U.S. patent application number 14/525708 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-30 for electronic vapor system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Paradise Packaging Inc.. Invention is credited to Gary Doster.
Application Number | 20150114410 14/525708 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52994028 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150114410 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Doster; Gary |
April 30, 2015 |
ELECTRONIC VAPOR SYSTEM
Abstract
An electronic cigarette having a shell, an insert, and a
mouthpiece component. The shell has a lid with a bracket on the
lid's interior surface and a base connected by a hinge that allows
the shell to be in an open position or a closed position. The
insert has a power on/off switch, a tang, a more power switch and a
less power switch, an atomizer connection, electronic circuitry,
and a mouthpiece sanitary, storage cavity. At least one aperture in
the shell exposes the power on/off switch, the more power switch,
the less power switch, and the atomizer connection. The mouthpiece
component is capable of being properly positioned (a) into the
mouthpiece sanitary, storage cavity for safer and more sanitary
environment when the electronic cigarette is not being used for
smoking purposes and (b) in the atomizer connection when the
electronic cigarette is being used for smoking purposes.
Inventors: |
Doster; Gary; (Orchard Park,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Paradise Packaging Inc. |
Orchard Park |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52994028 |
Appl. No.: |
14/525708 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61896774 |
Oct 29, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 47/008
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/329 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00 |
Claims
1. An electronic cigarette having a shell having a lid with a
bracket on the lid's interior surface and a base connected by a
hinge that allows the shell to be in an open position or a closed
position; an insert having a power on/off switch, a tang, a more
power switch and a less power switch, an atomizer connection,
electronic circuitry, and a mouthpiece sanitary, storage cavity
wherein (a) the tang contacts the bracket in the shell's open
position and closed position and (b) when the lid is in the closed
position, the mouthpiece sanitary, storage cavity is enclosed in
the shell; at least one aperture in the shell to expose the power
on/off switch, the more power switch, the less power switch, and
the atomizer connection; a mouthpiece component capable of being
properly positioned (a) into the mouthpiece sanitary, storage
cavity for safer and more sanitary environment when the electronic
cigarette is not being used for smoking purposes and (b) in the
atomizer connection when the electronic cigarette is being used for
smoking purposes.
2. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1 wherein the base
has at least one beveled aperture to expose the power on/off
switch, the more power switch, the less power switch, or
combinations thereof.
3. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1 wherein the base
has a bottom surface.
4. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1 wherein the base
has an aperture to receive the insert.
5. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1 wherein the
mouthpiece component is a self-contained atomizer/liquid
container.
6. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1 wherein the
mouthpiece component has a mouthpiece apparatus and a liquid
container.
7. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1 further comprises
a re-charging outlet.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 61/896,774, filed on Oct. 29, 2013.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As expressed in Wikipedia, "An electronic cigarette (e-cig
or e-cigarette), personal vaporizer (PV) or electronic nicotine
delivery system (ENDS) is a battery-powered vaporizer which
simulates tobacco smoking by producing an aerosol that resembles
smoke. It generally uses a heating element known as an atomizer,
that vaporizes a liquid solution known as e-liquid. E-liquids
usually contain a mixture of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin,
nicotine, and flavorings, while others release a flavored vapor
without nicotine . . . .
[0003] Most electronic cigarettes take an overall cylindrical shape
although a wide array of shapes can be found: box, pipe styles etc.
First generation electronic cigarettes were usually designed to
simulate smoking implements, such as cigarettes or cigars, in their
use and appearance. New generation electronic cigarettes often
called mods, PVs (personal vaporizer) or APVs (advanced personal
vaporizer) have an increased nicotine-dispersal performance,
housing higher capacity batteries, and come in various form
factors, including metal tubes and boxes. Many electronic
cigarettes are composed of standardized replaceable parts that are
interchangeable from one brand to the other, while disposable
devices combine all components into a single part that is discarded
when its liquid is depleted. Common components include a liquid
delivery and container system like tanks or cartomizers, an
atomizer, and a power source.
Atomizer
[0004] An atomizer generally consists of a small heating element
responsible for vaporizing e-liquid, as well as a wicking material
that draws liquid in. Along with a battery, the atomizer is the
central component of every personal vaporizer. Differences between
atomizers cause differences in the ingredients and their
concentrations delivered to users, even when the same liquid is
used.
[0005] A small length of resistance wire is coiled around the
wicking material and then connected to the positive and negative
poles of the device. When activated the resistance wire (or coil)
quickly heats up thus turning the liquid into a vapor, which is
then inhaled by the user.
[0006] The electrical resistance of the coil, the voltage output of
the device, the airflow of the atomizer and the efficiency of the
wick play important roles in the perceived quality of the aerosol
that is produced by an atomizer. They also greatly affect the
quantity or volume of aerosol that will be produced by the
atomizer.
[0007] Atomizer resistances usually vary from 1.50 (ohms) to 3.00
from one atomizer to the next but can go as low as 0.10 in the most
extreme cases of DIY coil building which produce large amounts of
vapor but could present a fire hazard and other dangerous battery
failures if the user is not knowledgeable enough about basic
electrical principles and how they relate to battery safety.
[0008] Wicking materials vary greatly from one atomizer to another
but silica fibers are the most commonly used in manufactured
atomizers. "Rebuildable" or "do it yourself" atomizers can use
silica, cotton, rayon, porous ceramic, hemp, bamboo yarn, oxidized
stainless steel mesh and wire rope cables as wicking materials.
[0009] A wide array of atomizers and e-liquid container
combinations are available.
[0010] Cartomizers
[0011] A "cartomizer" (a portmanteau of cartridge and atomizer) or
"carto" consists of an atomizer surrounded by a liquid-soaked
poly-foam that acts as an e-liquid holder. It is usually disposed
of once the e-liquid acquires a burnt taste, which is usually due
to an activation when the coil is dry or when the cartomizer gets
consistently flooded (gurgling) because of sedimentation of the
wick. Most cartomizers are refillable even if not advertised as
such.
[0012] Cartomizers can be used on their own or in conjunction with
a tank that allows more e-liquid capacity. In this case the
portmanteau word of "cartotank" has been coined. When used in a
tank, the cartomizer is inserted in a plastic, glass or metal tube
and holes or slots have to be punched on the sides of the
cartomizer to allow liquid to reach the coil.
[0013] Clearomizers
[0014] Clearomizers or "clearos", not unlike cartotanks, use a
clear tank in which an atomizer is inserted. Unlike cartotanks,
however, no poly-foam material can be found in them. There are a
lot of different wicking systems employed inside of clearomizers to
ensure good moistening of the wick without flooding the coil. Some
rely on gravity to bring the e-liquid to the wick and coil assembly
(bottom coil clearomizers for example) whereas others rely on
capillary action and to some degree the user agitating the e-liquid
while handling the clearomizer (top coil clearomizers).
[0015] Rebuildable Atomizers
[0016] A rebuildable atomizer or an RBA is an atomizer that allows
the user to assemble or "build" the wick and coil themselves
instead of replacing them by an off-the-shelf atomizer "head". They
also allow the user to build atomizers at any desired electrical
resistance. The materials needed to "rebuild" the atomizers are
usually much cheaper than the usual prefabricated replaceable wick
and coil assemblies destined to clearomizers.
[0017] These atomizers are divided into three main categories;
rebuildable tank atomizers (RTAs), rebuildable dripping atomizers
(RDAs), and rebuildable dripping tank atomizers (RDATs).
[0018] Rebuildable tank atomizers (RTAs) are similar to
clearomizers in that they use a tank or container to hold and bring
liquid to the coil. They usually hold significantly more e-liquid
than their RDA counterparts.
[0019] Rebuildable dripping atomizers (RDAs) on the other hand lack
the container section and hold very little liquid compared to RTAs,
but are usually a lot smaller. They typically consist only of an
atomizer "building deck" which can accept one or more coils and a
"top cap" to cover the coils where a mouth piece can be attached.
The user needs to manually keep the atomizer wet by dripping liquid
on the bare wick and coil assembly, hence their name.
[0020] Rebuildable dripping tank atomizers (RDATs) combine features
of both RTAs and RDAs. They usually consist of a RDA build deck
with a tank over the deck held up by a spring. The user pushes down
on the mouth piece and liquid is then dripped onto the coils. This
is unlike a RTA that continuously feeds liquid to the wicks.
Power
[0021] Most portable devices contain a rechargeable battery, which
tends to be the largest component of an electronic cigarette. The
battery may contain an electronic airflow sensor whereby activation
is triggered simply by drawing breath through the device, while
other models employ a power button that must be held during
operation. An LED to indicate activation may also be employed. Some
manufacturers also offer a cigarette pack-shaped portable charging
case (PCC), which contains a larger battery capable of charging
e-cigarettes. Devices aimed at more experienced users may sport
additional features, such as variable power output and support of a
wide range of internal batteries and atomizer configurations and
tend to stray away from the cigarette form factor. Some cheaper
devices use a microphone to activate. Other batteries, like Ego
type batteries, can use a custom integrated circuit to indicate
battery status on the included liquid crystal display and a button
to activate.
Variable Power and Voltage Devices
[0022] Variable voltage or power personal vaporizers are devices
that contain a built in electronic chip that allows the user to
adjust the power that goes through the heating element. They
usually incorporate a LED screen to display various information.
Variable PVs eliminate the need to replace an atomizer with another
one of lower or higher electrical resistance to change the
intensity of the vapor. They also feature voltage regulation and
some battery protection.
[0023] Some of these devices offer additional features through
their menu system such as: atomizer resistance checker, remaining
battery voltage, puff counter, activation cut-off etc.
Mechanical Personal Vaporizers
[0024] Mechanical PVs or mechanical "mods", often called "mechs"
are devices without electronic components and battery protection
(apart from vent holes drilled in some mechanical devices) or
voltage regulation. Because there is neither protection nor
regulation, they will work either way the battery is inserted. They
are activated by spring loaded or opposing magnetic mechanical
switches, hence their name. They rely on the natural voltage output
of a battery and the material that the mod is made of.
[0025] They are commonly used with "low resistance"
(1.0.OMEGA.-0.2.OMEGA.) rebuildable atomizers. Seeing that most
e-cigarettes containing electronic battery protection will
interpret sub ohm resistance coils as a short circuit, thus
prohibiting the device from being activated, mechanical mods are
among the only devices that will accept such atomizer resistances
although more recent (2013) electronic devices offers this
possibility as well.
[0026] Since mechanical PVs are unregulated and unprotected, they
require special attention on the user's part that other regulated
and protected PVs do not need. Making sure that the battery does
not over-discharge and that the atomizer will not require more
amperage than what the battery can safely allow are the user's
responsibilities."
[0027] As identified above, the basic components of an electronic
cigarette are well known and are incorporated into the present
invention. Those components will not be discussed at length in in
the detailed description of the invention since they are common
ordinary components used in most, if not all, electronic
cigarettes. What is not disclosed is an effective device and method
to protect the atomizer from being damaged while being carried in
the user's pocket, purse, hand, or equivalent thereof when not
being used for "smoking" purposes.
[0028] As identified above, the atomizer attaches to a conventional
electronic cigarette. Electronic cigarettes, with the atomizer
attached, are "smoked" and then normally stored in unsanitary
environments like pockets, purses or equivalents thereof. The
atomizer directly contacts those unsanitary environments and as a
result transfers the particles from the unsanitary environment to
the user's mouth when the user elects to remove the electronic
cigarette from the unsanitary environment and elect to take a
"puff." A crux of the current invention is to properly store the
atomizer with remainder of the electronic cigarette to avoid
unnecessarily breaking the atomizer and retain everything in a more
sanitary casing environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0029] An electronic cigarette having a shell, an insert, and a
mouthpiece component. The shell has a lid with a bracket on the
lid's interior surface and a base connected by a hinge that allows
the shell to be in an open position or a closed position. The
insert has a power on/off switch, a tang, a more power switch and a
less power switch, an atomizer connection, electronic circuitry,
and a mouthpiece sanitary, storage cavity. At least one aperture in
the shell exposes the power on/off switch, the more power switch,
the less power switch, and the atomizer connection. The mouthpiece
component is capable of being properly positioned (a) into the
mouthpiece sanitary, storage cavity for safer and more sanitary
environment when the electronic cigarette is not being used for
smoking purposes and (b) in the atomizer connection when the
electronic cigarette is being used for smoking purposes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIGS. 1a-e illustrate different embodiments of the shell in
the closed position.
[0031] FIGS. 2a-e illustrate FIGS. 1a-e from a different angle.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of FIG. 1a taken along the lines
3-3 and which are representative samples of the insert in the
shell.
[0033] FIG. 4 is an alternative version of the insert in FIG.
3.
[0034] FIG. 5 is an generic electrical schematic of the claimed
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] The present invention utilizes the above-identified
conventional components in a different configuration to obtain a
safer, more sanitary electronic cigarette product.
Casing Structures
[0036] The current embodiment of an electronic cigarette 10 has an
exterior casing (identified as 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e respectively
in FIGS. 1a-e). The casing 12a-e is preferably made of metal,
preferably brass, and manufactured by Zippo Manufacturing Company.
In particular, the casing 12a is similar to the famous Zippo
Manufacturing Company's BLU brand pyrophoric lighter design except
for a few modifications. As with Zippo Manufacturing Company's
classic, original pyrophoric lighter design, the casing 12a-e is
designed to receive a removable insert 30--which will be discussed
in greater detail below.
[0037] Common features of each casing 12a-e include a top section
14a-e connected to a bottom section 15a-e by a hinge 16--a two,
three, four, five, six part or more part hinged system. Top section
14a (as illustrated at FIG. 2a), bottom section 15a (as illustrated
at FIG. 2a) without apertures--discussed in greater detail
below--and hinge 16 (as illustrated at FIGS. 2a-e) have been made
by the Zippo Manufacturing Company since the 2000's or a variation
thereof since the 1930's.
[0038] The shell 12a-e has the bottom section (a.k.a., base) 15a-e
and the top section (a.k.a., lid) 14, connected by the hinge 16. A
bracket 220, as illustrated in FIG. 3, is secured to an inner wall
221 of the lid 14a-e for reasons to be described below. The base
15a-e has a base lip 260, a rear wall 280, a front wall 300, and
two side walls--hinged side surface 20 and non-hinged side surface
20a. The bottom section 15a-b, and e has a floor 240; while the
bottom section 15c, d is a tubular piece having a lower lip 261
that allows an insert 30 with a ledge section 31 to be pushed into,
in relation to the hinge 16, the distal end 32 of the bottom
section 15.
[0039] The lid 14a-e has a roof 322, a roof interior surface 322a,
a lid lip 320, a rear wall 340, a front wall 360, and two side
walls--lip hinged side surface 920 and lip non-hinged side surface
920a. The lid 14-a-e has sufficient distance between the insert 30
and the roof interior surface 322a to allow a mouthpiece component
99 to be positioned in a mouthpiece sanitary, storage cavity 98 on
a top surface 97 of the insert 30 and allow the lid 14a-e to be in
a closed position 989 as illustrated in FIGS. 1a-e and 2a-e.
[0040] As previously expressed, the casing 12a as illustrated at
FIG. 1a is the same or about the same size as Zippo Manufacturing
Company's Blu brand lighter product with a few modifications. The
casing 12b and e as illustrated at FIGS. 1b and e, and the exposed
casing 12d and insert 30 as illustrated at FIG. 1d, each has a
height of about 3 inches, a width about 2 inches and a depth of
about 7/8 inches. The bottom section 15b, e is shorter than the
bottom section 15c; likewise the top section 14b, e is longer than
the top section 15c to obtain the desired size. In the metal casing
12c illustrated in FIG. 1c, the bottom section 15c is tubular and
is about 7/8 inch square.
Aperture Positions
[0041] On the hinged side surface 20 is a power switch aperture 21,
a more heat switch aperture 22, and a less heat switch aperture 23
as illustrated at FIG. 2a. At FIGS. 2b-c, the hinged side surface
20 has the power switch aperture 21, and a LED display aperture 24
that exposes an LED device, a more heat switch and a less heat
switch--which will be described in greater detail below--from the
insert 30.
[0042] At FIG. 2d, the hinged side surface 20 has the LED display
aperture 24 that exposes the LED device, the more heat switch and
the less heat switch--which will be described in greater detail
below--from the insert 30; and a bottom surface 555 of the insert
30 has the power switch aperture 21 and an atomizer connector
52.
[0043] At FIG. 2e, the non-hinged side surface 20a has the LED
display aperture 24 that exposes the LED device, the more heat
switch and the less heat switch--which will be described in greater
detail below--from the insert 30; and the floor 240 has the power
switch aperture 21 and the atomizer aperture 51.
[0044] The positioning of the apertures and connectors need not be
in the order as illustrated. For example the more heat switch
aperture 22, the atomizer aperture 51, the atomizer connector 52,
the less heat switch aperture 23, power switch aperture, and LED
display aperture may be any of the above-identified positions or in
different locations on the hinged side surface 20 or other surfaces
of the exterior casing.
[0045] Alternatively, the casing 12a-e can have a re-charging
aperture 53 (see FIG. 2a) and the insert 30 would then have a
re-charging outlet 54 that corresponds to the re-charging aperture
53; or the ledge section 31 of the insert 30 or the insert's top
surface 97 can have a re-charging outlet 54 (see FIG. 2d). The
corresponding re-charging aperture 53 and the re-charging outlet 54
can be positioned anywhere on the respective device 10.
[0046] The various apertures and positioning of those apertures on
the casing 12a-e are to promote a smooth, comfortable feeling to
the user in their pocket, purse, hand, or equivalents thereof; and
positioning while "smoking". The apertures can be vertical--in
particular for the atomizer aperture 51--, or beveled--in
particular the other apertures--such that the beveled apertures on
the casing's 12a-e exterior surface 41 protrudes downwardly and
inwardly to the casing's 12a-e interior surface 42. The beveled
aperture opening is preferred for the other apertures because it
decreases the chances that the casing 12a-b will inadvertently
latch or snag to anything.
Insert
[0047] The insert 30 is a material that contains a conventional
battery used for electronic cigarettes 130, a power on/off switch
132, a more heat switch 134, a less heat switch 136, the atomizer
connector 52 and optionally a LED display 138. Insert 30 is
designed to be inserted into the casing 12a-e and in most
embodiments, removed. When properly inserted, the power on/off
switch 132, the more heat switch 134, the less heat switch 136, the
atomizer connector 52 and optional the LED display 138 are aligned
with, respectively and when appropriate, the casing's power switch
aperture 21, more heat switch aperture 22, less heat switch
aperture 23, atomizer aperture 51, and LED display aperture 24. The
electrical circuitry that interconnects the power on/off switch
132, the more heat switch 134, the less heat switch 136, the
atomizer connector 52, the LED display 138, and the battery 130 are
admittedly well known to those skilled in the art.
[0048] As previously identified, the insert 30 also has a
mouthpiece sanitary, storage cavity 98 on its top surface 97. The
mouthpiece sanitary, storage cavity 98 is able to receive a
mouthpiece component 99. When the mouthpiece component 99 is
properly positioned in the mouthpiece sanitary, storage cavity 98,
the mouthpiece component 99 is not damaged by the lid 14a-e because
there is sufficient distance between (a) the insert 30 and the roof
interior surface 322a and (b) the mouthpiece component 99 and the
roof interior surface 322a.
[0049] The insert 30 also has a tang 561 that engages with the
bracket 220. The tang 561 and bracket 220 are ensure the lid 14a-e
and the base 15a-e remain in the closed position 989 or the open
position 987 (see FIG. 3) until the user elects to alter the
open/close position of the electronic cigarette 10. In addition, by
utilizing certain (a) materials known to Zippo Manufacturing
Company, and (b) shapes for the bracket and the tang, the
electronic cigarette 10 is able to generate the famous Zippo click
sound, that has been utilized in numerous movies to convey quality
U.S. manufacturing, when the lid 14a-e is moved from the closed
position to the open position; the open position to the closed
position, and from the closed position to the open position and
back to the closed position.
First Self-Contained Atomizer/Liquid Container
[0050] The mouthpiece component 99 can be a self-contained atomizer
and liquid container that is equivalent to, for example and not
limited to, Lorillard's trademark infringing blu brand cartridges.
When the electronic cigarette 10 is directed to utilize the
mouthpiece component 99 as a self-contained atomizer/liquid
container manufactured by a third party, the mouthpiece component
99 is threaded into the atomizer connector 52 prior to the user
wanting the "smoke". To "smoke" using the electronic cigarette, the
user presses the power on/off switch 132 and begins to smoke. The
power on/off switch 132, depending on the conventional electrical
schematics, the power on/off switch 132 has to be (a) continuously
contacted to allow the user to continue to smoke, or (b) switched
on once, like a conventional light switch, for the user to continue
to smoke and then switched off once to discontinue smoking. For
safety reasons, the former method is preferred.
[0051] When the user has elected to store the electronic cigarette
10, the user should detach the mouthpiece component 99 from the
atomizer connector 52 and properly position the mouthpiece into the
mouthpiece sanitary, storage cavity 98 for safer and more sanitary
environment.
[0052] The atomizer aperture 51 and/or atomizer connection 52 is
located on, respectively, the bottom surface 555 or the floor 280
for ergonomical and aesthetic reasons. For example, when a person
elects to use the electronic cigarette 10, the person should have
the top section 14a-e and bottom section 15a-e in the closed
position 989 as illustrated in FIGS. 1a-e (1) so the top section 10
does not protrude into the person's face and (2) to allow the
electronic cigarette to be comfortably held in a hand.
[0053] The insert 30 has three distinct embodiments. The first
embodiment exists when the electronic cigarette uses the
self-contained atomizer/liquid container. The insert 30 then has a
tang section 700, a battery section 710, and a storage section 720
as illustrated at FIG. 5 and applicable to the embodiments of
casings 1a, b, d and e.
[0054] The tang section has (a) the tang 561 that operates as
described above, (b) many of the conventional electronic and
heating components used in electronic cigarette devices, and (c)
the atomizer connector 52.
[0055] The battery section 210 has (a) a hinged top surface 711
with a first electrical contact 712 on the top surface's interior
side 714, (b) a battery cavity 716 that receives a conventional
battery, rechargeable or not, used for electronic cigarettes, and
(c) a second electrical contact 718 at or near the bottom of the
battery cavity 716.
[0056] The storage section 720 has the mouthpiece sanitary, storage
cavity 98 that is capable of holding the self-contained
atomizer/liquid container in a more sanitary environment when the
lid 14a-e is in a closed position 989 and the user is not smoking.
The storage section 720 may also have electrical components
therein, depending on the desired ergonomical and aesthetic
concerns.
Distinct Mouthpiece Components
[0057] When the mouthpiece component 99 has a distinct mouthpiece
for smoking device 979 and a liquid container 978 that allow the
liquid container, as conveyed in FIG. 4, to be (1)(a) removed from
the insert 30 or (b) permanently affixed in the insert 30 and (2)
filled with a desired vapor liquid.
[0058] The atomizer aperture 51 (see FIGS. 2a-b and e) or an
atomizer connector 52 (see FIGS. 2c-d) is (i) on the bottom surface
555 or the floor 280 because of ergonomical, practical, and
aesthetic reasons. When the insert 30 has the tang 561 that ensures
the lid 14a-e is in either the closed position 989 (see FIGS. 1a-e)
or open position 987 (see FIG. 3) due to the bracket 220, then the
liquid container 987 is preferably positioned near the non-hinged
side surface 20a in order to have sufficient room to remove the
liquid container and/or fill the liquid container with a desired
vapor liquid.
[0059] The insert 30 also has a tang section 700a, a battery
section 710a, and a storage section 720a.
[0060] The tang section 700a has (a) tang 561 that operates as
described above, (b) many of the conventional electronic components
used in electronic cigarette devices.
[0061] The battery section 710a has (a) a hinged top surface with
the first electrical contact 712 on the top surface's interior side
714, (b) the battery cavity 716 that receives a conventional
battery, rechargeable or not, used for electronic cigarettes, and
(c) the second electrical contact 718 at the bottom of the battery
cavity 716.
[0062] The storage section 720a has (a) mouthpiece sanitary,
storage cavity 98 that is capable of securing or removably securing
the liquid container 978 and containing the mouthpiece 979 when the
lid 14a-e is in a closed position 989 and therefore in a more
sanitary environment (in relation to a user's pocket or purse) for
the mouthpiece device 99 when the user is not "smoking", (b)
heating and electrical components that can be within the liquid
container or outside the liquid container, and (c) the atomizer
connector 52.
[0063] The storage section 720 may also have electrical components
therein, depending on the desired ergonomical and aesthetic
concerns.
Second Self-Contained Atomizer/Liquid Container
[0064] The insert 30 also has a tang/storage section 700b, and a
battery section 710b that is applicable to the embodiments of
casing 1c.
[0065] The tang section 700b has (a) a tang 561 that operates as
described above, (b) many of the conventional electronic components
used in electronic cigarette devices, and (c) the mouthpiece
sanitary, storage cavity 98. The mouthpiece sanitary, storage
cavity 98 is capable of holding the self-contained atomizer/liquid
container in a more sanitary environment (in relation to a user's
pocket or purse) when the lid 14c is in the closed position 989 and
the user is not smoking.
[0066] The battery section 210, positioned below the tang section
700b, has (a) a hinged surface 711b with a first electrical contact
712 on the hinged surface's interior side 714, (b) a battery cavity
716 that receives a conventional battery, rechargeable or not, used
for electronic cigarettes, (c) a second electrical contact 718 at
the bottom of the battery cavity 716, (d) some electronic
components used in electronic cigarette devices, and (e) the
atomizer connector 52 positioned at, relative to the lid 14c, the
electronic cigarette's distal end.
[0067] The lighter style Electronic Vapor System, as illustrated at
the various figures, illustrates at various possible position of a
battery unit and at least one cartomizer or clearomizer
(collectively or individually referred to as
"cartomizer/clearomizer") in an insert with a cam spring when the
cartomizer/clearomizer is being stored, and how the insert is
positioned in a lighter style casing, preferably a Zippo brand
lighter casing wherein a cam spring associated with the tang,
linked to the insert, extends into the casing's flip top section.
The casing's insert containing section has a bottom surface
aperture. The bottom surface aperture corresponds with an insert's
female cartomizer/clearomizer connection. A user can thread or push
a male section of the cartomizer/clearomizer (mouth piece device
99) into the insert's female cartomizer/clearomizer (atomizer
connection 52) connection. When the male section is positioned in
the insert's female cartomizer/clearomizer connection the male
section is removably secured therein. Likewise, the battery unit
130 can be (a) removed from the insert 30 and replaced with a
comparable battery unit--for example, like replacing a battery unit
in a calculator; or (b) non-removable from the insert without
damaging the insert. In either case, the battery unit could be a
rechargeable battery or a disposable battery--the former is
preferred.
[0068] An alternative tube style version, illustrated at FIG. 1c,
contains a similar removable battery carriage with switch and
bottom aperture that contains the female cartomizer/clearomizer
connection. The carriage is inserted into the outer case for use by
the consumer. The top of the battery carriage contains a storage
aperture(s) to hold cartomizer/clearomizer as the user determines.
The unit will have a cam spring and cam that will be integral
components of the battery carriage as per above. The battery
carriage unit can be a complete self-contained battery unit or can
be an injection molded part that will hold a removable and
rechargeable standard size battery
[0069] Prior to, during, or after properly positioning the male
section into the female cartomizer/clearomizer connection, the user
activates the battery by activating the power switch. The power
switch could be, for example, a side switch on the insert that is
exposed by the casing through a switch opening, the cam spring, or
properly positioning the male section into the female
cartomizer/clearomizer connection. In any case, the battery,
preferably a rechargeable battery, is on an electrical circuit
having at least one resistor to generate a sufficient amount of
heat or energy that is transferred to the cartomizer's nicotine
container. Once the nicotine container is heated to a desired
temperature, the nicotine container delivers a desired intensity of
nicotine to the user who has positioned his or her mouth about the
cartomizer's mouth piece--opposite the male section.
[0070] To recharge the battery, the insert or the casing and insert
are positioned on a standard re-charging system. As illustrated,
the re-charging may occur at the side switch through the casing
switch opening or the insert's female cartomizer/clearomizer
connection through the casing bottom surface aperture.
[0071] Alternatively, the shell 12 can have a liquid aperture that
allows the user to determine the quantity of liquid in the liquid
container 978.
[0072] A conventional, generic fundamental electronic circuitry is
illustrated at FIG. 5. The battery's power is transmitted to the
power on/off switch 132, which is connected to the more heat switch
134 and the less heat switch 136. Depending on the desired heat
switch switches selected, the power is transmitted to the
heaters/resistors that warm the vapor liquid to the desired
temperature for smoking. The power then reverts to the battery. The
power may also pass through the optional LED display 138 that
displays the desired power, temperature or equivalents thereof.
[0073] Although embodiments of the invention have been described by
way of illustration, it will be understood that the invention may
be carried out with many variations, modifications, and
adaptations, without exceeding the scope of the claims.
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