TW201632090A - Mouthpiece for an electronic smoking device - Google Patents

Abstract

It is provided an electronic smoking device 1 which comprises a housing 2 which accommodates a heating element 6 and a liquid reservoir 4. The heating element 6 is adapted to vaporize liquid 5 supplied from the reservoir 4 to generate an aerosol 7. A mouthpiece 3 is formed at one end of the electronic smoking device 1. The mouthpiece 3 is at least partially covered by a coating 14 comprising at least one selected from the group of silver, zinc, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, perfluoroalkoxy alkane and ethylene tetrafluoroethylene.

Description

Electron smoking device nozzle

The invention relates to a nozzle for an electronic smoking device.

Electronic smoking devices, such as electronic cigarettes, have become well known products. In general, an electronic cigarette has a nozzle provided at one end of the outer casing. Typically, the housing contains an electrical power source such as a rechargeable battery, an electronic heatable atomizer, and control electronics including a suction sensor. When the sensor detects that a user is inhaling with the nozzle, the control electronics activates a heater in the atomizer that heats a liquid to create vapors that are inhaled by the user.

The natural interaction between the user and an electronic smoking device is to smoke with the device and the user touches the nozzle. However, after repeated use, the nozzle becomes unhygienic.

In one aspect of the invention, a nozzle is disclosed that is suitable for use in an electronic smoking device. The nozzle includes a body and a hollow passage formed in the body and exposed at an end opening through which the user inhales the aerosol generated by the electronic smoking device. The hollow passage forms a portion of the flow path for the aerosol between the atomizer and the end opening, and the aerosol exits the electronic smoking device from the end opening. Suck The outer portion of the mouth body is at least partially covered by a coating comprising silver, silver chloride, silver nitrate, silver oxide, silver sulfide, silver sulfate, zinc, zinc oxide, zinc nitrate, zinc chloride, At least one of the group of mixtures, or a fluoropolymer, preferably selected from the group consisting of silver, zinc oxide, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, perfluoroalkoxy number resins, and ethylene tetrafluoroethylene At least one of the group of ethylene copolymers.

An advantage of the nozzle for an electronic smoking device according to the present invention is that it can effectively prevent unnecessary contamination of the nozzle, thereby increasing its hygienic properties.

The features, the features and the advantages of the present invention, as well as the manner in which they are described, will be more apparent from the description of the accompanying drawings.

1‧‧‧Electronic smoking device

2‧‧‧ Shell

3‧‧‧ nozzle

4‧‧‧Liquid storage tank

5‧‧‧Liquid

6‧‧‧ heating element

7‧‧‧ aerosol

8‧‧‧ openings

9‧‧‧ body part / hollow cylinder

10‧‧‧ hollow channel

11‧‧‧ openings

12‧‧‧ first end

13‧‧‧ openings

14‧‧‧ Coating

15‧‧‧Fixed components

16‧‧‧Fixed components

17‧‧‧ second end

18‧‧‧ side wall

19‧‧‧ inner surface

20‧‧‧Internal/inner surface

21‧‧‧External part

22‧‧‧ vertical axis

In the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements in each of the drawings: FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic smoking device according to the present invention, having a separate nozzle shown in a schematic perspective view, 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle in a separated state according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle in a separated state according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is based on A schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic smoking device of the present invention having an integrally formed nozzle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic smoking device in accordance with the present invention having a separate nozzle shown in a schematic perspective view. The electronic smoking device 1 is designed as an electronic cigarette and includes a suction nozzle 3 that is connected to a first end of the outer casing 2 of the electronic smoking device 1. In Fig. 1, the nozzle 3 is displayed in a separated state for the sake of clarity. The suction nozzle 3 is a component of the electronic smoking device 1 and serves as an end section of the electronic smoking device 1.

In this embodiment, the nozzle 3 has a conical shape and is connectable to the outer casing 2 of the electronic smoking device 1, which is cylindrical in this embodiment. The outer casing 2 houses a heating element 6 as an atomizer and a sump 4 for storing the liquid 5, wherein the heating element 6 is used to vaporize the liquid 5 supplied from the sump 4. In this embodiment, the heating element 6 is exemplarily implemented as a heating coil that is arranged to abut to a side portion of the outer casing 2. However, the present invention is not limited to the heating coils, and it is still possible to implement other embodiments of the electronic smoking device 1 with an atomizer 6, which is different from the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 of the present invention.

In this embodiment of the invention, the sump 4 comprises a capsule which is arranged adjacent to the heating element 6, and which is filled with the liquid 5. However, the sump 4 can also be implemented in any other type of container, having any form or shape, and can be located elsewhere within the outer casing 2. In this embodiment of the invention, liquid 5 illustratively comprises a mixture of glycerin and vanilla extract. However, the liquid 5 is not limited thereto, and other liquids such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyol, tetraethylene glycol can be used in the electronic smoking device 1. (tetraethylene glycol), an aliphatic ester of carboxylic acid such as methyl stearate, dimethyl dodecanedioate, dimethyl tetradecanoate ( Dimethyl tetradecanedioate), water and the like.

Furthermore, seasonings such as esters such as isoamyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isoamyl propionate, linalyl butyrate may be added to the liquid 5. (linalyl butyrate) and the like, or natural essential oils like plant essential oils such as spearmint, mint, cassia, jasmine and the like, or animal essential oils such as musk, amber, civet, ramie and the like , or simple seasonings, such as anethole, limonene, linalool, eugenol and the like, or hydrophilic flavoring ingredients, such as tobacco extract, or natural plant flavorings such as liquorice, St. John's wort, plum extract , peach extract and the like, or acids such as malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid and the like, or sugars such as glucose, fructose, isomerized sugars and the like, or polyols such as propylene glycol, glycerin, sorbus Sugar alcohol and the like. Furthermore, different seasonings as described above can also be combined into a new seasoning. Further, according to the present invention, any odor can be adsorbed on a solid substance and used as a seasoning in the electronic smoking device 1.

When the user of the electronic smoking device 1 is activated, the liquid 5 is released from the sump 4 and supplied to the heating element 6, and the heating element 6 is vaporized. However, the invention is not limited to such vaporized liquids, but may also Other embodiments of the electronic smoking device 1 are implemented, such as generating an aerosol from a solid material.

The electronic smoking device 1 comprises a flow path located within the outer casing 2 extending from the heating element 6 to the suction nozzle 3. In a first embodiment of the invention, an opening 8 is provided in an upper portion of the outer casing 2, the opening 8 being an outlet for the vaporized liquid 7 towards the nozzle 3 and defining a section of the flow path 8. The outer casing 2 can accommodate one or more guide members, such as a partition wall or a deflecting unit, which defines or determines the flow in the flow path within the outer casing 2 of the electronic smoking device 1. These guides may be disposed between an outlet of the sump 4 and the opening 8 of the outer casing 2 and adapted to direct the vaporized liquid 7 to flow along a predefined flow path. In this sense, the opening 8 of the outer casing 2 also acts as a guide which determines the flow in the flow path within the outer casing 2.

Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a nozzle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The nozzle 3 comprises a body portion 9 which is formed as a hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder 9 is formed of plastic and includes a first end 12 that acts as an end portion of the nozzle 3 and has an opening 13 through which the user inhales the electronic smoking device 1 An aerosol. In FIG. 2, the nozzle 3 is shown separated from the outer casing 2 for illustrative purposes. However, the suction nozzle 3 is fixed to the outer casing 2 for operation. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the suction nozzle 3 is fixed to the outer casing 2 by the fixing member 16 and the fixing member 15, and the fixing member 16 is disposed at a second end 17 of the hollow cylinder 9 (relative to the first end 12) And the fixing member 15 is disposed at a position within the outer casing 2 corresponding to the fixing member 16. Fixed member 15, 16 may consist of screws, nuts, bolts and the like. In this embodiment, the opening 8 of the outer casing 2 corresponds to an opening 11 provided in the second end 17 of the hollow cylinder 9 to define from the heating element 6 (located within the outer casing 2 and shown in Figure 1) to A flow path of the opening 13 of the terminal 12 of the nozzle 3. However, the present invention is not limited to these fixing members, and it is also possible to realize an embodiment in which the suction nozzle 3 is integrally formed with the outer casing 2, or an embodiment in which the suction nozzle 3 is fixed to the outer casing 2 by an adhesive or the like.

In Fig. 2, an inner portion of the nozzle body 9 defines a chamber that is closed by the inner surface portion, the second end 17 and the side walls 18 of the first end 12, thereby forming a hollow passage 10. An aerosol, such as vaporized liquid 7, will flow through the hollow passage 10 as the user inhales the device.

According to the invention, the nozzle 3 has a coating 14 comprising a group of silver, silver chloride, silver nitrate, silver oxide, silver sulfide, silver sulfate, zinc, zinc oxide, zinc nitrate, zinc chloride, mixtures thereof At least one of the groups, or a fluoropolymer, is preferably selected from the group consisting of silver, zinc oxide, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, perfluoroalkoxy number resins, and ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymers. At least one of the groups. The coating 14 can advantageously prevent unnecessary contamination due to repeated use of the nozzle 3. In a first embodiment of the invention, the coating 14 covers an outer portion 21 of the terminal 12 and an outer portion of the side wall 18 of the nozzle body 9. However, the invention is not limited to these configurations of the coating 14, but other embodiments as described in detail below may also be implemented.

Preferably, the sanitary protective coating 14 is disposed only on an outer surface of the electronic smoking device 1. In more detail, the coating 14 may be disposed on the outer surface of the nozzle body 9, and/or the outer surface of the outer casing 2. That is, the coating 14 is preferably not disposed on any inner surface of the nozzle body 9 (except for the terminal 12) nor on any inner surface of the outer casing 2. More preferably, the coating 14 is disposed only on the outer surface of the nozzle 3 (not on the outer casing 2), not on the inner surface of the terminal 12. Such a configuration can effectively prevent unnecessary contamination when reducing the material usage of the coating 14.

Preferably, the sanitary protective coating 14 is arranged to abut the opening 13 of the terminal 12. In the sense of the present invention, the opening 13 is formed as a through hole of the terminal end 12 of the suction nozzle 9, wherein an inner surface (inner wall) 19 defining the through hole (opening 13) is disposed outside an end of the terminal 12. Portion 21 is between an internal portion 20 of terminal 12. To abut the opening 13 of the terminal 12, this is sufficient to cause the coating 14 to be (only) disposed on the outer portion 21 of the terminal 12 and extended to abut the outermost point of the inner surface 19 of the opening 13 as shown in FIG. In other words, the coating 14 is configured to directly contact (the outermost portion of the opening 13 of the terminal 12). That is, the coating 14 is configured to completely cover the terminal end 12 of the nozzle 3. Such a configuration can effectively prevent unnecessary contamination when the material usage of the coating 14 is further reduced.

However, the invention is not limited to these configurations of the coating 14, but other embodiments are also possible in which the coating 14 is additionally configured to cover the (at least partially) inner surface 19 of the opening 13. The coating 14 may also be additionally configured to cover the inner surface 19 of the opening 13 and the end 12 The inner surface 20 is (at least partially). In these cases, however, the coating 14 is preferably not disposed on the inner sidewall 18 of the nozzle body 9. Such a configuration can also prevent unnecessary contamination more effectively when the material usage of the coating 14 is reduced.

Preferably, the coating 14 is formed symmetrically with respect to an axis extending through the opening 13. In most cases, the shafting is identical to a longitudinal axis of the electronic smoking device 1. The coating 14 preferably covers the entire peripheral area of the outer end portion 12 of the nozzle 3. The nozzle 3 preferably includes an outer end portion 12 having a reasonably symmetrical shape. In other words, the coating 14 extends in the same manner from the opening 13 of the nozzle 3 in all radial directions.

In this first embodiment of the invention, the coating 14 extends towards the second end 17 of the nozzle 3 facing the outer casing 2. However, the invention is not limited to these configurations of the coating 14, but other embodiments are also possible in which the coating 14 extends only over a portion of the side surface 18 of the nozzle body 9.

Preferably, the nozzle body 9 is formed of a non-deformable material and has a coating 14 applied directly to the outer surface of the nozzle body 9. Preferably, the nozzle body 9 is integrally formed of a non-deformable material, which may be a hard plastic. Preferably, the coating 14 covers at least 50% of the outer surface of the nozzle body 9, more preferably at least 65% of the outer surface of the nozzle body 9, and more preferably at least 80% of the suction. The outer surface of the mouth body 9.

In this first embodiment of the invention, the coating 14 comprises nanoparticle dispersed on the nozzle body 9. However, the invention is not limited to coating These configurations of layer 14, while other embodiments are also possible, in which coating 14 is formed as a continuous layer.

Preferably, the nanoparticles are arbitrarily dispersed on a portion of the nozzle body 9 to be covered by the coating 14 (see the preferred area covered above). That is, the nanoparticles can be formed into a colloid arbitrarily dispersed on the outer surface of the nozzle body 9, and the nanoparticles (colloids) are separated from each other. The average size of the nanoparticles (colloids) is preferably between 1 nm and 500 nm, more preferably between 1 nm and 50 nm, and even more preferably between 1 nm and 10 nm. A preferred average size can be achieved to more effectively prevent unwanted contamination.

In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, silver nanoparticles are used in the coating 14 to effectively prevent unwanted contamination under a relatively low silver consumption of the coating 14. Since the released silver ions dominate the antibacterial ability of the silver nanoparticles, the concentration of the silver nanoparticles on the (outer) surface of the nozzle body 9 is selected so that the concentration of silver ions is between 25 ppm and 300 ppm. Preferably, it is between 80 ppm and 150 ppm. The concentration of these silver ions is suitable to inhibit microbial activity on the coating of the nozzle.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coating 14 is applied to the nozzle body 9 by a suspension of silver nanoparticles having a concentration of silver nanoparticles between 20 and 500 ppm. It is preferably between 120 and 300 ppm, and more preferably between 180 and 250 ppm. The concentration of these silver nanoparticles in the suspension Effectively preventing unnecessary contamination while further reducing the material consumption of the coating 14.

In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are used in the coating 14 to effectively prevent unnecessary (in terms of cost) material consumption of the coating layer 14 which is still low. Pollution. The concentration of a preferred ZnO nanoparticle on the (outer) surface of the nozzle body 9 is between 0.001 and 25 percent, more preferably between 0.00001 and 20 percent. The concentration, and more preferably is a mass percent concentration between 0.001 and 15 percent. The coating 14 is applied to the nozzle body 9 by a suspension of ZnO nanoparticle having ZnO nanoparticles of such concentration, and the coating 14 exhibits a concentration of ZnO nanoparticles as described above. . The concentration of such ZnO nanoparticles can effectively prevent unnecessary contamination while further reducing the material consumption of the coating 14.

In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, a mixture of silver nanoparticles and ZnO nanoparticles is used in the coating 14, which effectively prevents unnecessary contamination and further prevents the coating 14 from being exposed to UV light. And the color changes. The ratio of silver nanoparticles to ZnO nanoparticles is preferably between 0.1 and 10, more preferably between 0.2 and 5, and even more preferably between 0.5 and 2. The use of such ratios of ZnO/silver nanoparticles can effectively prevent unnecessary contamination and color change while further reducing the material consumption of the coating 14.

In the preferred embodiment described above, the density of the nanoparticles can be increased such that the coating 14 becomes a continuous layer of nanoparticles (colloids).

In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the coating 14 is formed from a fluoropolymer. Preferably, the coating layer 14 is selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxy number resin (PFA), and ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE). One of them is formed. Among the perfluoroalkoxy number resins, perfluoropolyether is preferably used. More preferably, in the preferred embodiment, the coating 14 is formed as a continuous layer. Preferably, the continuous layer of coating 14 has a uniform thickness of between 1 and 500 μm, more preferably between 20 and 400 μm, and even more preferably between 50 and 200 μm. If the continuous layer becomes too thin, it will easily break, and if the continuous layer becomes too thick, the material consumption will be quite high.

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a nozzle in a separated state in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle 3 is shown separated from the outer casing 2 for illustrative purposes. However, the suction nozzle 3 is fixed to the outer casing 2 for operation. The second embodiment of the present invention is substantially identical to the first embodiment of the electronic smoking device 1 as shown in Figure 2 and described above. However, some elements of the second embodiment of the present invention are different from the individual elements having the same reference numerals in the first embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the difference of the second embodiment from the first embodiment will be explained below.

In this second embodiment of the invention, the nozzle body 9 is not formed as a hollow cylinder, but should be a cone that tapers toward the terminal end 12. Referring to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the sanitary protective coating 14 as described in detail above extends from the outermost portion of the inner wall 19 toward the outer casing 2 of the electronic smoking device 1, and the inner wall 19 defines an opening 13 ( The user inhales an aerosol via the opening 13 during operation. However, contrary to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the coating 14 extends only over the (rotationally symmetric) portion of the side wall 18 and thus does not abut or cover the outer casing 2 that is connected to the electronic smoking device 1. The second end 17 of the nozzle 3. In this embodiment, the coating 14 is formed from the terminal 12 along the longitudinal axis 22 of the nozzle 3 only at a length of from 50% to 95% (preferably from 75% to 95%) of the nozzle 3. on. Such a configuration of the coating 14 can further reduce material consumption of the coating 14, while at the same time effectively preventing unwanted contamination at the areas of the most frequent contact near the opening 13.

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic smoking device 1 according to the invention having an integrally formed nozzle 3. The third embodiment of the present invention is substantially identical to the first embodiment of the electronic smoking device 1 as shown in Figure 2 and described above. However, some elements of the second embodiment of the present invention are different from the individual elements having the same reference numerals in the first embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the difference of the second embodiment from the first embodiment will be explained below.

In this third embodiment of the invention, the outer casing 2 is integrally formed with the suction nozzle 3 and is not separable as in Figs. That is, the nozzle body 9 and the outer casing 2 are integrally formed as an integral component. Therefore, solid The fixed elements 15, 16 can be omitted. However, the electronic smoking device 1 can include an opening in the outer casing 2 (not shown) that can serve as a passage for the liquid sump 4 for refilling or the like. Furthermore, the openings 8 and 11 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 can be omitted, thereby simplifying the electronic smoking device 1. However, the electronic smoking device 1 in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention may include one or more guides (not shown) configured to define flow in the flow path within the outer casing 2. In this sense, the opening 13 of the outer casing 2 also acts as a guide which limits the cross section of the flow path.

Referring to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the sanitary protective coating 14 as described in detail above extends from the outermost portion defining the inner wall 19 of the opening 13 along the outer portion 21 of the terminal 12 toward the electronic smoking device An opposite end of 1. However, contrary to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the coating 14 additionally extends along the entire portion of the inner wall 19 of the opening 13. In this embodiment, the coating 14 is formed from the terminal 12 along the longitudinal axis 22 only in the range of 3% to 40% (preferably 5% to 25%, and more preferably in the electronic smoking device 1). 10% to 20%) in length. In this case, the longitudinal axis 22 extending through the opening 13 is identical to the longitudinal axis of the electronic smoking device 1. The preferred range provided by the coating 14 reflects the most frequent contact area of the user located near the opening 13, which effectively prevents unnecessary contamination and further reduces material consumption of the coating 14.

As described above, the present invention discloses a coating 14 located at an outer portion of the nozzle 3, and as shown in Figure 4, the coating 14 may additionally be located (in part) of an inner portion of the nozzle 3. According to the invention, the coating 14 is formed at the top of the nozzle 3 relative to the longitudinal axis 22 of the electronic smoking device 1. Outer part. The outermost portion preferably includes a surface that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 22, and the coating 14 preferably completely covers the outermost surface. As noted above, in accordance with the present invention, the coating 14 can be formed from any dispersed nanoparticle or formed as a continuous layer. In accordance with the present invention, coating 14 is preferably formed as a continuous portion, i.e., as a single continuous layer or a single continuous region interspersed with nanoparticle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coating 14 comprises a rotationally symmetrical shape.

Although in the above embodiments, an electronic smoking device in which a liquid system is vaporized by heating with an electronic heater is described, it will be understood that in other embodiments, other members for generating water vapor may be used, such as using pressure. Electrical components.

It can also be understood that in some embodiments, a suction detector for detecting a user's mouth-sucking device can be provided, and the suction detector can be configured when the user pumps the device. In order to activate an atomizer. In some embodiments, the suction detector can be replaced with a push button, and the user can activate an atomizer by pressing the pressure button. In other embodiments, other components for activating the device may be provided.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered as illustrative embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Various modifications and equal configurations within the scope.

1‧‧‧Electronic smoking device

2‧‧‧ Shell

3‧‧‧ nozzle

4‧‧‧Liquid storage tank

5‧‧‧Liquid

6‧‧‧ heating element

7‧‧‧ aerosol

8‧‧‧ openings

Claims (15)

A nozzle (3) for an electronic smoking device (1), comprising: a body (9), a hollow channel (10), the hollow channel (10) is formed in the body (9), a An opening (13) formed in an end portion (12) of the body (9) and arranged to expose the hollow passage (10), and a coating (14), the coating (14) At least partially covering an outer portion of the body (9), wherein the coating (14) comprises at least one of the following: silver, zinc, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, perfluoroalkoxy number resin And ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer. A nozzle (3) according to claim 1, wherein the coating (14) is arranged to abut the opening (13) of the end portion (12). A nozzle (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coating (14) comprises nanoparticle. The nozzle (3) according to claim 3, wherein the nanoparticle is arbitrarily dispersed over at least a portion of the outer portion of the body (9). The nozzle (3) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the nanoparticle has a range ranging from 1 nm to 50 nm Average size. The nozzle (3) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the coating (14) comprises a mixture of zinc oxide nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles. The nozzle (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the coating (14) is formed as a continuous layer. The nozzle (3) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the continuous layer of the coating (14) has a uniform thickness ranging between 1 μm and 500 μm. A nozzle (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body (9) is composed of a non-deformable material. A nozzle (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body (9) is integrally formed. A nozzle (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body (9) is constructed of plastic and the coating (14) is in direct contact with the body (9). A nozzle (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coating (14) covers at least 50% of the outer surface of the body (9). An electronic smoking device comprising: a suction nozzle (3) according to any of the preceding claims, an atomizer (6), a storage tank (4), wherein the atomizer (6) is used for vaporization supply from A matrix material (5) of the sump (4) to produce an aerosol (7), and a casing (2) housing the atomizer (6) and the sump (4). The electronic smoking device of claim 13 wherein the coating (14) is disposed only on the nozzle (3). The electronic smoking device according to any one of claims 13 or 14, further comprising a member adapted to detachably fix the suction nozzle (3) to the outer casing (2).