U.S. patent application number 17/291726 was filed with the patent office on 2022-01-13 for electronic cigarette.
This patent application is currently assigned to JT International S.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is JT International S.A.. Invention is credited to Christopher Murphy.
Application Number | 20220007717 17/291726 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220007717 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murphy; Christopher |
January 13, 2022 |
Electronic Cigarette
Abstract
An electronic cigarette includes a cartridge assembly including
a plurality of liquid reservoirs, each provided as a separate
cartridge, each accommodating a single liquid reservoir; and a main
body having a cartridge seating that is configured to be releasably
connectable to the cartridge assembly; the main body having an
elongate shape and including a power supply and a regulating
arrangement configured to selectively enable the delivery of liquid
from at least one liquid reservoir to at least one heater of the
electronic cigarette; wherein the cartridge seating includes a
tubular receiving cavity; and wherein the separate cartridges are
shaped such that their combined axial cross-sections corresponds to
an axial cross-section of the tubular receiving cavity.
Inventors: |
Murphy; Christopher;
(Summerhill, IE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JT International S.A. |
Geneva |
|
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
JT International S.A.
Geneva
CH
|
Appl. No.: |
17/291726 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
December 18, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2019/085945 |
371 Date: |
May 6, 2021 |
International
Class: |
A24F 40/30 20060101
A24F040/30; A24F 40/10 20060101 A24F040/10; A24F 40/42 20060101
A24F040/42; A24F 40/50 20060101 A24F040/50; A24F 40/46 20060101
A24F040/46 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 19, 2018 |
EP |
18213978.2 |
Claims
1. An electronic cigarette, comprising: a cartridge assembly
comprising a plurality of liquid reservoirs, each provided as a
separate cartridge, each accommodating a single liquid reservoir;
and a main body having a cartridge seating that is configured to be
releasably connectable to the cartridge assembly; the main body
having an elongate shape and comprising a power supply and a
regulating arrangement configured to selectively enable delivery of
liquid from at least one of the plurality of liquid reservoirs to
at least one heater of the electronic cigarette; wherein the
cartridge seating comprises a tubular receiving cavity; and wherein
the separate cartridges are shaped such that their combined axial
cross-sections correspond to an axial cross-section of the tubular
receiving cavity.
2. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, further comprising an
atomizer assembly configured to connect to the cartridge seating,
wherein the atomizer assembly comprises a plurality of
compartments, each compartment containing a separate atomizer
comprising a heater and a fluid transfer element.
3. The electronic cigarette of claim 2, wherein the cartridge
seating comprises a plurality of electrical connectors configured
to connect to the atomizer assembly.
4. The electronic cigarette of claim 3, wherein the cartridge
assembly comprises an integrated atomizer comprising a heater and a
fluid transfer element, and wherein the cartridge seating comprises
a plurality of electrical connections configured to connect to each
liquid reservoir in the cartridge assembly.
5. The electronic cigarette of claim 4, wherein the plurality of
electrical connections are configured as resilient contacts.
6. The electronic cigarette of claim 2, wherein the atomizer
assembly comprises a plurality of piercing members.
7. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the cartridge
seating further comprises a piercing member configured as a fluid
transfer element.
8. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the cartridge
seating comprises guiding elements configured to position the
cartridge assembly in an angular position such that the cartridge
assembly is aligned with connectors in the cartridge seating.
9. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the main body
further comprises user controls configured to enable a user to
control an amount of liquid that is used from each liquid reservoir
to generate an aerosol.
10. The electronic cigarette of claim 9, wherein the user controls
are at least one of a scroll wheel, a set of two buttons, a rocker
button, or a rotary dial.
11. The electronic cigarette of claim 9, wherein the user controls
are a rotary dial that is located at a distal end of the main body
opposite to a mouthpiece portion, or mouthpiece connector, of the
electronic cigarette.
12. The electronic cigarette of claim 11, wherein a display is
located at an end portion of the main body, distal to the cartridge
seating and wherein the rotary dial is arranged around the end
portions.
13. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein at least one of
the plurality of liquid reservoirs comprises a flavorant.
14. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein at least two of
the plurality of liquid reservoirs comprise aerosol producing
compositions of different nicotine strengths.
15. A consumable for an electronic cigarette, the consumable
comprising a heater and a liquid reservoir, wherein a housing of
the consumable has an axial cross-section in a shape of a fraction
of a circle.
16. The consumable according to claim 15, wherein the liquid
reservoir comprises a vaporization chamber, a first portion of a
vapor outlet channel from the vaporization chamber and a
groove.
17. The consumable according to claim 16, further comprising a
connector.
18. The consumable according to claim 17, wherein the consumable
comprises an airflow diverter, configured to generate turbulence in
the vapor outlet channel.
19. The consumable according to claim 15, wherein the fraction of
the circle is a half-circle.
20. A kit comprising: a first consumable for an electronic
cigarette, the first consumable comprising a heater and a liquid
reservoir, wherein a housing of the first consumable has an axial
cross-section in a shape of a fraction of a circle, wherein the
liquid reservoir comprises a vaporization chamber, a first portion
of a vapor outlet channel from the vaporization chamber, and a
groove; and a second consumable for an electronic cigarette, the
second consumable comprising a heater and a liquid reservoir,
wherein a housing of the second consumable has an axial
cross-section in a shape of a fraction of a circle, wherein the
liquid reservoir of the second consumable comprises a vaporization
chamber, a first portion of a vapor outlet channel from the
vaporization chamber of the liquid reservoir of the second
consumable, and a groove, wherein the grooves of the liquid
reservoirs of the first and second consumables form a vapor outlet
channel.
21. The kit according to claim 20, wherein the first and second
consumables further comprise respective inter-locking connectors.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette, in
particular to an electronic cigarette in which a vapour is
generated from an aerosol-generating liquid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The term electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, is usually
applied to a handheld electronic device that simulates the feeling
or experience of smoking tobacco in a traditional cigarette.
Electronic cigarettes work by heating an aerosol-generating liquid
to the point of vaporisation to generate the aerosol, commonly
called a vapour, that is then inhaled by the user.
[0003] Accordingly, using e-cigarettes is sometimes also referred
to as "vaping". The aerosol-generating liquid in the electronic
cigarette is sometimes called an "e-liquid" and usually comprises
nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerine and flavourings.
[0004] Most e-cigarettes contain a reservoir with a single e-liquid
flavour. This reservoir may be disposable, in the form of a
cartridge containing e-liquid for one or several vaping sessions,
and may incorporate a heating element in the disposable part.
Alternatively, the tank may be user-refillable and configured as a
permanent part of the electronic cigarette.
[0005] WO2013/152873 discloses an electronic cigarette having a
plurality of liquid reservoirs and mixing means enabling the user
to set a desired flavour mix. However, to change the flavour of the
vapour, the user needs to manually change the settings. It can be
difficult for the user to calibrate the device and create a desired
setting of the flavour by himself and get a satisfying result.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the above, it is an object of the present
invention to provide an electronic cigarette that provides easy and
accurate flavour mixing capabilities.
[0007] Electronic cigarettes also have the drawback over
conventional cigarettes that the smoking ritual does not have a
clear start and end. For conventional cigarettes, the start and end
are defined by the length of the cigarette and the visual changes
of the cigarette during smoking. It would therefore be an advantage
to provide an electronic cigarette capable of providing a defined
smoking ritual for the user and assists the user to correctly
operate the device, e.g. informing the user when the electronic
cigarette can be turned off after smoking.
[0008] Further, electronic cigarettes generally comprise components
that are multi-use and thus usually restrict the user to certain
types of flavours or flavour combinations compared to classic
ready-made tobacco cigarettes where the user can at any time buy a
disposable pack having new flavours.
[0009] The above objectives are achieved by an electronic cigarette
as set out in claim 1 and a consumable as defined in claim 15.
[0010] According to a first aspect, an electronic cigarette is
provided comprising:
[0011] a plurality of liquid reservoirs configured to store
different liquids,
[0012] at least one heater, wherein each of the liquid reservoirs
is fluidically coupled to the at least one heater,
[0013] a regulating arrangement configured to selectively enable
the delivery of liquid from at least one liquid reservoir to the at
least one heater,
[0014] a memory configured to store at least one program defining
which liquid reservoir is enabled for liquid delivery to the at
least one heater and a duration of time for the activation,
[0015] a controller configured to selectively control the
enablement of each liquid reservoir according to the at least one
program on the memory, a timer configured to regulate the time
during which each liquid reservoir is enabled,
[0016] whereby the electronic cigarette is configured to produce a
vapour with variations in its composition over time.
[0017] The liquid reservoirs may be an integral part of the
electronic cigarette such that they can be refilled and re-used.
The liquid reservoirs may also be part of a consumable, such as a
cartridge, that can be inserted into the electronic cigarette and
that can be extracted from the electronic cigarette when at least
one liquid reservoir or all of the liquid reservoirs are depleted.
The liquid reservoirs may also be individually insertable into, and
extractable from the electronic cigarette such that a user can
insert a desired variety and composition of different liquid
reservoirs into the electronic cigarette, thus enabling new
compositions of the vapour. Each of such individually insertable
and extractable liquid reservoirs may also function as a cartridge
itself, and the electronic cigarette may be configured to receive
multiple cartridges.
[0018] The term "cartridge" is used herein in a broad sense and is
not supposed to restrict the exterior form of the consumable;
rather, it is meant to designate a consumable that may be inserted
at least partially, preferably completely, into the electronic
cigarette, or that may be attachable to the electronic cigarette,
and which may be removed from the electronic cigarette when that is
desired, especially when one or more of the liquid reservoirs of
the cartridge are depleted. Many embodiments will herein be
described with respect to a cartridge. It should be understood,
however, that also any other suitable type of consumable may be
substituted for a cartridge in each case.
[0019] The variations in vapour composition may be a result of a
liquid with varying liquid composition being vaporised and/or may
be a result of a varying mixture of vapours created by different
liquids which are vaporised at the same time.
[0020] The timer may be configured to measure an amount of time in
seconds (or milliseconds or the like) and/or in a number of
puffs.
[0021] According to a second aspect of the invention, a cartridge
for an electronic cigarette is provided, the cartridge having a
plurality of liquid reservoirs formed as separate compartments,
wherein the cartridge further comprises a memory configured to
store at least one program, wherein the program comprises
instructions which enable a regulating arrangement in the
electronic cigarette to produce a vapor with variations in its
composition over time.
[0022] According to a third aspect of the present invention, an
electronic cigarette is provided which comprises: a plurality (or:
cartridge assembly) of cartridges, each having at least one liquid
reservoir; and
[0023] a main body having a cartridge seating that is configured to
be releasably connectable to the plurality of cartridges;
[0024] the main body having an elongate shape and comprising a
power supply and a regulating arrangement configured to selectively
enable the delivery of liquid from at least one liquid reservoir to
at least one heater of the electronic cigarette;
[0025] wherein the cartridge seating comprises a tubular receiving
cavity; and wherein the plurality of cartridges are shaped such
that a combined axial cross-section of the plurality of cartridges
corresponds to an axial cross-section of the tubular receiving
cavity.
[0026] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a
consumable for an electronic cigarette is provided, the consumable
comprising a heater and a liquid reservoir, wherein a housing of
the consumable has an axial cross-section the shape of a fraction
of a circle, preferably a half-circle.
[0027] Further advantageous variants and modifications will be
explained in the following with respect to the dependent claims as
well as the description in combination with the figures.
[0028] In some advantageous embodiments, the regulating arrangement
comprises at least one valve. In this way, the transfer of liquid
can be controlled more precisely.
[0029] In some advantageous embodiments, the valve further
comprises a valve body configured to enable and modify the liquid
supply from a plurality of liquid reservoirs. This allows more
flexibility in combining liquids to achieve different flavor
combinations.
[0030] In some advantageous embodiments, the valve is a rotary body
having a plurality of channels configured to be selectively aligned
and selectively disaligned to (or: with) outlets from the liquid
reservoirs.
[0031] In some advantageous embodiments, the regulating arrangement
comprises a plurality of valves. In some of those embodiments, each
valve is configured to regulate the flow of liquid from each liquid
reservoir.
[0032] In some advantageous embodiments, the regulating arrangement
comprises a plurality of heaters and each of the liquid reservoirs
is fluidically coupled to the at least one heater. In this way,
each heater may be specifically adapted, or controlled, to heat and
vaporize a specific liquid, taking into account e.g. different
vaporizing temperatures and the like.
[0033] In some advantageous embodiments, each liquid reservoir is
connected to a dedicated heater. In other words, the electronic
cigarette may comprise as many heaters as it comprises liquid
reservoirs. This allows to individually heat each liquid from each
liquid reservoir to an individual, optimal vaping temperature
and/or to heat (or not) the liquid from each liquid reservoir
independently. If the liquid reservoirs are external to the
electronic cigarette, i.e. arranged on a consumable, then the
electronic cigarette preferably comprises as many heaters as it
comprises fluid transfer elements that are configured for
conducting aerosol-generating liquid from the liquid reservoirs to
the heaters, and each fluid transfer element may be fluidically
connected to a respective dedicated heater and vice versa.
[0034] In some advantageous embodiments, the controller is
configured to selectively control the activation of each heater
according to the at least one program on the memory.
[0035] In some advantageous embodiments, the timer is configured to
regulate the time during which each heater is activated.
[0036] In some advantageous embodiments, at least two heaters can
be activated at separate times. This enables to more precisely
create vapour compositions varying over time, e.g. by first
activating a first heater and then, with a temporal offset,
activate a second heater. Particularly, it enables to blend
flavours and to phase over from one flavour to another without a
sharp break or contrast.
[0037] In some advantageous embodiments, at least two heaters can
be activated at the same time. This allows to creating complex
vapour compositions from at least two different liquids from at
least two different liquid reservoirs at the same time.
[0038] In some advantageous embodiments, at least two of the liquid
reservoirs comprise an active ingredient such as nicotine. In some
advantageous embodiments, the liquid reservoirs comprise liquids of
different strength or concentration of the active ingredient, e.g.
different nicotine strength. In some advantageous embodiments, at
least two of the liquid reservoirs comprise liquids with identical
composition with the exception of their respective strength or
concentration of the same active ingredient, e.g. nicotine.
Preferably, the variation in vapour composition over time includes,
or consists of, a variation in strength or concentration of the
active ingredient, e.g. in nicotine strength. In this way, the
electronic cigarette may be used to precisely dose a drug, or an
active ingredient of a drug, according to a predetermined dosage
regime.
[0039] In some advantageous embodiments, the liquid reservoirs
comprise liquids of at least two different flavours. Preferably,
the variation in vapour composition (e.g. according to at least one
program stored in the memory) includes, or consists of, a variation
in flavour.
[0040] In some advantageous embodiments, at least one liquid
reservoir comprises a liquid that does not have a flavour or is
flavour-neutral (i.e. flavourless). Such a flavour-neutral liquid
may be used to dilute an otherwise too strong flavour, or to
efficiently carry an active ingredient e.g. of a drug which is thus
addable to any possible flavour composition that can be provided by
the electronic cigarette.
[0041] In some advantageous embodiments, the program contains
different heating profiles in order to achieve different flavour
strengths and/or different strengths of concentrations of an active
ingredient.
[0042] In some advantageous embodiments, the liquid reservoirs are
provided on a support forming a unitary cartridge and the at least
one program is located on a memory on the cartridge.
[0043] In some advantageous embodiments, the at least one program
is located on a memory on a main body of the electronic
cigarette.
[0044] In some advantageous embodiments, the at least one program
contains different heating profiles in order to achieve different
flavour strengths. Such a heating profile may comprise a sequence
of heaters to be activated for specific durations and with specific
heating temperatures.
[0045] In some advantageous embodiments, the at least one program
comprises a set of different heating profiles, and each heating
profile is linked to a specific composition and/or flavour.
[0046] In some advantageous embodiments, the program can be created
and/or adapted by the user, e.g. using a user interface of the
electronic cigarette, or an app running on a mobile device
connectable to the electronic cigarette via a wireless or wire
bound interface.
[0047] In some advantageous embodiments, the flavour combination
and timing (e.g. of at least one program) can be set by the
user.
[0048] In some advantageous embodiments, the at least one program
is based on a sensor input, for example on the input of a particle
sensor such as a food molecule sensor. In this way, the vapour
composition can automatically be set based on e.g. a previous
consumption of a user and/or on a chemical balance (e.g.
acidic/basic) within the mouth of the user. For example, some
components of the vapour may, in combination with certain molecules
or a certain chemical balance, taste especially good or especially
bad or might even induce nausea or other undesired effects. In such
cases, the sensor input may be used to automatically adjust the
vapour composition to at least compensate such an effect.
[0049] The sensor may also be a sensor configured to detect a
user's circadian rhythm, and the controller may be configured to
adapt and/or choose a program based on the detected circadian
rhythm, preferably based in addition on a current time and/or
current date.
[0050] In some advantageous embodiments, the program comprises a
set of different heating profiles. Each heating profile may be
linked to a specific composition and/or flavor. As has been
discussed in the foregoing, specific vapour compositions may
require specific heating profiles to optimize taste and/or delivery
of an active ingredient.
[0051] In some advantageous embodiments, the heaters comprise, or
are in the form of, needles with a capillary tube. The needles may
be configured to function as fluid transfer members by capillary
effect.
[0052] In some advantageous embodiments, the heaters (either
collectively or each individually, or groups of heaters
individually) are movable between a retracted position and an
extended position. This is in particular advantageous if the
heaters are formed as, or formed as comprising, piercing members
such as needles, since then the heaters may be moved to the
extended position to pierce a sealing or packaging on a consumable
to access the aerosol-generating liquids stored therein.
[0053] In some advantageous embodiments of the cartridge according
to the second aspect of the present invention, the cartridge
further comprises a plurality of heaters each connected to a
dedicated liquid reservoir.
[0054] In some advantageous embodiments of the electronic cigarette
according to the third aspect of the present invention, the
combined axial cross-section of the plurality of cartridges is
essentially, or exactly, equal to the axial cross-section of the
tubular receiving cavity.
[0055] In some advantageous embodiments, the cartridge seating
comprises a plurality of electrical connectors configured to
connect to the atomizer assembly.
[0056] In some advantageous embodiments, the cartridge comprises an
integrated atomizer comprising a heater and a fluid transfer
element, and the cartridge seating comprises a plurality of
electrical connections configured to connect to each cartridge.
[0057] In some advantageous embodiments, the electrical connections
are configured as resilient contacts.
[0058] In some advantageous embodiments, the atomizer assembly
comprises a plurality of piercing members.
[0059] In some advantageous embodiments, the cartridge seating
further comprises a piercing member configured as a fluid transfer
element. Preferably, the fluid transfer element is a porous
member.
[0060] In some advantageous embodiments, the cartridge seating
comprises guiding elements configured to position the cartridges in
an angular position such that the cartridges are aligned with
connectors in the cartridge seating.
[0061] In some advantageous embodiments, the elongate body further
comprises user controls configured to enable the user to control
the amount of liquid that is used from each liquid reservoir to
generate the aerosol.
[0062] In some advantageous embodiments, the user controls are
selected from the group comprising a scroll wheel, a set of two
buttons, a rocker button, and a rotary dial.
[0063] In some advantageous embodiments, the user control is a
rotary dial that is located at a distal end of the elongate body
opposite to a mouthpiece, or mouthpiece connector, of the
electronic cigarette.
[0064] In some advantageous embodiments, the electronic cigarette
further comprises a display, wherein the display is configured to
display the proportion of flavors in the vapor.
[0065] In some advantageous embodiments, the display is a light
source (e.g. an RGB LED) configured to indicate the flavor or
nicotine strength by different color or by different intensity of
color.
[0066] In some advantageous embodiments, the display is located at
an end portion of the main body, distal to the cartridge seating
and the rotary dial is arranged around the end portions of the
distal end.
[0067] In some advantageous embodiments, at least one of the liquid
reservoirs comprises a flavorant.
[0068] In some advantageous embodiments, at least two liquid
reservoirs comprise aerosol producing compositions of different
nicotine strengths.
[0069] In some advantageous embodiments, one of the liquid
reservoirs comprises an aerosol producing composition without
nicotine.
[0070] In some advantageous embodiments, the electronic cigarette
further comprises a sleeve configured to enclose the liquid
reservoirs and hold them together.
[0071] In some advantageous embodiments, the sleeve further
comprises a mouthpiece portion or a mouthpiece connector.
[0072] In some advantageous embodiments of the consumable according
to the second aspect or the fourth aspect, the liquid reservoir
comprises a vaporization chamber, a first portion of a vapor outlet
channel from the vaporization chamber and a groove, wherein the
grooves of at least two liquid reservoirs form a vapor outlet
channel.
[0073] In some advantageous embodiments, the consumables comprise
inter-locking connectors.
[0074] In some advantageous embodiments, the consumable comprises
an airflow diverter, configured to generate turbulence in the vapor
channel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0075] For a more complete understanding of the invention and the
advantages thereof, exemplary embodiments of the invention are
explained in more detail in the following description with
reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like
reference characters designate like parts and in which:
[0076] FIG. 1a shows a schematic view of an electronic cigarette, a
consumable and a smoking system according an embodiment of the
invention;
[0077] FIG. 1b shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the
electronic cigarette of FIG. 1a;
[0078] FIG. 2a shows a schematic view of part of an electronic
cigarette according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0079] FIG. 2b shows a schematic view of part of an electronic
cigarette according to yet another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0080] FIG. 3 shows a schematic exploded view of part of an
electronic cigarette according to still another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0081] FIG. 4a through FIG. 4d show schematic views of cartridges
according to embodiments of the present invention;
[0082] FIG. 5 shows a schematic exploded view of a cartridge
according to embodiments of the present invention;
[0083] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a heater as used in some
embodiments of the present invention;
[0084] FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge
according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0085] FIG. 8 through FIG. 10 show schematic views of electronic
cigarettes according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0086] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate
particular embodiments of the invention and together with the
description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other
embodiments of the invention and many of the attendant advantages
of the invention will be readily appreciated as they become better
understood with reference to the following detailed
description.
[0087] It will be appreciated that common and/or well understood
elements that may be useful or necessary in a commercially feasible
embodiment are not necessarily depicted in order to facilitate a
more abstracted view of the embodiments. The elements of the
drawings are not necessarily illustrated to scale relative to each
other. It will be understood that the terms and expressions used in
the present specification have the ordinary meaning as is accorded
to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding
respective areas of inquiry and study, except where specific
meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0088] With reference to FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b of the drawings, an
electronic cigarette 100 is illustrated.
[0089] The electronic cigarette 100 comprises a main body 110, and
a mouthpiece portion 111. The mouthpiece portion 11 may form a
mouthpiece itself or comprise a connector structure for connecting
a mouthpiece ("mouthpiece connector"). Through the mouthpiece
portion 111, an aerosol, or vapor, generated by the electronic
cigarette 100 can be inhaled.
[0090] The aerosol is generated by heating at least one
aerosol-generating liquid as will be described in the following.
Electrical energy for the heating is provided by a power source 112
of the electronic cigarette 100, for example a battery, preferably
a rechargeable battery. As illustrated in FIG. 1b, the electronic
cigarette 100 comprises a plurality of liquid reservoirs 122, a
regulating arrangement 160, at least one heater 180 (not shown in
FIG. 1b), a controller 136 and a timer 134.
[0091] The liquid reservoirs 122 are configured to store different
liquids. The liquids may comprise different flavours or different
active ingredients, such as different nicotine strengths, acids or
other. Hence, the aerosol-generating liquids may be different in
flavour (e.g. one aerosol-generating liquid may be flavourless or
flavour-neutral and the other one may comprise a menthol aroma),
different in physical properties (e.g. a vaporisation temperature)
and/or different in strength or concentration of the active
ingredient. The liquid reservoirs 122 may be configured as
replaceable/disposable cartridges 122. The electronic cigarette 100
may also have at least one integrated liquid reservoir in addition
to the liquid reservoirs 122 that are provided when the cartridges
122 are inserted into the electronic cigarette 100.
[0092] For example, the integrated liquid reservoir may comprise a
flavourless aerosol-generating liquid comprising an active
ingredient (e.g. nicotine), whereas the liquid reservoirs 122 may
comprise aerosol-generating liquid comprising little of the active
ingredient or no active ingredient at all. In this way, for
example, a user that regularly, or always, intends to inhale an
amount of the active ingredient, may fill the integrated liquid
reservoir in the electronic cigarette 100 to provide the active
ingredient, and may then arrange an assembly of liquid reservoirs
122 in the cartridge 140 that comprise a desired variety of
flavours to be mixed into the vapour to be generated together with
the vaporised liquid comprising the active ingredient.
[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the electronic cigarette 100 may
comprise a single cartridge seating 145 configured to receive a
cartridge assembly 140 comprising, or consisting of, a plurality of
liquid reservoirs 122, e.g. three liquid reservoirs 122 as shown.
The cartridge seating 145 may be located at a distal end of a main
body (e.g. battery portion) of the electronic cigarette 100 and may
be configured as a hollow tube.
[0094] In an embodiment, the cartridge assembly 140 may be
configured as shown in FIG. 4a through FIG. 4d. Thus the cartridge
assembly 140 may comprise a housing 143, a liquid reservoir 122,
and may include a fluid transfer element 120. The liquid reservoirs
122 can be provided as separate cartridges 140a, each accommodating
a single liquid reservoir 122. The axial cross-section of the
cartridges is preferably shaped in relation to the cartridge
seating 145 and such that the axial cross sections of a plurality
(at least two) cartridges 122 correspond to the axial cross-section
of the cartridge seating 145.
[0095] The cartridge assembly 140 is configured to take up the
space in the cartridge seating 145 when at least two cartridges 140
are mounted together. The housing 143 of the cartridges 140 may
therefore have an axial cross-section the shape of a fraction of a
circle, preferably a half-circle or a quarter of a circle. It is
also possible to combine two quarters of a circle forming a dual
cartridge assembly 140 as a single unit.
[0096] FIG. 5 shows a schematic detail view of the cartridges 140
according to an exemplary embodiment in an exploded view.
[0097] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the cartridge 140 may comprise a
valve 150 comprising a valve closing member 152 (e.g. in the form
of a ball) and a valve seat 153. The valve closing member 152 is
biased, by the valve seat 153, to close off a channel 151 so that
the liquid supply from the liquid reservoir 122 is closed. The
cartridge seating 145 is provided with a fluid transfer element
120. The fluid transfer element 120 is configured to contact a
valve seating defined by the circumference of the channel. In
another embodiment, heater 180 can be a capillary tube configured
to receive liquid from the liquid reservoir and vaporise the liquid
into vapour.
[0098] As seen in the alternative embodiments illustrated in FIG.
2a, FIG. 2b and FIG. 6, the fluidic communication between the
liquid reservoir 122 and the heater 180 can be established by
direct contact with a portion of the heater 180 in the form of a
capillary tube.
[0099] Hence, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the heater 180 can have the
shape of a capillary tube 180a and may be provided with an elongate
shape with an absorbing portion 180b and a heating portion 180c.
The absorbing portion 180b may thus act as a fluid transfer element
120 for transferring fluid from the liquid reservoir 122 to the
heating portion 180c. The temperature of the absorbing portion 180b
during use of the electronic cigarette 100 is preferably lower than
the temperature of the heating portion 180c during use. Liquid can
therefore be transported by capillary action from the liquid
reservoir 122 to the heater 180.
[0100] In a still further embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the
cartridges 140 can comprise a plurality of liquid reservoirs 122.
Hence, the axial cross-section of the liquid reservoirs 122 can be
shaped such that, put together, their shape corresponds to the
shape of the cartridge seating 145. "Corresponding" in this context
may be understood to mean that the axial cross-section of the
arranged alongside one another essentially fills out the axial
cross-section of the cartridge seating 145.
[0101] For example, the cross-section of the liquid reservoirs 122
may be shaped as a semi-circle, as a quarter-circle and so on.
Preferably, the heater 180 is provided with as many capillary tubes
180a (and corresponding absorbing portions 180b and heating
portions 180c) as a maximum number of cartridges 140 which the
cartridge seating 145 is configured to accommodate at any time.
Alternatively, one heater 180 for each of the maximum number of
cartridges 140 may be provided.
[0102] In FIG. 6, a heater 180 according to one embodiment is shown
that comprises four capillary tubes 180a, each with corresponding
absorbing portions 180b and heating portions 180c. Advantageously,
the individual heating portions 180c are individually controllable
to heat the liquid absorbed by the corresponding absorbing portions
180b. In that way, liquids from different liquid reservoirs 122 may
be heated at different times and/or to different temperatures.
[0103] That heater 180 is advantageously configured for use with a
cartridge seating 145 that is configured to accommodate, at
maximum, four different cartridges 140 at the same time, at which
time each absorbing portion 180b will be in fluidic contact with
one of the four different cartridges 140 each.
[0104] It will be understood that the same configuration of the
heater 180 is equally suitable for when the same cartridge seating
145 comprises, e.g., three different cartridges 140, wherein one
cartridge 140 has a semi-circular cross-section as shown in FIG. 4a
to FIG. 4c and FIG. 5, and two cartridges have a quarter-circular
cross-section each. Of course, the same applies when the cartridge
seating 145 comprises only two cartridges 140 (e.g. both shaped
with semi-circular cross-sections, or one with a quarter-circular
cross-section and one with a three-quarter-circular cross-section)
or when the cartridge seating 145 comprises only one cartridge 140
having a cross-section in the form of a complete circle.
[0105] It will also be understood that the heater 180 may also be
configured with a different number of capillary tubes 180a, e.g.
two, three, five, six, or more capillary tubes 180a with the
corresponding number of absorbing portions 180b and heating
portions 180c.
[0106] In another exemplary embodiment, the cartridge can be
configured similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5, but instead of a
valve 150 it can comprise a pierceable membrane or a septum sealing
its liquid reservoir 122. Such a cartridge is therefore configured
to be connected to a fluid transfer element in the form of a
piercing member in the cartridge seating 145. The membrane is
preferably provided with a high elasticity such that it can reseal
when the cartridge 140 is retracted from the piercing member.
[0107] As seen in FIG. 5, the cartridge 140 is further provided
with a connecting portion 154 and a vapour outlet portion 155. The
connecting portion 154 is configured to connect with the main body
110. A vapour groove 147 extends from the connecting portion and a
vapour outlet portion. The vapour groove 147 of each cartridge 140
forms a closed vapor channel when at least two cartridges 140 are
located inside the cartridge seating 145, i.e. the vapour grooves
147 of a plurality of cartridges 140 may together form the closed
vapor channel. The vapor channel is thus configured to enable a
flow of vapour from a vaporization chamber 146 located in the
proximity of the heater 180. The vaporization chamber 146 may be
partially located inside the cartridge 140 and partially located
inside the cartridge seating 145, or completely within the
cartridge 140 or completely within the cartridge seating 145 of the
main body 110.
[0108] The cartridge 140 can be provided as a cartomizer and thus
comprise an integrated heater 180. A fluid transfer element 120,
such as an absorber, for transferring liquid from the liquid
reservoir 122 to the heater is in such embodiments integrated into
the cartridge140 as well. Electrical contacts can be provided at
the connecting portion 154 of the cartridge. To this effect, the
cartridge seating 145 may comprise a plurality of electrical
contact pairs configured to provide power to each cartridge heater
individually. The electrical contact pairs may be provided having a
first contact located at a bottom surface (i.e. a distal or
proximal end surface) of the cartridge 140 and a second electrical
contact provided around the circumference of the cartridge 140.
[0109] The electrical contacts inside the cartridge seating 145 can
be provided as resilient contacts configured to connect to first
power terminals of the cartomizer cartridge. The resilient contacts
establish a good contact between the cartridge and the terminals so
that the cartridge can be connected throughout a variable insertion
depth in the cartridge seating 145.
[0110] The heater 180 can be integrated into the cartridge. Such
cartridges are sometimes designated as "cartomizers".
Alternatively, similarly as illustrated in FIG. 6, the heater 180
can be formed as a separate atomizer part including a plurality of
heaters (e.g., heating portions 180c) and corresponding fluid
transfer elements (e.g., absorbing portions 180b). Each fluid
transfer element is configured to establish a fluidic connection
between one liquid reservoir in the cartridge and one corresponding
heater.
[0111] The fluid transfer element 120 can be a piercing member
arranged at the cartridge seating and configured to penetrate into
the cartridge 140 such that a fluidic connection is established
between the liquid reservoir 122 and the heater 180.
[0112] To further enhance the mixing of the vapours from different
heaters, the vapour groove 147 (and, as a consequence, also the
vapour channel formed by multiple vapour grooves 147) can comprise
an airflow diverter 148 configured to create turbulence inside the
vapour channel. As seen in FIG. 4c, the airflow diverter 148 can be
a protrusion 148 extending in the transverse direction in relation
to the vapour groove 147. The protrusion 148 can be provided with a
hemispherical shape. Cartridges 140 with different liquids may be
provided with protrusions 148 at different axial length of the
cartridges to further enhance the turbulence.
[0113] The cartridge 140 and the inner walls of the cartridge
seating 145 may be provided with cooperating guides 149a, 149b in
order to correctly position the cartridge 140 in the cartridge
seating 145. The guides can be provided as a keyway 149a on the
cartridge 140 and a rail member 149b of the cartridge seating 145,
e.g. at an inner surface thereof, and/or a rail member 149c of the
mouthpiece portion 111. The cooperating guides extend in the
insertion direction of the cartridge 140 into the cartridge seating
145. This enables the electrical contacts of the cartridge 140 to
be aligned with the electrical contacts in the cartridge seating
145.
[0114] The cartridges 140 may also comprise, as illustrated in FIG.
7, inter-locking connectors 150a, 150b, such that the liquid
reservoirs can form, or connect to, a uniform mouthpiece portion
111. The inter-locking connectors may comprise a keyway 150a and a
rail member 150b. The interlocking connectors give stability to the
composed cartridge. Additionally, the interlocking connectors
enable the cartridges to be used directly as a mouthpiece.
[0115] Additionally, or alternatively, as seen in FIG. 3, the
electronic cigarette 100 may further comprise a mouthpiece portion
111 formed as a sleeve around the cartridges 140. The sleeve is
configured to enclose the cartridges 140 and hold them together. To
this end, the sleeve may be insertable into, or connectable to, the
cartridge seating 145, e.g. by screw threads.
[0116] As illustrated in the following FIG. 8a, FIG. 8b, FIG. 9,
and FIG. 10, the electronic cigarette 100 may further comprise user
controls 170 configured to enable a user of the electronic
cigarette 100 to control the mixing of liquids. The liquids may, as
previously described, contain different flavors or different
concentrations of ingredients such as nicotine. For instance, the
controls may enable to control the amount of liquid that is used
from each liquid reservoir 122 to generate the aerosol. In FIG. 8a,
FIG. 8b, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, an embodiment is shown in which the
electronic cigarette 100 comprises two different liquids, either by
being configured to receive a single cartridge 140 with two
different liquid reservoirs 122, by being configured to receive two
separate cartridges 140, each of which may comprise a different
liquid, and/or the like.
[0117] As seen in FIGS. 9a and 9b, the user-control 170 can be in
the form of a rocker button 171 or, as shown in FIG. 8, in the form
of a set consisting of, or comprising, two separate buttons 172,
173. The electronic cigarette 100 may be configured such that
operating one of the rocking ends of the rocker button 171 or one
of the two separate buttons 172, 173 results in an amount and/or
percentile of a corresponding one of two different liquids being
increased in the mix of vapor generated to be inhaled by the user,
whereas operating the other rocking end or the other one of the two
separate buttons 172, 173, respectively, results in an amount
and/or percentile of the other of the two different liquids being
increased in the mix.
[0118] It should be understood that the set of buttons 172, 173 can
be provided with more than three buttons, or the rocker button 171
with more than two rocking ends, wherein in each case the number of
buttons/rocking ends preferably corresponds with a maximum number
of different liquids and/or different cartridges that are
insertable into the electronic cigarette 100. In that way, users
can directly set their preferred mix.
[0119] The electronic cigarette 100 may further comprise a display
175, i.e. a visual indicator, configured to display (or indicate)
the proportion of flavors (i.e. of liquids in the resulting liquid
that is vaporized) in the vapor. The display 175 can be formed as
light bars that illustrate the relative proportions of the selected
liquids.
[0120] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, the user controls 170
can comprise, or be in the form of, a rotary dial 174. The rotary
dial 174 can be positioned on a distal end of the electronic
cigarette 100 opposite to the mouthpiece portion 111. When a rotary
dial 174 is used, the display 175 can be located within the center
of the rotary dial 174. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the
display 175 may comprise a number of light elements (bars, dots,
starts, etc.) arranged in a circle, preferably concentrically with
the rotary dial 174. This creates a compact user control 170, and
display 175 and is positioned outside of the area where the user
normally places his fingers so that no accidental modification of
the user controls 170 happen during vaping.
[0121] However, in a simpler embodiment, the display can be a light
source (e.g. a RGB LED) configured to indicate a flavor, flavor mix
or nicotine strength of the vapor by different colors and/or
intensities of the color(s). Optionally, a plurality of light
sources can be used.
[0122] The electronic cigarette 100 further comprises a regulating
arrangement 160 configured to selectively enable the delivery of
liquid from at least one liquid reservoir 122 to at least one
heater 180. Hence, the regulating arrangement is configured to open
and close the liquid delivery from the different liquid reservoirs
122.
[0123] The regulating arrangement may comprise a valve. The valve
may comprise a valve body configured to enable and modify the
liquid supply from a plurality of liquid reservoirs. The valve body
can have a plurality of channels configured to be aligned and
disaligned to outlets from the liquid reservoirs and wherein each
valve is configured to regulate the flow of liquid from each liquid
outlet. For instance the valve body can be rotatable. The
regulating arrangement further comprises an actuator, which is
connected to the at least one valve and the controller.
[0124] Alternatively, the regulating arrangement 160 may comprise a
plurality of valves. Each valve may be linked to a unique liquid
reservoir or a number of reservoirs.
[0125] In another embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 2b and 6, the
regulating arrangement 160 may comprise a plurality of heaters. The
heaters may e.g. be realized as Ohmic heating elements, for example
as heating wires. The individual heaters of the plurality of
heaters may be part of a single heater structure that is divided
into a number of individually controllable segments as heaters.
[0126] Each heater 180 is connected to at least one fluid transfer
element 120 configured to conduct an aerosol-generating liquid from
a liquid reservoir 122 to the heater 180 connected to the fluid
transfer element 120. The fluid transfer elements 120 may comprise
a wick or a needle that delivers the aerosol-generating liquid e.g.
by capillary action. The heaters 180 may also be formed integrally
with the fluid transfer elements 120, i.e. the heaters 180 may be
formed such that they also function as the fluid transfer elements
120.
[0127] The liquid reservoirs 122 may in some embodiments be
compartments in the housing 110 of the electronic cigarette 100
which are filled, and are preferably refillable, with at least one,
preferably more, aerosol-generating liquids.
[0128] The electronic cigarette 100 further comprises a control
circuitry 130. The control circuitry 130 comprises a memory 132
configured to store at least one program defining a sequence of
which liquid reservoir 122 is enabled for liquid delivery a
duration of time for the activation. In the embodiment where a
plurality of dedicated heaters 180 is used, the control circuitry
130 can therefore control the heater activation times, i.e. which
heater is activated when, and a duration of time for the
activation. If a valve is used in the regulation arrangement, the
control circuitry 130 can control an actuator of said valve in
order to position the valve to enable liquid delivery from selected
liquid reservoirs 122 to achieve the desired composition of
vapour.
[0129] The memory 132 may be fixedly integrated into the main body
of the electronic cigarette 100 and/or may, partially or
completely, be removable from the electronic cigarette 100. For
example, the memory 132 could be realized as a computer memory such
as a solid-state memory as a memory chip such as a SIM card or in
any other known way to store memory. Thus, a memory 132 comprising
new and/or updated programs may be inserted into the electronic
cigarette 100 by a user. The program may include heating profiles,
i.e. information which heater is to be heated to which temperature
or temperatures when and how long, or may be usable together with
one or more heating profiles stores separately in the memory
132.
[0130] In an embodiment, the cartridges are provided with heating
elements (e.g., heating coils) having different electrical
resistance, wherein at least two different electrical resistances
indicate respective different liquid types. The control circuitry
130 of the main body may be configured to measure the electrical
resistance of each heating element and to determine the liquid type
based on the measured electrical resistance.
[0131] The memory 132 (and in particular at least one program
stored therein) may also be updated by a user via a user interface.
For example, the electronic cigarette 100 may comprise a user
interface (a touch screen, a number of manipulators such as buttons
and/or dials and the like, etc.) with which the user may change
some or all parameters of one or more of the programs stored in the
memory 132.
[0132] Preferably, the electronic cigarette 100 comprises a wire
bound or wireless interface through which a computing device of the
user, such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop or the like, may
be, preferably wirelessly, connected to the memory 132 in order to
change parameters of one or more of the stored programs, to remove
programs from the memory 132 and/or to add new programs to the
memory 132. The interface is preferably configured to enable the
user, when changing parameters, to extend or shorten a duration of
a heater activation time of one or more of the heaters and/or shift
the heater activation time of at least one heater forward or
backward in time with respect to at least one other heater
activation time. The interface may alternatively give the user a
list of options such as "stronger taste" or "fresher" and may then
translate the user's settings into appropriate settings within at
least one program and/or heating profile.
[0133] By the interface, data may be transmitted to the computing
device indicating which type of aerosol-generating liquid is
present in each of the liquid reservoirs 122, or, more directly,
which type of aerosol-generating liquid is currently being arranged
to be supplied to which heater. In this way, the user knows which
type of aerosol-generating liquid will be affected when the user
changes the heater activation time of the corresponding heater in
any way.
[0134] The control circuitry 130 also comprises a timer 134
configured to control the enablement of each liquid reservoir 122
according to the selected program from the memory 132. The timer
134 can therefore control the time the valve is in each position or
regulate the time during which each heater is activated, in
particular to monitor how long each heater is activated (i.e.
measure the heater activation time) and to output a corresponding
heater activation time signal. The heater activation time signal
may indicate an amount of time e.g. in seconds (or milliseconds or
the like) or in a number of puffs.
[0135] The control circuitry 130 further comprises a controller 136
configured to selectively control the activation of each heater
according to the at least one program on the memory 132 and/or
according to at least one heating profile. The timer 134 may also
be integrated into the controller 136.
[0136] The program may comprise two or more heaters being activated
at the same time and/or two or more heaters being activated at
different times. The activation times of two or more heaters may
overlap, in particular for at least 10%, at least 30%, at least
50%, at least 70% or at least 90% of either activation time. The
heater activation times for each heater may have the same duration.
Alternatively, some heater activation time may have different
durations from one another. In some embodiments, all of the heaters
may have different heater activation times.
[0137] One important characteristic of the electronic cigarette is
a temperature to which the consumable is heated to generate the
aerosol. This temperature is also referred to as a "vaping
temperature". The vaping temperature can have a significant impact
on the user's vaping experience for multiple reasons. Excessive
heating can increase the temperature of the inhaled vapour to an
uncomfortable level, cause faster consumption of the consumable, in
particular of the aerosol-generating liquid, and may cause more
rapid degradation of the components of the electronic cigarette.
Moreover, an optimal vaping temperature may be different for
differently composed consumables, as different components of the
e-liquid may vaporise and/or release flavours at different
temperatures.
[0138] Each heater may be provided with a temperature sensor
configured to sense a temperature of the heater and to provide an
according heater temperature sensor signal to the controller 136.
Based on that heater temperature sensor signal, the controller 136
may control the individual vaping temperatures of the heaters which
may be different from one another. The electronic cigarette 100 may
be configured such that the vaping temperatures of the heaters
are--at least partially--different and fixed. In that case, the
aerosol-generating liquid can be arranged according to their
respective vaping temperature in the cartridge 140, as will be
described in the following. In other embodiments, the vaping
temperature of each heater may be individually controllable by the
controller 136, e.g. based on information about the
aerosol-generating liquid being currently supplied to each
individual heater, specifically based on information about the
vaping temperature of said aerosol-generating liquid, for example
as described later with respect to a data storage of the cartridge
140.
[0139] When the heaters are activated at different times and/or for
different heater activation times, then advantageously the vapour
composition of the vapour varies in time according to the program
stored on the memory 132.
[0140] In FIG. 1 and the following FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, an
embodiment is illustrated according to which the electronic
cigarette 100 is configured to receive a consumable, in particular
a cartridge 140, comprising at least one liquid reservoir 122, and
preferably at least two liquid reservoirs 122. More preferably, the
at least two liquid reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140 comprise
two different aerosol-generating liquids, i.e. aerosol-generating
liquids of different composition.
[0141] The (at least one) liquid reservoir integrated into the
electronic cigarette 100 may therefore be larger than one, or all,
of the liquid reservoirs of the cartridge 140 or may even be larger
than the cartridge 140 itself.
[0142] In the following, the case will be described in more detail
in which there is no liquid reservoir integrated into the
electronic cigarette 100. The embodiment of FIG. 1 is illustrated
also with respect to FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b.
[0143] FIG. 2a shows a schematic perspective view of the fluid
transfer elements 120 of the electronic cigarette 100 and of a
sealed cartridge 140 comprising liquid reservoirs 122. The liquid
reservoirs 122 can be provided on a support 123 configured to group
the plurality of reservoirs 122 together.
[0144] FIG. 2a shows a cartridge 140 with three different liquid
reservoirs 122, each of the same size, that are sealed so that no
aerosol-generating liquid may spill. The three different liquid
reservoirs 122 are arranged next to each other, separated by a
respective divider wall, and are rectangular in shape. Preferably,
each liquid reservoir 122 comprises an aerosol-generating liquid
different from the other liquid reservoirs 122 such that the
cartridge 140 carries, in this example, three different
aerosol-generating liquids.
[0145] As is also evident from FIG. 2a, when the cartridge 140 is
completely and correctly inserted into, or attached to, the
electronic cigarette 100, then the fluid transfer elements 120
align in a predefined way with the cartridge 140. Preferably, each
fluid transfer element 120 is aligned with exactly one liquid
reservoir 122 of the cartridge 140. In this way, a maximal variety
of flavours may be provided to the user.
[0146] The present invention thus also provides a cartridge 140
comprising a plurality of liquid reservoir 122 arranged and
configured such that, when the cartridge 140 is inserted into, or
attached to, the electronic cigarette 100 in a predefined way, each
of the liquid reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140 is aligned
according to a predefined way with at least one, preferably with
exactly one, fluid transfer element 120 of the electronic cigarette
100.
[0147] FIG. 2b illustrates that the heaters 180 may each be formed
with a piercing member, in particular a needle comprising a
capillary tube, which act as fluid transfer elements 120 by
capillary action after they have pierced a seal or membrane
protecting the liquid reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140.
[0148] The present invention accordingly also provides a smoking
system 1000 comprising an electronic cigarette 100 according to the
present invention and a cartridge 140 according to the present
invention configured to align with each other in the way described
in the foregoing.
[0149] In the example of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2a, the cartridge 140 has
only three liquid reservoirs 122 which are arranged such that each
liquid reservoir 122 is aligned with six of the fluid transfer
elements 120. In other cartridges 140 for the same electronic
cigarette 100, the apportionment may be different.
[0150] In the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2a, the cartridge
140 is further provided with a sealing 142 or packaging which is
configured and arranged to seal off one or more of the liquid
reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140 to prevent leakage. For
example, the cartridge 140 may be formed with the plurality of
liquid reservoirs 122 which my then be filled with at least two
different aerosol-generating liquids, and then a sealing foil may
be placed and fixed over the liquid reservoirs 122 to seal
them.
[0151] In the embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2a, the fluid transfer
elements 120 of the electronic cigarette 100 are realized as
comprising, or consisting of, piercing members 124 configured to be
able to pierce the sealing or packaging, which seals the individual
liquid reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140. The piercing of the
liquid reservoirs 122 may occur coincident with the cartridge 140
being fully and correctly inserted into a receiving cavity of the
electronic cigarette 100. The piercing members may be configured as
hollow tubes with sharpened ends (e.g. as hollow needles) through
which aerosol-generating liquid is drawn via capillary action from
the liquid reservoirs 122. In some embodiments, the fluid transfer
element120, the piercing member 124 and the corresponding heater
may be realized as a single element, i.e. the heaters may function
as heaters, as fluid transfer elements and as piercing members.
[0152] The receiving cavity of the electronic cigarette 100 may
comprise the piercing members 124 which are arranged such that,
when the user inserts the cartridge 140 for the first time into the
receiving cavity, the user pushes the sealing or packaging of the
cartridge 140 against the piercing members 124 until the piercing
members 124 pierce the sealing or packaging of the liquid
reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140. In other embodiments, the
piercing members 124 may be movable between a retracted and an
extended position, wherein the piercing members 124 pierce the
sealing 142 of the cartridge 140 only when they are in the extended
position. Then, the cartridge 140 may be inserted into the
electronic cigarette 100 without its sealing 142 being pierced
automatically. The contents of the cartridge 140 may thus remain
fresh longer, i.e. until the user actually wants to start the
vaping session, at which point the user will extend the piercing
members 124 using an actuating member such as a push button or a
lever.
[0153] When the piercing members 124 have pierced the sealing 142
or packaging of the liquid reservoirs 122, the fluid transfer
elements 120 conduct the aerosol-generating liquids within the
liquid reservoirs 122 to the respective heaters to be heated for
the generation of the vapour.
[0154] The cartridge 140 may be provided with a data storage that
comprises information about which kind of aerosol-generating liquid
is contained in each of the liquid reservoirs 122 of the cartridge
140. In other words, the information may indicate which
aerosol-generating liquid of the cartridge 140 is deposited in
which liquid reservoir 122 and/or which composition it has. The
information may also indicate an optimal vaping temperature of each
aerosol-generating liquid, or information that allows the
controller 136 to determine the vaping temperature for each
aerosol-generating liquid via a database, a look-up table, an
internet link or the like. The controller 136 may then control each
heater to function at the respective vaping temperature.
[0155] The information may be transmitted from the data storage of
the cartridge 140 to the electronic cigarette 100, e.g. to the
controller 136 or the memory 132 so that the controller 136 knows
which heater is to be activated in order to produce vapour from a
certain aerosol-generating liquid contained in one of the liquid
reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140. In this way, when two types of
cartridge 140 e.g. comprise, among others, the same
aerosol-generating liquid but have arranged the liquid reservoir
122 containing said aerosol-generating liquid at different
positions of the cartridge 140, the controller 136 will be aware of
the true position of the aerosol-generating liquid and control the
heaters accordingly, based on at least one program and/or heating
profile.
[0156] The information from the cartridge 140 may be transmitted
wirelessly from the cartridge 140 to the electronic cigarette 100,
e.g. by RFID or Bluetooth or the like, or a contact interface may
be provided, by which the controller 136 is able to determine the
contents and/or positions of the aerosol-generating liquids
contained in the liquid reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140.
[0157] The information for the cartridge 140 may also be printed as
a code segment on a part of the cartridge 140 such as on a surface
of the cartridge 140. That code segment may thus act as a data
storage of the cartridge 140. The code segment may be read by the
electronic cigarette 100 electrically and/or optically, i.e. by an
electric and/or optic reading device of the electronic cigarette
100.
[0158] Alternatively, the data storage on the cartridge may be in
the form of a memory, configured to store a plurality of programs.
The programs may include different combinations and sequences of
the liquids in the cartridge. To this effect, the main body can be
configured to select one of the programs included on the memory.
The cartridge may further comprise an indicia or a description of
the programs available on the cartridge to inform the user about
the flavour characteristics of the program.
[0159] Hence, the data storage of the cartridge 140 may also
comprise a complete program for the controller 136 to follow. Thus,
the controller 136 may be configured to automatically select and
follow a program from the data storage. For example, a specific
cartridge 140 may be designed to offer the user a flavour journey
akin to a multi-course meal, with carefully blending and varying
vapour compositions over time. A single program for such a flavour
journey may be stored in the cartridge 140 and be automatically
followed by the controller 136 of the electronic cigarette 100, or
there may be a plurality of programs stored on the cartridge 140,
from which the controller 136 will automatically select one program
based on e.g. a preference of the user, a setting of the electronic
cigarette 100 (for example a desired time duration of the flavour
journey indicated by the user via the user interface), a time of
the day, a time in the circadian rhythm of the user, a prescribed
drug dosage, sensor data and/or personal data, as will be explained
in more detail in the following.
[0160] Information about the contents of the cartridge 140 may be
displayed to the user via a display of the electronic cigarette 100
and/or, via the optional interface described in the foregoing, by a
mobile device of the user, e.g. in an app of a smartphone. The user
is thus able to compose a personalized flavour program, making
selections from the aerosol-generating liquids available from a
certain type of cartridge 140 which is, e.g., automatically
determined or which the user has input into the electronic
cigarette 100 by the user interface. Instead of a single cartridge
140, the electronic cigarette 100 may be configured to receive a
plurality of cartridges 140, each providing information about its
contents to the controller 136 in one of the ways discussed in the
foregoing.
[0161] Similarly, the electronic cigarette 100 may be configured to
let the user, e.g. using the user interface, input what type of
flavour program the user would like to experience, for example by
making a selection from flavours provided as options from a server.
The user may then be informed, by a display of the electronic
cigarette 100 and/or by a mobile device connected to the electronic
cigarette 100 by the interface, which cartridge the user would have
to insert into the electronic cigarette 100 so that the electronic
cigarette 100 is able to produce the desired flavour program.
[0162] The flavour program may also be set partially, or
completely, automatically. The electronic cigarette 100 may
comprise at least one sensor that is configured to sense an
environment condition and/or a property or a state of the user, and
to determine, or adjust, the program of the electronic cigarette
100 accordingly.
[0163] For example, a sensor and/or a determining routine of the
controller 136 may determine a circadian rhythm of a user and
transmit data relating to said rhythm to the controller. The
controller may then consult the memory 132 which may comprise a
database linking sections of the circadian rhythm to parameters of
vapour compositions. The database may be a general database for all
users, or may be personalized for one or more individual users.
[0164] The determining of the circadian rhythm may be aided and/or
performed by the determining routine running on the controller 136
which may keep track of time and enable the user to provide
information to help synchronise the controller 136 to the user's
circadian rhythm. The determining routine may be configured to
determine the circadian rhythm also based on the previous usage of
the device which may be determined and stored by the controller 136
within the memory 132. The determining routine may also receive
measurements and/or personal data from a mobile device of the user,
such as from a smart watch or a smart phone and determine the
circadian rhythm based on said measurements and/or personal data.
The personal data may include e.g. sleep patterns or patterns of
other activities of the user.
[0165] For example, a user may prefer vapour compositions that are
perceived as "mild" after waking up in the morning, may prefer
stronger tastes during the day and may prefer more balanced vapour
compositions in the evening. The electronic cigarette 100 may
comprise a clock configured to provide the controller 136 with the
time of the day, and the controller 136 may be configured to adapt
the vapour composition of a program and/or to select a program
based on the time of the day.
[0166] Combined with the sensor and/or routine for determining the
circadian rhythm of the user, the electronic cigarette 100 may thus
be able to always provide the user with the most desired vapour
composition whenever the user activates the electronic cigarette
100. For example, the flavour and/or smell sensitivity of most
users varies over time, in particular with the circadian rhythm. A
program may be configured such that the perceived flavour
experience for a user is constant over time, e.g. by increasing a
ratio of flavour-carrying aerosol-generating liquids with respect
to flavourless or flavour-neutral aerosol-generating liquids when
the flavour and/or smell sensitivity of the user is comparatively
lower, and to reduce said ratio when the sensitivity of the user is
higher.
[0167] The electronic cigarette 100 may be configured to perform a
test with a user in which it provides different flavour intensities
to a user (preferably at different times of the day and/or
different times with respect to the circadian rhythm of the user)
and requires an input of the user characterizing the perceived
strength of flavour.
[0168] The controller 136 may be configured to select and/or adapt
a program stored in the memory 132 based on results of the
test.
[0169] As another example, when the electronic cigarette 100 is
used to administer a drug with an unpleasant smell and/or taste,
the vapour composition may be configured such that that smell
and/or taste is hidden from the user or neutralized by the vapour
composition.
[0170] The internal clock and/or the sensor for determining the
circadian rhythm may also be used to ensure, or facilitate, the
prescription of a drug to a user according to a dosage regime. For
example, the user may have a prescription for a comparatively lower
dosage of the drug during the morning (and/or during a number of
hours after waking up) and a prescription for a comparatively
higher dosage of the drug during the afternoon (and/or during a
number of hours after the previous period, or before going to
sleep). The electronic cigarette 100 may thus be employed as a
device for delivering a pre-set drug dosage over time to a user.
The program controlling the addition of the drug to the vapour
composition may be put together, or approved, by a physician and
may preferably be unalterable by the user.
[0171] The internal clock may also be configured to provide a
current date, and the program may comprise a program for weaning
off of a drug in which the dosage of the drug is e.g. reduced every
day. The corresponding program may be configured to compensate the
reduced amount of the drug by a corresponding change in another
component of the vapour composition. For example, a reduced amount
of nicotine could be compensated by an increased amount of an
aerosol-generating liquid that has a tobacco flavour or that
creates a sensation close to the sensation of smoking actual
tobacco. Similarly, if a certain active ingredient produces a
certain sensation for the user when inhaled, a reduced amount of
said active ingredient could be compensated by an increased amount
of an aerosol-generating liquid that produces the same sensation
for the user. The user may therefore have the impression that the
drug content is not reduced at all.
[0172] The electronic cigarette 100 may in some advantageous
embodiments also comprise a particle sensor such as a food molecule
sensor. In this way, the vapour composition can automatically be
set by the controller 136 based on e.g. a previous consumption of a
user and/or on a chemical balance (e.g. acidic/basic) within the
mouth of the user. Preferably, the particle sensor is arranged at
the mouthpiece 111 of the electronic cigarette 100 or at a
connector for connecting a mouthpiece to the electronic cigarette
100. The particle sensor is preferably arranged and configured to
detect molecules in the saliva of the user, e.g. using molecularly
imprinted polymers.
[0173] The corresponding settings may be stored in the memory 132
by the user according to the user's preferences. For example, a
user may prefer vapour compositions with a cooling effect or a
cooling sensation after having consumed a spicy meal. The particle
sensor may be configured to detect capsaicin in the user's breath
and/or saliva and select a "after spicy meal" program or to choose
a "after spicy meal" setting within a program. Similarly, the taste
and/or smell sense of the user may be dulled after a particularly
flavour-intensive meal such that the vapour composition may have to
be adapted to also include stronger flavours in order to counteract
the effect.
[0174] The cartridge 140 may also comprise an aerosol-generating
liquid acting as a palate cleanser which helps the user to better
sense flavours after it has been inhaled. The controller 136 may be
configured to automatically add a heater activation time for a
heater arranged to heat the palate-cleansing aerosol-generating
liquid before all programs based on a sensor signal of the particle
sensor. Additionally, or alternatively, the memory 132 may comprise
a special palate-cleansing program that comprises a heater
activation time for the palate-cleansing aerosol-generating liquid.
The controller 136 may be configured to automatically select the
palate-cleansing program based on the sensor signal of the particle
sensor and/or the user may be able to manually activate the
palate-cleansing program.
[0175] The particle sensor may also be configured to detect bad
odours in the breath or mouth of the user, and to choose a vapour
composition or a program to counter, or lessen, the detected bad
odours specifically. Specifically, a vapour composition set
according to other criteria (e.g. personal preference, time of the
day and/or contents of the cartridge 140 and the like) may be
adapted to include, in addition, an agent designed to counteract
the detected bad odour or odours in the breath of the user. Such an
addition of a breath-improving agent to the vapour composition may
be triggered by measuring a concentration of a specific chemical
substance over a predefined threshold, and may last until the
measured concentration has fallen below a threshold, which may be
the same or different (in particular lower) than the first
threshold.
[0176] A typical vaping session may start with the user inserting a
cartridge 140 into the electronic cigarette 100 fully and correctly
(e.g. closing the electronic cigarette 100 thereafter) such that
the fluid transfer elements 120 can or will conduct the
aerosol-generating liquids from the cartridge 140 to the heaters of
the electronic cigarette 100. The user then turns on the electronic
cigarette 100 and places the mouthpiece on the user's lips.
[0177] The controller 136 may then apply a flavour selection
algorithm to determine an initial program, i.e. an initial vapour
composition and a temperature setting to use. The initial vapour
composition may comprise only vapour from a single
aerosol-generating liquid but may also comprise vapours from a
plurality, or even all of, the aerosol-generating liquids available
from the cartridge 140.
[0178] During the course of the vaping session, the controller 136
may adjust the vapour composition by activating and/or deactivating
different heaters and/or controlling the heaters to function at
different vaping temperatures based on a chosen flavour program
and/or on any of the inputs as has been described in the foregoing,
e.g. based on sensor data and/or personal data about the user
(circadian rhythm, composition of the user's breath or saliva, time
of the day, current date and so on) and/or data from the data
storage of the cartridge 140. Of course, the user may also be
allowed to manually change some or all of the setting of the
program using a user interface of the electronic cigarette 100. For
instance, the user control may be used to skip over a flavor that
the user does not like and advance to the next flavor. The memory
132 can register that the user did not like the sequence and remove
it from the program.
[0179] Although specific embodiments of the invention are
illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those
of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or
equivalent implementations exist. It should be appreciated that the
exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are examples only and
are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or
configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and
detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a
convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary
embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in
the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary
embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the
appended claims and their legal equivalents. Generally, this
application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of
the specific embodiments discussed herein.
[0180] It will also be appreciated that in this document the terms
"comprise", "comprising", "include", "including", "contain",
"containing", "have", "having", and any variations thereof, are
intended to be understood in an inclusive (i.e. non-exclusive)
sense, such that the process, method, device, apparatus or system
described herein is not limited to those features or parts or
elements or steps recited but may include other elements, features,
parts or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process,
method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the terms "a" and "an"
used herein are intended to be understood as meaning one or more
unless explicitly stated otherwise. Moreover, the terms "first",
"second", "third", etc. are used merely as labels, and are not
intended to impose numerical requirements on or to establish a
certain ranking of importance of their objects.
LIST OF DRAWING SIGNS
[0181] 100 electronic cigarette
[0182] 110 main body
[0183] 111 mouthpiece portion
[0184] 112 power source
[0185] 120 conducting member
[0186] 122 liquid reservoir
[0187] 123 support
[0188] 124 piercing member
[0189] 130 control circuitry
[0190] 132 memory
[0191] 134 timer
[0192] 136 controller
[0193] 140 cartridge
[0194] 142 sealing
[0195] 143 housing
[0196] 145 cartridge seating
[0197] 146 vaporization chamber
[0198] 147 vapor groove
[0199] 148 airflow diverter
[0200] 149a keyway
[0201] 149b rail member
[0202] 149c rail member
[0203] 150 valve
[0204] 150a rail member
[0205] 150b keyway
[0206] 151 channel
[0207] 152 closing member
[0208] 153 valve seat
[0209] 154 connecting portion
[0210] 155 vapor outlet portion
[0211] 160 regulating arrangement
[0212] 170 user controls
[0213] 171 rocker button
[0214] 172 button
[0215] 173 button
[0216] 174 rotary dial
[0217] 175 display
[0218] 180 heater
[0219] 180a capillary tube
[0220] 180b absorbing portion
[0221] 180c heating portion
[0222] 1000 smoking system
* * * * *