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
• • 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
  • A24F40/44—Wicks

Definitions

• the present invention relates to personal vaporizing devices, such as electronic cigarettes.
• the invention relates to capsules having seals, the capsules to be used with an electronic cigarette.
• Electronic cigarettes are an alternative to conventional cigarettes. Instead of generating a combustion smoke, they vaporize a liquid, which can be inhaled by a user.
• the liquid typically comprises an aerosol-forming substance, such as glycerin or propylene glycol that creates the vapor.
• Other common substances in the liquid are nicotine and various flavorings.
• the electronic cigarette is a hand-held inhaler system, comprising a mouthpiece section, a liquid store, a power supply unit. Vaporization is achieved by a vaporizer or heater unit which typically comprises a heating element in the form of a heating coil and a fluid transfer element. The vaporization occurs when as the heater heats up the liquid in the wick until the liquid is transformed into vapor.
• the electronic cigarette may comprise a chamber in the mouthpiece section, which is configured to receive disposable consumables in the form of capsules. Capsules comprising the liquid store and the vaporizer are often referred to as “cartomizers”.
• Conventional cigarette smoke comprises nicotine as well as a multitude of other chemical compounds generated as the products of partial combustion and/or pyrolysis of the plant material.
• Electronic cigarettes deliver primarily an aerosolized version of an initial starting e-liquid composition comprising nicotine and various food safe substances such as propylene glycol and glycerine, etc., but are also efficient in delivering a desired Nicotine dose to the user.
• the aerosol generated by an electronic cigarette is generally referred to as a vapor.
• liquid leaking from the liquid store may travel to the power supply, or other electronics, and could cause the electrical circuitry to short out. This is dangerous and could potentially lead to injury of a user.
• a capsule for an electronic cigarette having a first end configured to engage with an electronic cigarette device and a second end arranged as a mouthpiece portion having a vapour outlet.
• the capsule further comprises a liquid store configured to contain a liquid to be vaporized, and a vaporizing housing arranged to house a heating element and a fluid transfer element, wherein the fluid transfer element is arranged to deliver liquid from the liquid store to the heating element, the heating element being configured to vaporize the received liquid and generate a vapor.
• the capsule comprises a main vapor flow channel extending between the vaporizing housing and the mouthpiece to allow the generated vapor to flow from the vaporizing housing to the mouthpiece, a first seal comprising a first pair of shoulder portions, and a second seal comprising a second pair of shoulder portions.
• the first and second pair of shoulder portions are configured to cooperate with each other such that the fluid transfer element is held between the first and second pair of shoulder portions, and further the fluid transfer element is arranged to be compressed between the first and second pair of shoulder portions.
• the first and second seals may therefore be considered as being in contact with each other, which may help apply pressure to the fluid transfer element.
• the fluid transfer element is therefore tightly held between the first and second seals, helping prevent fluid from leaking from the fluid transfer element into the capsule.
• the first seal is able to apply a sufficient compressive force to the fluid transfer element when the fluid transfer element is held between the first and second seals, helping prevent leakage from around the seals.
• the fluid transfer element When referring to the fluid transfer element being held between the first and second pair of shoulder portions, we do not mean that the fluid transfer element is entirely located between the first and second shoulder portions. Instead, the fluid transfer element may extend beyond either the first shoulder portion, second shoulder portion, or both shoulder portions. The fluid transfer element is generally held centrally between the first and second shoulder portions. In this case, there will be a substantially equal extension of the fluid transfer portion beyond both the first and second shoulder portions. Alternatively, in some examples, the fluid transfer element may be positioned off-center between the first and second shoulder portions such that an extension of the fluid transfer element beyond one of the shoulder portions is greater than an extension of the fluid transfer element beyond the other shoulder portion.
• the fluid transfer element may be completely held between the first and second shoulder portions and in this case the fluid transfer element does not extend beyond the shoulder portions. Again, the fluid transfer element will preferably be held centrally between the first and second shoulder portions.
• the first and second pair of shoulder portion may each extend radially such that each pair of shoulder portions extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the capsule. Having radially extending shoulder portions may increase the surface area of each of the first and second seals that is in contact with the fluid transfer element, such that the fluid transfer element is securely held between the first and second seals via the shoulder portions. Additionally, a greater surface area in contact with the fluid transfer element may help ensure that the compressive force applied to the fluid transfer element is being applied evenly across the whole of the fluid transfer element.
• Each shoulder portion may comprise a substantially curved surface. Each curved surface on each of the shoulder portions may be a concave surface.
• each curved surface has a curvature which substantially corresponds to a curvature of an external surface of the fluid transfer element. Having curved surfaces that substantially correspond to each other helps ensure a close fit between two neighboring surfaces when the capsule is constructed. This is important for preventing leakage because any gaps that are formed between or exist between components create a potential pathway for liquid to travel along and leak from the capsule.
• the fluid transfer element may be compressed in a radial direction of the fluid transfer element between the first and second seals.
• the tight fit achieved by having complementary adjacent surfaces of the ends of the fluid transfer element seals improves the ability of the seals to apply a suitable pressure to the fluid transfer element.
• the capsule may further comprise a first holder arranged to retain the vaporizer housing.
• the first holder may therefore be considered as receiving the vaporizer housing, and may be configured to act as a support structure for the vaporizer housing.
• Providing a support structure for the vaporizing housing advantageously helps ensure that the vaporizing housing is held firmly and in its correct position within the capsule.
• the capsule may further comprise a second holder configured to receive the first holder.
• An interface may be formed between the first and second holders.
• the heating element may comprise a heating coil and first and second lead wires which form first and second ends of the heating coil.
• first and second lead wires may also be referred to as first and second ends of the heating element.
• the first and second ends of the heating element may be located at the interface between the first and second holders. In other words, the first and second ends of the heating elements may be positioned between the first and second holders. Thus, the first and second ends of the heating element are held between the first and second holder at the interface between the first and second holder.
• the heating coil of the heating element is in contact with the fluid transfer element, which may also be referred to as a wick.
• the heating coil is connected (for example soldered or connected by connectors) to a plurality of lead wires, typically two lead wires, which form the first and second ends of the heating coil.
• the first and second lead wires may also be referred to as first and second ends of the heating element.
• the lead wires are generally made of material that doesn’t transfer the heat to the electrodes.
• the first and second ends of the heating element may be compressed between the first and second holders.
• the first and second ends of the heating element may be considered to be clamped, or squeezed, between the first and second holders.
• this clamping arrangement helps ensure that the heating element is held firmly and securely in place within the capsule. Additionally, and advantageously, by clamping the first and second ends of the heating element between the first holder and the second holder, the first and second ends of the heating element are prevented from coming in to contact with electrical components present in the electronic cigarette device, when the capsule is connected to the electronic cigarette device, reducing the likelihood of any liquid which may be present on the heating element causing potential short circuits.
• the second holder comprises an airflow passageway arranged to allow intake air to flow into the vaporizing housing.
• the airflow passageway may form part of the main vapor channel.
• the air flow passageway may have a length which is greater than a thickness of the first holder such that the airflow passageway extends in a vertical direction further into the vaporizing housing than the first holder, when the capsule is held in a vertical position.
• the airflow passageway may be arranged to have sufficient length such that it extends further into the vaporizing chamber than the first holder. Said another way, an end of the airflow passageway may extend above the first holder when the capsule is held in the vertical position. Providing an airflow passageway which extends sufficiently far into the vaporizer chamber helps ensures that intake air is delivered to the appropriate part of the capsule i.e. the vaporizer chamber.
• the first and second seals are made of a resilient or compressible material, for example silicon.
• a resilient or compressible material helps to minimize leakage through the connections because the material is able to conform around the shape of the components. This reduces the likelihood of gaps or spaces being present between components, which may act as liquid flow paths if any liquid is present in these spaces.
• the capsule comprises an airflow passageway extending into the vaporizer housing.
• the airflow passageway is formed as a chimney or tubular extension protruding into the vaporizing housing.
• the capsule comprises a pair of electrodes, wherein the electrodes are at least partially embedded within the structure of the holder, and wherein the electrodes are arranged to provide an electrical connection between the first end of the capsule and an electronic cigarette device.
• an electronic cigarette comprising a main body and a capsule wherein the main body comprises a power supply unit, electrical circuitry, and a capsule seating configured to connect with the capsule.
• the capsule comprises a liquid store configured to contain a liquid to be vaporized and a vaporizing housing arranged to house a heating element and a fluid transfer element, wherein the fluid transfer element is arranged to deliver liquid from the liquid store to the heating element, the heating element being configured to vaporize the received liquid and generate a vapor.
• the capsule also comprises a main vapor flow channel extending between the vaporizing housing and the mouthpiece to allow the generated vapor to flow from the vaporizing housing to the mouthpiece, a first seal comprising a first pair of shoulder portions, and a second seal comprising a second pair of shoulder portions.
• the first and second pair of shoulder portions are configured to cooperate with each other such that the fluid transfer element is located between the first and second pair of shoulder portions, wherein the fluid transfer element is arranged to be compressed between the first and second pair of shoulder portions.
• the electronic cigarette may be configured to connect with a capsule according to any of the previously described capsules.
• Figure 1 A is a schematic perspective view of an electronic cigarette
• Figure 1B is a schematic perspective side view of the electronic cigarette of Figure 1A;
• Figure 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic cigarette of Figures 1A and 1B;
• Figure 2A is a schematic perspective view of the electronic cigarette in Figures 1A and 1B, wherein the capsule has been disconnected from the electronic cigarette;
• Figure 2B is a schematic perspective view of a capsule seating
• Figure 3A is a schematic view of a capsule
• Figure 3B is a schematic side view of the capsule of Figure 3A;
• Figure 4 is an exploded schematic view of a capsule;
• Figure 5 is an exploded schematic view of capsule seals
• Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of Figure 5 in an assembled state
• Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of Figure 6;
• Figure 8 is a perspective view of the internal structure of an alternative capsule part.
• an aerosol for smoking may refer to an aerosol with particle sizes of 0.5 - 7 microns.
• the particle size may be less than 10 or 7 microns.
• the electronic cigarette may be portable.
• an electronic cigarette 2 for vaporizing a liquid L is illustrated.
• the electronic cigarette 2 can be used as a substitute for a conventional cigarette.
• the electronic cigarette 2 has a main body 4 comprising a power supply unit 6, electrical circuitry 8 and a capsule seating 12.
• the capsule seating 12 is configured to receive removable capsules 16 comprising a vaporizing liquid L
• the liquid L may comprise an aerosol -forming substance such as propylene glycol and/or glycerol and may contain other substances such as nicotine and acids.
• the liquid L may also comprise flavorings such as e.g. tobacco, menthol or fruit flavor.
• the capsule seating 12 is preferably in the form of a cavity configured to receive the capsule 16.
• the capsule seating 12 is provided with a connection portion 21 configured to hold the capsule 16 firmly to the capsule seating 12.
• the connection portion 21 could for instance be an interference fit, a snap fit, a screw fit, a bayoneted fit or a magnetic fit.
• the capsule seating 12 further comprises a pair of electrical connectors 14 configured to engage with corresponding power terminals 45 on the capsule 16.
• the capsule 16 comprises a housing 18, a liquid store 32, a vaporizing unit 34 and power terminals 45.
• the housing 18 has a mouthpiece portion 20 provided with a vapor outlet 28.
• the mouthpiece portion 20 may have a tip-shaped form to correspond to the ergonomics of the user’s mouth.
• another connection portion 22 is located on the opposite side of mouthpiece portion 20, another connection portion 22 is located.
• the mouthpiece connection portion 22 is configured to connect with the connection portion 21 in the capsule seating 12.
• the connection portion 21 on the capsule 16 may comprise a metallic plate, configured to magnetically connect to a magnetic surface in the capsule seating 12.
• the capsule housing 18 may be in a transparent material, whereby the liquid level of the capsule 16 is clearly visible to the user.
• the housing 18 may be formed in a polymeric or plastic material, such as polyester.
• the capsule 16 may be assembled from a plurality of different parts.
• the illustrated embodiment is schematic and it is also possible to combine some of the parts to single units which will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.
• the present configuration of a plurality of different parts enables an efficient assembly of the capsule 16.
• the capsule housing 18 may be formed from a top housing 18a and a bottom housing 18b or a base 18b. The parts can be assembled together by a friction fit between the top housing 18a and a bottom housing 18b. Additionally, or alternatively, the top housing 18a and a bottom housing 18b can be joined together by ultrasonic welding. Optionally, as illustrated in the figure, the top housing 18a may comprise the mouthpiece portion 20 as a separate part that is assembled to the top housing 18a of the capsule.
• the vaporizing chamber 30 is located at the opposite distal end of the capsule 16 to the mouthpiece portion 20 and houses the vaporizing unit 34.
• a main vapor channel 24 is defined which may have a tubular cross-section.
• the main vapor channel 24 can be formed from a tube or chimney 24 which extends distally away from the mouthpiece where it may be sealingly connected to the vaporizing chamber 30.
• the tube or chimney 24 can formed integrally with the top housing. This part can for instance be produced by injection molding or molding. Once the tube or chimney 24 is connected to the vaporizing chamber 30, the main vapor channel is formed.
• the vaporizing chamber 30 is surrounded by the liquid store 32. It is sealed such that it only receives liquid through a liquid delivery channel 33, receives intake air from an air inlet 35, and delivers vapor through the main vapor channel (via tube or chimney 24). To this effect, the vaporizing unit 34 is accommodated inside a tubular vaporizer housing 40.
• Liquid may also leak from the liquid store 32 or from the fluid transfer element 38 into the air inlet 35 and out through the capsule 16 and potentially into the capsule seating 12 in which the electrical circuitry 8 is housed. This could potentially cause the electrical circuitry 8 to short out.
• first 50 and second 44 seals are provided.
• the vaporizer housing 40 has an upper rim 42a and a lower rim 42b, the upper rim 42a being in contact with the first seal 50, which may also be referred to as an upper gasket 50, and the lower rim 42b being in contact with the second seal 44, which may also be referred to as a lower gasket 44.
• the first and second seals 44, 50 are typically made of a resilient or compressible material, for example silicon, to minimize leakage through the connections.
• the lower gasket 44 is configured to seal around the outer circumference of the tubular vaporizer housing 40.
• the vaporizing unit 34 comprises a heating element 36 and a fluid transfer element 38.
• the fluid transfer element 38 is configured to transfer the liquid L by capillary action from the liquid store 32 to the heating element 36.
• the fluid transfer element 38 can be a fibrous or porous element such as a wick made from twined cotton or silica. Alternatively, the fluid transfer element 38 can be any other suitable porous element.
• the vaporizing chamber 30 is fluidly connected to the liquid store 32 by the fluid transfer element 38. Hence, the liquid inlet to the vaporization chamber 30 is provided solely through the fluid transfer element 38 and through the passages 33 formed from the porous structures of the fluid transfer element 38.
• the fluid transfer element 38 has a first end 38a and a second end 38b.
• the fluid transfer element 38 is provided with an elongated and substantially straight shape.
• the fluid transfer element 38 is arranged with its longitudinal extension perpendicular or traverse to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 16.
• the fluid transfer element 38 has a liquid uptake portion 39a located inside the liquid store 32 and a liquid delivery portion 39b in contact with the heating element 36 inside the vaporization chamber 30.
• the liquid uptake portion 39a corresponds to the first end 38a and a second end 38b of the fluid transfer element 38.
• the heating element 36 is positioned on the liquid delivery portion 39b of the fluid transfer element 38.
• the liquid delivery portion 39b corresponds to the center portion of the elongate fluid transfer element 38.
• the heating element 36 is provided on the outside circumference of the fluid transfer element 38.
• the vaporizer housing 40 is further provided with a pair of cutouts 48 through which the first and the second ends 38a, 38b of the fluid transfer element 38 are received.
• the first seal 50 is located in the connection between the vaporization chamber 30 and the fluid transfer element 38.
• the first seal 50 has a contact surface S1 that corresponds to the shape of the upper rim 42a of the vaporizer housing 40.
• the first seal 50 is further provided with an aperture 51 through which the vapor can flow from the vaporization chamber 30 to the main vapor flow channel.
• the first seal 50 comprises a pair of radially extending shoulder portions 52, which extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the electronic cigarette 2.
• the shoulder portions 52 are generally curved in shape, for example taking the form of an arc or semi-circle, and having an inwardly curving surface 52a, which may be thought of as a concave surface 52a, and an outwardly curving surface 52b, which may be thought of as a convex surface 52b.
• the concave surface 52a is located below the convex surface 52b such that the shoulder portions may be described as substantially “n”- shaped.
• the inwardly curved surface 52a of the shoulder portions 52 is shaped to correspond to the shape of the first and second ends 38a, 38b of the fluid transfer element 38.
• the curvature of the first and second ends of the fluid transfer element 38 substantially corresponds to the curvature of the inwardly curving surface 52a of the shoulder portions 52.
• Having curved surfaces that substantially corresponds to each other ensures a close fit between the two neighboring surfaces, which in this case are the surface of the fluid transfer element 38 and the concave surface of the shoulder portion 52, when the electronic cigarette 2 is constructed. This is important for preventing leakage, as any gaps or “wiggle room” created through loose fitting parts creates a potential pathway for liquid to travel along and leak from the capsule 16.
• the shoulder portions 52 are configured to be received in the cutouts 48 of the vaporizer housing 40 and to press against, i.e. apply pressure to, the fluid transfer element 38 when the capsule 16 is assembled.
• the first seal 50 is configured to compress the fluid transfer element 38 in the radial direction of the fluid transfer element 38.
• the tight fit achieved by having complementary adjacent surfaces of the ends of the fluid transfer element 38 and the concave surfaces 52a of the seal 50 improves the ability of the seal 50 to apply a suitable pressure to the fluid transfer element 38.
• the second seal 44 also comprises a pair of shoulder portions 44a, 44b which extend radially away from the main body of the second seal 44. That is to say, the pair of shoulder portions 44a, 44b extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the electronic cigarette 2, as can be seen in Figures 5 and 7.
• these shoulder portions 44a, 44b on the second seal 44 are generally curved in shape, for example taking the form of an arc or semi-circle.
• these shoulder portions 44a, 44b have an inwardly curving surface 43, which may be thought of as a concave surface 43.
• the concave surface 43 may be described as substantially “u”-shaped.
• the inwardly curved surface 43 is shaped to correspond to the shape of the first and second ends 38a, 38b of the fluid transfer element 38. That is to say, the curvature of the first and second ends of the fluid transfer element 38 substantially corresponds to the curvature of the inwardly curving surface 43 of the shoulder portions 44a, 44b.
• Providing curved surfaces that substantially correspond to each other ensures a close fit between the two neighboring surfaces, which in this case are the surface of the fluid transfer element and the concave surface of the shoulder portion 44a, 44b, when the electronic cigarette 2 is constructed.
• a close or tight fit is important for preventing leakage, because any gaps between components which are loosely fitting creates a potential flow path for liquid to travel along and leak from the capsule 16.
• the shoulder portions 44a, 44b of the second seal 44 are also configured to cooperate with the shoulder portions 52 of the first seal 50.
• first and second seals are in contact with each other. This ensures that the fluid transfer element 38 is tightly held between the first and second seals, helping prevent fluid from leaking from the fluid transfer element 38 into the electronic cigarette 2.
• the first seal 50 is able to apply a sufficient compressive force to the fluid transfer element 38 when the fluid transfer element 38 is held between the first and second seals, helping prevent leakage from around the seals.
• the second seal 44 comprises a base portion 44c which acts to house components of the capsule such as the vaporizer housing 40.
• the base portion 44c can therefore be thought of as defining an internal cavity portion.
• the base portion 44c is also configured to receive, and retain, a holder 60, which may be referred to as an isolation holder 60, such that the holder 60 is located within the base portion 44c.
• the holder 60 is for receiving the vaporizer housing 40, acting as a support for the vaporizer housing 40, as shown in Figure 6. Specifically, the lower rim 42b of the vaporizer housing 40 is received by the holder 60 so that the vaporizer housing 40 is held firmly and in its correct position within the capsule 16.
• the holder 60 is itself received and retained by a heating holder 70, as shown in Figure 6, such that an interface is formed between a surface of the isolation holder 60 and the heating holder 70.
• the heating element has first and second ends 36a, 36b which are held between the isolation holder 60 and the heating holder 70 at the interface between the isolation holder 60 and the heating holder 70.
• the first and second ends 36a, 36b of the heating element are therefore clamped, or squeezed, between the isolation holder 60 and the heating holder 70. This ensures that the heating element 36 is held firmly in place within the capsule 16.
• the ends of the heating element 36 are prevented from coming in to contact with the electrical circuitry 8 in the main body 4. This configuration reduces the likelihood of any unwanted liquid which may be present in the heating element 36 to come into contact with the electrical components which can leads to short circuits.
• the heating holder 70 is further arranged to be connected to the base portion 44c of the second seal 44 for example by a push fit or snap fit connection.
• Both the heating holder 70 and the isolation holder 60 comprise a pair of through holes 62, 72 or apertures 62, 72 which are arranged to receive a pair of posts 80. These posts 80 ensure that the components are connected together and do not come apart from each other. Furthermore, these posts 80 help ensure that the first and second ends 36a, 36b of the heating element are held sufficiently tightly between the isolation holder 60 and the heating holder 70.
• the posts 80 also act as electrical connectors for the transfer of current between the capsule seating 12 and the capsule 16.
• the posts 80 are therefore made of any suitable material which is able to transfer current, for example a metal such as copper.
• FIG 8 shows an alternative example in which each electrode 80 takes the form of a wire which has been substantially flattened such that each electrode 80 has a ribbon-like structure.
• each electrode 80 has a substantially rectangular cross section.
• Each electrode 80 comprises a first end 81, a second end 83, and a middle portion 82 as shown in Figures 6 and 7.
• the first end 81 of each electrode 80 is located, or held, between the base portion 44c and the heating holder 70 at the interface 60 between the base portion 44c and the heating holder 70.
• Each of the first ends 81 of the electrodes 80 are therefore clamped, or squeezed, between the base portion 44c and the heating holder 70. This ensures that each electrode 80 is held firmly and securely in place within the capsule 16, without the need for any additional parts to secure the first end of the electrode 80.
• Using a clamping action between components of the capsule 16 also avoids the need for welding, or other similar attachment processes, which helps reduce the complexity of the capsule 16.
• first and second ends 36a, 36b of the heating element are also held, or clamped, between the base portion 44c and the heating holder 70. This means that both the first and second ends 36a, 36b of the heating element as well as the first end of each electrode 80 are located, or clamped, between the base portion 44c and the heating holder 70.
• each electrode 80 extends across each aperture 72.
• a length of each middle portion 82 of each electrode 80 extends across the aperture 72 in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the aperture 72.
• the portion of the electrode 80 that extends across the aperture 72 may be thought of as covering or blocking off the aperture 72.
• exposed we mean that this portion is not within the heating holder 70. Instead, this exposed area is substantially flush to the external surface of the heating holder 70. This exposed surface provides an electrical connection point within the heating holder 70.
• the electrodes 80 therefore act as electrical connectors for the transfer of current between the capsule seating 12 and the capsule 16.
• the electrodes 80 are made of any suitable material which is able to transfer current, for example a metal such as copper.
• the pair of apertures 72 in the heating holder 70 allows the transfer of current between the capsule seating 12 and the capsule 16.
• the second end 83 of each electrode is secured within the heating holder 70, as shown in Figure 8.
• the electrodes 80 may therefore be thought of as being embedded within the heating holder 70.
• a portion of the electrode between the first end 81 and the exposed portion 82 may also be secured within the heating holder 70.
• the electrode 80 may be partially embedded by molding the heating holder 70 partially over the electrode 80.
• the molding operation of the heating holder 70 may be plastic injection molding.
• the heating holder 70 comprises a further air hole 71, in the form of a through bore passing through the main body of the heating holder 70, arranged to allow air to flow into the vaporizing chamber 30 via the air inlet 35 in the vaporizer unit 34.
• This air hole 71 therefore also passes through the isolation holder 60 via a through hole in the isolation holder 60, as can be seen in Figure 6.
• This air hole 71 therefore comprises part of the main vapor channel 24.
• the air hole 71 is arranged to have sufficient length such that it extends further into the vaporizing chamber 30 than the isolation holder 60.
• an internal end 71a of the air hole 71 extends above the isolation holder 60 when the electronic cigarette 2 is held in the vertical position. Providing an air hole 71 which extends sufficiently far into the vaporizer chamber 30 ensures that intake air is delivered to the appropriate part of the capsule i.e. the vaporizer chamber 30.
• the heating element 36 comprises a heating wire which is wound around the fluid transfer element 38 and so takes the form of a heating coil.
• the heating element 36 is not directly connected to the electrodes 80 but is instead indirectly connected to the electrodes 80 via a plurality of lead wires, which act as an intermediate between the heating element 36 and the electrodes 80.
• the heating element 36 is connected to the lead wires generally near the fluid transfer element 38.
• the heating element 36 therefore comprises the heating wire (also known as a heating coil) and lead wires, typically two lead wires.
• the heating wire is generally connected to each lead wire by spot welding or clipper.
• the lead wires, specifically first and second lead wires, of the heating element may also be referred to as first and second ends of the heating element.
• the heating wire is configured to heat the fluid transfer element 38 by resistive heating.
• the material of the heating wire can be titanium. Titanium has a steep resistance to temperature curve in comparison with e.g. stainless steel or nickel. Hence, the resistance of the heating wire increases relatively rapidly with an increasing coil temperature.
• other materials such as Stainless steel, Nickel, Chrome or Aluminium or alloys thereof are also possible.
• the main body 4 is configured to supply power to the heating element 36 of the capsule and to control the overall operation of the vaporization.
• the main body 4 can be configured as a compact device in comparison to most prior art electronic cigarettes.
• the device is provided with a dimension that it will fit into the palm of a hand.
• the electrical circuitry 8 of the main body 4 is configured to operate the electronic cigarette 2 and may comprise a flow sensor 10 or a manual activation switch, a memory 11 and a controller 13.
• the electrical circuitry 8 may advantageously be grouped onto a main printed circuit board.

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Citations (6)

• 2021
  • 2021-02-25 WO PCT/EP2021/054770 patent/WO2021170769A1/en unknown
  • 2021-02-25 CN CN202180017172.8A patent/CN115190766A/zh active Pending
  • 2021-02-25 EP EP21709904.3A patent/EP4110107A1/en active Pending

Patent Citations (6)

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