U.S. patent application number 14/102459 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-11 for liquid tanks, end caps, and seals for electronic cigarettes.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael James Mayor. Invention is credited to Michael James Mayor.
Application Number | 20150157053 14/102459 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53269829 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150157053 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mayor; Michael James |
June 11, 2015 |
Liquid tanks, end caps, and seals for electronic cigarettes
Abstract
An electronic cigarette system is provided. The system may use a
liquid tank with a cylindrical sleeve having a bore therethrough
and with first and second end caps attached to the ends of the
sleeve. The end caps may be elastomeric end caps made of a soft
material such as silicone and may include a body portion disposed
in the sleeve bore and an outer shoulder larger in diameter than
the sleeve bore and disposed adjacent an end face on the second end
of the sleeve. An O-ring groove may be formed in the body portion
and a soft O-ring may be used in the groove. A cylindrical
volatizing element may be disposed in first and second holes in the
end caps so that the volatizing element passes through the sleeve
bore. The volatizing element is connected to an electronic
cigarette body and a mouthpiece for use.
Inventors: |
Mayor; Michael James;
(Riverton, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mayor; Michael James |
Riverton |
UT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53269829 |
Appl. No.: |
14/102459 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 47/008
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00 |
Claims
1. An electronic cigarette system comprising: a tank comprising: a
sleeve, the sleeve having a generally circular lumen therethrough;
a first end cap attached to a first end of the sleeve; a first hole
through the first end cap aligned with the sleeve lumen; a second
elastomeric end cap, the second end cap having an outer shoulder
larger in diameter than the sleeve lumen and disposed adjacent an
end face on a second end of the sleeve, and a groove and an
interior shoulder disposed in the sleeve lumen; a second hole
through the second end cap aligned with the sleeve lumen; an O-ring
disposed in the groove, the O-ring sealing against the sleeve
lumen; and a volatizing element disposed in the first hole and
second hole such that the volatizing element passes through the
sleeve lumen.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second end cap is formed from
silicone.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second end cap and the O-ring
are between about 35 and 50 shore A durometer.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the groove is separated from the
outer shoulder by a body portion.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the body portion and the inner
shoulder are approximately the same diameter and the sleeve
lumen.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein an interior cavity is formed
between the sleeve and the volatizing element, and wherein the
interior cavity is fillable with a liquid which may be volatized
and inhaled.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the volatizing element has an air
passage therethrough and a heating element disposed adjacent the
air passage whereby liquid may be volatized by the heating element
and inhaled through the air passage.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fill port formed
through the sleeve, the fill port being disposed in communication
with the sleeve lumen, and a plug selectively disposable in the
fill port to close the fill port.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises an elastomer
end disposed in the fill port and a finger grip disposed outside of
the sleeve.
10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic
cigarette body, the electronic cigarette body having a battery
which is electrically connected to the volatizing element.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein a first end of the volatizing
element is connected to the electronic cigarette body and a second
end of the volatizing element is connected to a mouthpiece.
12. An electronic cigarette system comprising: a tank comprising: a
cylindrical sleeve having a bore therethrough; a first end cap
attached to a first end of the sleeve; a first hole through the
first end cap aligned with the sleeve bore; a second elastomeric
end cap attached to a second end of the sleeve, the second end cap
having a body portion disposed in the sleeve bore and an outer
shoulder larger in diameter than the sleeve bore and disposed
adjacent an end face on the second end of the sleeve; a second hole
through the second end cap aligned with the sleeve bore; a
cylindrical volatizing element disposed in the first hole and
second hole such that the volatizing element passes through the
sleeve bore.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second end cap comprises:
an O-ring groove formed on the body portion and located inside of
the sleeve bore; an O-ring disposed in the O-ring groove to seal
against the sleeve bore.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the second end cap and the
O-ring are both elastomeric.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein the second end cap and the
O-ring are both between about 35 and 50 Shore A durometer
hardness.
16. The system of claim 12, wherein a first end of the volatizing
element is attached to an electronic cigarette body having a
battery disposed in electrical contact with the volatizing element,
and a second end of the volatizing element is attached to a
mouthpiece.
17. An electronic cigarette system comprising: a tank comprising: a
cylindrical sleeve having a bore therethrough; a first end cap
attached to a first end of the sleeve; a first hole through the
first end cap aligned with the sleeve bore; a second end cap
attached to a second end of the sleeve; a second hole through the
second end cap aligned with the sleeve bore; a cylindrical
volatizing element disposed in the first hole and second hole such
that the volatizing element passes through the sleeve bore; an
interior cavity formed between the sleeve bore and the volatizing
element; a fill port formed through the sleeve between the first
end cap and the second end cap and disposed in communication with
the interior cavity; and a plug selectively disposable in the
interior cavity, the plug being removable to allow a user to add
liquid through the port and insertable into the port to close the
port.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the plug has an elastomer end
disposed in the fill port and a finger grip disposed outside of the
sleeve.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the second end cap is
elastomeric and includes an exterior shoulder larger in diameter
than the sleeve bore and disposed outside of the sleeve bore
against an end face of the sleeve, a cylindrical body portion
disposed in the sleeve bore, an O-ring groove formed in the
cylindrical body portion and spaced apart from the exterior
shoulder, and an O-ring disposed in the O-ring groove.
Description
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to electronic cigarettes. In
particular, examples of the present invention relates to a liquid
tank system for electronic cigarettes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electronic cigarettes are used as an alternative to tobacco
smoking as they eliminate many of the harmful chemicals found in
tobacco. The electronic cigarettes vaporize a liquid carrier which
may include flavoring and nicotine and allow a user to inhale the
vaporized liquid. The electronic cigarettes are gaining popularity
as a method to assist users to quit smoking tobacco. The electronic
cigarettes also eliminate second hand smoke associated with tobacco
and the health and pollution problems associated with second hand
smoke.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples of the present
invention are described with reference to the following figures,
wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
various views unless otherwise specified.
[0004] FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of an electronic
cigarette.
[0005] FIG. 2 shows a partially cut-away drawing of the liquid
tank.
[0006] FIG. 3 shows a cross section view of the tank cap.
[0007] FIG. 4 shows a perspective drawing of the tank cap.
[0008] FIG. 5 shows an end view of the tank.
[0009] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the tank.
[0010] FIG. 7 shows a partially cut-away view of the tank.
[0011] FIG. 8 shows a partially cut-away view of the tank.
[0012] FIG. 9 shows a partially cut-away view of the tank.
[0013] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled
artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are
illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily
been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the
elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other
elements to help to improve understanding of various examples of
the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements
that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment
are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed
view of these various embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative
and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by
the appended claims. The examples shown each accomplish various
different advantages. It is appreciated that it is not possible to
clearly show each element or advantage in a single figure, and as
such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the
various details of the examples in greater clarity. Similarly, not
every example need accomplish all advantages of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having
ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be
employed to practice the present invention. In other instances,
well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail
in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
[0016] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment",
"an embodiment", "one example" or "an example" means that a
particular feature, structure or characteristic described in
connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least
one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the
phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", "one example" or
"an example" in various places throughout this specification are
not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example.
Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics
may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or
sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In
addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are
for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art
and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0017] The disclosure particularly describes a liquid tank system
for electronic cigarettes. Particularly, the present disclosure
describes a liquid tank system which allows a person to easily fill
and dispense liquid for use in an electronic cigarette and which
allows persons to easily change the appearance and functionality of
the tank to customize the tank.
[0018] Tobacco smoking has become widespread, with over 1.3 billion
smokers worldwide. In the high-income countries, smoking has been
in overall decline for decades, although it continues to rise in
some groups. In low- and middle-income countries, by contrast,
cigarette consumption has been increasing. Death directly related
to the use of tobacco is estimated to be at least 5 million people
annually. If every tobacco user smoked one pack a day, there would
be 1.3 billion packs of cigarettes smoked each day, emitting a
large amount of pollutants and causing significant second-hand
smoking damages to human health.
[0019] Electronic cigarettes frequently replace tobacco cigarettes.
The electronic cigarette includes a body, an atomizer, and a
liquid. The body typically holds a battery and a switch for
powering the electronic cigarette. The atomizer receives
electricity from the body and vaporizes the liquid for inhalation.
Electronic cigarettes are understood to be significantly safer than
tobacco cigarettes as they do not produce combustion products as
produced from burning tobacco. Additionally, the liquid does not
contain the many harmful chemicals found in tobacco cigarettes. The
liquid is typically propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin with
flavor additives and nicotine. For these reasons, people currently
smoking tobacco cigarettes often use electronic cigarettes to quit
smoking tobacco cigarettes. The electronic cigarettes allow the
person to eliminate the tobacco smoke and the many adverse health
effects that accompany it.
[0020] The present system provides a unique tank design that is
used in combination with an electronic cigarette body and an
atomizer (which may often be a cartomizer). The tank holds the
liquid and introduces the liquid to the cartomizer for vaporization
and inhalation. The tank allows a person to customize the tanks
appearance and functionality by selecting different configurations.
The tank allows a person to more easily fill and handle the liquid,
reducing spills and inconvenience during use.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, a cross-sectional view of an
electronic cigarette and tank is shown. The electronic cigarette
system may include a body 10. The body 10 typically includes a
battery 14, a switch 18, and an electrical connection 22. The
electrical connection 22 may be a screw-in socket such as a 510
socket connection. The battery 14, switch 18, and socket 22 may be
connected by wires 26 and other components may be included as
necessary. A tank 30 includes a cylindrical sleeve 34, tank end
caps 38, and a mouthpiece or tip 42. A vaporizing element 46 passes
through the tank 30. The vaporizing element 46 may often be a
cartomizer. A distal end of the cartomizer 46 is disposed adjacent
the inner end of the tip 42. A proximal end of the cartomizer 46
includes a socket connection 50 which attaches to the electrical
connection 22 on the body 10.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 2, a more detailed drawing of the tank
30 is shown. The tank 30 is generally cylindrical. The sleeve 34 is
typically cylindrical and the cartomizer 46 passes through the
central lumen of the sleeve. The sleeve 34 may be formed from a
section of plastic tubing such as acrylic tube, or more preferably
from a section of glass tube such as pyrex. An appropriate length
of glass tube may be cut and drilled and flame polished as desired
to form the sleeve 34. As an example, a glass sleeve 34 may have a
17.4 mm inside diameter and a 25.6 mm outside diameter with
approximately 4 mm thick walls. Glass tanks, for example, may be
cut to length, drilled if necessary, polished if desired, and
annealed. The tank 30 holds liquid in an interior cavity 54 located
between the cartomizer 46 and the inside of the sleeve 34.
[0023] The cartomizer 46 passes through the end caps 38. O-rings 58
may be disposed in grooves 62 located around the outside of the end
caps 38 to assist in sealing between the end caps 38 and the inside
of the sleeve 34. The end caps 38 include an exterior shoulder 66
which abuts the end face 70 of the sleeve 34. The end caps 38
include a middle body portion 74 which is a smaller diameter than
the exterior shoulder 66 and which separates the O-ring groove 62
from the exterior shoulder. An interior shoulder 78 is located
inside of the O-ring groove 62. The interior shoulder 78, O-ring
groove 62, and body portion 74 are inserted into the lumen of the
sleeve 34 during assembly along with O-ring 58 and are located
inside of the lumen of the sleeve 34 on an assembled tank 30. FIGS.
3 and 4 show cross-sectional and perspective views of the end cap
38.
[0024] The end caps 38 are made of a flexible elastomeric material.
According to one example, the end caps 38 are made from a food
grade silicone. The end caps 38 may be made from a soft material,
such as a 45 shore A durometer silicone. The O-rings 58 are
similarly made from a soft material, and may be made from 70 Shore
A durometer material. As such, the 0-rings may be made from a
harder material than the end caps 38 in some examples. The O-rings
may be made from a material which is between about 50 and about 80
Shore A durometer. If desired, the O-rings 58 may also be made from
a material with a similar hardness as the end caps 38, and may also
be made from a 45 shore A durometer silicone. The end caps 38 and
O-rings 58 may be made from an elastomer material with a hardness
which is between about 35 and 70 shore A durometer, and more
preferably between about 40 and 50 shore A durometer. In one
example, the end caps 38 and O-rings 58 may be provided in
different colors and O-rings may be selected in a different color
than the end caps 38 to provide an appealing visual appearance.
[0025] The cartomizer 46 may commonly be about 9.15 mm in diameter.
The end caps 38 include a center hole 84 which receives the
cartomizer 46. The center hole 84 is typically smaller than the
cartomizer 46 in diameter. For a 9.15 mm cartomizer 46, the center
hole 84 may be about 8.5 mm in diameter. The inside shoulder 78 and
body portion 74 of the end cap 38 are typically slightly larger in
diameter than the inside diameter of the sleeve 34. For an example
sleeve 34 made from 25.6 mm outside diameter glass, the inside
diameter of the sleeve may be about 17.4 mm and the outside
diameter of the inside shoulder 78 and the body portion 74 may be
about 17.7 mm in diameter. The inside shoulder 78, groove 62, body
portion 74, and outside shoulder 66 may all be about 2 mm wide and
the groove 62 may accept an O-ring which is 2 mm thick. If desired,
the inside shoulder 78 and outside shoulder 66 may be rounded to
ease insertion of the end cap 38 into the sleeve 34 and to provide
an attractive and comfortable outside shape for the tank 30.
[0026] The cartomizer 46 typically consists of a metal or plastic
casing which has an air passage through the center thereof and
which houses a resistive heater coil in the center thereof adjacent
the air passage. The heater coil is surrounded by a fibrous fill
material which absorbs the liquid and places the liquid in contact
with the heater coil. The heater coil is electrically connected to
the battery 14 via switch 18, wires 26, electrical connector 22,
and the cartomizer electrical connector 50. The cartomizer 46 is
formed with an air passage through the center to allow air to be
drawn through the cartomizer and past the heater coil to entrain
and dispense the volatized liquid in the tank 30. A hole 76 is
typically formed in the shell of the cartomizer to allow liquid
from the tank 30 to enter the cartomizer, wet the fibrous fill
material, contact the heater coil, and be volatized by the heater
coil. A user may press the switch 18 to energize the cartomizer and
inhale through the tip 42 to draw air through the cartomizer to
thereby inhale the volatized liquid.
[0027] Referring back to FIG. 2, the tank 30 may be formed with a
fill port 80. The fill port 80 may be formed as a smooth bore
through the sleeve 34 in a location where the fill port 80 is in
communication with the interior cavity 54 of the tank 30. A plug 82
may include an elastomeric hemispherical end 86 (such as a rounded
rubber or silicone plug end) end attached to a finger grip 90. The
finger grip 90 may be a knurled cylindrical stud with a protruding
threaded shaft 94 which engages the elastomeric end 86. A user may
remove the plug 82 to introduce liquid into the tank 30 and replace
the plug 82 to use the electronic cigarette.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 5, and end view of the tank 30 is
shown. The end cap 38, sleeve 34, and plug 82 may be seen. FIG. 6
shows a perspective view of the tank 30. FIG. 7 shows a side view
of the tank 30 and cartomizer 46. These views allow additional
details of the various structures to be seen. Not all structures
have been labeled to assist in clearly observing the shape of the
structures.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 8, a partially cut-away view of the
tank 30 is shown. The tank 30 may include a fill port 80 formed as
a smooth bore through the sleeve 34 as discussed above. A plug 82
may be used to selectively close the fill port 80, allowing a
person to remove the plug 82 and add liquid and place the plug 82
in the fill port 80 to use the electronic cigarette. The plug 82
may be elastomeric, and may be formed from a soft rubber or a soft
silicone. The plug 82 may include a hemispherical end 86 and a
flange 98 extending from the top of the hemispherical end as shown.
The flange 98 and top of the plug 82 may be rounded as shown. The
plug 82 remains mostly flush to the tank 30 and provides a
convenient manner to access the fill port 80. The plug 82 may also
be molded in different colors and provide an attractive appearance.
FIG. 9 shows a side view of the tank 30 with such a low profile
plug 82. FIG. 9 also shows additional views of the O-ring 58 and
groove 62 used to seal between the end cap 38 and sleeve 34. The
tank 30 is attractive and convenient to use. Users can customize
the appearance and functionality of the tank 30 to suit their
personal preferences.
[0030] The above description of illustrated examples of the present
invention, including what is described in the Abstract, are not
intended to be exhaustive or to be limitation to the precise forms
disclosed. While specific examples of the invention are described
herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications
are possible without departing from the broader scope of the
present claims. Indeed, it is appreciated that specific example
dimensions, materials, voltages, currents, watts, frequencies,
power range values, times, etc., are provided for explanation
purposes and that other values may also be employed in other
examples in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention.
* * * * *