U.S. patent application number 13/744812 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-24 for electronic cigarette configured to simulate the filter of a traditional cigarette.
The applicant listed for this patent is NJOy, Inc.. Invention is credited to Mark Scatterday.
Application Number | 20130276802 13/744812 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49223436 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130276802 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Scatterday; Mark |
October 24, 2013 |
ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE CONFIGURED TO SIMULATE THE FILTER OF A
TRADITIONAL CIGARETTE
Abstract
The present disclosure generally relates to electronic cigarette
components. As will be disclosed, an electronic cigarette may have
a fully enclosed and continuous filter section that simulates the
look of the filter of a traditional tobacco cigarette.
Inventors: |
Scatterday; Mark;
(Scottsdale, AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NJOy, Inc. |
Scottsdale |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49223436 |
Appl. No.: |
13/744812 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61614973 |
Mar 23, 2012 |
|
|
|
61674712 |
Jul 23, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 2205/8206 20130101;
A61M 15/06 20130101; A24F 47/008 20130101; A24F 47/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/329 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00 |
Claims
1. An electronic cigarette comprising: a conduit adapted to contain
internal components of an electronic cigarette device; and a filter
section located within a proximal end of the conduit; wherein the
filter section comprises a porous material dimensioned to allow
vapor passage therethrough; and wherein the porous material is
continuous across an entire surface diameter thereof.
2. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein the porous material
comprises an acidic fiber.
3. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein the porous material
directly contacts an interior surface of the conduit.
4. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein the filter section
comprises: a housing inserted into the proximal end of the conduit;
and a porous material positioned within the housing.
5. The electronic cigarette of claim 3 wherein the porous material
frictionally engages the interior of the conduit.
6. The electronic cigarette of claim 4 wherein the housing
frictionally engages the interior of the conduit.
7. The electronic cigarette of claim 3 wherein the porous material
is disk shaped.
8. The electronic cigarette of claim 4 wherein the porous material
is disk shaped.
9. The electronic cigarette of claim 4 wherein the housing is
comprised of silicon.
10. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein the conduit is
comprised of polycarbonate.
11. An electronic cigarette comprising: a conduit adapted to
contain internal components of an electronic cigarette device; and
a filter section located within a proximal end of the conduit;
wherein the filter section comprises a porous material dimensioned
to allow vapor passage; wherein the porous material is continuous
across an entire surface diameter thereof; wherein the porous
material comprises an acidic fiber; and wherein the porous material
directly contacts an interior surface of the conduit.
12. The electronic cigarette of claim 11 wherein the porous
material frictionally engages the interior of the conduit.
13. The electronic cigarette of claim 11 wherein the porous
material is disk shaped.
14. The electronic cigarette of claim 11 wherein the conduit is
comprised of polycarbonate.
15. An electronic cigarette comprising: a conduit adapted to
contain internal components of an electronic cigarette device; and
a filter section located within a proximal end of the conduit;
wherein the filter section comprises: a housing inserted into the
proximal end of the conduit; and a porous material positioned
within the housing; wherein the filter section comprises a porous
material dimensioned to allow vapor passage; wherein the porous
material is continuous across an entire surface diameter thereof;
wherein the porous material comprises an acidic fiber; and wherein
the porous material directly contacts an interior surface of the
conduit.
16. The electronic cigarette of claim 15 wherein the housing
frictionally engages the interior of the conduit.
17. The electronic cigarette of claim 15 wherein the porous
material is disk shaped.
18. The electronic cigarette of claim 15 wherein the housing is
comprised of silicon.
19. The electronic cigarette of claim 15 wherein the conduit is
comprised of polycarbonate.
20. The electronic cigarette of claim 18 wherein the conduit is
comprised of polycarbonate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/614,973, titled ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE
ATTACHMENTS, COMPONENTS AND HOLDERS to Craig Weiss and Mark
Scatterday that was filed on Mar. 23, 2012 and to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/674,712 titled ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE
CONFIGURED TO SIMULATE THE NATURAL BURN OF A TRADITIONAL CIGARETTE
to Mark Scatterday that was filed on Jul. 23, 2012.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure generally relates to alternative smoking
devices, and more particularly, to an electronic cigarette
configured to simulate the filter of a traditional cigarette.
SUMMARY
[0003] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE. This summary is not intended to
identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it
intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the
claimed subject matter.
[0004] In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure,
electronic cigarette components are presented. The disclosure
presents an electronic cigarette configured to simulate the look
and feel of the filter of a traditional cigarette.
[0005] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
an electronic cigarette is disclosed. The electronic cigarette
comprises a conduit adapted to contain internal components of an
electronic cigarette device; and a filter section located within a
proximal end of the conduit; wherein the filter section comprises a
porous material dimensioned to allow vapor passage; and wherein the
porous material is continuous across an entire surface diameter
thereof.
[0006] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, an electronic cigarette is disclosed. The electronic
cigarette comprises a conduit adapted to contain internal
components of an electronic cigarette device; and a filter section
located within a proximal end of the conduit; wherein the filter
section comprises a porous material dimensioned to allow vapor
passage; wherein the porous material is continuous across an entire
surface diameter thereof; wherein the porous material comprises an
acidic fiber; and wherein the porous material directly contacts an
interior surface of the conduit.
[0007] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, an electronic cigarette is disclosed. The electronic
cigarette comprises a conduit adapted to contain internal
components of an electronic cigarette device; and a filter section
located within a proximal end of the conduit; wherein the filter
section comprises: a housing inserted into the proximal end of the
conduit; and a porous material positioned within the housing;
wherein the filter section comprises a porous material dimensioned
to allow vapor passage; wherein the porous material is continuous
across an entire surface diameter thereof; wherein the porous
material comprises an acidic fiber; and wherein the porous material
directly contacts an interior surface of the conduit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The novel features believed to be characteristic of the
application are set forth in the appended claims. The novel
features believed to be characteristic of the application are set
forth in the appended claims. In the descriptions that follow, like
parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the
same numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not
necessarily drawn to scale and certain figures can be shown in
exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and
conciseness. The application itself, however, as well as a
preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof,
will be best understood by reference to the following detailed
description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of an electronic cigarette in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a filter portion of an
electronic cigarette in accordance with one or more embodiments of
the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a porous material, housing,
and conduit of an electronic cigarette in accordance with one or
more embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a porous material and a
conduit of an electronic cigarette in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0013] The description set forth below is intended as a description
of presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure and is not
intended to represent the only forms in which the present
disclosure can be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets
forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and
operating the disclosure. It is to be understood, however, that the
same or equivalent functions and sequences can be accomplished by
different embodiments that are also intended to he encompassed
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
[0014] The present disclosure generally relates to electronic
cigarettes. As will be disclosed, an electronic cigarette can have
a conduit for protecting its internal components and a section
("filter section") insertable into a mouth of a user and having the
physical appearance of a traditional cigarette filter. A number of
advantages can be provided by the electronic cigarette components
described herein. A number of additional advantages will become
apparent from the description provided below.
[0015] Prior art alternative smoking devices can include a number
of components consisting of a power source such as a battery,
vaporizing unit, and a unit containing liquid that contains
nicotine. The battery can be a pre-charged, disposable type of
device that is not rechargeable or, alternatively, a rechargeable
battery. Upon inhalation, negative pressure causes a sensor to
activate the vaporizing unit, which then causes the liquid to
vaporize, permitting it to be inhaled through an end of the
electronic cigarette. When used, the tip of the device can light up
simulating the effects of a traditional cigarette. It should be
clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the
use of alternative configurations of the internal components.
[0016] The filter section of traditional electronic cigarettes is
discontinuous across a surface diameter thereof, and has a channel
or aerosol passage therethrough, which leaves a visible hole in the
end of the filter section. The vapor passes through the
channel/passage in the filter section and out of the hole into the
user's mouth. One clear drawback of that construction is that an
obvious hole in the filter section of the electronic cigarette is
present, resulting in an unrealistic simulation of the filter of a
traditional cigarette. Traditional tobacco cigarettes have a
relatively smooth and solid end with no visible hole.
[0017] FIGS. 1 through 4 show an electronic cigarette 10 in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the conduit 14 may cover the components of the
electronic cigarette 10 which may include: a vaporizing unit (not
shown), battery (not shown), unit containing liquid (not shown),
integrated circuit (not shown), light source (not shown), and an
end piece 28. The conduit 14 may also cover a portion or the
entirety of the filter section 12. The conduit 14 may be
constructed of polycarbonate or some other suitable material so
that the conduit 14 may have a soft, flexible feel similar to the
feel of a traditional tobacco cigarette.
[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a filter section 12 replicating
that used in traditional tobacco cigarettes may be used with the
present electronic cigarette 10. The filter section 12 is
continuous across an entire surface diameter thereof (i.e., does
not include a visible hole or passageway extending through a length
thereof) and may be a porous material 52 inserted into to the
proximal end 16 of the conduit 14. An outer wrapper or label 30 may
be adhered to the outer surface of the conduit 14 in order to
provide the look of the filter of a traditional tobacco
cigarette.
[0019] In previous configurations, the filter section 12 has
typically had a channel/aerosol passage for allowing smoke/vapor to
pass therethrough, leaving a very obvious visible hole. The filter
section 12 of the present invention, however, is continuous across
the entire surface diameter thereof and has the appearance of being
fully enclosed; i.e. having no obvious visible hole. The filter
section 12 would be porous to allow enough of the vapor to pass
through, thereby simulating the amount of sucking required by the
user to mimic a traditional cigarette filter, without providing an
unsightly aerosol passage/channel therethrough as in prior art
devices. The porous material 52 may be comprised of any suitable
porous or membrane-type of material, including for example acidic
fiber, polyurethane, ceramic, silicone, or any of a variety of
other polymers or plastics. It may, by way of example, be disk or
cylindrical shaped.
[0020] In this embodiment, the porous material 52 may have an
outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the
conduit 14 which would allow the porous material 52 to be held in
place by the friction created between the outer surface of the
porous material 52 and the inner surface of the conduit 14.
Alternatively, glue or other adhesive means could be utilized.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 3, in another embodiment, the filter
section 12 may comprise a molded housing 34 that is inserted into a
proximal end 16 of the conduit 14. The housing 34 may have an
outside diameter slightly less than an inside diameter of the
conduit 14 which would allow the housing 34 to be held in place by
the friction created between the outer surface of the housing 34
and the inner surface of the conduit 14. For example, if the
conduit has an inside diameter of about 7.7 mm, then the outside
diameter of the housing 34 would be slightly less than 7.7 mm. The
housing 34 may also have an annular flange (not shown) at its
proximal end to help hold the housing 34 in place within the
conduit 14. In this configuration, the annular flange would abut
the proximal end of the conduit 14 and would have the same outside
diameter as the outside diameter of the conduit 14 so that the
electronic cigarette 10 has a uniform outside diameter throughout
its entire length. The housing 34 may be made of silicon or other
similar suitable material so that it has the same soft pliable feel
of the filter of a traditional tobacco cigarette. In this
embodiment, the filter section 12 may also comprise a porous
material 52; e.g. a porous molded disc, acidic fiber, or other
suitable material that may be inserted into a proximal end 36 of
the housing 34.
[0022] In this embodiment, the porous material 52 may have an
outside diameter slightly smaller than an inside diameter of the
housing 34 so that the porous material 52 may be held in place by
the friction created between the outer surface of the porous
material 52 and the inner surface of the housing 34.
(Alternatively, glue or other adhesive means could be utilized.)
The housing 34 containing the porous material 52 may then together
be inserted into the proximal end 16 of the conduit 14. It should
also be clearly understood that substantial benefit may also be
obtained from the porous material 52 being integral to the housing
34 that is inserted into the proximal end 16 of the conduit 14. It
should also be understood that further substantial benefit may be
achieved from a porous material 52 having an alternative
configuration than a disc shape.
[0023] It should be noted that it would also be possible to provide
a filter portion 12 wherein the material inserted within the
conduit or housing is substantially non-porous, and wherein the
substantially non-porous material is positioned within the housing
or conduit so that venting of the vapor is permitted around a
circumference thereof. Such a configuration would also provide the
benefit of providing a filter section that is continuous, and that
lacks the telltale passageway characterizing prior art electronic
cigarettes.
[0024] The foregoing description is provided to enable any person
skilled in the relevant art to practice the various embodiments
described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will
be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art, and
generic principles defined herein can be applied to other
embodiments. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown and described herein, but are to be accorded the
full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein
reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean
"one and only one" unless specifically stated, but rather "one or
more." All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of
the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that
are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in
the relevant art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and
intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing
disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public.
* * * * *