Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Description
ELECTRONIC SMOKING SUBSTITUTIVE DEVICE
Technical Field
[01] The present invention concerns an electronic smoking substitutive device,
commonly
known as electronic cigarette.
Background Art
[02] It has been known for a long time that electronic smoking substitutive
devices are used,
commonly known as electronic cigarettes, enabling the user to inhale a
substance which
emulates the flavour of the traditional secondary products of the tobacco, but
which do not
produce any flame or smoke. The inhalable substance, in the form of vapour,
may contain
nicotine or not, in addition to suitable flavorings. In practice, electronic
cigarettes make the
user feel a sensation similar to the one provided by traditional smoking
products, such as
cigars and cigarettes, but they are potentially less harmful to health as
there is no
combustion.
[03] The electronic cigarettes generally contain a rechargeable electric
battery, an atomizer
powered by a battery and a container for the liquid to be vaporized placed in
contact with
the smoke atomizer. In a known type of electronic cigarette, the battery, the
atomizer and
the liquid container are housed inside a casing of elongated shape which
reproduces also
visually the shape of a normal cigarette. For example, certain electronic
cigarettes types
are known, in which the liquid container is placed inside a portion of the
tubular casing
that simulates the filter of the cigarette and is inserted in the atomizer
associated with the
battery, which is placed inside a distal portion of the tubular casing
simulating the
cylindrical body of the cigarette.
[04] When the atomizer is activated, by means of the electric battery, the
liquid solution in the
container vaporizes and can be inhaled by the user. The dose of liquid
solution contained
in the container is such as to allow, once vaporized, a predetermined number
of
inhalations.
[05] An electronic smoking substitutive device of such type is described for
example in patent
application GB 2465247. Such device is made up of a tube containing a tank
which
contains a liquid comprising an inhalable substance, for example an aqueous
solution of
nicotine and other flavorings. The device also comprises a heating element
which is in
direct contact with the tank. The heating element is suitable to be powered by
a
rechargeable electric battery. In such device, the tank is not removable from
the tube
without breaking or destroying other parts of the same device. Therefore, the
device is of
disposable type, like a normal cigarette, that is, when the contents of the
tank are
exhausted, the whole device is trashed.
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[06] A different type of electronic smoking substitutive device, illustrated
for example in patent
application US2013/0081642, comprises a first tubular unit, inside which the
electric
battery is housed, and a second tubular unit, also known as cartomizer, which,
in use, is
axially coupled with the first unit and carries, inside, the tank for the
liquid solution and the
atomizer, positioned in contact with the tank. In this case, only the
cartomizer is
disposable, while the battery unit is reusable.
[07] Patent application W02013/040193 discloses an electronic cigarette having
a first portion,
which is a tubular reusable element housing electric components, including a
rechargeable battery and a heating element. A second portion is hermetically
coupled with
the tubular element and can be periodically replaced. Such replaceable portion
contains a
cartridge with the material to be vaporized, for example synthetic cotton
fibre saturated
with a mixture of polyethylene glycol, nicotine and other flavorings. The
first portion allows
the passage of hot air when the user draws air through a mouthpiece placed at
the end of
the cigarette. The hot air flows through the volatile material, providing the
user with the
vaporized nicotine or other substances to be inhaled. The cartridge allows to
perform 150
to 200 inhalations. Since the atomizer is separated from the cartridge
containing the
volatile substance, the cost of the replaceable piece is reduced.
[08] The evolution of the industry has led to the production of electronic
cigarettes with
advanced features, which also in design do not remind normal cigarettes. Such
electronic
cigarettes provide for example an electronic circuit which controls their
functions.
[09] The currently most widespread electronic cigarettes provide, as container
of the inhalable
liquid, a refillable tank associated with the tubular body, in which the
electric battery and
the atomizer are housed. This tank is suitable to contain a suitable amount of
liquid. In
particular, the tank has sufficient capacity to allow a continued use of the
electronic
cigarette, for example, for one or more days, depending of course on the
individual habits,
that is, on the frequency with which the user normally uses the device. Before
its use, the
tank is filled with the suitable amount of liquid; when the amount of liquid
is exhausted, the
user shall remove the tank from the body of the device and refill it by
drawing from a
suitable bottle.
[10] The frequent operation of tank refilling of the electronic cigarette is
generally inconvenient,
especially if the user needs to bring with himself the bottle with the filling
liquid. For this
reason, the manufacturers of electronic cigarettes often prefer to use tanks
of larger size,
to increase significantly the number of inhalations obtainable with each
recharge. This
implies, however, an undesirable increase in size and weight of the devices.
The problem
of the need for frequent refills substantially does not change also for those
who smoke in
a not moderate way.
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[11 ] Another drawback complained about the use of traditional electronic
cigarettes is the lack
of hygiene that can result from the use of the aforementioned liquid tanks,
because of the
cited manipulations.
Disclosure
[12] The task of the present invention is that of solving the aforementioned
problems, by
devising an electronic smoking substitutive device which does not require a
frequent
refilling of the tank for the liquid.
[13] Within such task, it is a further scope of the present invention that of
providing an
electronic smoking substitutive device of reduced weight and size.
[14] A further scope of the present invention is that of providing an
electronic smoking
substitutive device which ensures, in use, the best hygienic conditions.
[15] Another scope of the present invention is that of providing an electronic
smoking
substitutive device provided with an easy constructive and functional
conception, a
versatile use as well as relatively economic costs.
[16] The cited scopes are attained, according to the present invention, by the
electronic
smoking substitutive device according to claim 1.
[17] According to the present invention, the electronic smoking substitutive
device provides the
use of a disposable mouthpiece of plastic material for the inhalation of an
inhalable
vaporized substance, which is suitable to be axially associated, in removable
manner, with
one end of a tubular body of the electronic device and has in its inside a
chamber suitable
to shape a tank for the inhalable substance in aqueous solution.
[18] Advantageously, said chamber is prefilled with a predetermined quantity
of said inhalable
substance in aqueous solution, suitable to allow a predetermined number of
inhalations.
[19] The electronic smoking substitutive device according to the present
invention,
consequently, does not require the tank of the liquid to be refilled.
[20] Advantageously, said chamber is closed in hermetic manner, at one end
suitable to be
placed close to an atomizer, placed inside said tubular body of the electronic
device,
through means which can be opened for use.
[21] This ensures, in use, the best hygienic conditions, as the user is never
in contact with the
liquid contained in the disposable mouthpiece.
[22] According to an embodiment of the device, said means which can be opened
for use
comprise a tear-off removable peel, suitable to close a front opening of said
tank.
[23] According to a different embodiment of the device, said means which can
be opened for
use comprise a lid for the front closure of said tank, suitable to be pierced
by insertion
means associated with an atomizer of the electronic smoking substitutive
device.
[24] Preferably, the disposable mouthpiece is of hypoallergenic plastic
material.
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[25] The present invention concerns as well a disposable tank of an inhalable
substance to be
used in an electronic smoking substitutive device, such tank being prefilled
with a
predetermined quantity of an inhalable substance in aqueous solution.
[26] The disposable tank is sold sealed inside a small bag.
[27] According to the present invention, the tank of the inhalable substance
comprises a
disposable casing of plastic material suitable to be axially associated with
one end of a
tubular body of the electronic smoking substitutive device and shaping a
mouthpiece for
the inhalation of a inhalable substance vaporized by said device, said casing
having in its
inside a chamber prefilled with a predetermined quantity of said inhalable
substance in
aqueous solution, suitable to allow a predetermined number of inhalations, and
closed in
hermetic manner, at one end turned in use towards the inside of said device,
through
means which can be opened for use.
[28] Advantageously, the chamber prefilled with a predetermined quantity of an
inhalable
substance in aqueous solution is shaped in a central portion of said casing
and has a front
opening closed in hermetic manner, before its use, by said opening means.
[29] Preferably, said means which can be opened for use comprise a lid for
frontally closing
said chamber, suitable to be pierced by insertion means associated with an
atomizer of
said smoking substitutive device.
[30] Preferably, said lid is made of a material of the type of silicon, and
centrally has a
lightened zone for easing the piercing by means of said insertion means of the
atomizer.
[31] Advantageously, said disposable casing shapes at one end, close to the
bottom of said
chamber prefilled with said inhalable substance in aqueous solution, a housing
vane for a
sealing element suitable to prevent losses of the vaporized substance.
[32] Preferably, said sealing element is fastened against the bottom of the
chamber prefilled
with said inhalable substance in aqueous solution by a closure element
inserted on the
end of said disposable casing.
[33] The sealing element and the closure element centrally have an aspiration
hole for the
vaporized inhalable substance.
[34] Advantageously, externally to said chamber prefilled with a predetermined
quantity of
inhalable substance in aqueous solution, inside said casing, at least one
longitudinal
channel is provided for the aspiration of said vaporized inhalable substance.
[35] Preferably, for the aspiration of said vaporized inhalable substance, a
couple of
longitudinal channels shaped in diametrically opposed positions externally to
said
chamber prefilled with said inhalable substance in aqueous solution is
provided.
[36] Preferably, said longitudinal channels for the aspiration of the
vaporized inhalable
substance are made up of a couple of grooves shaped on the external surface of
a
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container inserted inside said casing and shaping said chamber prefilled with
said
inhalable substance in aqueous solution.
[37] Preferably, said longitudinal channels for the aspiration of the
vaporized inhalable
substance end in said vane housing a sealing element suitable to prevent
losses of the
vaporized substance.
[38] Suitably, said casing has a portion having rounded section suitable to be
inserted at least
partially in the tubular body of said smoking substitutive device and joined
to a portion of
substantially flattened shape, suitable to shape said mouthpiece.
[39] Preferably, said inhalable substance in aqueous solution comprises a
natural glycol made
by 1,3-propandiole.
[40] Preferably, said 1,3-propandiole is obtained through a biologic process
starting from corn
sugars.
[41] Preferably, said 1,3-propandiole is present in a quantity comprised
between 32% and 98%
in weight.
Description of Drawings
[42] Details of the invention shall be more apparent from the detailed
description of a preferred
embodiment of the electronic smoking substitutive device according to the
invention,
illustrated for indicative purposes in the attached drawings, wherein:
[43] figure 1 shows a perspective view of the electronic smoking substitutive
device according
to the invention;
[44] figure 2 shows a front view of a tank of inhalable liquid which can be
used in the device
according to the invention;
[45] figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 4a, 4b, 4c show a front view, respectively in
closed and open
configuration, of sales packages of said tank having different size;
[46] figures 5, 6 and 7 show perspective views, with enlarged details, of the
successive steps
of use of the tank of inhalable liquid;
[47] figure 8 shows a front view of a different embodiment of the electronic
smoking
substitutive device according to the invention;
[48] figures 9 and 10 show perspective views, with enlarged details, of the
successive steps of
use of the tank for inhalable liquid intended for use in the electronic
smoking substitutive
device of figure 8;
[49] figure 11 shows a perspective view of a sales package of said tank of
inhalable liquid
intended for use in the electronic smoking substitutive device of figure 8;
[50] figure 12 shows a front view, in assembly configuration and in exploded,
of a further
embodiment of the electronic smoking substitutive device according to the
invention;
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[51] figures 13 and 14 show perspective views, with enlarged details, of
successive steps of
use of the tank of inhalable liquid intended for use in the electronic smoking
substitutive
device of figure 12;
[52] figure 15 shows a front and perspective view of a further embodiment of
the tank of
inhalable liquid;
[53] figures 16 and 17 respectively show a perspective view, from different
angles, of a further
embodiment of the tank of inhalable liquid;
[54] figure 18 shows an exploded perspective view of the tank of figure 16;
[55] figures 19 and 20 show in detail individual components of the same tank;
[56] figure 21 shows an axial cross-section view of one part of the tank in a
further
embodiment.
Best Mode
[57] With particular reference firstly to figures 1 - 7, the electronic
smoking substitutive device
according to the present invention, for more clarity called electronic
cigarette in the
following, has been indicated in its entirety with 1.
[58] The electronic cigarette 1 comprises a tubular body 2 of rigid material,
for example metal
or plastic material. The tubular body 2 has, for example, circular or oval
profile. In the
illustrated case, the tubular body 2 has a distal portion 2a and a proximal
portion 2b axially
coupled. The distal portion 2a of the tubular body 2 is closed at the free
end, while the
proximal portion 2b has an open entrance, preferably circular. Obviously, it
is possible to
provide that the tubular body 2 has a different shape, according to the
exigencies.
[59] Inside the tubular body 2 a rechargeable electric battery, known per se,
is placed. The
electric battery is for example of the type of lithium ions battery. For power
recharging, the
electric battery can be connected, in known way, to a socket through a
conventional
battery charger. As an alternative, the electric battery can be connected
through a USB
connection to a USB port, for example in a personal computer.
[60] Inside the tubular body 2 also an atomizer, known per se, is arranged,
suitable to be
powered by the electric battery. The atomizer is connected to the electric
battery through
a suitable connector.
[61] The electronic cigarette 1 provides the use of a non-refillable tank 10,
prefilled with a
predetermined quantity of an inhalable substance in aqueous solution. The tank
10 is
therefore of disposable type.
[62] The inhalable substance in aqueous solution comprises a natural glycol in
substitution of
the propylene glycol of synthetic origin, and possibly glycerol, nicotine and
other
flavourings. In particular, the natural glycol being used is 1,3-propandiole.
According to a
preferred embodiment, the 1,3-propandiole is obtained starting from corn
sugars. In
particular, the 1,3-propandiole is obtained through the fermentation of the
corn sugars.
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The quantity of 1,3-propandiole in the inhalable substance is comprised
between 32% and
98% in weight. For example, the used 1,3-propandiole is of the type sold with
name
"Zemea" (DuPont Tate & Lyle Bioproducts brand).
[63] The tank 10 is suitable to be placed in removable manner on the tubular
body 2, close to
the atomizer. More in particular, the tank 10 for the inhalable solution is
shaped by a
disposable mouthpiece of plastic material for the aspiration of the vaporized
inhalable
substance, suitable to be axially associated with one end of the tubular body
2, at the said
open entrance. Such disposable mouthpiece shapes a casing containing in its
inside a
chamber 12 suitable to shape the tank 10 for the inhalable substance in
aqueous solution.
The chamber 12 is prefilled with a predetermined quantity of said inhalable
substance, for
allowing a predetermined number of inhalations or drags. Suitably, the
mouthpiece is
made of plastic hypoallergenic material.
[64] In a preferred embodiment, the casing of the tank 10 has a central
portion 11 of
substantially cylindrical shape which is suitable to be inserted at least
partially onto the
tubular body 2 through the open inlet of the proximal portion 2b. Inside such
central
portion 11 a vane or chamber 12 is shaped, which is the container for the
liquid. To the
central portion 11 of the tank an external portion 13 is connected, for
example having
substantially flattened shape, suitable to be the mouthpiece of the electronic
cigarette and
provided in known way with a suitable aspiration hole.
[65] At the opposite end, turned inwardly to the electronic cigarette in the
use configuration,
the tank 10 is suitably closed in hermetic manner through means which can be
opened for
use. Preferably, such means which can be opened for use comprise a tear-off
removable
peel 14, suitable to close a front opening connected with the chamber 12 of
the tank.
Preferably, such peel 14 is made of a material of the type of aluminium.
[66] A lid 15, suitable to ensure the hermetic closure of the same tank, is as
well suitably
associated with the tank at said front opening, thus preventing incidental
breaking or
tearing-off of the peel 14 and the consequent leakage of the liquid.
[67] Obviously, it is possible to provide that the tank for the liquid has a
shape different with
respect to the one described above. For example, it is possible to provide
that the peel 14
for the hermetic closure is applied on the closure lid 15 of the tank, to make
a seal on the
peripheral rim of the front opening of the tank when the lid 15 is applied on
the same tank.
Alternatively, it is possible to provide then the peel 14 of hermetic closure
can be opened
through piercing when inserting in a suitable pin of the atomizer.
[68] The predetermined quantity or dosage of liquid contained in the tank 10
is preferably not
less than 0,5 ml and for example comprised in a range between 0,5 and 2,0 ml.
It is
anyway evident that such predetermined quantity can be different, according to
different
exigencies.
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[69] Moreover, the electronic cigarette 1 is provided with activation means
for the atomizer for
heating it by means of the electric battery. Such activation means comprises
for example
a button 5 arranged in an intermediate position on the tubular body 2 of the
electronic
cigarette. By pressing the button 5, the user activates the heating of the
atomizer which
determines the vaporization of the liquid solution contained in the chamber 12
of the tank.
[70] The functioning of the electronic cigarette is easy to understand from
the preceding
description.
[71] For use, the user proceeds with inserting on the tubular body 2 of the
electric cigarette the
mouthpiece shaping the disposable tank of the liquid, prefilled with the
provided liquid
quantity. Suitably, the tank is sold sealed inside a bag 16, for example of
transparent
material, which ensures its integrity and preserves the flavourings contained
in the
inhalable liquid (see figure 2). The user then proceeds with opening the bag
16, with
extracting the disposable tank from such bag 16 and, after removing the lid
15, with
removing, from the front opening of the case, the peel 14 which ensures the
hermetic
closure thereof (see figures 5, 6 and 7). The opened tank 10 is inserted, as
it was
mentioned before, inside the proximal portion 2b of the tubular body 2 of the
electronic
cigarette.
[72] The so prepared electronic cigarette is ready for allowing a
predetermined number of
inhalations. After consuming the whole liquid contained in the tank 10, this
is extracted by
the tubular body 2 of the cigarette and trashed. At its place, the user will
proceed with
inserting, in the same way, a new tank prefilled with the above mentioned
dosage of
liquid.
[73] In figure 8, a second embodiment of the electronic cigarette is shown, in
which the tubular
body 2 is made in a single piece having a substantially oval cross-section.
The disposable
tank which can be used for such electronic cigarette, for more clarity
indicated again with
10, has a cross-section suitably oval, in order to be able to be inserted for
one portion in
an inlet 2c of the tubular body 2 of the cigarette.
[74] More precisely, the tank 10 has also in this case a portion 11 in which
the chamber 12,
which represents the container for the liquid, is shaped; the external portion
13 which acts
as mouthpiece is connected to such portion 11 of the tank. The chamber 12 is
connected
with the outside through a front opening 17 which is closed, before the use,
through the
tear-off disposable peel 14. Moreover, the tank 10 is suitably closed
frontally by the lid 15
suitable to ensure the hermetic closure and is sold sealed inside a bag 16.
[75] Also in this case, in use the user opens the bag 16, extracts the tank 10
and removes
from the front opening 17 the peel 14 which ensures the hermetic closure
thereof, after
the removal of the lid 15 (see figures 9 and 10). The tank 10 opened is
inserted in the inlet
2c of the tubular body 2 of the electronic cigarette.
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[76] In figure 12, a further embodiment of the electronic cigarette is shown,
in which the tubular
body 2 is associated with a lid 6 for closing the inlet 2c; the lid 6 is
inserted in the tubular
body 2 to cover the tank 10 when the electronic cigarette is not used.
[77] In such case, the tank 10 suitably has a reduced axial extension. In
practice, the tank 10
is made up only of the casing which shapes the chamber 12 containing the
liquid.
[78] In use, the user, as previously described, proceeds with opening the bag
16 in which the
tank 10 is sealed, with extracting such tank 10 and removing from the front
opening of it
the peel 14 which ensures the hermetic closure thereof, after removing the
relative lid 15
(see figures 13 and 14). The opened tank 10 is inserted in the inlet 2c of the
tubular body
2 of the electronic cigarette, after removing the lid 6.
[79] In figure 15, a different embodiment of the tank 10 is shown in which the
lid 15 for front
closure of the chamber 12 is fixed to the portion 11 in which the above
mentioned
chamber 12 is shaped. The lid 15 is made for example of a material of the type
of silicon.
[80] The lid 15 is suitable to be pierced by insertion means associated with
the atomizer. In
particular, the lid 15 is suitable to be pierced by a pin of the atomizer
which is axially
inserted in the same lid. To such end, the lid 15 suitably has a central
lightening 18
suitable to ease the piercing by the pin of the atomizer.
[81] In figures 16 ¨ 20, a further embodiment of the tank is shown, obtained
through the
assembly of a plurality of components. Such tank 10 comprises in substance a
shell 23 of
tubular shape, for example having oval cross-section slightly tapered, making
up the
external casing of the tank; in particular such external shell 23 is
progressively more
tapered starting from the distal part, for insertion in the tubular body of
the device, towards
the proximal part which shapes the mouthpiece. Inside the shell 23, a
container 24 is
inserted having a shape complementary to the internal shape of the same shell
23 and an
axial extension suitably smaller. The internal container 24 is closed at the
bottom and
shapes the chamber 12 for containing the inhalable substance in aqueous
solution. At the
closed bottom, the internal container 24 is brought against a diaphragm 25
transversally
shaped inside the external shell 23, in a position close to the above
mentioned proximal
part. The container 24 externally shapes, at the ends of the major axis of the
oval cross-
section, a couple of longitudinal grooves 26 extended along the whole length
of the
internal container. The grooves 26 ends in respective slots 27 made in the
diaphragm 25.
[82] The diaphragm 25 shapes, on the side opposite to the side for the
insertion of the internal
container 24, a vane 28 in which a seal element 33 is inserted, suitable to
prevent losses
of the atomized substance, as it is better described in the following. The
seal element 33
is made up in substance of a plate having a profile complementary to the
internal shape of
the shell 23 and provided with a perimetral rim which is brought in contact
with the
diaphragm 25. The seal element 33 is fixed against the diaphragm 25, in
assembly
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position, by a closure element 34 which is inserted in the opening of the
external shell 23
of the tank 10 and is peripherally supported on the peripheral border of the
same shell 23.
The seal element 33 and the closure element 34 centrally have a hole 35, 36
for the
aspiration of the vaporized inhalable substance.
[83] At the open end of the container 24, a correspondent closure element 37
is inserted,
substantially made of a plate shaping on one side a crown 38 having a profile
complementary with the internal shape of the same container and on the other
side an
axial sleeve 39 turned outwards; the sleeve 39 is closed by a lid 15, for
example of a
material of the type of silicon. The plate 37 as an external profile which
copies the internal
surface of the shell 23.
[84] In use, when the tank 10 shaping the mouthpiece is inserted in the
tubular body of the
electronic cigarette, the lid 15 which frontally closes the chamber 12 for
containment of the
inhalable substance in aqueous solution is pierced by the suitable insertion
means
associated with the atomizer. Suitably, for such purpose, the lid 15 centrally
has a
lightened zone. The activation of the atomizer produces the vaporization of
the liquid
substance contained inside the chamber 12. The vaporized inhalable substance
is inhaled
by the user through the lateral channels shaped, inside the casing, by the
longitudinal
grooves 26 of the internal container 24.
[85] It is to be noted that the seal element 33 arranged inside the vane 28 of
the external shell
23, substantially at the portion of the tank shaping the mouthpiece, is
suitable to prevent
losses of the atomized substance, possibly reverted to the condensation state.
Such
condensed substance is in fact not able to outflow through the aspiration hole
35 of the
seal element 33 but it remains bounded inside it.
[86] In figure 21, an embodiment of the casing is shown conceptually similar
to the one
previously described, in which the external shell and the internal container,
for more clarity
indicated again with 23 and 24, are made up of a single piece. The casing has
at one end,
close to the diaphragm 25 which shapes the bottom of the container 24, the
housing vane
28 for housing the suitable seal element fastened by the closure element, both
not
represented; at the opposite end the relative the closure element is inserted,
carrying the
lid of the atomizer which can be pierced.
[87] The electronic cigarette according to the present invention attains the
scope of not
requiring a frequent refill of the tank of the liquid. In fact the tank for
the liquid is not
refillable but is provided prefilled with a dosage of liquid and must be
trashed at the end of
its use, that is when the smoker has inhaled the whole liquid of the tank.
[88] It is to be noted that the invention overcomes the technical prejudice
according to which
the current electronic cigarettes use a refillable tank which must
periodically be refilled
with a liquid separately provided. This makes easier the use of the electronic
cigarette,
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since it prevents the user to bring with himself the tank for the inhalable
liquid and to be
forced to perform the refilling operation.
[89] Another advantage of the electronic cigarette according to the present
invention is the fact
that it has reduced size and weight, since the tank is inserted only in use
and can have
itself reduced weight and size, since it must not be used for a long period.
[90] A further advantage of the electronic cigarette according to the present
invention is that of
ensuring its use in the best hygienic conditions.
[91] In particular, as it was previously said, it is possible to provide the
single tank 10, prefilled
with the predetermined dosage of liquid, inside a sealed bag 16, for example
of
transparent material. The user will open the bag only at the moment of its
use, ensuring
the maximal hygiene, as well as the perfect preservation of the flavouring of
the inhalable
substance. Obviously, the use of a new container contributes in considerable
manner to
the perfect hygiene of the electronic cigarette.
[92] The tank 10 sealed inside the bag 16 can be sold in single or multiple
packages 20, as it
is possible to see in figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 4a, 4b, 4c.
[93] For example, such packages 20 can realize a pocket 21 for housing one or
more tanks
placed side by side. A foldable tab 22 suitably closes the packaging,
preventing the
dispersion of the tanks. Obviously, the number of tanks contained in one
single packaging
20 can be different from the one illustrated as an example.
[94] Alternatively, it is possible to provide that the tanks are sold in a box
package 30 of rigid or
semi-rigid material, for example cardboard, as it is possible to see in
figures 9, 11 and 13.
Such box package 30 is suitably provided with a closure element 31 articulated
at its top
part. Obviously, the size of the packaging 30 will be different according to
the number of
tanks 10 contained inside it.
[95] In practice, the embodiment of the invention, the materials used, as well
as the shape and
dimensions, may vary depending on the requirements.
[96] Should the technical characteristics mentioned in each claim be followed
by reference
signs, such reference signs were included strictly with the aim of enhancing
the
understanding the claims and hence they shall not be deemed restrictive in any
manner
whatsoever on the scope of each element identified for exemplifying purposes
by such
reference signs.
12
