 more quickly than the vapor generating liquid and creates a pyrolysis effect. In an embodiment, the cleaning liquid is a flavor-neutral liquid, such as water or propylene glycol or glycerine.

In the example illustrated in Figure 1 , the vaporizing unit 24 is integrated into the main body portion 14 of the electronic cigarette 10. Because of the cleaning capabilities of the electronic cigarette 10, the vaporizing unit 24 is a long-life component which is designed to last for the entire lifetime of use of the electronic cigarette 10.

In another example (not shown), the vaporizing unit 24 is integrated in the mouthpiece portion 12 together with the liquid store 22 in order to form a “cartomizer”. The cartomizer comprises an attachment mechanism, such as an interference fit or a magnetic connector, and is configured to electrically and mechanically attach to the cartridge seating 28 of the main body portion 14.

In another embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the vaporizing unit 24 is a separate unit configured to be received in a vaporizer seating 54 of the main body portion 14.

In the examples of Figures 1 and 3, the liquid store 22 is configured as a disposable or replaceable cartridge 26 without the vaporizing unit 24. The cartridge seating 28 in the main body portion 14 comprises (in the example of Figure 3) the vaporizer seating 54, a first liquid uptake member 56 and a second liquid uptake member 58. The first and second liquid uptake members 56, 58 are configured to extend respectively into the first and second reservoirs 50, 52 when the cartridge 26 is seated in the cartridge seating 28. The first and second liquid uptake members 56, 58 may be configured, e.g. with a piercing tip, to pierce a membrane or a weakened region on the bottom surface of the cartridge 26 during positioning of the cartridge 26 in the cartridge seating 28. The main body portion 14 comprises a liquid supply unit 60 configured to selectively supply liquid to the vaporizing unit 24 from the first reservoir 50 or the second reservoir 52. The main body portion 14 comprises a first inlet conduit 62 from the first reservoir 50 and a second inlet conduit 64 from the second reservoir 52. As illustrated in Figure 1 , liquid from the liquid store 22 is transferred to the vaporizing unit 24 by a pump 66. A selectable valve (not shown) can be positioned adjacent to the pump 66 and can be operated to permit liquid to be supplied to the vaporizing unit 24 from the first reservoir 50 or the second reservoir 52 respectively via a supply conduit 65. The first and second inlet conduits 62, 64 connect the corresponding first and second liquid uptake members 56, 58 to the valve. The valve can be manually or automatically operated. Hence, the valve can be connected to the control circuitry of the control unit 20 and configured to receive instructions for operation from the control unit 20.

Alternatively, the main body portion 14 can comprise a first pump and a second pump connected to the corresponding one of the first liquid uptake member 56 and the second liquid uptake member 58. Hence, each reservoir 50, 52 can be fluidically connected to the vaporizing unit 24 by a separate pump.

In the example illustrated in Figure 3, a valve 67 is provided as the liquid supply unit 60 instead of a pump 66.

Still in another embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 4, the liquid supply unit 60 comprises a rotatable selector 68, configured to be manually rotated by a user to selectively align the first and second inlet conduits 62, 64 with the vaporizing unit 24 to thereby supply the vaporizing unit 24 with the selected liquid from the first reservoir 50 or the second reservoir 52. The rotatable selector 68 provides an interface between a bottom portion of the cartridge 26 and the vaporizing unit 24. The bottom portion of the cartridge 26 comprises a first liquid outlet 70 from the first reservoir 50 and a second liquid outlet 72 from the second reservoir 52. In this embodiment, the cartridge 26 can be configured with the first inner reservoir 50 arranged around a vapor flow channel 78 and the second reservoir 52 arranged concentrically outwards of the first reservoir 50. The first liquid outlet 70 and the second liquid outlet 72 are located at different radial distances from a center axis of the cartridge 26.

The rotatable selector 68 comprises first and second liquid uptake members 56, 58 in the form of first and second apertures 74, 76 arranged at different radial distances from a center axis of the rotatable selector 68. As will be apparent from Figure 4, the rotatable selector 68 can be rotated to align the first liquid outlet 70 or the second liquid outlet 72 with the corresponding first or second aperture 74, 76 in the rotatable selector 68 to establish a fluidic path from the first or second reservoir 50, 52 to the vaporizing unit 24 in the vaporizer seating 54.

As shown schematically in the example of Figure 1 , the cartridge 26 comprises a first vapor outlet 80 which constitutes a mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette 10 through which vapor generated by heating vapor generating liquid from the first reservoir 50 can be inhaled by a user.

The control unit 20 may comprise a sensor and a memory configured to initiate a cleaning program based on certain operating parameters of the electronic cigarette 10, such as temperature or vapor volume.

The sensor can, for example, be a temperature sensor configured to measure the heating temperature in the vaporizing unit 24, or a vapor temperature sensor arranged in the vapor flow path. The memory stores a plurality of vaporizing programs for heating the vapor generating liquid from the first reservoir 50, the vapor generating programs defining operating parameters for producing an inhalable vapor with suitable characteristics. The memory may store a variety of vapor generating programs, to provide an optimized heating profile based on the characteristics of the vapor generating liquid in the first reservoir 50. The memory may also store at least one cleaning program with a different heating profile and/or temperature setting than the vaporizing program. In an embodiment, the cleaning program is configured with a variable heating profile, such that the temperature of the vaporizing unit 24 increases, decreases and then increases again under the action of the control unit 20. This heating profile first dissolves the debris in the initial high temperature phase, flushes out the debris without degradation in the low temperature phase, and then heats up again in the subsequent high temperature phase to remove any remaining cleaning liquid or condensation from the fluidic channels 32 of the vaporizing unit 24.

As previously described, the cleaning liquid (e.g. propylene glycol or glycerine) may be selected to provide a vapor which is inhalable by a user. However, it may still be advantageous to prevent the vapor generated by heating the cleaning liquid from exiting via the first vapor outlet 80 (i.e. the mouthpiece). To this effect, the electronic cigarette 10 may further comprise a second vapor outlet 82 (see Figure 1) for vapor generated by heating the cleaning liquid from the second reservoir 52, to prevent inhalation of the vaporized cleaning liquid by a user of the electronic cigarette 10. In order to draw the liquid through the second vapor outlet 82, the first vapor outlet 80 can be connected to the second vapor outlet 82, such that when a user exhales into the first vapour outlet 80, the vapor from the vaporizing unit 24 is diverted through the second vapor outlet 82. This creates a side-stream vapor that is diffused into the surrounding air, rather than being inhaled by the user.

The cleaning program may as previously described be initiated based on a measurement from a sensor, however in an alternative embodiment, it is also possible to further provide the electronic cigarette 10 with a user interface, such as a button 17, configured to enable a user to activate the cleaning mode. Advantageously, a visual or an audible signal can be generated to recommend the initiation of the cleaning program to the user. Hence, the electronic cigarette 10 requires an input from the user, e.g. a button press, to permit the recommended cleaning program to be initiated. This avoids the situation that the electronic cigarette 10 executes the cleaning program while the user is vaping using the vapor generating liquid in the first reservoir 50.

Optionally, the control unit 20 can be configured to detect depletion of the vapor generating liquid in the first reservoir 50 and to subsequently initiate the cleaning program or to recommend the initiation of the cleaning program to the user in the manner described above. The skilled person will realize that the present disclosure is by no means is limited to the described exemplary embodiments. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Moreover, the expression "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps. Other non-limiting expressions include that "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality and that a single unit may fulfil the functions of several means. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope. Finally, while the disclosure has been illustrated in detail in the drawings and in the foregoing description, such illustration and description is considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

Claims

1. An electronic cigarette (10) comprising: a main body portion (14); a liquid store (22); and a vaporizing unit (24) comprising a plurality of fluidic channels (32) configured to receive liquid from the liquid store (22) and having an inner surface (32b) configured to be heated to vaporize liquid in the fluidic channels (32); wherein the liquid store (22) comprises a first reservoir (50) and a second reservoir (52), the first reservoir (50) contains a vapor generating liquid to be vaporized in the fluidic channels (32) to form an inhalable vapor and the second reservoir (52) contains a cleaning liquid.

2. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid is a flavor-neutral liquid, preferably wherein the flavor-neutral liquid consists of, or comprises, one or more selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerine and water.

3. The electronic cigarette according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vaporizing unit (24) is arranged in the main body portion (14) and the main body portion (14) further comprises a liquid supply unit (60) configured to selectively supply liquid to the vaporizing unit (24) from the first reservoir (50) or the second reservoir (52).

4. The electronic cigarette according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body portion (14) comprises a first inlet conduit (62) from the first reservoir (50) and a second inlet conduit (64) from the second reservoir (52).

5. The electronic cigarette according to claims 3 and 4, wherein the liquid supply unit (60) comprises a rotary mechanism (68) configured to be rotated in order to selectively align one of the first and second inlet conduits (62, 64) with the vaporizing unit (24) to permit liquid to be supplied to the vaporizing unit (24) from the first reservoir (50) or the second reservoir (52).

6. The electronic cigarette according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the liquid supply unit (60) comprises a valve, and a supply conduit (65) extends from an outlet of the valve to the vaporizing unit (24).

7. The electronic cigarette according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the liquid supply unit (60 comprises a pump (66).

8. The electronic cigarette according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control unit (20) and a memory configured to store a program, wherein the program contains instructions to execute a cleaning program having a heating profile.

9. The electronic cigarette according to claim 8, wherein the control unit (20) is configured to control the operation of the vaporizing unit (24) to cause the temperature in the fluidic channels (32) to increase, then decrease and then increase again.

10. The electronic cigarette according to claim 8 or claim 9, further comprising a user interface (17) configured to enable a user to activate the cleaning program.

11. The electronic cigarette according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the control unit (20) is configured to detect depletion of the vapor generating liquid in the first reservoir (50) and to subsequently initiate the cleaning program.

12. The electronic cigarette according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic cigarette comprises a first vapor outlet (80) for inhalable vapor generated by heating vapor generating liquid from the first reservoir (50) and a second vapor outlet (82) for vapor generated by heating cleaning liquid from the second reservoir (52).

13. The electronic cigarette according to claim 12, wherein the electronic cigarette (10) is configured so that vapor generated by heating cleaning liquid from the second reservoir (52) is diverted through the second vapor outlet (82) if a user exhales into the first vapor outlet (80).

14. The electronic cigarette according to claim 12 or claim 13 when dependent on any of claims 8 to 11 , wherein the second vapor outlet (82) is configured to be automatically opened when the cleaning program is initiated, such that vapor generated by heating cleaning liquid from the second reservoir (52) is discharged from the second vapor outlet (82) but not from the first vapor outlet (80).

15. The electronic cigarette according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic cigarette includes a cartridge (26) comprising an integrated first reservoir (50) and second reservoir (52).