U.S. patent application number 13/489040 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-13 for padded cartridge for an electronic smoking apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Vapor Corp.. Invention is credited to Kevin FRIJA.
Application Number | 20120312313 13/489040 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46298685 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120312313 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FRIJA; Kevin |
December 13, 2012 |
PADDED CARTRIDGE FOR AN ELECTRONIC SMOKING APPARATUS
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention may provide systems and
methods for an electronic smoking apparatus including a main body
and a cartridge section coupled to the main body. The cartridge
section may include a rigid support and a padded material
surrounding the rigid support. The cartridge section may be
constructed of a padded material.
Inventors: |
FRIJA; Kevin; (Miami,
FL) |
Assignee: |
Vapor Corp.
Dania Beach
FL
|
Family ID: |
46298685 |
Appl. No.: |
13/489040 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61520352 |
Jun 7, 2011 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 40/42 20200101;
A24F 40/10 20200101; A24F 47/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/329 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00 |
Claims
1. An electronic smoking apparatus comprising: a main body; an
atomizer or vaporizer; a cartridge section coupled to the main
body, wherein the cartridge section comprises a rigid support and a
padded material surrounding the rigid support.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the atomizer or vaporizer is
in the main body or an intermediate section between the main body
and the cartridge section.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the atomizer or vaporizer is
in the cartridge section.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the atomizer or vaporizer is a
heating vapor coil.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cartridge section
comprises a vaporization or atomization chamber.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rigid support is a
generally cylindrical, hollow structure.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padded material is two or
more layers of materials.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padded material is
selected from the group consisting of: foam, memory foam, rubber,
silicone, paper, waxed paper, cotton, cork, and combinations
thereof
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padded material surrounds
an outer circumference of the rigid support.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padded material is
adhered to the rigid support.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a wrapping surrounds the
padded material and couples the padded material to the rigid
support.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padded material is
antimicrobial.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padded material is not a
sleeve.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cartridge section
comprises a liquid reservoir or chamber.
15. An electronic smoking apparatus comprising: a main body; an
atomizer or vaporizer; a cartridge section coupled to the main
body, wherein the cartridge section is constructed of a padded
material.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the atomizer or vaporizer is
in the main body.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising an intermediate
section between the main body and the cartridge section, and
wherein the atomizer or vaporizer is in the intermediate
section.
18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the padded material is
selected from the group consisting of: foam, memory foam, rubber,
silicone, paper, waxed paper, cotton, cork, and combinations
thereof
19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the padded material is a
generally cylindrical, hollow structure.
20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising an air passage
through the padded material for passing atomized or vaporized gas
and liquid from the main body to a user's mouth.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/520,352, filed on Jun. 7, 2011; the content of
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of electronic
cigarettes. More specifically, the present invention relates to
systems and methods for enhancing the use of electronic
cigarettes.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] Electronic cigarettes are devices designed and constructed
to simulate traditional tobacco smoking Electronic cigarettes are
used as an alternative to tobacco smoking Electronic cigarettes may
provide a user with the experience of smoking a traditional tobacco
cigarette without the burning of tobacco.
[0004] In operation, electronic cigarettes usually produce a vapor
for inhalation by the user that mimics the physical sensation,
appearance, and often the flavor of inhaled tobacco smoke. The
vapor is typically produced by an atomizer, such as a heating
element or an ultrasonic element, to vaporize a liquid solution
into an aerosol. Liquids that produce vapor for electronic
cigarettes are available in many different flavor varieties and
nicotine concentrations, including nicotine-free versions.
Electronic cigarettes are reusable, with replaceable and refillable
components, or disposable.
[0005] An electronic cigarette's components usually include a
housing, a power source, a liquid reservoir, and an atomizer. The
housing may include a cartridge that is typically a disposable
plastic container open at either end. A first end is placed in the
user's mouth, and the other end attaches to the rest of the
housing. The cartridge may store the liquid reservoir and act as a
mouthpiece. The cartridge typically allows passage of liquid from
the liquid source to the atomizer and vapor from the atomizer to
the user's mouth.
[0006] Electronic cigarettes are currently made of metal and
plastic. While their use simulates the act of smoking a traditional
tobacco cigarette, the tactile feel is different due to the
materials currently used in construction of electronic cigarettes.
Needs exist for improved tactile feel for electronic
cigarettes.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide systems and
methods for an electronic smoking apparatus including a main body
and a cartridge section coupled to the main body. The cartridge
section may include a rigid support and a padded material
surrounding the rigid support. The cartridge section may be
constructed of a padded material.
[0008] Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the
invention are set forth or apparent from consideration of the
following detailed description, drawings and claims. Moreover, it
is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the
invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and
intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope
of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred
embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed
description serve to explain the principles of the invention. While
these drawings only show a particular embodiment, for that
embodiment they are roughly drawn to scale.
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a padded material
covering an electronic cigarette cartridge, according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a cutaway view of an electronic cigarette,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a cutaway view of an electronic cigarette,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Systems and methods are described for an electronic
cigarette with a soft padded cartridge. The cartridge preferably
has a tactile feel similar to a burning tobacco cigarette filter on
the user's lips and mouth. The examples described herein relate to
cigarettes for illustrative purposes only. The systems and methods
described herein may be used for many different systems, including,
for example, cigars, pipes, inhalers, nebulizers, and other
simulated smoking devices or inhalation devices. Preferably,
embodiments of the present invention may be used for electronic
cigarettes, as opposed to other non-electronic smoking substitutes
or smoking reduction devices, as electronic cigarettes typically
require use of rigid materials and components in a mouthpiece
section of the device.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary padded material 101. The padded
material 101 may at least partially cover and/or surround the
region of an electronic cigarette that makes contact with a user's
mouth, referred to herein as a cartridge. The cartridge may replace
a filter as found on a tobacco cigarette. The cartridge may be
integral with a shell of an electronic cigarette or may be a
separate piece coupled to the shell. The cartridge may be
constructed of or wrapped in the padded material 101.
[0015] The cartridge may be coupled to the shell of the electronic
cigarette. The method of coupling may depend on the model of
electronic cigarette. For one piece disposal electronic cigarettes,
the cartridge may not be detachable from the rest of the electronic
cigarette. Therefore, the cartridge may be integral with the shell
or may be permanently coupled to the shell. For multi-piece
electronic cigarettes, the cartridge may screw, clip, slide, snap
fit, or otherwise couple to the shell of the electronic
cigarette.
[0016] In preferred embodiments, padded material may be more or
different than simple paper, stickers, tape, etc. Padded material
may be a foam-like solid, other at least minimally compressible
materials, combinations of materials, or layers of materials
applied over and or wrapped around a harder, more rigid structure.
Layers may be applied over one another around the circumference of
the rigid structure. The rigid structure may be metal and/or metal
enclosed in hard plastic or simply just a hard plastic support. The
rigid structure may be a reservoir or chamber where a liquid
solution is vaporized or atomized. The rigid structure may be
generally cylindrical and at least partially hollow. The rigid
structure may provide structural support for the cartridge and may
house a liquid reservoir or chamber and/or may house a vaporization
or atomization chamber. The rigid structure may separate the user's
mouth from interior components, such as an atomizer or vaporizer
and internal chambers or reservoirs. The rigid structure may be
continuous along its circumference or may have breaks or
perforations. Preferably, the rigid structure does not contact the
user's mouth, but is instead covered by the padded material in
locations that may contact the user's mouth. In certain
embodiments, the rigid structure has two or more sections and is
not a continuous shell. In certain embodiments, the padded material
at least partially surrounds the rigid structure, but does not
surround the atomizer.
[0017] Foam, memory foam, rubber, silicone, paper, waxed paper,
cotton, cork, and/or others materials may be used as the padded
material. Preferably, the padded material forms a moisture barrier
between the user's mouth and the rigid structure. Moisture barriers
may be used to prevent degradation of the padded material due to
continued use by the user and contact with saliva in a user's
mouth. Furthermore, in certain embodiments the padded material is
selected such that the padded material does not burn or otherwise
stain or discolor due to the contact with the vaporization or
atomization reservoir or chamber, which may operate at elevated
temperatures.
[0018] The padded material may be adhered to the rigid structure.
In preferred embodiments of the present invention, glue, double
sided tape, and/or other adhesives may be used to couple the padded
material to the rigid structure. In alternative embodiments of the
present invention, the padded material may be placed on and/or
formed to the rigid structure and wrapped around and/or placed on
the rigid structure. A wrapper may surround and couple the padded
material to the rigid structure. In certain embodiments the wrapper
may provide a moisture barrier instead of or in addition to the
padded material acting as a moisture barrier. In certain
embodiments, the padded material is not a sleeve that slides onto
or surrounds the rigid structure.
[0019] Embodiments of the present invention may be distinct from
other substitute smoking systems, which often use traditional
cigarette filters using materials such as cotton, fiber, sponges,
etc. to provide a more "realistic" feel. Embodiments of the present
invention preferably do not include fiber material or filler of
soft sponge structure within a filter section and/or do not include
fiber, cotton or sponge within rolling paper. Due to the nature of
the rigid materials used for many electronic cigarettes, such as
plastic and metal, traditional cigarette filters cannot be used to
provide a more realistic tactile sensation for the user.
[0020] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the padded
material and/or wrapper may be antimicrobial. The antimicrobial
properties may be inherent in the materials used, or the materials
used may be treated with antimicrobial compounds to create an
antimicrobial material. For example, the padded material and/or
wrapper may be coated, impregnated, etc. with one or more
antimicrobial compounds. Various antimicrobial compounds and
methods of applying antimicrobial compounds are known.
[0021] The combined dimensions, such as the circumference and
diameter, of the rigid structure and the padded material may be
roughly equal to the dimensions, such as circumference and
diameter, of a traditional tobacco cigarette. In certain
embodiments, the dimensions may be approximately 120 mm in length,
approximately 10 mm in diameter, and filter lengths of
approximately 20 mm, but other dimensions may be used for different
purposes.
[0022] FIGS. 2 and 3 show exemplary embodiments of electronic
cigarettes using the soft padded cartridge of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows an electronic cigarette 201 with a cartridge
section 203 and a main body 205. The cartridge section 203 may
include a heating vapor coil 207 and/or an atomization chamber 209.
The cartridge section 203 may be screwed onto the main body 205 via
threads 211. Padded material 213 may surround the cartridge section
203, particularly a rigid support 215. The main body 205 may
include a shell 217. The shell 217 may house a power source 219,
such as a lithium ion or other type of battery, an operating mode
or other type of sensor 221, a smart chip or other type of
controller 223, and/or an indicator light 225. Gas and/or vapor may
flow through the device from an inlet to an outlet in communication
with the user's mouth.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows an electronic cigarette 301 with a cartridge
section 303, an atomization section 305 and a main body 307. The
cartridge section 303 may include a rigid shell 309 surrounding a
liquid reservoir or chamber 311. The atomization section 305 may be
screwed onto the main body 307 via threads 313. The atomization
section 305 may be separate from the cartridge section 303 or may
be inserted into the rigid shell 309 of the cartridge section 303.
Padded material 315 may surround the cartridge section 303,
particularly the rigid shell 309. The main body 307 may include a
shell 317. The shell 317 may house a power source 319, such as a
lithium ion or other type of battery, an operating mode or other
type of sensor 321, a smart chip or other type of controller 323,
and/or an indicator light 325.
[0025] In certain embodiments, the cartridge section may be
constructed of a padded material. Foam, memory foam, rubber,
silicone, paper, waxed paper, cotton, cork, and/or other materials
may be used as the padded material. The cartridge may be generally
cylindrical with dimensions and feel similar to a traditional
tobacco cigarette. In certain embodiments, elements such as an
atomizer or vaporizer and/or a liquid reservoir or chamber may be
located outside the cartridge section, such as in a main body or
intermediate section of the electronic cigarette. An intermediate
section may be located between the main body and the cartridge
section. The cartridge section may be made out of at least
minimally compressible padded material. The cartridge section may
have an air passage through the padded material for passing
atomized or vaporized gas and liquid from the main body or
intermediate section to the user's mouth.
[0026] Components and configurations other than those shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3 may be used with embodiments of the present
invention.
[0027] Although the foregoing description is directed to the
preferred embodiments of the invention, it is noted that other
variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in
the art, and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope
of the invention. Moreover, features described in connection with
one embodiment of the invention may be used in conjunction with
other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above.
* * * * *