U.S. patent application number 14/063083 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-30 for electronic cigarette with replaceable soft tip mouthpiece.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kyle D. Newton. Invention is credited to Kyle D. Newton.
Application Number | 20150114406 14/063083 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52994025 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150114406 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Newton; Kyle D. |
April 30, 2015 |
Electronic Cigarette with Replaceable Soft Tip Mouthpiece
Abstract
An electronic cigarette with a selectively replaceable
mouthpiece. This includes a vapor generating electronic cigarette
with a rigid mouthpiece that has a vapor opening at its distal end.
The rigid mouthpiece is configured with a first circumference
located about its longitudinal axis, and a second circumference,
which is larger than the first circumference, located distal from
the first circumference. A mouthpiece cover is formed from a
pliable polymeric material, and has an internal cavity that
generally conform with the shape of rigid mouthpiece. The
mouthpiece cover also has a vapor passage extending from the
internal cavity to an outlet end, which defines a continuous
passage for vapor to pass from the vapor generating electronic
cigarette to the outlet end. In addition, the pliable polymeric
material stretches to enable removal and replacement of the
mouthpiece cover to and from the rigid mouthpiece of the electronic
cigarette.
Inventors: |
Newton; Kyle D.;
(Colleyville, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Newton; Kyle D. |
Colleyville |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52994025 |
Appl. No.: |
14/063083 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 47/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/329 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00 |
Claims
1. An electronic cigarette with a selectively replaceable
mouthpiece, comprising: a vapor generating electronic cigarette
having a rigid mouthpiece with a vapor opening at a distal end,
said rigid mouthpiece configured with a first circumference located
about a longitudinal axis, and a second circumference, which is
larger than said first circumference, located distal from said
first circumference along said longitudinal axis, and a mouthpiece
cover formed from a pliable polymeric material, having an internal
cavity that generally conform with said rigid mouthpiece shape, and
having a vapor passage extending from said internal cavity to an
outlet end, thereby defining a continuous passage for vapor to pass
from said vapor generating electronic cigarette to said outlet end,
and wherein said pliable polymeric material stretches to enable
removal and replacement of said mouthpiece cover with said rigid
mouthpiece.
2. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, and wherein: said internal
cavity includes a first engagement zone formed to be substantially
compliant with said first circumference, and a second engagement
zone formed to be substantially compliant with said second
circumference.
3. An electronic cigarette assembly, comprising: a housing of an
electronic cigarette that generates vapor; a rigid mouthpiece
having an elongated body fixed to said housing at a proximal end,
with a vapor conduit formed through a longitudinal axis to a distal
end, and wherein said elongated body includes a first circumference
located about said longitudinal axis, and a second circumference,
which is larger than said first circumference, located distal from
said first circumference along said longitudinal axis, and a
mouthpiece cover formed from a pliable polymeric material, and
having an internal cavity adjacent to a first end, which is shaped
to generally conform with said elongated body of said rigid
mouthpiece, and which is pneumatically coupled through a vapor
passage to an outlet end, and wherein said vapor conduit and said
vapor passage align to define a continuous passage for vapor to
pass from said housing to said outlet end of said mouthpiece cover
while said internal cavity is engaged with said elongated body of
said rigid mouthpiece, and wherein said pliable polymeric material
stretches to enable removal and replacement of said mouthpiece
cover with said rigid mouthpiece.
4. The electronic cigarette of claim 3, and wherein: said internal
cavity includes a first engagement zone formed to be substantially
compliant with said first circumference, and a second engagement
zone formed to be substantially compliant with said second
circumference.
5. A mouthpiece cover for a vapor generating electronic cigarette
that has an elongated rigid mouthpiece, with an vapor outlet at a
distal end, and wherein the elongated rigid mouthpiece includes a
first circumference located about a longitudinal axis, and a second
circumference, which is larger than the first circumference,
located distal from the first circumference along the longitudinal
axis, the mouthpiece cover comprising: a body formed from a pliable
polymeric material, and having an internal cavity adjacent to a
first end, which is shaped to generally conform with the elongated
rigid mouthpiece, and which is pneumatically coupled through a
vapor passage to an outlet end, and wherein said vapor passage
aligns with the vapor outlet to define a continuous passage for
vapor to pass from the vapor generating electronic cigarette to
said outlet end of said body while said internal cavity is engaged
with the elongated rigid mouthpiece, and wherein said pliable
polymeric material stretches to enable removal and replacement of
said body with the elongated rigid mouthpiece.
6. The electronic cigarette of claim 5, and wherein: said internal
cavity includes a first engagement zone formed to be substantially
compliant with said first circumference, and a second engagement
zone formed to be substantially compliant with said second
circumference.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to electronic cigarettes. More
particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic
cigarette having both a rigid mouthpiece and a replaceable soft tip
mouthpiece.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Electronic cigarettes have become increasingly popular in
recent years. Electronic cigarettes emulate tobacco cigarettes, but
without the combustion of tobacco during use. Rather than burning
tobacco, a fluid is atomized within the electronic cigarette, which
produces a vapor that emulates the smoke produced in a tobacco
cigarette. The fluid may contain flavoring agents such as tobacco
flavor, menthol, fruits, herbs, and others, to enhance the
"smoking" experience of the electronic cigarette. Nicotine may be
added to the atomization fluid as well.
[0005] Most of the early electronic cigarette designs emulated the
appearance and function of tobacco cigarettes, which was most
familiar to tobacco users. However, the weight of electronic
cigarettes is significantly greater than tobacco cigarettes, so
there is a significant difference in handling between the two. For
example, it is quite common for a tobacco cigarette user to hold a
cigarette, hands free, between their lips. While this is certainly
possible to do with an electronic cigarette, it is not as
comfortable due to the increased weight. Additionally, electronic
cigarette users seek extended life of both the battery power
reserve and the vaporization fluid reserve, which has led to larger
sized, and heavier, electronic cigarettes. These factors, among
others, are driving electronic cigarette design away from the
familiar tobacco cigarette format. One area that deserves some
attention in this regard is the mouthpiece structure. Thus, it can
be appreciated that there is a need in the art for an electronic
cigarette that addresses the differences in design, particularly
with respect to the mouthpiece.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The need in the art is addressed by the apparatus of the
present invention. The present disclosure teaches an electronic
cigarette with a selectively replaceable mouthpiece. This includes
a vapor generating electronic cigarette with a rigid mouthpiece
that has a vapor opening at its distal end. The rigid mouthpiece is
configured with a first circumference located about its
longitudinal axis, and a second circumference, which is larger than
the first circumference, located distal from the first
circumference. A mouthpiece cover is formed from a pliable
polymeric material, and has an internal cavity that generally
conform with the shape of rigid mouthpiece. The mouthpiece cover
also has a vapor passage extending from the internal cavity to an
outlet end, which defines a continuous passage for vapor to pass
from the vapor generating electronic cigarette to the outlet end.
In addition, the pliable polymeric material stretches to enable
removal and replacement of the mouthpiece cover to and from the
rigid mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette.
[0007] In a specific embodiment of the foregoing electronic
cigarette, the internal cavity includes a first engagement zone
formed to be substantially compliant with the size of the first
circumference, and a second engagement zone formed to be
substantially compliant with the shape of the second
circumference.
[0008] The present disclosure also teaches an electronic cigarette
assembly, which includes a housing of an electronic cigarette that
generates vapor, and a rigid mouthpiece with an elongated body that
is fixed to the housing at a proximal end. A vapor conduit is
formed through a longitudinal axis to a distal end of the rigid
mouthpiece. The elongated body also includes a first circumference
located about the longitudinal axis, and a second circumference,
which is larger than the first circumference, located distal from
the first circumference along the longitudinal axis. A mouthpiece
cover is formed from a pliable polymeric material, and has an
internal cavity adjacent to a first end that is shaped to generally
conform to the elongated body of the rigid mouthpiece. The cavity
is pneumatically coupled through a vapor passage to an outlet end.
The vapor conduit and the vapor passage align to define a
continuous passage for vapor to pass from the electronic cigarette
housing to the outlet end of the mouthpiece cover while the
internal cavity is engaged with the elongated body of the rigid
mouthpiece. In addition, the pliable polymeric material stretches
sufficiently to enable removal and replacement of the mouthpiece
cover over the rigid mouthpiece.
[0009] In a specific embodiment of the foregoing electronic
cigarette assembly, the internal cavity includes a first engagement
zone formed to be substantially compliant with the size of the
first circumference, and a second engagement zone formed to be
substantially compliant with the shape of the second
circumference.
[0010] The present disclosure also teaches a mouthpiece cover for
use with a vapor generating electronic cigarette. Particularly
where the electronic cigarette has an elongated rigid mouthpiece,
with an vapor outlet at a distal end, and where the elongated rigid
mouthpiece includes a first circumference located about a
longitudinal axis, and a second circumference, which is larger than
the first circumference, located distal from the first
circumference along the longitudinal axis. The mouthpiece cover
includes a body formed from a pliable polymeric material, which has
an internal cavity adjacent to a first end, which is shaped to
generally conform to the elongated rigid mouthpiece, and which is
pneumatically coupled through a vapor passage to an outlet end.
When installed on the electronic cigarette, the vapor passage
aligns with the vapor outlet to define a continuous passage for
vapor to pass from the vapor generating electronic cigarette to the
outlet end of the mouthpiece cover. In addition, the pliable
polymeric material stretches sufficiently to enable removal and
replacement of the body on the elongated rigid mouthpiece.
[0011] In a specific embodiment of the foregoing mouthpiece cover,
the internal cavity includes a first engagement zone formed to be
substantially compliant with the size of the first circumference,
and a second engagement zone formed to be substantially compliant
with the shape of the second circumference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view drawing of an electronic
cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view drawing of an electronic
cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIGS. 3A and 3B are side view and end view drawings,
respectively, of an electronic cigarette according to an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIGS. 4A and 4B are side view and end view drawings,
respectively, of an electronic cigarette with a soft tip mouthpiece
according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIGS. 5A and 5B are side view and end view drawings,
respectively, of an electronic cigarette with a soft tip mouthpiece
according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are a first section view, a second
section view, and an end view drawing, respectively of a soft tip
mouthpiece for an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIGS. 7A and 7B are assembly drawings for a soft tip
mouthpiece for an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Illustrative embodiments and exemplary applications will now
be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to
disclose the advantageous teachings of the present invention.
[0020] While the present invention is described herein with
reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications,
it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto.
Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings
provided herein will recognize additional modifications,
applications, and embodiments within the scope hereof and
additional fields in which the present invention would be of
significant utility.
[0021] In considering the detailed embodiments of the present
invention, it will be observed that the present invention resides
primarily in combinations of steps to accomplish various methods or
components to form various apparatus and systems. Accordingly, the
apparatus and system components and method steps have been
represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the
drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to
understanding the present invention so as not to obscure the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the disclosures
contained herein.
[0022] In this disclosure, relational terms such as first and
second, top and bottom, upper and lower, and the like may be used
solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or
action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such
relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms
"comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process,
method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements
does not include only those elements but may include other elements
not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article,
or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises a" does not,
without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional
identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus
that comprises the element.
[0023] The illustrative embodiments presented herein disclose
electronic cigarettes with contoured mouthpieces, which are
comfortable for the user to form a pneumatic seal thereabout when
drawing vapor from the apparatus. A rigid mouthpiece is fixed to
the housing of the electronic cigarette, and is thus generally a
permanent mouthpiece, although the apparatus may be disassembled
for service, refills, or cleaning purposes. Such a mouthpiece may
be elongated with a smooth profile that is comfortable on the lips
of the user. The mouthpiece will include a vapor conduit coupled to
a vapor outlet adjacent to its distal end. Such a mouthpiece may be
fabricated from metal or rigid plastic materials. This is an
effective mouthpiece design for users that firmly hold the
electronic cigarette by hand and draw vapor by sealing their lips
about the mouthpiece. However, some users prefer to grip the
mouthpiece using their teeth, and in this situation, a rigid
mouthpiece is not comfortable due to the hard contact between the
teeth and the rigid mouthpiece. The present disclosure teaches a
mouthpiece system for an electronic cigarette that provides a
comfortable experience for both kinds of user, as well as an
alternative mouthpiece configuration that offers variety in use for
all users.
[0024] Reference is directed to FIG. 1, which is a perspective view
drawing of an electronic cigarette 2 according to an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention. The electronic cigarette 2
comprises a battery section 4, which is generally and elongated
cylinder, and an atomizer section 6, which is generally a truncated
cylinder. Although, other housing cross sectional designs may be
employed, such as ovals, ellipses, polygons and irregular
configurations. Various arrangements of internal components and
functions of electronic cigarettes are known to those skilled in
the art. A rigid mouthpiece 8 extends from the atomizer 6, and
truncates with a vapor outlet 10 at its distal end. In the
illustrative embodiment, the housing of the battery 4 and atomizer
6 are fabricated from steel tubing, and the rigid mouthpiece 8 is
fabricated from aluminum. The rigid mouthpiece 8 has a smooth,
cylindrical contour and generally tapers from the atomizer 6 to the
outlet 10, but includes an increased circumference adjacent to the
distal end. In use, the user firmly grasps the battery 4, places
their lips about the rigid mouthpiece 8, and draws vapor out of the
vapor outlet 10.
[0025] Reference is directed to FIG. 2, which is a perspective view
drawing of an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention. This figure generally
corresponds to FIG. 1, however, FIG. 2 illustrates a soft
mouthpiece cover 12 in place. The soft mouthpiece cover is
fabricated from a pliable and resilient polymeric material. The
soft mouthpiece cover includes an internal vapor passage 14 that
provides a continuous passageway for vapor to exit the soft
mouthpiece cover. Further details of the design will be described
hereinafter. Having placed the soft mouthpiece cover 12 onto the
rigid mouthpiece 8 of the electronic cigarette 2, the user is
presented with a soft, resilient, and pliable mouthpiece that is
comfortable to grip with teeth. Note that the rigid mouthpiece 8
provides a solid internal support structure for the soft mouthpiece
cover 12, and that the soft mouthpiece cover 12 extends beyond the
distal end of the rigid mouthpiece 8. This results in a soft
mouthpiece cover that is flexible at its distal end because the
internal rigid support does not extend to the distal end of the
soft mouthpiece cover 12.
[0026] Reference is directed to FIGS. 3A and 3B, which are side
view and end view drawings, respectively, of an electronic
cigarette 2 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention. The electronic cigarette 2 comprises a battery section 4
and an atomizer section 6, with a rigid mouthpiece 8 that extends
from the atomizer 6. There is a vapor conduit 10 formed through the
rigid mouthpiece 8, which serves to deliver vapor to the vapor
outlet 10 at the distal end of the rigid mouthpiece 8. The rigid
mouthpiece 8 has a smooth, cylindrical contour and generally tapers
from the atomizer 6 to the outlet 10, but includes an increased
circumference portion 11 adjacent to the distal end. The increased
circumference portion 11 serves to retain the soft mouthpiece cover
(not shown) in place, as will be more fully discussed
hereinafter.
[0027] Reference is directed to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are side
view and end view drawings, respectively, of an electronic
cigarette with a soft tip mouthpiece 12 according to an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Reference is also
directed to FIGS. 5A and 5B, which are side view and end view
drawings, respectively, of an electronic cigarette 2 with a soft
tip mouthpiece 12 according to an illustrative embodiment of the
present invention. These figures illustrate the foregoing
illustrative electronic cigarette 2 when the soft mouthpiece cover
12 has been placed onto the rigid mouthpiece 8. A vapor passage 14
is formed through the soft mouthpiece cover 12 so that vapor from
the rigid mouthpiece 8 vapor conduit 10 can pass through to the
distal end of the soft mouthpiece cover 12. Note that the view
perspectives of FIGS. 4A and 5A are orthogonal to one another, thus
illustrating the tapered and flattened shape of the distal end of
the soft mouthpiece cover 12 in the illustrative embodiment. Other
physical shapes and configuration could also be employed. Also note
that the length of the vapor passage 14 in the soft mouthpiece
cover 12 is coextensive with the length of the soft mouthpiece
cover that is not supported by the rigid mouthpiece 8 therein.
[0028] Reference is directed to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, which are a
first section view, a second section view, and an end view drawing,
respectively of a soft tip mouthpiece 12 for an electronic
cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention. Note that the perspectives of FIGS. 6A and 6B are
orthogonal to one another. The soft mouthpiece cover 12 comprises
an internal cavity 20 that generally conforms with the exterior
shape of the host rigid mouthpiece (not shown). Note that the rigid
mouthpiece discussed hereinbefore was generally tapered, but had an
increased circumference portion near its distal end. The internal
cavity 20 is formed to take advantage of that configuration so as
to hold the soft mouthpiece cover 12 in place. Within the internal
cavity 20, there is a first engagement zone 22, which conforms to
the narrowest circumference on the host rigid mouthpiece, and a
second engagement zone 24, which conforms to the enlarged
circumference on the host rigid mouthpiece. Thusly, while the soft
mouthpiece cover 12 is engaged with the rigid mouthpiece (not
shown), that soft mouthpiece cover is effectively retained by the
resilience of the soft mouthpiece cover 12 polymeric material. Also
note the vapor passage 14 that is pneumatically coupled to the
cavity 20. Also note the tapered distal end 18 of the soft
mouthpiece cover 12, which is flexible because it is unsupported
and fabricated from a pliable and resilient material. Further note
that the proximal end 16 of the soft mouthpiece cover 12 has an
enlarged internal diameter to facilitate alignment and placement of
the soft mouthpiece cover 12 onto the rigid mouthpiece of the host
electronic cigarette (not shown).
[0029] Reference is directed to FIGS. 7A and 7B, which are assembly
drawings for a soft tip mouthpiece 12 for an electronic cigarette 2
according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
These figures illustrate the placement and removal of the soft
mouthpiece cover 12 onto the rigid mouthpiece 8 of the host
electronic cigarette 2. In FIG. 7A, the soft mouthpiece cover 12 is
pushed onto, or pulled off of, the rigid mouthpiece 8. Note that
the resilience of the soft mouthpiece cover 12 material enables the
smaller circumference engagement zone 22 to slide over the enlarged
circumference 11 of the distal end of the rigid mouthpiece 8. Once
the soft mouthpiece cover 12 is fully engaged with the rigid
mouthpiece 8, the first engagement zone 22 and the second
engagement zone 24 fully conform to the shape of the rigid
mouthpiece 8, and the resilience of the material effectively hold
the soft mouthpiece cover in place. Note that the vapor conduit 10
of the rigid mouthpiece 8 and the vapor passage 14 of the soft
mouthpiece cover 12 aligned to form a continuous passage for
drawing vapor from the distal end of the soft mouthpiece cover.
[0030] Thus, the present invention has been described herein with
reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application.
Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present
teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and
embodiments within the scope thereof.
[0031] It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any
and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the
scope of the present invention.
* * * * *