U.S. patent application number 13/253977 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-11 for electronic pipe personal vaporizer with concealed removable atomizer/ cartomizer.
The applicant listed for this patent is Alexandru Gherghe. Invention is credited to Alexandru Gherghe.
Application Number | 20130087160 13/253977 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48041260 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130087160 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gherghe; Alexandru |
April 11, 2013 |
ELECTRONIC PIPE PERSONAL VAPORIZER WITH CONCEALED REMOVABLE
ATOMIZER/ CARTOMIZER
Abstract
A porous ceramic atomized cartridge contains a heating element,
a porous ceramic wick, and the liquid to be vaporized removably
concealed within the body of an electronic simulated smoking pipe.
Adjustment of the spacing of a circular disc heating element
relative to the porous ceramic wick adjusts the level of
atomization. All components are easily removable and replaceable
and cleaned. A bowl of the pipe is used as an open battery chamber
to allow any battery fumes to escape and allow easy removal and
replacement of the battery. A conductive contact arm pivots between
contact with the battery and the pipe body to control power. Vapor
is activated by a manual push button switch or an automatic sound
activated switch responsive to the puffing sound of a user.
Inventors: |
Gherghe; Alexandru; (Las
Vegas, NV) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gherghe; Alexandru |
Las Vegas |
NV |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48041260 |
Appl. No.: |
13/253977 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 1/00 20130101; A24F
47/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/329 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00 |
Claims
1. An electronic smoking substitute device comprising: a body for
use in substitute smoking, the body comprising separable components
and having at least one concealed internal chamber not visible when
the components are assembled for use; a replaceable porous ceramic
atomized cartridge removably housed within the body in the at least
one concealed internal chamber and concealed from external view
therein, the cartridge housing a refillable reservoir containing a
liquid to be vaporized; a porous ceramic wick of a cylindrical form
positioned inside the cartridge, the wick positioned adjacent to
the reservoir in communication with the liquid contained therein to
receive the liquid in the wick; a heating element positioned in
contact with the porous ceramic wick for heating the wick to
vaporize the liquid into an vapor to be breathed in by a user, the
heating element being isolated from flammable materials; the
cartridge being removable from the disassembled body for cleaning,
refilling, replacing, and maintenance; a vapor conduit leading out
of the body to transmit the vapor to a user; a power supply to
provide power to the heating element; at least one charging port
for the power supply to enable charging of the power supply when
the device is in use and when the device is not in use; a lock safe
switch to activate and de-activate the heating element and prevent
accidental activation.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one charging port
comprises a port to receive a plug for a USB power cord to recharge
the power supply and further comprising a detachable USB power
cord.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the detachable USB power cord
powers the heating element directly without a power supply present
in the body.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the power supply comprises a
replaceable rechargeable battery.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the heating element comprises a
ceramic disk heating element inside the atomized cartridge.
6. The device of claim 5 further comprising a ceramic base behind
the ceramic disk heating element to adjust the distance between the
ceramic disk heating element and the porous ceramic wick to adjust
the vapor production.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the heating element comprises an
elongated heating element inside the ceramic wick.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein the body is formed from at least
one material taken from the list of materials including wood,
metal, and plastic.
9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a manual push switch on
the surface of the body for manually activating the porous ceramic
atomized cartridge to produce the vapor.
10. The device of claim 1 further comprising an automatic
electronic switch inside the body activated by the sound of
suctioned air for automatically activating the heater of the porous
ceramic atomized cartridge to produce the vapor.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein the body is fabricated in the
shape of a smoking pipe having a bowl forming an open battery
chamber housing a rechargeable battery to allow any battery fumes
to escape and a stem extending from the bowl, the stem housing the
removable and replaceable porous ceramic atomized cartridge
concealed within the stem, wherein the end of the stem comprises a
mouthpiece and the conduit comprises an opening through the
mouthpiece from the end of the stem extending into the stem in
communication with the cartridge.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein the lock safe switch comprises
an electrically conductive pivot arm contact pivotally attached to
a top rim of the bowl to swivel between a first position in contact
with an end of the battery to provide a charge for the device and a
second position in contact only with the rim of the bowl out of
contact with the end of the battery to provide no charge to the
device so that the device cannot be activated accidentally.
13. An electronic smoking substitute pipe device comprising: a pipe
body for use in substitute smoking, the pipe body comprising an
upright bowl forming an open battery chamber housing a removable
rechargeable battery to allow any battery fumes to escape, a stem
extending horizontally from the bowl, and a mouthpiece removably
attached to the stem, the stem having at least one concealed
internal chamber not visible when the components are assembled for
use; a replaceable porous ceramic atomized cartridge removably
housed within the at least one concealed internal chamber of the
stem, the cartridge concealed from external view therein, the
cartridge housing a refillable reservoir containing a liquid to be
vaporized; a porous ceramic wick of a cylindrical form positioned
inside the cartridge, the wick positioned adjacent to the reservoir
in communication with the liquid contained therein to receive the
liquid in the wick; a heating element positioned in contact with
the porous ceramic wick for heating the wick to vaporize the liquid
into an vapor to be breathed in by a user, the heating element
being isolated from flammable materials, the heating element
communicating with the battery to receive power for the heating
element from the battery; the cartridge being removable from the
disassembled body for cleaning, refilling, replacing, and
maintenance; a vapor conduit through the mouthpiece from the end of
the mouthpiece extending into the stem in communication with the
cartridge to transmit the vapor to a user; at least one charging
port for the power supply to enable charging of the battery when
the device is in use and when the device is not in use; a lock safe
switch to activate and de-activate the heating element and prevent
accidental activation.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein the lock safe switch comprises
an electrically conductive pivot arm contact pivotally attached to
a top rim of the bowl to swivel between a first position in contact
with an end of the battery to provide a charge for the device and a
second position in contact only with the rim of the bowl out of
contact with the end of the battery to provide no charge to the
device so that the device cannot be activated accidentally.
15. The device of claim 13 wherein the at least one charging port
comprises a port to receive a plug for a USB power cord to recharge
the battery and further comprising a detachable USB power cord, the
detachable USB power cord powering the heating element directly
without a power supply present in the body.
16. The device of claim 13 wherein the heating element comprises a
ceramic disk heating element inside the atomized cartridge, and
further comprising a ceramic base behind the ceramic disk heating
element to adjust the distance between the ceramic disk heating
element and the porous ceramic wick to adjust the vapor
production.
17. The device of claim 13 wherein the heating element comprises an
elongated heating element inside the ceramic wick.
18. The device of claim 13 wherein the pipe body is formed from at
least one material taken from the list of materials including wood,
metal, and plastic.
19. The device of claim 13 further comprising a manual push switch
on the surface of the pipe body used for manually activating the
porous ceramic atomized cartridge to produce the vapor.
20. The device of claim 13 further comprising an automatic
electronic switch inside the body activated by the sound of
suctioned air for automatically activating the heater of the porous
ceramic atomized cartridge to produce the vapor.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present utility patent application claims the advantage
of applicant's provisional patent application.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to electronic
smoking-substitute devices and in particular to a porous ceramic
atomized cartridge electronic pipe relating to electronic
cigarettes, cigars, and pipes which allow the user of the device to
inhale a flavored vapor which may be comprised of nicotine or other
substance without a flame or smoke.
[0006] 2. Description of Related Art including information
disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
[0007] Conventional smoking devices function by burning tobacco
with an open exposed flame and are known to be a health and safety
hazard. The smoke inhaled from burning tobacco is composed from tar
and other substances that are proven to cause life debilitating and
life threatening diseases such cancer to the user and by a third
party that may be present in a closed environment like public
facilities, bars, restaurants, and work place.
[0008] The act of smoking includes a physical sensation produced by
the act of inhaling and also by a "hand to mouth" reflex associated
with taking the cigarette or pipe to the mouth in order to drag out
of it and inhale the smoke. For tobacco smokers not smoking can
produce unpleasant and dramatic psychological and physiological
symptoms.
[0009] To address this issue, prior art smoking substitute devices
have been developed to create as close as possible sensation of
smoking without the negative consequences of open flame tobacco
smoking and smoke inhalation. Some of the devices that have been
successful smoking substitutes are electronic vaporizers also known
as electronic cigarettes and electronic cigars.
[0010] Electronic smoking devices are battery operated units that
are generally composed of three components: the battery, the
atomizing/vaporizing unit, and a cartridge containing the
electronic cigarette liquid. The electronic cigarette liquid is
generally composed of water propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin,
a flavoring essence, and it may or may not contain nicotine.
[0011] The atomizer, when activated vaporizes the liquid is in
contact with a heating coil element. The cartridge contains a
wicking material soaked in the liquid to be vaporized. A newer
generation of electronic cigarettes combines the vaporizer and
cartridge in a single unit reason for which is suggestively named
"Atomized Cartridge" or "Cartomizer".
[0012] The Cartomizer is a metallic tube that contains a plastic
fiber or paper uses as a wick a fiberglass tube which wraps around
a wire heating coil. When the cartridge is filled with liquid the
heat produced by the coil vaporizes the liquid. When the cartridge
is empty or with a low level of liquid the coil will start to burn
the fiberglass tube and the wicking material in it immediate
vicinity of the coil producing toxic fumes.
[0013] In different configurations electronic smoking devices can
closely resemble real cigarettes, and cigars.
[0014] Electronic cigarettes and cigars are activated by automatic
draw or manual push button.
[0015] Prior art electronic pipes use a battery, an atomizer,
(permanently fixed inside the main body of the pipe) and a
reservoir for liquid to be vaporized. The prior art electronic pipe
cannot be used while the battery is charging. If prior art atomizer
is damaged or fails the pipe cannot be repaired and becomes
unusable. A new pipe body with a build in atomizer has to be
purchased. This prior art type of electronic pipe with a liquid
reservoir leaks fluid inside and outside of the body of the pipe.
It is an unreliable design and expensive to maintain. None of the
prior art devices conceal the atomizer cartridge or provide safety
switches and are susceptible to accidental activation in a pocket
of a user.
[0016] Prior art pipes use a plastic cap with a metal border that
is screwed to the top of the battery chamber. Prior art does not
have any pressure relive space In case the battery fails. The rapid
expending gas from the failed battery can create a pressure that
can rapidly build up to instant shatter of the plastic cap and
transform it in plastic shrapnel that can be very dangerous to the
user.
[0017] Prior art devices may not be used while recharging the
batteries and the batteries are not replaceable.
[0018] What is needed is a substitute smoking device which conceals
the atomizer or cartomizer cartridge within the substitute smoking
device, which has a safety lock switch to prevent accidental
activation, which has no flammable components adjacent to the
heating element thereby preventing toxic smoke, which has an open
chamber housing the battery to release gases, which has means for
charging the battery while the device is in use, which has
separable components housing removable and replaceable parts to
allow substitution or replacement, cleaning, and maintenance of any
parts of the device, which provides heat adjustment for
personalized the device for various levels of usage, and which
favorably resembles on the exterior a normal smoking device.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention solves many of the problems of prior
art devices by providing an electronic pipe substitute smoking
device which conceals the atomizer or cartomizer cartridge within
the substitute smoking device, which has a safety lock switch to
prevent accidental activation, which uses a porous ceramic wick
element and has no flammable components adjacent to the heating
element thereby preventing toxic smoke, which has separable
components housing removable and replaceable parts to allow
substitution or replacement, cleaning, and maintenance of any parts
of the device, and which favorably resembles the exterior of a
normal smoking device. The present invention utilizes the bowl of
the pipe as an open battery chamber so that if the battery fails,
the expanding gas is released without containment thus avoiding any
sudden pressure burst or fragmentation of any components. The open
bowl also allows the battery to be easily removed and replaced. The
present invention is provided with a power jack and a USB power
cable that can be plugged into an AC charger, a DC charger, or a
USB port for recharging the battery during use, for charging the
device directly and by-passing the battery, for charging the
battery while the device is not in use. In one embodiment a ceramic
disc heating element provides a large and uniform heat distribution
on the surface of the porous ceramic wick and by changing the
thickness of a ceramic base behind the ceramic disk heating
element, the distance between the ceramic disk heating element and
the porous ceramic wick can be changed to allow the user to adjust
the vapor production as desired. Alternately, an elongated heating
element, such as a heating coil, removably fits into a central
opening along the length of the ceramic wick.
[0020] This type cartridge allows a level of custom individual
settings and performance personalization of the vapor production
nonexistent in any prior art.
[0021] The porous ceramic atomized cartridge electronic pipe is an
electronic vaporizing pipe smoking substitute comprising a wooden,
plastic or metal smoking pipe that has the exterior appearance of a
normal tobacco pipe but has been configured and built to house
inside the following components:
[0022] A power source: a low voltage battery 3.7V and 7.5V and with
a capacity between 360 and 2200 mAh necessary to power the
atomizing element;
[0023] An on/off momentary switch, or an automatic switch that
controls the operation of the porous ceramic atomized cartridge
electronic pipe;
[0024] A new design porous ceramic atomized cartridge that contains
the heating element and the liquid to be vaporized;
[0025] A 2.5 mm power jack that is used to recharge the battery
from a USB power source;
[0026] The battery is installed in tobacco camber of the pipe that
has been cut to fit the battery's width and height;
[0027] At the bottom of the battery chamber a conical spring is
connected to the cartomizer connector and to the negative side of
the power jack.
[0028] A switch mounted on the top edge of the battery chamber has
a metal conductive swivel clip that secures the battery inside
battery chamber and in the same time connects to the positive
terminal of the battery. The other end of the switch is connected
by wire to a metal tube that holds the positive part of the porous
ceramic porous ceramic atomized cartridge connector.
[0029] The positive side of the power jack is permanently connected
by wire to the battery switch so if the porous ceramic atomized
cartridge electronic pipe is connected to a USB power supply, it
will charge the battery whatever the pipe may be in use or not.
[0030] The porous ceramic atomized cartridge electronic pipe also
has an automatic version where the automatic electronic switch is
positioned behind the connector of the porous ceramic atomized
cartridge inside the shank of the pipe.
[0031] The switch for the automatic porous ceramic atomized
cartridge electronic pipe is a miniaturized electronic microphone
switch, connected to the connector and battery. When the user of
the pipe sucks air thru the mouthpiece the sound of the air rushing
in the body of the pipe initiates a signal from the microphone
switch and activates the heating element inside the porous ceramic
atomized cartridge. This switch is permanently connected by wire to
the positive and negative sides of the battery.
[0032] The prior art atomized cartridge s has a number of design
problems. The heating coil element inside the cartridge is
insulated from the rest of the wick material by a small fiberglass
tube. When the cartridge has a low level of fluid inside the
heating coil element will burn the isolation and will release
potentially dangerous fumes and unpleasant burnt taste.
[0033] In order to eliminate this problem the current invention the
porous ceramic atomized cartridge has a porous ceramic tube placed
around the length of the heating Ni-Chrome heating coil
element.
[0034] The porous ceramic material acts as a wick absorbing the
liquid to be vaporized from the foam insert inside the cartridge
and an in the same time is an organically inert thermal insulator
that will not produce fumes and will isolate the rest of the
cartridge components from the heat. Also prior art porous ceramic
atomized cartridges have the heating Ni-Chrome heating coil element
soldered inside the cartridge and if the Ni-Chrome heating coil
element fails the entire unit has to be discarded.
[0035] The cartridge in the porous ceramic atomized cartridge
electronic pipe Is designed without soldered connections inside the
cartridge and if the Ni-Chrome heating coil element fails the
negative pin from the Ni-Chrome heating coil element can be simply
removed and the Ni-Chrome heating coil element replaced.
[0036] The design of the present invention allows the cartridge to
be disassembled for periodical maintenance and cleaning between
refills. Prior art does atomized cartridges cannot be maintained or
cleaned.
[0037] The battery tube embodiment of the current invention allows
the use of an atomized cartridge and has a lock safe feature that
eliminates the accidental activation of the device while not in
use. Momentary switches can be easily unintentionally activated
while in a purse or pocket. The battery tube embodiment of the
current invention has a lock safe feature design specifically to
eliminate accidental activation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] These and other details of the present invention will be
described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are
furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the
invention, and in which drawings:
[0039] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view and a longitudinal
sectioned perspective view of the manual switch porous ceramic
atomized cartridge electronic pipe of the according to a first
example embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectioned exploded perspective view
of the manual switch of the electronic pipe and the longitudinal
sectioned perspective view of FIG. 1 from which the exploded view
is taken;
[0041] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectioned exploded perspective
view, an exterior perspective view, and an exploded perspective
view of the manual switch of the porous ceramic atomized cartridge
electronic pipe of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 4 is an exterior perspective view and an exploded
perspective view of the pipe and battery and porous ceramic
atomized cartridge of the pipe of the present invention and arrows
showing steps for their removal and installation;
[0043] FIG. 5 is an external perspective view and a longitudinal
sectioned perspective view of the manual switch porous ceramic
atomized cartridge electronic pipe according to a second example
embodiment of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectioned exploded perspective view
of the manual switch of the electronic pipe and the longitudinal
sectioned perspective view of FIG. 5 from which the exploded view
is taken showing an auto switch;
[0045] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectioned view, an exploded
perspective view, and an exterior perspective view of the positive
connector and the swivel clip of the porous ceramic atomized
cartridge electronic pipe of the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 8 is an exterior perspective view and an exploded
perspective view of the pipe and battery and porous ceramic
atomized cartridge of the pipe of FIG. 5 and arrows showing steps
for their installation and removal;
[0047] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectioned perspective view and an
external perspective view of the momentary push button switch in
locked and unlocked positions;
[0048] FIG. 10 is an exterior perspective view, an exploded
perspective view, an exploded longitudinal sectioned view of the of
the battery tube porous ceramic atomized cartridge and the manual
momentary switch;
[0049] FIG. 11 is a series of three assembled longitudinal
sectioned perspective views of the manual momentary switch in the
secure locked position, the unlocked position, and the contact
position according to the second example embodiment of the present
invention;
[0050] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of all of the
components and an assembled longitudinal sectioned view of the
porous ceramic atomized cartridge of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view, an exploded
longitudinal sectioned perspective view and an assembled
longitudinal sectioned perspective view of the porous ceramic
atomized cartridge connector tube of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 14 is an assembled longitudinal sectioned view, a
reverse perspective exploded sectional view, and an exploded
perspective view is an exploded view of the disk heater atomized
cartridge of the present invention;
[0053] FIG. 14a is a perspective longitudinal sectioned view, an
exterior reverse perspective view, and a perspective longitudinal
sectional view showing air flow of the disk heater atomized
cartridge tube of the present invention and detailed perspective
and perspective longitudinal sectioned views of the components
inside of the cartridge tube;
[0054] FIG. 14b is an enlarged perspective longitudinal sectioned
view of the assembled disk heater atomized cartridge tube showing
airflow;
[0055] FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view of the
electrical components and connections of the manual porous ceramic
atomized cartridge electronic pipe of the present invention with
the manual button in the "on" position;
[0056] FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view of the
electrical components and connections of the manual porous ceramic
atomized cartridge electronic pipe of the present invention with
the manual button in the "off" position;
[0057] FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view of the
electrical components and connection of the automatic version of
the porous ceramic atomized cartridge electronic pipe of the
present invention;
[0058] FIG. 18 is a perspective view and reverse perspective view
of the DC USB power supply plug and a perspective view and reverse
perspective view of the AC USB power supply plug;
[0059] FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing the
procedure for refilling the porous ceramic atomized electronic
cartridge case;
[0060] FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view showing the
procedure for refilling disk heater atomized cartridge case.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0061] In FIGS. 1-20, the body of the porous ceramic atomized
cartridge electronic pipe 1 and 1A is made from hardwood, plastic
or metal. The mouthpiece 4 is preferably made from plastic. The
manual pipe 1 of FIGS. 1-4, and the automatic pipe 1A of FIGS. 5-8,
each resemble a normal tobacco smoking pipe on the exterior. The
interior of the pipe is custom manufactured with the dimension and
compartments designed to fit all components for each particular
model (as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5).
[0062] The bowl of the pipe of the present invention, normally used
as the tobacco chamber in tobacco pipes, in the present invention
is a battery chamber housing the power source, a removable and
replaceable Li-ion battery 8 of low 3.7 V and a capacity between
360 and 2200 mAh or more. On the rim of both pipes are drilled
cylindrical holes that house the manual positive connector switch 2
(as shown in FIG. 1) for the manual porous ceramic atomized
cartridge electronic pipe and the positive battery contact 2A for
the automatic porous ceramic atomized cartridge electronic pipe (as
shown in FIG. 5).
[0063] At the bottom of the battery chamber will be a spring 7
connected to the negative pole of the porous ceramic atomized
cartridge connector 4 and to the negative contact of the automatic
switch 10 for the automatic electronic pipe 1A. Both the positive
battery contact, the manual positive connector switch 2 will swivel
sideways to allow the battery to be inserted or retrieved (FIG. 4
and FIG. 8).
[0064] A manual porous ceramic atomized cartridge electronic pipe
(FIG. 1) is composed of nine components: the body of pipe 1, a
manual positive switch connector 2, a porous ceramic cartomizer
cartridge 3, a mouthpiece 4, a porous ceramic atomized cartridge
connector 5, a DC 2.5 mm power jack 6, a spring 7, and a battery
8.
[0065] In the manual version the porous ceramic atomized cartridge
electronic pipe is equipped with a manual positive connector switch
2. The mouthpiece of the pipe 4 is a tube of frustoconical shape of
a circular cross section tapering gradual to a blunt end. The
connector tube 5 (FIG. 11) is a metal tube with a threaded side
containing an insulated cylinder that holds a negative pin of the
connector tube in the center of the tube. The manual positive
connector switch 2 (FIG. 3) is composed of four parts: a button
with a long pin 13, a metal conductive swivel clip 11, a retaining
nut 12 and a compression spring 4.
[0066] In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an exterior view and an exploded
longitudinal 3d view of the automatic porous ceramic atomized
cartridge porous ceramic atomized cartridge electronic pipe show
the interior compartments and the position of the components.
[0067] In order to use the manual porous ceramic atomized cartridge
electronic pipe user will draw out from the mouthpiece 4 while
pressing on the momentary manual positive connector switch 2. The
switch will activate power to the Ni-Chrome heating coil element 19
inside the porous ceramic atomized cartridge 3 and the heat from
the Ni-Chrome heating coil element 19 will vaporize the liquid
contained in the porous ceramic wick.
[0068] FIG. 4 shows that battery can be easily removed by rotating
the metal conductive swivel clip 12 to the either side of the
battery enough for the battery to clear.
[0069] FIG. 4 also shows that in order to remove or install the
porous ceramic cartomizer cartridge the only operation necessary is
to pull or reinsert the mouthpiece 4 which will expose or cover the
porous ceramic cartomizer 3 that can be screwed or unscrewed in to
the or out of the porous ceramic cartomizer cartridge connector
5.
[0070] In FIGS. 5 and 6, an automatic porous ceramic atomized
cartridge electronic pipe is composed of the body of pipe 1,
automatic positive connector 2A, a porous ceramic cartomizer
cartridge 3, a mouthpiece 4, a porous ceramic atomized cartridge
connector 5, an automatic switch 10, a DC 2.5 mm power jack 6, a
spring 7, and a battery 8.
[0071] In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, an exterior view and an exploded
longitudinal 3d view of the automatic porous ceramic atomized
cartridge porous ceramic atomized cartridge electronic pipe that
show the interior compartments and the position of the
components.
[0072] The automatic switch 10 is activated (switching on the
Ni-Chrome heating coil element) by airflow caused by the user
sucking on the mouthpiece.
[0073] When the user will draw out from the mouthpiece 4 the
suction will rush air on the sides of a mini microphone 10. The
airflow generated sound then will activate an electronic switch
that will allow power to the Ni-Chrome heating coil element 19 of
the porous ceramic atomized cartridge. The heat from the Ni-Chrome
heating coil element 19 will vaporize the liquid on the surrounding
interior wall of the porous ceramic wick 1 21. The suction will
also mix the vaporized liquid with the fresh air drawn thru.
[0074] On the automatic porous ceramic atomized cartridge
electronic pipe 1A, shown in FIGS. 5-8, the simple act of suction
will activate the porous ceramic atomized cartridge.
[0075] In FIG. 7 are longitudinal sections, an exterior view and an
exploded longitudinal 3d view of the automatic positive connector
composed from a metal conductive swivel clip 12, retaining nut
15.
[0076] FIG. 8 shows that battery can be easily removed by rotating
the metal conductive swivel clip 12 to the either side of the
battery enough for the battery to clear.
[0077] Also FIG. 8 shows that in order to remove or install the
porous ceramic cartomizer cartridge 3 pull or reinsert the
mouthpiece 4 that will expose or cover the porous ceramic
cartomizer cartridge 3 ready to screw or unscrew in to or out of
the porous ceramic cartomizer cartridge connector 5 secured inside
the shank of the pipe body 1.
[0078] Prior art atomized cartridges have the heating element
soldered inside the cartridge and is insulated from the foam inside
by absorbent paper around the Ni-Chrome heating coil element and
small fiberglass tubes. Because the high temperature reaches by the
Ni-Chrome heating coil element the paper and the fiberglass tubes
will burn producing a burnt taste. Also all the component of the
cartridge will heat up with continuous periods of usage.
[0079] This new design porous ceramic atomized cartridge electronic
pipe uses a porous ceramic atomized cartridge in FIG. 13 which has
been designed specifically to eliminate prior art problems. The new
porous ceramic atomized cartridge 3 is composed of the fallowing
parts: Cartridge Pin 16, Insolating rubber gasket 17, Cartridge Cap
18, Ni-Chrome Heating Coil 19, Silicone Seal 20, Porous Ceramic
Wick 21, Cartridge tube 22 and Reservoir Cap 23.
[0080] Prior art atomized cartridges are disposable because
maintenance of the unit is not possible. If the heating coil
element will burn the unit is unusable. The new porous ceramic
atomized cartridge 3 has been designed specifically to ensure an
easy maintenance and a simple replacement procedure of the
Ni-Chrome heating coil element.
[0081] When the user draws from the mouthpiece and the circuit is
activated air is draw thru the Cartridge Pin 16 the heated
Ni-Chrome heating coil element 19 where it will be mixed with the
vaporized e-liquid inside Porous Ceramic Wick 21, thru the
Reservoir Cap 23 in to the mouthpiece 4.
[0082] In FIG. 14, the connector tube 5 has a thread in which the
new porous ceramic atomized cartridge is screwed in. The connector
insulator gasket 24 will also hold the contact pin 25. For the
automatic porous ceramic atomized cartridge electronic pipe the
connector tube 5 also houses the electronic automatic switch 9.
[0083] The porous ceramic atomized cartridge 3 is structured to be
refilled with the liquid. In order to refill the porous ceramic
atomized cartridge, the mouthpiece 4 is pulled from the main body
of the pipe 1, the porous ceramic atomized cartridge 3 is unscrewed
counter-clockwise, the rubber cap and the negative pin are removed
and the liquid is added. Once the cartridge tube 22 is filled with
liquid the reservoir cap 23 has to been place back as showed in
FIG. 19. After the refilling process is completed the porous
ceramic atomized cartridge is screwed clockwise in the porous
ceramic atomized cartridge connector 5 and the mouthpiece 4 pushed
back into the body of the pipe 1.
[0084] The present invention has a power jack 6 and a USB power
cable 9 that can be plugged in a AC charger, a DC charger or a USB
port. This new feature does not exist with any prior art electronic
smoking-substitute devices. In prior art electronic
smoking-substitute devices, the battery has to be removed and
recharge or the device has to be disassembled and connected to a
charger making the device unusable during the recharge process. The
present invention can be used while the battery is being recharged
which makes the device a more practical, efficient and more
reliable than any prior art.
[0085] The present invention can be also be used without the
battery using the USB cable 9 alone and a USB power source like a
USB plug of a laptop, a USB plug desktop, a power USB hub, a wall
AC USB port, a DC USB port (car cigarette lighter socket) or an
external battery pack equipped with an USB power port.
[0086] Prior art pipes use a plastic cap with a metal border that
is screwed to the top of the battery chamber. Prior art does not
have any pressure relive space In case the battery fails. The rapid
expending gas from the failed battery can create a pressure that
can rapidly build up to instant shatter of the plastic cap and
transform it in plastic shrapnel that can be very dangerous to the
user.
[0087] In the present invention such an occurrence is not possible
because of the open design of the battery chamber. If battery fails
the expanding gas is released without containment thus avoiding any
sudden pressure burst or fragmentation of any components.
[0088] In this second cartridge embodiment FIG. 13 and 13a of the
invention is comprised of the following components: a retaining
ring 31, a contact pin (25), a retaining screw 15, a ceramic base
30, ceramic disk heating element (26), a porous ceramic wick 2
(27), a cartridge tube (21), a one way silicone air valve (29), a
cartridge cap (22), and a mouthpiece (31).
[0089] In this second cartridge embodiment the cartridge is
designed to use a ceramic disk heating element. The ceramic disk
heating element is an electro thermal ceramic heater. The heat
circuit embeds into alumina ceramic disk bodies.
[0090] In this embodiment of the invention FIG. 11c air enters thru
the center of the contact pin (25) and exits thru the mouthpiece
mixed with vapor. The cartridge cap (22) has a hole between the
center and the side of the cap. A one way silicone air valve (29)
allows the air to enter the reservoir chamber when suction is
produced true the mouthpiece. This will allow small quantities of
vaporizing liquid to transfer in to the porous ceramic in order to
maintain its entire surface wet. This way with every drag the wick
will be able to absorb just the necessary amount of liquid to be
vaporized in the next cycle.
[0091] The advantage of this embodiment is that the ceramic heating
element has a large and uniform heat distribution on the surface of
the porous ceramic wick. Also by changing the thickness of ceramic
base 30, behind the ceramic disk heating element (26), the distance
between ceramic disk heating element (26) and the porous ceramic
wick 2 (27) can be changed, the increased or decreased distance
will allow the user to adjust the vapor production. The vapor
density is increased when the distance between the ceramic disk
heating element (26) and the porous ceramic wick 2 (27) is
decreased.
[0092] This type cartridge allows a level of custom individual
settings and performance personalization of the vapor production
nonexistent in any prior art.
[0093] This embodiment of the cartridge can be disassembled with
ease for periodical maintenance and cleaning between refills.
[0094] The ceramic disk heater is designed with the specific
purpose that there will be no component that would produce any type
of toxic gas due to the high temperature in the immediate vicinity
of the heating element.
[0095] The porous ceramic wick and ceramic disk heater are the two
elements that are exposed to the highest temperature inside the
cartridge and the production steps necessary to fabricate these too
particular pars (involving baking them at well over 2000 degrees),
by definition eliminate the possibility of toxic fumes during the
usage of the cartridge
[0096] A third embodiment of the invention (FIG. 10) uses the same
cartridges as the pipe but with a different battery enclosure and a
different Momentary Push Button Switch.
[0097] This embodiment is composed of a Battery Tube 40 made of
food grade material that is designed to hold variety different
sized of batteries and at one end and a Momentary Push Button
Switch designed with a build in safety lock that will prevent
accidental activation of the device while not in use. A thread to
the other end of the Battery Tube will allow the user to connect a
porous ceramic atomized cartridge or a ceramic disk cartridge.
[0098] The battery tube embodiment of this invention (FIG. 10) the
device is composed of the fallowing elements: a switch button 34, a
set of three rare earth ring magnets 35 arranged in opposite
direction, a switch enclosure 36, a plastic bushing 37, a retaining
ring 38, a negative pin 39, and a battery tube 40.
[0099] In FIG. 11 is a longitudinal section of the momentary push
button switch in looked, unlooked and contact positions. Two of the
three rare earth ring magnets 35 oppose a third one placed in
opposition with the other two acting like a spring. The benefit of
the magnetic spring like arrangement is that unlike a conventional
compression spring they have a much longer life and a smoother and
more comfortable operation.
[0100] FIG. 9 shows that in order to secure the push button when
the device is not in use the button has been designed with a thread
at its base that will be easy screwed by hand in to the tread of
the switch enclosure 36
[0101] It is understood that the preceding description is given
merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the
invention and that various modifications may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.
* * * * *