U.S. patent application number 13/861132 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-04 for electronic cigarette configured to simulate the texture of the tobacco rod and cigarette paper of a traditional cigarette.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mark Scatterday. Invention is credited to Mark Scatterday.
Application Number | 20140246032 13/861132 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50150400 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140246032 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Scatterday; Mark |
September 4, 2014 |
ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE CONFIGURED TO SIMULATE THE TEXTURE OF THE
TOBACCO ROD AND CIGARETTE PAPER OF A TRADITIONAL CIGARETTE
Abstract
The present disclosure generally relates to electronic cigarette
components. As will be disclosed, an electronic cigarette may have
a flexible conduit, texture layer, and outer wrapper. The texture
layer may be constructed of synthetic or organic material that,
together with the outer wrapper will simulate the texture of the
tobacco rod and cigarette paper of a traditional cigarette.
Inventors: |
Scatterday; Mark;
(Scottsdale, AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Scatterday; Mark |
Scottsdale |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50150400 |
Appl. No.: |
13/861132 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61693219 |
Aug 24, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
131/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D 1/02 20130101; A24F
47/002 20130101; A61M 2205/582 20130101; A24F 47/008 20130101; A61M
11/042 20140204; A61M 15/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/329 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00 |
Claims
1. An electronic cigarette having: a conduit that extends the
entire length of the electronic cigarette; a single outer wrapper
coupled to the conduit and adapted to cover the entire length of
the conduit, wherein the outer wrapper comprises paper having: a
first portion configured to simulate cigarette paper wrapped about
a tobacco rod portion of a traditional cigarette; a second portion
configured to simulate a filter portion of a traditional
cigarette:, an overlap portion located along the entire length of
an inner surface of the outer wrapper and adjacent to the first
portion and second portion:, a texture layer coupled to an entire
inner surface of only the first portion of the outer wrapper,
wherein the texture layer comprises a layer of particulate; and a
laminate layer coupled to an entire outer surface of only the
second portion of the outer wrapper; wherein the texture layer and
the first portion of the outer wrapper together are configured to
provide a surface of the electronic cigarette device that is
non-smooth to the touch and that simulates a surface of a tobacco
rod in a tobacco cigarette; and wherein the first portion of the
outer wrapper and the texture layer have a combined thickness that
is equal to a combined thickness of the second portion of the outer
wrapper and the laminate layer.
2. (canceled)
3. The electronic cigarette device of claim 1 wherein components of
the electronic cigarette device are disposed within the
conduit.
4. (canceled)
5. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein a portion of the
particulate is embedded into the inner surface of the first portion
of the outer wrapper.
6. (canceled)
7. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein particulate is
adhered to an outer surface of the conduit.
8. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein the texture layer
comprises a molded sleeve.
9. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein the outer wrapper
and the texture layer together have a combined thickness of between
approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 3 mm.
10. (canceled)
11. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein the second portion
of the outer wrapper is coupled directly to the conduit.
12. (canceled)
13. The electronic cigarette of claim 1 wherein the texture layer
is infused with a tobacco aroma.
14. An electronic cigarette having: a conduit adapted to contain
all of the components of an electronic cigarette device; an outer
wrapper coupled to the conduit and adapted to cover the entire
length of the conduit, wherein the outer wrapper comprises paper
having: a first portion configured to simulate cigarette paper
wrapped about a tobacco rod portion of a traditional cigarette; a
second portion configured to simulate a filter portion of a
traditional cigarette; an overlap portion located along the entire
length of an inner surface of the outer wrapper and adjacent to the
first portion and second portion; a texture layer coupled to a
distal portion of the conduit and coupled to an entire inner
surface of the first portion of the outer wrapper, wherein the
texture layer comprises a layer of particulate; and a laminate
layer coupled to an entire outer surface of the second portion of
the outer wrapper; wherein the overlap portion is void of
particulate; and wherein the first portion of the outer wrapper and
the texture layer have a combined thickness that is equal to a
combined thickness of the second portion of the outer wrapper and
the laminate layer.
15. The electronic cigarette of claim 14 wherein the particulate is
embedded into the inner surface of the first portion of the outer
wrapper.
16. The electronic cigarette of claim 14 wherein the particulate is
adhered to an outer surface of the conduit.
17-18. (canceled)
19. An electronic cigarette having: a conduit adapted to contain
all of the components of an electronic cigarette device; an outer
wrapper coupled the to the conduit and adapted to cover the entire
length of the conduit, wherein the outer wrapper comprises paper
having: a first portion configured to simulate cigarette paper
wrapped about a tobacco rod portion of a traditional cigarette, the
first portion defining an overlap portion along one long edge of
the outer wrapper; and a second portion configured to simulate a
filter portion of a traditional cigarette, the second portion also
further defining the overlap portion along the long edge of the
outer wrapper; a layer of particulate coupled to an entire inner
surface of the first portion of the outer wrapper except for the
overlap portion; and a laminate coupled to an entire outer surface
of the second portion of the outer wrapper including the overlap
portion, wherein the second portion of the outer wrapper is coupled
directly to the conduit; and wherein the first portion of the outer
wrapper and the layer of particulate have a combined thickness that
is equal to a combined thickness of the second portion of the outer
wrapper and the laminate.
20. The electronic cigarette of claim 19 wherein the first portion
of the outer wrapper and the layer of particulate together have a
combined thickness of between approximately 0.5 mm to approximately
3 mm and wherein the second portion of the outer wrapper and the
laminate together have a combined thickness of between
approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 3 mm.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This disclosure claims priority to Provisional Application
No. 61/693,219, filed on Aug. 24, 2012 in the name of the
Applicant.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure generally relates to alternative smoking
devices, and more particularly, to an electronic cigarette
configured to simulate the texture of the tobacco rod and cigarette
paper 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 texture
of the tobacco rod and cigarette paper of a traditional
cigarette.
[0005] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
an electronic cigarette configured to simulate the texture of the
tobacco rod and cigarette paper of a traditional cigarette is
disclosed. The electronic cigarette comprises: a texture layer
disposed over components of an electronic cigarette device; and
wherein the texture layer is configured to provide a surface of the
electronic cigarette device that is non-smooth to the touch and
that simulates a surface of a tobacco rod in a tobacco
cigarette.
[0006] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
an electronic cigarette configured to simulate the texture of the
tobacco rod and cigarette paper of a traditional cigarette is
disclosed. The electronic cigarette comprises: a conduit adapted to
contain components of an electronic cigarette device; an outer
wrapper; a texture layer located between at least a portion of the
conduit and the outer wrapper, wherein the texture layer comprises
a layer of particulate; and a laminate coupled to at least a
portion of an outer surface of the outer wrapper.
[0007] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
an electronic cigarette configured to simulate the texture of the
tobacco rod and cigarette paper of a traditional cigarette is
disclosed. The electronic cigarette comprises: a conduit adapted to
contain components of an electronic cigarette device; an outer
wrapper coupled the to the conduit, wherein the outer wrapper
comprises paper having: an overlap portion along at least one long
edge of an inner surface of the outer wrapper, and wherein the
particulate does not contact the overlap portion; a first portion
configured to simulate cigarette paper wrapped about a tobacco rod
portion of a traditional cigarette; and a second portion configured
to simulate a filter portion of a traditional cigarette; a layer of
particulate located only between the first portion of the outer
wrapper and the conduit; and a laminate coupled to only an outer
surface of the second portion of the outer wrapper, wherein the
second portion of the outer wrapper is coupled directly to 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. 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. 1A is a perspective view of the outer surface of the
outer wrapper of an electronic cigarette in accordance with one or
more aspects of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the outer surface of the
outer wrapper of another embodiment of an electronic cigarette in
accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inner surface of the
outer wrapper of an electronic cigarette in accordance with one or
more aspects of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front view of the inner surface of the outer
wrapper of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of the outer surface of the outer
wrapper of FIG. 1A;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the conduit,
texture layer, and outer wrapper for another embodiment of an
electronic cigarette in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the conduit,
texture layer, and outer wrapper for another embodiment of an
electronic cigarette in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0016] 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 be encompassed
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
[0017] The present disclosure generally relates to electronic
cigarettes. As will be disclosed, in one embodiment, an electronic
cigarette 100 can have a conduit 10 for protecting its internal
components, an outer wrapper 12, and a texture layer 22 that, in
combination with the outer wrapper 12, simulates the texture of a
traditional cigarette. A number of advantages can be provided by
the electronic cigarette components described herein. The texture
layer 22 and the outer wrapper 12 of the electronic cigarette 100
may together simulate the look and feel of the tobacco rod and
cigarette paper of a traditional cigarette. As also discussed
herein, an electronic cigarette 100 can have a conduit 10 that
itself is textured, and optionally comprised of a paper type of
material, for protecting its internal components and simulating the
texture of a traditional cigarette. Still further, an electronic
cigarette 100 can have a conduit 10 for protecting its internal
components and a textured outer wrapper 12 that simulates the
texture of a traditional cigarette. A number of additional
advantages will become apparent from the description provided
below.
[0018] Prior art alternative smoking devices can include a number
of components consisting of a battery and liquid source. The
battery can be a pre-charged, disposable type of device that is not
rechargeable or, alternatively, a rechargeable battery. The body of
prior art electronic cigarette embodiments can have a conduit that
is made of metal. The metal in the device allows for sturdiness and
protects the interior components, However, the metal may be cold,
hard, and completely smooth, resulting in an unrealistic simulation
of the look and feel of the tobacco rod and cigarette paper of a
traditional cigarette.
[0019] FIGS. 1A through 6 show an electronic cigarette 100
configured to simulate the texture of the tobacco rod and cigarette
paper of a traditional cigarette. In the present invention, the
metal conduit may be replaced with one that is relatively flexible.
The conduit 10 may be made of plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, paper,
paper-containing, or other suitable material that is more flexible
than the metal used within prior art alternative smoking devices.
The conduit 10 can extend the entire length of the electronic
cigarette 100. The conduit 10 can cover the internal components of
the electronic cigarette which may include a vaporizer (not shown),
battery (not shown), liquid source (not shown), integrated circuit
(not shown), light source (not shown), and end piece 34. The
conduit 10 can also cover a portion or the entirety of a filter
(not shown) of the electronic cigarette 100.
[0020] Traditional cigarettes are available in multiple sizes and
diameters. A "regular" size traditional cigarette typically has an
outside diameter of about 8 mm. "Slim" traditional cigarettes
typically have an outside diameter of about 6 mm and "wide"
traditional cigarettes typically have an outside diameter of about
10 mm. In one embodiment of the present invention, the outside
diameter of the electronic cigarette 100 is about 8 mm, so that it
closely replicates the outside diameter of a regular sized
traditional cigarette. It should be clearly understood, however,
that substantial benefit may be derived from the electronic
cigarette 100 having an outside diameter similar to that of a
"slim" traditional cigarette or a "wide" traditional cigarette or
any other desired size.
[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the internal
components of the electronic cigarette 100 (e.g. the vaporizer,
battery, liquid source, integrated circuit, and light source) are
positioned within the conduit 10. The internal components may have
an outside diameter slightly less than an inside diameter of the
conduit 10 which would allow the internal components to be held in
place by the friction that is created between the outer surface of
the internal components and the inner surface of the conduit 10.
For example, if the conduit 10 has an inside diameter of about 6
mm, then the outside diameter of the internal components would be
slightly less than 6 mm.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 4, 5, and 6, the outer surface 20
of the outer wrapper 12 may be configured to simulate the look and
feel of the cigarette paper and filter of a traditional cigarette.
For example, the outer wrapper 12 may be made of paper or any other
suitable material which is textured during manufacture.
Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6, the electronic
cigarette 100 may also have a texture layer 22, disposed below the
outer wrapper 12, which cooperates with the outer wrapper 12 to
simulate the look and texture of the tobacco rod of a traditional
cigarette. (As an additional alternative, the conduit 10 may itself
be textured, and the need for the outer wrapper 12 and/or texture
layer 22 eliminated.)
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1A, the outer wrapper 12 may be constructed
as one piece, that may cover the entire length of the conduit 10.
The outer surface 20 of a first portion 12a of the outer wrapper 12
may have the appearance of the cigarette paper wrapped about the
tobacco rod of a traditional cigarette and the outer surface 20 of
a second portion 12b of the outer wrapper 12 may have the
appearance of the filter portion of a traditional cigarette.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1B, the outer wrapper 12 may be
constructed as two separate portions: a first portion 12a wherein
its outer surface 20 has the appearance of the cigarette paper
wrapped about the tobacco rod of a traditional cigarette and second
portion 12b wherein its outer surface 20 has the appearance of the
filter portion of a traditional cigarette.
[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention shown
in FIGS. 1A-4, the outer wrapper 12 and the texture layer 22 may be
constructed by running the outer wrapper 12 and particulate 26
through a press. This will allow a portion of the particulate 26 to
be embedded into the inner surface 16 of the outer wrapper 12,
thereby creating a bumpy surface on the outer surface 20 of the
outer wrapper 12. This bumpy surface simulates the bumpy texture
that the tobacco rod creates on the cigarette paper of a
traditional cigarette. The outer wrapper 12 and particulate 26 may
be compressed into a desired thickness and an adhesive may then be
applied to one or more of the particulate 26, outer wrapper 12, or
conduit 10. The outer wrapper 12 could thus be integral to the
texture layer 22, which in this example is comprised of the
adhesive and the layer of particulate 26. Such a method of
manufacture may also be utilized to fabricate a textured conduit
10, in an embodiment in which no outer wrapper 12 is provided,
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a portion of the inner surface 16
of the outer wrapper 12 may not be pressed with any particulate 26.
This bare portion, or overlap portion 18, of the inner surface 16
of the outer wrapper 12 may be present along one long edge 14 of
the outer wrapper 12. While this overlap portion 18 may not contain
any particulate 26, it may contain an adhesive layer (not shown).
When the outer wrapper 12 and texture layer 22 are wrapped about
the conduit 10, the overlap portion 18 may then be adhered to the
outer surface 20 of the other long edge 14 of the outer wrapper 12,
thereby securing the outer wrapper 12 and texture layer 22 about
the conduit 10. The overlap portion 18 may be about 3 mm wide to
ensure secure adhesion about the conduit 10. It should be clearly
understood, however, that substantial benefit may be derived from
the overlap portion 18 having a different width,
[0026] Furthermore, the second portion 12b of the inner surface 16
of the outer wrapper 12 that is intended to simulate the filter
portion of a traditional cigarette may not be pressed with any
particulate 26. Thus, the second portion 12b of the outer wrapper
12 may be, in one embodiment, coupled directly to the conduit 10.
This will help this filter portion of the outer wrapper 12 to
maintain a smooth look and feel that is similar to the smooth look
and feel of a filter of a traditional cigarette. Additionally, the
portion of the outer surface 20 of the outer wrapper 12 that is
intended to simulate the filter portion of a traditional cigarette
may have a layer of non-paper laminate 24 coupled thereto--though
it may be desired to not provide such a laminate, for example where
the conduit 10 is itself textured and where no outer wrapper 12 is
provided. The layer of laminate 24 may be made of plastic,
polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or other suitable water
resistant material. It may be preferable to include a layer of
laminate 24 to this filter portion of the outer surface 20 of the
outer wrapper 12 in order to protect the outer wrapper 12 from
degrading after coming into contact with saliva from the interior
of the user's mouth or if it otherwise comes into contact with
moisture. It is preferable that the thickness of the outer wrapper
12 and layer of laminate 24 together will have the same thickness
of the outer wrapper 12 and texture layer 22 together. This will
help maintain a uniform thickness throughout the length of the
entire electronic cigarette 100.
[0027] The outer wrapper 12 and texture layer 22 together (and the
outer wrapper 12 and laminate 24 together) may have a desired
thickness, such as 0.75 mm. However, it should be clearly
understood that substantial benefit may be derived from an
alternate thickness. For example, the outer wrapper 12 and texture
layer 22 (and the outer wrapper 12 and laminate 24) may have a
thickness of between 0.5 mm to 3 mm, depending upon the desired
outside diameter of the electronic cigarette 100. As a further
example, if the electronic cigarette 100 is to be the size of a
regular sized traditional cigarette, then the outside diameter of
the electronic cigarette 100 may be 8 mm, with the outer wrapper 12
and texture layer 22 (and the outer wrapper 12 and laminate 24)
having a total thickness of between about 0.75 mm-1.5 mm.
[0028] It should be clearly understood, that substantial benefit
may still be derived from an embodiment that does not include a
laminate 24 layer. If no laminate 24 layer is used, then the
thickness of the portion of the outer wrapper 12 that is intended
to simulate the filter portion of a traditional cigarette may have
a greater thickness than the portion of the outer wrapper 12
(together with the particulate 26) that is intended to simulate the
tobacco rod portion of a traditional cigarette. For example, the
outer wrapper 12 and texture layer 22 together (the portion
intended to simulate the tobacco rod portion of a traditional
cigarette) may have a desired thickness of 0.75 mm and the outer
wrapper 12 alone (the portion intended to simulate the filter of a
traditional cigarette) may also have a thickness of 0.75 mm. This
will allow for the electronic cigarette 100 to have a uniform
diameter throughout its entire length.
[0029] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the texture layer 22
may comprise a particulate 26 that is adhered to a portion of the
outer surface of the conduit 10; i.e. the portion of the conduit 10
that is intended to replicate the tobacco rod of a traditional
cigarette. A suitable amount of particulate 26 may be adhered and
layered onto the outer surface of the conduit 10 to achieve a
texture layer 22 of a desired thickness. The outer wrapper 12 may
then be adhered to the outer surface of the particulate texture
layer 22.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the present
invention comprises a texture layer 22 that surrounds the conduit
10 and lies beneath the outer wrapper 12. The texture layer 22 may
comprise a synthetic or organic material. As an example, the
texture layer 22 may comprise a compressed material, such as paper
or some other suitable material that may be compression molded or
blow molded so that it is shaped into a sleeve 30 that fits about
the conduit 10. The sleeve 30 may have an inner diameter slightly
larger than the outer diameter of the conduit 10 so that the sleeve
30 may fit snugly about the conduit 10. The texture layer 22 may
also be constructed of polystyrene or some other similar material.
The texture layer 22 may also be made of tobacco leaves similar to
that used in traditional cigarettes. The texture layer may also be
infused with an aroma; e.g. tobacco or menthol scented.
[0031] In another embodiment, the internal components (not shown)
may be contained directly within the texture layer 22, which
effectively functions as both a texture layer 22 and a conduit 10.
The outside diameter of the internal components would be slightly
less than the inside diameter of the texture layer 22 so that they
may be held in place within the texture layer 22 by friction
created between the outer surface of the internal components and
the inner surface of the texture layer 22. In this embodiment, the
texture layer 22 may be constructed of a flexible material that may
also be compression molded to simulate the texture of the tobacco
rod of a traditional cigarette.
[0032] 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.
* * * * *