Personal Vaporizer Device

Abstract

A personal vaporizer device, especially an electronic smoking article, comprises a cartridge which includes a reservoir for storing a liquid to be vaporized; and an elongate body portion to which the cartridge is connected. The elongate body portion comprises a cover member which is movable in a longitudinal direction of the body portion between a first position and a second position, wherein the cartridge is substantially covered or obscured by the cover member in the first position. In the second position, the cover member is retracted.

Claims

1. A cartridge, comprising: a housing that encloses a reservoir for storing a liquid to be vaporised; a vaporiser unit configured to vaporize the liquid from the reservoir; a mouthpiece arranged at a top of the cartridge; and an airflow channel configured to guide the vapour to the mouthpiece for inhalation by a user, wherein the airflow channel extends centrally through the housing to the mouthpiece, wherein the housing has a flat base, vertically extending sides, and curved upper shoulder regions arranged between the vertically extending sides and the mouthpiece, and wherein the housing is configured such that a user can determine visually how much liquid remains in the reservoir.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the airflow channel has a circular cross-section and is surrounded by the reservoir.

3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the airflow channel extends from the base.

4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the vaporiser unit comprises a heater for heating the liquid to be vaporised to generate the vapour to be inhaled, and a liquid delivery means configured to convey the liquid from the reservoir to the heater for vaporization.

5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein a side region of the housing includes a window for the user to determine visually how much liquid remains in the reservoir.

6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is configured for a push-on/pull-off type mechanical and electrical connection into an end region of an elongate body portion of a personal vaporiser device.

7. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein the sides of the housing include resilient or flexible members having projecting lugs that are configured for mechanical connection to an end region of an elongate body portion of a personal vaporiser device.

8. The cartridge of claim 6, further comprising a magnetic connector element configured for effecting the mechanical connection with a magnetic connector element provided at an end region of an elongate body portion of a personal vaporiser device.

9. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein electrical contacts are provided below the base of the housing.

10. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein electrical contacts are provided in the sides of the housing.

11. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the curved upper shoulder regions extend from the vertically extending sides and form the mouthpiece.

12. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the curved upper shoulder regions extend from the vertically extending sides and terminate at the mouthpiece.

13. A personal vaporizer device, comprising: a cartridge, the cartridge comprising: a housing that encloses a reservoir for storing a liquid to be vaporised; a vaporiser unit configured to vaporize the liquid from the reservoir; a mouthpiece arranged at a top of the cartridge; and an airflow channel configured to guide the vapour to the mouthpiece for inhalation by a user, wherein the airflow channel extends centrally through the housing to the mouthpiece, wherein the housing has a flat base, vertically extending sides, and curved upper shoulder regions arranged between the vertically extending sides and the mouthpiece, and wherein the housing is configured such that a user can determine visually how much liquid remains in the reservoir.

14. The personal vaporizer device according to claim 13, wherein an elongate body portion, to which the cartridge is connected, comprises a power supply unit for supplying electrical power to the cartridge when it is connected to the elongate body portion.

15. The personal vaporizer device according to claim 14, wherein the cartridge is configured to be connected to an end region of the elongate body portion, and wherein the end region of the elongate body portion comprises electrical connectors for making an electrical connection with complementary electrical connectors provided on the cartridge.

16. A personal vaporizer device, comprising an elongate body portion to which a cartridge is connected, wherein the cartridge to be connected to the elongate body portion includes a housing that encloses a reservoir for storing a liquid to be vaporized, a vaporiser unit configured to vaporize the liquid from the reservoir, a mouthpiece arranged at a top of the cartridge, and an airflow channel configured to guide the vapour to the mouthpiece for inhalation by a user, wherein the elongate body portion, to which the cartridge is connected, comprises a power supply unit for supplying electrical power to the cartridge when it is connected to the elongate body portion, and wherein the elongate body portion has one or more indicators for indicating an operational status of the device and/or for indicating available power supply in the power supply unit of the elongate body portion.

17. The personal vaporizer device of claim 16, wherein an end region of the elongate body portion of the personal vaporizer device is configured for a push-on/pull-off type mechanical and electrical connection with the cartridge.

18. The personal vaporizer device of claim 17, wherein the end region of the elongate body portion of the personal vaporizer device is configured to receive resilient or flexible members of the housing for mechanical connection with the cartridge.

19. The personal vaporizer device of claim 17, further comprising a magnetic connector element at the end region of the elongate body portion of a personal vaporiser device configured for effecting the mechanical connection with a magnetic connector element provided in the cartridge.

20. The cartridge of claim 17, wherein electrical contacts are provided at the end region of the elongate body portion of the personal vaporizer device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] 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:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a side view of a personal vaporizer device, especially an electronic smoking article, according to an embodiment, with a cover member of the device shown in a first position;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a side view of the personal vaporizer device shown in FIG. 1, with the cover member of the device shown in a first position;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cartridge for a personal vaporizer device according to an embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectioned side view of a cartridge with vaporizer unit installed in a personal vaporizer device via a first type of connection;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectioned side view of a cartridge with vaporizer unit installed in a personal vaporizer device via a second type of connection;

[0033] FIG. 6 is a schematic sectioned side view of a cartridge with vaporizer unit installed in a personal vaporizer device via a third type of connection;

[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the personal vaporizer device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the cover member shown in the first position;

[0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cover member of the personal vaporizer device shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7;

[0036] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an underside of the cover member shown in FIG. 8;

[0037] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the personal vaporizer device shown in FIG. 7 with the cover member represented transparent providing a view of the control unit and user interface elements;

[0038] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram which schematically represents a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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 further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps in an embodiment of a method may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrences while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also 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 theft corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study, except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0041] With reference firstly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a personal vaporizer device 1 in the form of electronic cigarette or “e-cigarette” is illustrated in different positions and in partial cross-section. The device 1 includes a replaceable cartridge 2 which is attached at one end region 3 of an elongate body 4. The elongate body 4 in turn comprises a casing 6 which encloses a power supply unit in the form of a battery unit D for supplying electrical power to the device 1. The casing 5 of the elongate body 4 includes a cover member 6 which is movable in a longitudinal direction of the body 4 between a first position A (i.e. shown in FIG. 1) and a second position B (i.e. shown in FIG. 2). In this regard, the cover member 6 comprises a front cover panel 6″ which extends over a front side of the body 4, and a rear cover panel 6″, which extends over a rear side of the body 4.

[0042] As can be seen in drawing FIGS. 2, the cartridge 2 comprises a housing 7 that encloses a reservoir 8 for storing a liquid to be vaporized. The housing 7 has a flat base 7′ and generally vertically extending sides 7″ which transition at curved upper shoulder regions 7″ to form or terminate at a mouthpiece 9 at a top of the cartridge 2. In this way, the shell of the housing 7 encloses the reservoir 8 ′ to form a small 5 tank for storing the liquid (i.e. of a type known in the art) to be vaporized for inhalation by a user of the e-cigarette. Furthermore, the cartridge 2 includes an airflow channel C which extends centrally through the housing 7 from the base 7″ to the top and is configured to guide the vapour to the mouthpiece 9 for inhalation by the user. The airflow channel C has a generally circular cross-section and is surrounded by the reservoir 8. In order to generate the vapour, the cartridge 2 incorporates a vaporizer unit having an electric heater with a heating element or wire provided wound in a coil within the airflow channel C for heating the liquid to be vaporized to generate the vapour to be inhaled. The vaporizer unit (not shown) further comprises a liquid delivery means which is configured to convey the liquid from the reservoir 8 to the heating wire for vaporization.

[0043] Referring to drawing FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover member 6, which is comprised of the front and rear panel members 6′,6″, is movable in a longitudinal direction of the device body 4—e.g. by siding or in translation—between the first position A shown in FIG. 1 and the second position B shown in FIG. 2. In the first extended position A, the replaceable cartridge 2 comprising the reservoir 8 and the vaporizer unit 10 is substantially covered or obscured by the cover member 6. In this way, the cover member 6 provides a physical barrier for protecting the cartridge 2 in the first position A. Nevertheless, the volume or amount of liquid in the reservoir 8 of the cartridge 2 remains visible when the cover member 6 is in the first position A. That is, although the cartridge 2 is largely covered or obscured by cover member 6 is in this position, a window may be provided in the cover member 6 and/or a side region S of the cartridge 2 remains uncovered by the cover member 6 and may include a window W for a user to determine visually how much liquid remains in the reservoir 8.

[0044] For sliding or moving the cover member 6 relative to the remainder of the casing 5 between the first and second positions A, B, at least one or both of the front and rear panel members 6′,6″ may be held and engaged between a thumb and finger of the user. In the second position B, the cover member 6 is retracted to leave the cartridge 2 either partially or substantially uncovered or unobscured. That is, in the second position B the cover member 6 is retracted from the cartridge 2 in the longitudinal direction to a use position or an activated position for the e-cigarette or vaporizer device 1, To this end, the body 4 includes a switch 17 provided in the form of a round button set within an opening 18 in the cover member 6. The switch or button 17 is configured to activate the device 1 and the switch 17 is in operative connection with a part of the controller or control unit below the cover member 6, In this regard, the device 1 may be designed to only be able to be activated via the switch 17 when the front and rear panels 6′,6″ are moved from the first position A to the second position B. The switch 17 is surrounded by a ring-shaped indicator 19 which illuminates on the front panel 6″ for indicating an operational status of the device 1. These elements of the vaporizer device 1 will be described in greater detail below.

[0045] In addition, the second position B of the cover member 6 is designed for removing the cartridge 2 from, and/or for connecting a cartridge 2 to, the body portion 4 of the personal vaporizer device or e-cigarette 1. As noted above, the cartridge 2 is configured to be connected to the end region 3 of the body portion 4. This end region 3 of the elongate body 4 thus preferably includes one or more electrical contacts 14 for making an electrical connection with one or more complementary electrical connectors provided on the cartridge 2 for connecting electrical power to the heater of the vaporizer unit within the cartridge 2.

[0046] Drawing FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a cartridge 2 according to a similar embodiment to the one described above. As described previously, the cartridge 2 here typically includes a housing 7 enclosing a reservoir 8 for storing the liquid to be vaporized and defining an airflow channel C which extends centrally through the housing 7 to a mouthpiece 9 at a top of the cartridge 2. Further, the cartridge 2 includes a vaporizer unit (not shown) having an electric heater with a heating element provided wound in a coil within the airflow channel C for heating the liquid to be vaporized to generate the vapour to be inhaled. The vaporizer unit comprises a liquid delivery means configured to convey the liquid from the reservoir 8 via capillary action or other known mechanisms.

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 6 of the drawings, three different types of mechanical and electrical connections between the cartridge 2 and power supply (e.g. battery unit D) via the end region 3 of the body 4 of the personal vaporizer device 1 are schematically illustrated. In each case, the cartridge 2 is configured for a push-on/pull-off type connection into the open upper end region 3 of the casing 5 of the device. In FIG. 4, the sides 7″ of the cartridge housing 7 include resilient or flexible members 31 (e.g. formed as leaf-springs or cantilevers) having projecting lugs 32 for receipt or engagement in complementary recesses 33 formed on an inner side of the casing 5. Electrical contact elements 14 are provided separately for power supply to the controller 13 and heater via electrical contacts provided below the cartridge 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the sides 7″ of the cartridge housing 7 are received in the open upper end region 3 of the casing 5 and resilient electrical contact elements 14 extend upwards from the power supply and engage electrical contacts 34 provided in the sides 7″ of the cartridge housing 7. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, by contrast, a mechanical connection is effected via magnetic connector elements 35 provided on both the cartridge 2 and the body part 4 of the personal vaporizer device 1 at the end region 3. The electrical connection again occurs separately via electrical contacts 14 below the base 7′ of the cartridge housing 7.

[0048] With reference now to FIGS. 7 to 9 of the drawings, the geometry and construction of the cover member 6 can be more clearly seen. In particular, the front panel 6′ of the cover member is functionalized by its convex outer shape, its thickness and flexibility. In particular, the panel 6′ is not only configured to move between the first and second positions A, B but may also bend and form as a user interface for operation of the device 1. In this regard, it has already been noted above that the front panel 6′ of the cover member 6 includes user interface elements, such as the switch 17 in the form of a button set within the opening 18 in the cover member 6 and surrounded by a ring-shaped indicator 19 which illuminates the front panel 6′ for indicating an operational status of the device 1. The switch or button 17 which is configured to activate the device. 1 for vapour generation after the cover member 6 has been moved to the second or “in-use” position B. The front panel 6′ may also include one or more further switch or button 21 which may be positioned on a surface thereof (e.g. discretely or clearly) for activating additional functionalities, such as for setting an operating mode. Each of the switches or buttons 17, 21 is in operative connection with a part of the controller or control unit 13 of the device 1 below the cover member 6, which is described later. When the cover member 6 is moved to the second position B, the indicator 17 may illuminate to identify that the device 1 has been activated and/or is ready for operation. Further, the indicator 20 may illuminate in a different colour and/or in a different manner (e.g. blink or pulsate) to signal to a user that the available power supply in the battery unit D is low (e.g. that the battery unit D should be recharged). For this purpose, the opposite end region 22 of the body 4 of the e-cigarette 1 typically includes a connector 23 for connection to a re-charging dock or re-charging station and/or for connection of a re-charging cable.

[0049] As is apparent from drawing FIG. 9, the underside of the front panel 6′ includes sleeve elements 24 for sliding engagement with parallel rail members 25 (seen in FIG. 10) on the body portion 4 during longitudinal movement between the first and second positions A, B. In this way, the rail members 25 function as guide means for guiding the longitudinal movement of the cover member 6 and sleeve elements 24 form follower elements for following the path defined by the rails. Further, referring to drawing FIG. 10, the elongate body portion 4 of the device 1 includes a circuit board (not shown) mounted below the front panel 6′ which forms part of the controller or control unit 13 of the e-cigarette.

[0050] Finally, referring to FIG. 11 of the drawings, a flow diagram is shown that illustrates schematically the steps in a method of installing a cartridge in a personal vaporizer device 1, especially in an electronic smoking article according to the embodiments of the invention described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to 10. In this regard, the first box i of FIG. 11 thus represents the step of providing a personal vaporizer device 1 having an elongate body portion 4 to which a removable cartridge 2 is configured to be connected, the cartridge 2 including a reservoir 8 for storing a liquid to be vaporized. The second box ii represents the step of providing a cover member 6 on the elongate body portion 4 which is movable in a longitudinal direction of the body portion 4 between a first extended position A and a second retracted position B. The third box Iii represents the step of moving cover member 6 to the second retracted position B to access an end region 3 of the body portion 4. The final box iv in FIG. 11 of the drawings represents the step of attaching the cartridge 2 to the accessed end region 3 of the body portion 4 personal vaporizer device 1.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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

[0053] 1 personal vaporizer device or e-cigarette [0054] 2 cartridge [0055] 3 end region of elongate body [0056] 4 elongate body [0057] 5 casing [0058] 6 cover member [0059] 6′ front panel [0060] 6″ rear panel [0061] 7 housing [0062] 7′ housing base [0063] 7″ housing sides [0064] 7″‘ housing shoulder region [0065] 8 reservoir [0066] 9 mouthpiece [0067] 10 vaporizer unit [0068] 14 electrical contact [0069] 15 conductor element [0070] 17 switch or button [0071] 18 opening in the cover member [0072] 19 ring-shaped indicator [0073] 21 mode switch or button [0074] 22 opposite end region of body portion [0075] 23 charging connector [0076] 24 sleeve element [0077] 25 rail member [0078] 26 circuit board [0079] 29 light-guide element [0080] 31 resilient or flexible member [0081] 32 projecting lug [0082] 33 recess [0083] 34 electrical contact [0084] 35 magnetic connector element [0085] A first position of cover member [0086] B second position of cover member [0087] D battery unit [0088] C airflow channel [0089] sides of the casing [0090] W window