An electric gas flow heater has a grid-like heating element through which exhaust gas can flow axially, and which forms an electrical resistance heating. The grid-like heating element includes radially successive layers of band-like material, wherein the layers, in an axial view of the heating element, are bent in an undulating manner and include valleys and peaks. The layers that are located between the radially outermost layer and the radially innermost layer are attached by their peaks and valleys to the respectively radially adjacent layer, so that flow-through openings are formed between the layers. The wavelengths of the layers are increasing radially outwards.

An electric gas flow heater has a grid-like heating element through which exhaust gas can flow axially, and which forms an electrical resistance heating. The grid-like heating element includes radially successive layers of band-like material, wherein the layers, in an axial view of the heating element, are bent in an undulating manner and include valleys and peaks. The layers that are located between the radially outermost layer and the radially innermost layer are attached by their peaks and valleys to the respectively radially adjacent layer, so that flow-through openings are formed between the layers. The wavelengths of the layers are increasing radially outwards.

The present disclosure relates to electronic cigarettes having vaporizer assembly with “U” shaped air path and methods of using the same. The electronic cigarette includes: mouthpiece assembly, electronic cigarette body, E-liquid storage tank having a negative air pressure cavity and a number of airflow channels forming “U” shaped air path, and the vaporizer assembly. The vaporizer assembly includes: one or more cylindrical E-liquid storage media, and one or more heating elements. The elements are electrically connected to an electrical power supply through negative air pressure activated switch. When a user sucks air from mouthpiece assembly, a negative air pressure is created in the negative air pressure cavity, the negative air pressure activated switch turns on the electrical power supply to the heating elements, and the heating elements vaporize the E-liquid stored in cylindrical E-liquid storage media to generate electronic cigarette vapor for the user through the “U” shaped air path.

The present disclosure relates to electronic cigarettes having vaporizer assembly with “U” shaped air path and methods of using the same. The electronic cigarette includes: mouthpiece assembly, electronic cigarette body, E-liquid storage tank having a negative air pressure cavity and a number of airflow channels forming “U” shaped air path, and the vaporizer assembly. The vaporizer assembly includes: one or more cylindrical E-liquid storage media, and one or more heating elements. The elements are electrically connected to an electrical power supply through negative air pressure activated switch. When a user sucks air from mouthpiece assembly, a negative air pressure is created in the negative air pressure cavity, the negative air pressure activated switch turns on the electrical power supply to the heating elements, and the heating elements vaporize the E-liquid stored in cylindrical E-liquid storage media to generate electronic cigarette vapor for the user through the “U” shaped air path.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to an apparatus that includes a moveable gripper element that includes a flexible inner sleeve. A mechanical energy source mechanism is communicatively coupled to the moveable gripper element, and the flexible sleeve defines an opening. The mechanical energy source mechanism transfers to the moveable gripper element a gripping force configured to move the moveable outer sleeve, reduce a size of the adjustable opening, and bring the flexible inner sleeve into an initial level of thermal contact with a container positioned within the adjustable opening. The mechanical energy source mechanism is configured to, subsequent to establishing the initial level of thermal contact, make adjustments to the gripping force, wherein the adjustment to gripping force increase thermal contact points at an interface between the flexible inner sleeve and the container; and displace air from the interface between the flexible inner sleeve and the container.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to an apparatus that includes a moveable gripper element that includes a flexible inner sleeve. A mechanical energy source mechanism is communicatively coupled to the moveable gripper element, and the flexible sleeve defines an opening. The mechanical energy source mechanism transfers to the moveable gripper element a gripping force configured to move the moveable outer sleeve, reduce a size of the adjustable opening, and bring the flexible inner sleeve into an initial level of thermal contact with a container positioned within the adjustable opening. The mechanical energy source mechanism is configured to, subsequent to establishing the initial level of thermal contact, make adjustments to the gripping force, wherein the adjustment to gripping force increase thermal contact points at an interface between the flexible inner sleeve and the container; and displace air from the interface between the flexible inner sleeve and the container.

An electronic smoking article includes an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction, an inner tube within the outer tube and including a pair of opposing slots, a liquid supply comprising a liquid material, a coil heater, a wick and a mouth end insert. The coil heater is located in the inner tube. The coil heater is formed of an iron-free, nickel-chromium alloy and has substantially uniformly spaced windings. The wick is surrounded by the coil heater such that the wick delivers liquid material to the coil heater and the coil heater heats the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol in the inner tube.

An electronic smoking article includes an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction, an inner tube within the outer tube and including a pair of opposing slots, a liquid supply comprising a liquid material, a coil heater, a wick and a mouth end insert. The coil heater is located in the inner tube. The coil heater is formed of an iron-free, nickel-chromium alloy and has substantially uniformly spaced windings. The wick is surrounded by the coil heater such that the wick delivers liquid material to the coil heater and the coil heater heats the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol in the inner tube.

There is provided a device for generating an inhalable aerosol or gas, the device including an aerosol generating material having an integrated electrical resistance heating element, so that the aerosol generating material may be heated in direct contact with the electrical resistance heating element, wherein the aerosol generating material is provided as a unitary structure or coating which may be heated to generate multiple deliveries of an inhalable aerosol or gas. There is also provided a method for fabricating the device. There is also provided the use of the device and the use of the aerosol generating material, to generatean inhalable aerosol or gas.

There is provided a device for generating an inhalable aerosol or gas, the device including an aerosol generating material having an integrated electrical resistance heating element, so that the aerosol generating material may be heated in direct contact with the electrical resistance heating element, wherein the aerosol generating material is provided as a unitary structure or coating which may be heated to generate multiple deliveries of an inhalable aerosol or gas. There is also provided a method for fabricating the device. There is also provided the use of the device and the use of the aerosol generating material, to generatean inhalable aerosol or gas.