WO2014207719A1

WO2014207719A1 - Kit for electronic cigarettes

Info

Publication number: WO2014207719A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/062670
Authority: WO
Inventors: Davide FANTUZZI
Original assignee: Damco SRL
Current assignee: Damco SRL
Priority date: 2013-06-28
Filing date: 2014-06-27
Publication date: 2014-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 2015-12-28
Also published as: ITMO20130192A1

Abstract

The kit (1, 2, 7) for electronic cigarettes, comprises a cartridge (1, 2) which comprises: a reservoir (5) for containing a liquid to be atomized, and a fluid- dynamic path (33, 34, 39, 40) for allowing a user to inhale atomized liquid. Moreover the kit (1, 2, 7) comprises a connector device (7), which can be fixed in electric contact to a battery-holding device (3) for electronic cigarettes and comprising power supplied heating means (8) suitable for atomizing the liquid. The device (7) is removably coupled to the cartridge (1, 2). The cartridge (1, 2) includes thermal contact means (9, 10) suitable for allowing the thermal contact between the liquid and the heating means (8), the contact means (9, 10) communicating with both the reservoir (5) and the path (33, 34, 39, 40).

Description

KIT FOR ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a kit for electronic cigarettes.

Background Art

Electronic cigarettes are known having both a battery-holder, which includes a battery, and a so-called "cartomizer", i.e., a rechargeable cartridge integrating an atomizer.

The atomizer comprises an exit hole for the vapour produced by the cigarette, following inhalation by the user.

The cartomizer integrates a rechargeable reservoir for the liquid to be atomized and therefore to be "smoked", and includes a number of wicks to be soaked with a liquid.

The cartomizer then integrates the atomizer which includes a substantially cylindrical heating element, comprising a resistance.

The heating element is axially arranged in the cartomizer in thermal contact with the wicks.

When the cartomizer is fixed to the battery-holder by means of a standard fastener, the resistance is connected to the battery.

The cigarette is operated by pushing a button or by means of a switch which can be operated by the vacuum caused by the inhalation of the "smoker".

Following operation, the resistance is crossed by electric current and therefore heats up, atomizing the liquid which soaks the wicks and producing the "smoke".

After a certain number of "pulls", the liquid runs out and the cartomizer reservoir has to be filled up with liquid again, which is normally sold in small bottles.

The main drawback of this solution consists in the fact that the operation of filling the cartomizer by the smoker is inconvenient, and this discourages the purchase of electronic cigarettes or liquid bottles.

On the other hand, the cost of cartomizers, which comprise the electric devices of the atomizer, does not allow using them as simple consumables, i.e., as disposable cartridges. Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a kit for electronic cigarettes that does not require inconvenient procedures for charging.

Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to provide a kit for electronic cigarettes with particularly low cost disposable cartridges.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a kit for electronic cigarettes which can overcome the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art in the ambit of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as low cost solution.

The above mentioned objects are achieved by the present kit for electronic cigarettes, made in accordance with claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of several preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the kit for electronic cigarettes of the invention, illustrated by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are axonometric views of electronic cigarettes comprising the kit of the invention according to a first and a second embodiment, respectively; Figures 3 and 4 are axonometric views of the embodiments of the kit according to the invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2, in which they are not yet assembled to battery-holder devices;

Figures 5 and 6 are exploded views of the cartridges according to the two different embodiments of the invention;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section axonometric view of the kit connector device according to the invention; and

Figures 8 and 9 are longitudinal section side views of the cigarettes of Figures 1 and 2.

Embodiments of the Invention

With reference to these figures, two main embodiments of the cartridges of the kit 1, 2, 7 of the invention are indicated with 1 and 2, respectively.

The kit 1, 2, 7 of the invention is meant for use with a battery-holding device 3 (hereinafter simply "battery holder") for electronic cigarettes 1, 2, 3.

The battery holders 3 comprise containers that may be gripped for housing the power battery of the cigarette 1, 2, 3.

At one end they have standard fastening means 4, of the threaded type, at which there are two electric terminals connected to the battery.

It is not excluded, however, that the kit 1, 2, 7 of the invention can be coupled to the battery holder 3 through the use of bayonet means.

The battery holders 3 can include the activation button or switch described when discussing the background art and suitable, e.g., for connecting/disconnecting the poles of the battery to the terminals.

The union of the kit 1, 2, 7 and battery holder 3 defines the electronic cigarette 1, 2, 3, 7, shown in figures 1 and 2.

The proposed kit 1, 2, 7 firstly comprises a cartridge 1, 2 which is the consumable component.

The package with which the kit 1, 2, 7 of the invention will be offered to the public will clearly comprise a plurality of cartridges 1, 2.

The cartridge 1, 2 in turn comprises a reservoir 5 for containing the liquid to be atomized, i.e., the liquid to be transformed into the vapour to be smoked.

As is known, such liquid can have various compositions, different aromas and contain a specific quantity of nicotine (including zero).

The cartridge 1, 2 comprises a fluid-dynamic path 33, 34, 39, 40, for allowing a user to inhale the atomized liquid in the form of vapour.

In detail, as will be better explained when discussing the different conformations of the cartridges 1, 2 of the two embodiments, the cartridge 1, 2 of the invention can comprise a mouthpiece 6 suitable for being held between the lips during vapour inhalation, the so-called "pull".

The invention also comprises a connector device 7, which can be fixed in electric contact to the battery holder, preferably in a removable manner.

The alternative embodiment cannot be ruled out wherein the connector device 7 is integrated in the battery holder 3.

The connector device (hereinafter simply "connector") can be advantageously coupled removably to the cartridge 1, 2, to allow the convenient replacement of the latter.

The connector 7 comprises power supplied heating means 8 suitable for atomizing the liquid, while the cartridge 1, 2 includes thermal contact means 9, 10, to allow the thermal contact between the liquid and the heating means 8, which contact means 9, 10 are placed in communication with both the reservoir 5 and the fluid-dynamic path 33, 34, 39, 40.

In detail, the heating means 8 are suitable for the electric contact with the above terminals of the battery holder 3 to close an electric circuit to supply the heating means 8 themselves.

In practice, as will be clearly explained in the paragraphs relating to the operation of the invention, once the cigarette 1, 2, 3, 7 has been assembled, the heating means 8 receive electric current from the battery and, because they are in thermal contact with the liquid, by means of the contact means 9, 10, they vaporize the liquid coming from inside the reservoir 5.

The vapour thus created flows out through the fluid-dynamic path 33, 34, 39, 40, following inhalation by the smoker.

Therefore, once connected, the heating means 8 and the contact means 9, 10 together define the atomizer of kit 1, 2, 7 of the invention.

The connector 7 is the common element of the two embodiments of the invention, in the sense that, preferably, these are only distinguished by the configurations of the cartridges 1, 2.

The heating means preferably comprise a resistor 8, e.g., spiral shaped, which is accessible from the outside of the connector 7 itself (see figures 3, 4 and 7). Embodiments in which the heating means comprise an ultrasound device suitable for heating a liquid to vaporize it cannot be ruled out.

As shown in particular in figure 7, the connector 7 comprises an electrically conductive outer main body 11, e.g., made of metal.

The main body 11 is intended for the electric contact with one of the terminals of the battery holder 3, following the fixing of the latter to the connector 7.

For this purpose, the main body 11 can shape removable fixing means 12 to the battery holder 3, in particular of the threaded type.

The connector 7 then includes an inner conductor member 13, preferably made of metal, to contact the other terminal of the battery holder 3.

In this case, as clearly shown in figure 7, the resistor has an end (preferably an end portion 14) placed in contact with the main body 11 and the opposite end (or portion 15) in contact with the inner member.

To avoid an undesired short circuit between the main body 11 and the conductor member 13, between the two, an element can be mounted in insulating material, indicated by 16 on the attached illustrations.

The main body 11 can be annular shaped, and inside it the conductor member 13 can be mounted, preferably coaxially.

In this case, at one end of the main body 11 intended to abut with the contact means 9, 10 of the cartridge 1, 2, a transversal wall is arranged, which in practice makes up a plug 17 which comprises the heating means 8, e.g., by integrating them.

It should be noticed that the coupling between connector 7 and cartridge 1, 2 can be made by simply providing in the latter a tubular attachment tang 18 into which can be mounted a portion of the main body 11 of the connector 7 comprising the end of the heating means 8.

The union between cartridge 1, 2 and connector 7 can be obtained by interference, by friction, by interlocking, etc....

At the opposite end, the main body 11 comprises an outer surface coplanar to an outer end surface of the conductor member 13, to define the electric connection for the terminals of the battery holder 3.

In practice, the connector 7 comprises an upper face 19, accessible from outside, intended for the thermal contact with the contact means 9, 10, at which outer face are arranged the heating means 8.

If the plug is disc-shaped, the outer face will be substantially circular.

To have an air vent that supplies the above-mentioned fluid-dynamic path 33, 34, 39, 40 of the cartridge 1, 2, once the cigarette 1, 2, 3, 7 has been assembled, within the connector 7 an air delivery passage 20, 21, 22 can be defined which communicates with the fluid-dynamic path 33, 34, 39, 40 itself.

For this purpose, the above plug 17 can have an upper through hole 20 that communicates with a central axial hole of the conductor member 13, which will therefore be tubular.

Alternatively or in addition to the upper hole 20, the plug 17 could have circumferential grooves, defining openings; the grooves could be obtained at the upper edge of the main body 11, at the contact circumference with the plug 17. Furthermore, the main body 11 can comprise one or more side through holes 21 at the walls of an own tang, which forms the above fixing means 12, which holes communicate with an inter-space 22 defined between the inner surface of said tang and the outer surface of the conductor member 13.

In this case, this inter-space 22 can communicate with said central hole of the conductor member 13 to define an air path between said lateral holes and said upper hole 20.

In both embodiments of the invention, the cartridge 1, 2 can comprise, at one end, the mouthpiece 6 and, at the other end, the contact means 9, 10.

In this case, the fluid-dynamic path 33, 34, 39, 40 comprises an entrance 33 at the contact means 9, 10 and an exit 34 at the mouthpiece 6.

The contact means 9, 10 preferably comprise a membrane able to soak up a liquid which is accessible from the outside of the cartridge 1, 2, so as to be able to abut with the heating means 8, following the coupling between cartridge 1, 2 and connector 7.

Such contact means 9, 10 can be composed of a reticular or alveolar material, such as a spongy mass or the like, for the purpose of retaining the liquid to be atomized.

In any case, the structure of the contact means 9, 10 is preferably thick enough to prevent the liquid contained in the reservoir 5 from dripping out even when the contact means are turned downwards.

Preferably, the contact means 9, 10 have a substantially discoidal shape and have a central through hole 33 which makes up said entrance.

According to a preferential constructive aspect, shown in the figures 5, 6, 8 and 9, the cartridge 1, 2 comprises an annular hollow body 23, 24 within which a central element 25, 26 is inserted axially to define the above mentioned reservoir 5 between them.

In practice, in this case, the reservoir 5 has an annular shape. In detail, the central element 25, 26 can comprise a holed base 28, 29, preferably transversal to the axis of the cartridge 1, 2, and substantially shaped like a circular crown, which base 28, 29 abuts with the contact means 9, 10, at one of its outer sides opposite the reservoir 5.

In practice, the base 28, 29 defines the bottom of the reservoir 5 and, thanks to its through holes 30, preferably peripheral, i.e., obtained at the circumference, places in communication the inside of the reservoir 5 and the contact means 9, 10.

The central element 25, 26 can then comprise an axial tube 31, 32, which extends from the base 28, 29 and is suitable for placing the contact means 9, 10 and the above-mentioned exit of the fluid-dynamic path 33, 34, 39, 40 in fluid- dynamic communication.

Even more in detail, the contact means 9, 10 are mounted in interposition between said base 28, 29 of the central element 25, 26 and an annular shoulder 35, 36 obtained within the cartridge 1, 2 and intended to abut with the walls of the main body 11 of the connector 7.

In the first embodiment of the cartridge 1, shown in figures 1, 3 and 5, the annular hollow body 23 forms the above mentioned attachment tang 18 and an upper glass-shaped element 37, with holed bottom, which receives the central element 25, 26.

Between the glass-shaped element 37 and the tang 18 is obtained the above- described annular shoulder 35.

At the upper end of the glass-shaped element 37 the mouthpiece 6 is fixable in a removable manner.

In this embodiment, the reservoir 5 is defined laterally by the inner surface of the side walls of the glass-shaped body 37 and by the outer surface of the tube 31 of the central element 25, is defined below by the base 28 of the latter and above by a mounting crown 38 conformed by the mouthpiece 6.

In the second embodiment of the invention, shown in figures 2, 6 and 9, the annular hollow body 24 of the cartridge 2 conforms the mouthpiece 6 above and an axial central sleeve 27 inside.

The sleeve 27 is coupled to the tube 32 of the central element 26 to define an inner central channel 40.

The aforementioned attachment tang 18 is mountable interlocking to the hollow body 24 to define the annular shoulder 36 above.

In this embodiment, the reservoir 5 is defined above by the hollow body 24, laterally by the inner surface of the side walls of the hollow body 24 and by the outer surface of the walls of both the tube 32 of the central element 26 and the sleeve; below, as has been said, it is defined by the base 29 of the central element 26.

In both embodiments, the fluid-dynamic path 33, 34, 39, 40 starts with the entry hole 33 obtained in the contact means 9, 10, continues along the inner central channel 40 of the central element 25, 26 and through an inner hole 39 obtained within the mouthpiece 6, ending with the aforementioned exit 34.

As shown in the figures 8 and 9, such channel 40 can have a tortuous conformation and loops or windings to prevent the risk of the liquid contained in the reservoir 5 from flowing along the fluid-dynamic path 33, 34, 39, 40 as far as the exit 34 of the mouthpiece 6, in the event of the cartridge 1, 2 being kept upside down, i.e., with the exit 34 turned downwards.

Because, once the cartridge 1, 2 has been coupled to the connector 7, the upper hole 20 of the latter is directly facing the entry hole 33 of the cartridge 1, 2, then there is perfect communication between the delivery passage 20, 21, 22 of the connector 7, and the fluid-dynamic path 33, 34, 39, 40.

The operation of the invention is described below.

The kit 1, 2, 7 is made available to smokers in the configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4, which shows the connector 7 separated from the battery holder 3 and from the cartridge/s 1, 2.

In detail, in order to protect the contact means 9, 10, plugs 41 may be provided which can be inserted in said attachment tang 18.

When the user wants to use the cigarette 1, 2, 3, 7, he/she mounts the connector 7 on the battery holder 3, removes the plugs 41 by the tang 18 and mounts the cartridge 1, 2 on the connector 7.

At this point, he/she brings the mouthpiece 6 to his/her lips and starts the cigarette 1, 2, 3, 7, thus supplying the heating means 8. Because the contact means 9, 10, e.g., in the form in which they consist of a membrane, are directly abutted with the heating means 8, then the vaporization of the liquid occurs which impregnates such membrane 9, 10.

The vapour has access to the central hole 33 of the membrane 9, 10 and, because the inhalation of the user creates a vacuum in the fluid-dynamic path 33, 34, 39, 40, such vapour is sucked up as far as the exit hole 34 of the mouthpiece 6, so that the user can take a pull.

Notice that, advantageously, the holes of the base 28, 29 of the central element 25, 26 are peripheral, while the hole of the membrane is central; therefore, the liquid contained in the reservoir 5 supplies and soaks the membrane in a continuous and uniform way from the outside inwards.

This way, not only does the exiting vapour find no obstacles, but the entire surface of the membrane 9, 10 is also used for atomization, furthermore obtaining a regular flow of the liquid exiting from the reservoir 5.

As the liquid is gradually atomized, it is consumed and further liquid is supplied from the reservoir 5 to the membrane 9, 10, or other thermal contact means, until it is used up.

At this point, the cartridge 1, 2 is "finished", or consumed, and can therefore be removed from the connector 7 and thrown away.

In fact, advantageously, the cartridge 1, 2 of the invention does not comprise any of the electric elements of the invention which are the most expensive parts and which, in principle, should be disposed of separately from common municipal solid waste.

Consequently, the user can use an indefinite number of disposable cartridges 1, 2, with the same connector 7 and the same battery holder 3 and, to replace the liquid, does not have to carry out the inconvenient operations required by prior art systems.

Conversely, in case of a fault in the heating means 8 of the connector 7, there is no need to throw away a cartridge 1, 2, its being enough to replace the heating means 8 themselves.

For this purpose, the heating means can be mounted in a removable manner in the connector 7. In detail, the above-mentioned plug 17 can be mounted in a removable manner on the main body 11 or else the solution is possible wherein it is the resistor 8 to be mounted removable.

In principle, the cartridges 1, 2 of the invention can be used with different connectors, just as the connector 7 of the invention can be used with different types of cartridges and with different battery holders.

It has in practice been found how the described invention achieves the intended objects and in particular the fact is underlined that it provides a kit 1, 2, 7 for electronic cigarettes equipped with disposable cartridges 1, 2.

Claims

1) Kit (1, 2, 7) for electronic cigarettes, comprising a cartridge (1, 2) which comprises: a reservoir (5) for containing a liquid to be atomized and a fluid- dynamic path (33, 34, 39, 40) for allowing a user to inhale atomized liquid, characterized in that it comprises:

a connector device (7), which can be fixed in electric contact to a battery- holding device (3) for electronic cigarettes and comprising power supplied heating means (8) suitable for atomizing said liquid, said device (7) being removably coupled to said cartridge (1, 2);

thermal contact means (9, 10), included in said cartridge (1, 2), suitable for allowing the thermal contact between said liquid and said heating means (8), said contact means (9, 10) communicating with both said reservoir (5) and said path (33, 34, 39, 40).

2) Kit (1, 2, 7) according to claim 1, characterized in that said contact means (9, 10) comprise membrane able to soak up a liquid and which is accessible from the outside of said cartridge (1, 2).

3) Kit (1, 2, 7) according to one or more of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said heating means comprise a resistor (8) accessible from the outside of said connector device (7).

4) Kit (1, 2, 7) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said connector device (7) comprises a main conductor body (11) for contacting an electric terminal of said battery-holding device (3) and a conductor member (13) for contacting a different terminal of said battery- holding device (3).

5) Kit (1, 2, 7) according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that said resistor (8) has an end in contact with said main body (11) and an opposite end in contact with said member (13).

6) Kit (1, 2, 7) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said connector device (7) comprises an air delivery passage (20, 21, 22) suitable for communicating with said fluid-dynamic path (33, 34, 39, 40).

7) Kit (1, 2, 7) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said connector device (7) comprises an outer face (19) intended for the thermal contact with said contact means (9, 10), at which face (19) are arranged said heating means (8).

8) Kit (1, 2, 7) according to one or more of the claims from 4 to 7, characterized in that said main body (11) shapes means (12) for its removable fixing to said battery-holding device (3).

9) Kit (1, 2, 7) according to one or more of the claims from 4 to 8, characterized in that said main body (11) has an annular shape and in that said conductor member (13) is mounted internally to said main body (11), said connector device (7) comprising a plug (17) placed at one end of said main body (11) and comprising said heating means (8).

10) Kit (1, 2, 7) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cartridge (1, 2) comprises, at one end, a mouthpiece (6) and, at the other end, said contact means (9, 10), wherein said path comprises an entrance (33) at said contact means (9, 10) and an exit (34) at said mouthpiece (6).

11) Kit (1, 2, 7) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cartridge (1, 2) comprises a hollow body (23, 24) in which a central element (25, 26) is inserted, so as to define said reservoir (5) between them.

12) Kit (1, 2, 7) according to claim 11, characterized in that said central element (25, 26) comprises a holed base (28, 29) which abuts with said contact means (9, 10) at a side opposite the reservoir (5).

13) Kit (1, 2, 7) according to one or more of the claims 10 and 11, characterized in that said central element (25, 26) comprises a tube (31, 32) able to put said contact means (9, 10) and said exit of the fluid-dynamic path (33, 34, 39, 40) in fluid-dynamic communication.