Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette, in particular to an
electronic cigarette in which a vapour is generated from an aerosol-generating
liquid.
Background of the Invention
The term electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, is usually applied to a
handheld
electronic device that simulates the feeling or experience of smoking tobacco
in a
traditional cigarette. Electronic cigarettes work by heating an aerosol-
generating
liquid to the point of vaporisation to generate the aerosol, commonly called a
vapour, that is then inhaled by the user.
Accordingly, using e-cigarettes is sometimes also referred to as õvaping". The
aerosol-generating liquid in the electronic cigarette is sometimes called an
"e-
liquid" and usually comprises nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerine and
flavourings.
Most e-cigarettes contain a reservoir with a single e-liquid flavour. This
reservoir
may be disposable, in the form of a cartridge containing e-liquid for one or
several
vaping sessions, and may incorporate a heating element in the disposable part.
Alternatively, the tank may be user-refillable and configured as a permanent
part
of the electronic cigarette.
W02013/152873 discloses an electronic cigarette having a plurality of liquid
reservoirs and mixing means enabling the user to set a desired flavour mix.
However, to change the flavour of the vapour, the user needs to manually
change
the settings. It can be difficult for the user to calibrate the device and
create a
desired setting of the flavour by himself and get a satisfying result.
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Summary of the Invention
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
electronic
cigarette that provides easy and accurate flavour mixing capabilities.
Electronic cigarettes also have the drawback over conventional cigarettes that
the
smoking ritual does not have a clear start and end. For conventional
cigarettes,
the start and end are defined by the length of the cigarette and the visual
changes
of the cigarette during smoking. It would therefore be an advantage to provide
an
electronic cigarette capable of providing a defined smoking ritual for the
user and
assists the user to correctly operate the device, e.g. informing the user when
the
electronic cigarette can be turned off after smoking.
Further, electronic cigarettes generally comprise components that are multi-
use
and thus usually restrict the user to certain types of flavours or flavour
combinations compared to classic ready-made tobacco cigarettes where the user
can at any time buy a disposable pack having new flavours.
The above objectives are achieved by an electronic cigarette as set out in
claims 1
and a consumable as defined in claim 15.
According to a first aspect, an electronic cigarette is provided comprising:
a plurality of liquid reservoirs configured to store different liquids,
at least one heater, wherein each of the liquid reservoirs is fluidically
coupled to
the at least one heater,
a regulating arrangement configured to selectively enable the delivery of
liquid
from at least one liquid reservoir to the at least one heater,
a memory configured to store at least one program defining which liquid
reservoir
is enabled for liquid delivery to the at least one heater and a duration of
time for
the activation,
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a controller configured to selectively control the enablement of each liquid
reservoir according to the at least one program on the memory, a timer
configured
to regulate the time during which each liquid reservoir is enabled,
whereby the electronic cigarette is configured to produce a vapour with
variations
in its composition over time.
The liquid reservoirs may be an integral part of the electronic cigarette such
that
they can be refilled and re-used. The liquid reservoirs may also be part of a
consumable, such as a cartridge, that can be inserted into the electronic
cigarette
and that can be extracted from the electronic cigarette when at least one
liquid
reservoir or all of the liquid reservoirs are depleted. The liquid reservoirs
may also
be individually insertable into, and extractable from the electronic cigarette
such
that a user can insert a desired variety and composition of different liquid
reservoirs into the electronic cigarette, thus enabling new compositions of
the
vapour. Each of such individually insertable and extractable liquid reservoirs
may
also function as a cartridge itself, and the electronic cigarette may be
configured to
receive multiple cartridges.
The term "cartridge" is used herein in a broad sense and is not supposed to
restrict the exterior form of the consumable; rather, it is meant to designate
a
consumable that may be inserted at least partially, preferably completely,
into the
electronic cigarette, or that may be attachable to the electronic cigarette,
and
which may be removed from the electronic cigarette when that is desired,
especially when one or more of the liquid reservoirs of the cartridge are
depleted.
Many embodiments will herein be described with respect to a cartridge. It
should
be understood, however, that also any other suitable type of consumable may be
substituted for a cartridge in each case.
The variations in vapour composition may be a result of a liquid with varying
liquid
composition being vaporised and/or may be a result of a varying mixture of
vapours created by different liquids which are vaporised at the same time.
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The timer may be configured to measure an amount of time in seconds (or
milliseconds or the like) and/or in a number of puffs.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a cartridge for an electronic
cigarette is provided, the cartridge having a plurality of liquid reservoirs
formed as
separate compartments, wherein the cartridge further comprises a memory
configured to store at least one program, wherein the program comprises
instructions which enable a regulating arrangement in the electronic cigarette
to
produce a vapor with variations in its composition over time.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, an electronic cigarette
is
provided which comprises: a plurality (or: cartridge assembly) of cartridges,
each
having at least one liquid reservoir; and
a main body having a cartridge seating that is configured to be releasably
connectable to the plurality of cartridges;
the main body having an elongate shape and comprising a power supply and a
regulating arrangement configured to selectively enable the delivery of liquid
from
at least one liquid reservoir to at least one heater of the electronic
cigarette;
wherein the cartridge seating comprises a tubular receiving cavity; and
wherein
the plurality of cartridges are shaped such that a combined axial cross-
section of
the plurality of cartridges corresponds to an axial cross-section of the
tubular
receiving cavity.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a consumable for an
electronic cigarette is provided, the consumable comprising a heater and a
liquid
reservoir, wherein a housing of the consumable has an axial cross-section the
shape of a fraction of a circle, preferably a half-circle.
Further advantageous variants and modifications will be explained in the
following
with respect to the dependent claims as well as the description in combination
with
the figures.
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In some advantageous embodiments, the regulating arrangement comprises at
least one valve. In this way, the transfer of liquid can be controlled more
precisely.
In some advantageous embodiments, the valve further comprises a valve body
configured to enable and modify the liquid supply from a plurality of liquid
reservoirs. This allows more flexibility in combining liquids to achieve
different
flavor combinations.
In some advantageous embodiments, the valve is a rotary body having a
plurality
of channels configured to be selectively aligned and selectively disaligned to
(or:
with) outlets from the liquid reservoirs.
In some advantageous embodiments, the regulating arrangement comprises a
plurality of valves. In some of those embodiments, each valve is configured to
regulate the flow of liquid from each liquid reservoir.
In some advantageous embodiments, the regulating arrangement comprises a
plurality of heaters and each of the liquid reservoirs is fluidically coupled
to the at
least one heater. In this way, each heater may be specifically adapted, or
controlled, to heat and vaporize a specific liquid, taking into account e.g.
different
vaporizing temperatures and the like.
In some advantageous embodiments, each liquid reservoir is connected to a
dedicated heater. In other words, the electronic cigarette may comprise as
many
heaters as it comprises liquid reservoirs. This allows to individually heat
each
liquid from each liquid reservoir to an individual, optimal vaping temperature
and/or
to heat (or not) the liquid from each liquid reservoir independently. If the
liquid
reservoirs are external to the electronic cigarette, i.e. arranged on a
consumable,
then the electronic cigarette preferably comprises as many heaters as it
comprises
fluid transfer elements that are configured for conducting aerosol-generating
liquid
from the liquid reservoirs to the heaters, and each fluid transfer element may
be
fluidically connected to a respective dedicated heater and vice versa.
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In some advantageous embodiments, the controller is configured to selectively
control the activation of each heater according to the at least one program on
the
memory.
In some advantageous embodiments, the timer is configured to regulate the time
during which each heater is activated.
In some advantageous embodiments, at least two heaters can be activated at
separate times. This enables to more precisely create vapour compositions
varying over time, e.g. by first activating a first heater and then, with a
temporal
offset, activate a second heater. Particularly, it enables to blend flavours
and to
phase over from one flavour to another without a sharp break or contrast.
In some advantageous embodiments, at least two heaters can be activated at the
same time. This allows to creating complex vapour compositions from at least
two
different liquids from at least two different liquid reservoirs at the same
time.
In some advantageous embodiments, at least two of the liquid reservoirs
comprise
an active ingredient such as nicotine. In some advantageous embodiments, the
liquid reservoirs comprise liquids of different strength or concentration of
the active
ingredient, e.g. different nicotine strength. In some advantageous
embodiments, at
least two of the liquid reservoirs comprise liquids with identical composition
with
the exception of their respective strength or concentration of the same active
ingredient, e.g. nicotine. Preferably, the variation in vapour composition
over time
includes, or consists of, a variation in strength or concentration of the
active
ingredient, e.g. in nicotine strength. In this way, the electronic cigarette
may be
used to precisely dose a drug, or an active ingredient of a drug, according to
a
predetermined dosage regime.
In some advantageous embodiments, the liquid reservoirs comprise liquids of at
least two different flavours. Preferably, the variation in vapour composition
(e.g.
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according to at least one program stored in the memory) includes, or consists
of, a
variation in flavour.
In some advantageous embodiments, at least one liquid reservoir comprises a
liquid that does not have a flavour or is flavour-neutral (i.e. flavourless).
Such a
flavour-neutral liquid may be used to dilute an otherwise too strong flavour,
or to
efficiently carry an active ingredient e.g. of a drug which is thus addable to
any
possible flavour composition that can be provided by the electronic cigarette.
In some advantageous embodiments, the program contains different heating
profiles in order to achieve different flavour strengths and/or different
strengths of
concentrations of an active ingredient.
In some advantageous embodiments, the liquid reservoirs are provided on a
support forming a unitary cartridge and the at least one program is located on
a
memory on the cartridge.
In some advantageous embodiments, the at least one program is located on a
memory on a main body of the electronic cigarette.
.. In some advantageous embodiments, the at least one program contains
different
heating profiles in order to achieve different flavour strengths. Such a
heating
profile may comprise a sequence of heaters to be activated for specific
durations
and with specific heating temperatures.
.. In some advantageous embodiments, the at least one program comprises a set
of
different heating profiles, and each heating profile is linked to a specific
composition and/or flavour.
In some advantageous embodiments, the program can be created and/or adapted
by the user, e.g. using a user interface of the electronic cigarette, or an
app
running on a mobile device connectable to the electronic cigarette via a
wireless or
wire bound interface.
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In some advantageous embodiments, the flavour combination and timing (e.g. of
at least one program) can be set by the user.
In some advantageous embodiments, the at least one program is based on a
sensor input, for example on the input of a particle sensor such as a food
molecule
sensor. In this way, the vapour composition can automatically be set based on
e.g.
a previous consumption of a user and/or on a chemical balance (e.g.
acidic/basic)
within the mouth of the user. For example, some components of the vapour may,
in combination with certain molecules or a certain chemical balance, taste
especially good or especially bad or might even induce nausea or other
undesired
effects. In such cases, the sensor input may be used to automatically adjust
the
vapour composition to at least compensate such an effect.
The sensor may also be a sensor configured to detect a user's circadian
rhythm,
and the controller may be configured to adapt and/or choose a program based on
the detected circadian rhythm, preferably based in addition on a current time
and/or current date.
In some advantageous embodiments, the program comprises a set of different
heating profiles. Each heating profile may be linked to a specific composition
and/or flavor. As has been discussed in the foregoing, specific vapour
compositions may require specific heating profiles to optimize taste and/or
delivery
of an active ingredient.
In some advantageous embodiments, the heaters comprise, or are in the form of,
needles with a capillary tube. The needles may be configured to function as
fluid
transfer members by capillary effect.
In some advantageous embodiments, the heaters (either collectively or each
individually, or groups of heaters individually) are moveable between a
retracted
position and an extended position. This is in particular advantageous if the
heaters
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are formed as, or formed as comprising, piercing members such as needles,
since
then the heaters may be moved to the extended position to pierce a sealing or
packaging on a consumable to access the aerosol-generating liquids stored
therein.
In some advantageous embodiments of the cartridge according to the second
aspect of the present invention, the cartridge further comprises a plurality
of
heaters each connected to a dedicated liquid reservoir.
In some advantageous embodiments of the electronic cigarette according to the
third aspect of the present invention, the combined axial cross-section of the
plurality of cartridges is essentially, or exactly, equal to the axial cross-
section of
the tubular receiving cavity.
In some advantageous embodiments, the cartridge seating comprises a plurality
of
electrical connectors configured to connect to the atomizer assembly.
In some advantageous embodiments, the cartridge comprises an integrated
atomizer comprising a heater and a fluid transfer element, and the cartridge
seating comprises a plurality of electrical connections configured to connect
to
each cartridge.
In some advantageous embodiments, the electrical connections are configured as
resilient contacts.
In some advantageous embodiments, the atomizer assembly comprises a plurality
of piercing members.
In some advantageous embodiments, the cartridge seating further comprises a
piercing member configured as a fluid transfer element. Preferably, the fluid
transfer element is a porous member.
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In some advantageous embodiments, the cartridge seating comprises guiding
elements configured to position the cartridges in an angular position such
that the
cartridges are aligned with connectors in the cartridge seating.
In some advantageous embodiments, the elongate body further comprises user
controls configured to enable the user to control the amount of liquid that is
used
from each liquid reservoir to generate the aerosol.
In some advantageous embodiments, the user controls are selected from the
group comprising a scroll wheel, a set of two buttons, a rocker button, and a
rotary
dial.
In some advantageous embodiments, the user control is a rotary dial that is
located at a distal end of the elongate body opposite to a mouthpiece, or
mouthpiece connector, of the electronic cigarette.
In some advantageous embodiments, the electronic cigarette further comprises a
display, wherein the display is configured to display the proportion of
flavors in the
vapor.
In some advantageous embodiments, the display is a light source (e.g. an RGB
LED) configured to indicate the flavor or nicotine strength by different color
or by
different intensity of color.
In some advantageous embodiments, the display is located at an end portion of
the main body, distal to the cartridge seating and the rotary dial is arranged
around
the end portions of the distal end.
In some advantageous embodiments, at least one of the liquid reservoirs
comprises a flavorant.
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In some advantageous embodiments, at least two liquid reservoirs comprise
aerosol producing compositions of different nicotine strengths.
In some advantageous embodiments, one of the liquid reservoirs comprises an
aerosol producing composition without nicotine.
In some advantageous embodiments, the electronic cigarette further comprises a
sleeve configured to enclose the liquid reservoirs and hold them together.
In some advantageous embodiments, the sleeve further comprises a mouthpiece
portion or a mouthpiece connector.
In some advantageous embodiments of the consumable according to the second
aspect or the fourth aspect, the liquid reservoir comprises a vaporization
chamber,
a first portion of a vapor outlet channel from the vaporization chamber and a
groove, wherein the grooves of at least two liquid reservoirs form a vapor
outlet
channel.
In some advantageous embodiments, the consumables comprise inter-locking
connectors.
In some advantageous embodiments, the consumable comprises an airflow
diverter, configured to generate turbulence in the vapor channel.
Brief Description of the Drawings
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:
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Fig. la shows a schematic view of an electronic cigarette, a
consumable and
a smoking system according an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. lb shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic
cigarette of
Fig. la;
Fig. 2a shows a schematic view of part of an electronic cigarette according
to
another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2b shows a schematic view of part of an electronic cigarette
according to
yet another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic exploded view of part of an electronic
cigarette
according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4a through Fig. 4d
show schematic views of cartridges according to embodiments of the
present invention;
Fig. 5 shows a schematic exploded view of a cartridge according to
embodiments of the present invention;
Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of a heater as used in some embodiments
of
the present invention;
Fig. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge
according to
an embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 8 through Fig. 10
show schematic views of electronic cigarettes according to
embodiments of the present invention..
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.
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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 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 their corresponding respective areas of inquiry
and
study, except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.
Detailed Description of Embodiments
With reference to Fig. la and Fig. lb of the drawings, an electronic cigarette
100 is
illustrated.
The electronic cigarette 100 comprises a main body 110, and a mouthpiece
portion 111. The mouthpiece portion 11 may form a mouthpiece itself or
comprise
a connector structure for connecting a mouthpiece ("mouthpiece connector").
Through the mouthpiece portion 111, an aerosol, or vapor, generated by the
electronic cigarette 100 can be inhaled.
The aerosol is generated by heating at least one aerosol-generating liquid as
will
be described in the following. Electrical energy for the heating is provided
by a
power source 112 of the electronic cigarette 100, for example a battery,
preferably
a rechargeable battery. As illustrated in Fig. 1 b, the electronic cigarette
100
comprises a plurality of liquid reservoirs 122, a regulating arrangement 160,
at
least one heater 180 (not shown in Fig. 1b), a controller 136 and a timer 134.
The liquid reservoirs 122 are configured to store different liquids. The
liquids may
comprise different flavours or different active ingredients, such as different
nicotine
strengths, acids or other. Hence, the aerosol-generating liquids may be
different in
flavour (e.g. one aerosol-generating liquid may be flavourless or flavour-
neutral
and the other one may comprise a menthol aroma), different in physical
properties
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(e.g. a vaporisation temperature) and/or different in strength or
concentration of
the active ingredient. The liquid reservoirs 122 may be configured as
replaceable/disposable cartridges 122. The electronic cigarette 100 may also
have
at least one integrated liquid reservoir in addition to the liquid reservoirs
122 that
are provided when the cartridges 122 are inserted into the electronic
cigarette 100.
For example, the integrated liquid reservoir may comprise a flavourless
aerosol-
generating liquid comprising an active ingredient (e.g. nicotine), whereas the
liquid
reservoirs 122 may comprise aerosol-generating liquid comprising little of the
active ingredient or no active ingredient at all. In this way, for example, a
user that
regularly, or always, intends to inhale an amount of the active ingredient,
may fill
the integrated liquid reservoir in the electronic cigarette 100 to provide the
active
ingredient, and may then arrange an assembly of liquid reservoirs 122 in the
cartridge 140 that comprise a desired variety of flavours to be mixed into the
vapour to be generated together with the vaporised liquid comprising the
active
ingredient.
As illustrated in Fig. 3, the electronic cigarette 100 may comprise a single
cartridge
seating 145 configured to receive a cartridge assembly 140 comprising, or
consisting of, a plurality of liquid reservoirs 122, e.g. three liquid
reservoirs 122 as
shown. The cartridge seating 145 may be located at a distal end of a main body
(e.g. battery portion) of the electronic cigarette 100 and may be configured
as a
hollow tube.
In an embodiment, the cartridge assembly 140 may be configured as shown in
Fig.
4a through Fig. 4d. Thus the cartridge assembly 140 may comprise a housing
143,
a liquid reservoir 122, and may include a fluid transfer element 120. The
liquid
reservoirs 122 can be provided as separate cartridges 140a, each accommodating
a single liquid reservoir 122. The axial cross-section of the cartridges is
preferably
shaped in relation to the cartridge seating 145 and such that the axial cross
sections of a plurality (at least two) cartridges 122 correspond to the axial
cross-
section of the cartridge seating 145.
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The cartridge assembly 140 is configured to take up the space in the cartridge
seating 145 when at least two cartridges 140 are mounted together. The housing
143 of the cartridges 140 may therefore have an axial cross-section the shape
of a
fraction of a circle, preferably a half-circle or a quarter of a circle. It is
also possible
to combine two quarters of a circle forming a dual cartridge assembly 140 as a
single unit.
Fig. 5 shows a schematic detail view of the cartridges 140 according to an
exemplary embodiment in an exploded view.
As illustrated in Fig. 5, the cartridge 140 may comprise a valve 150
comprising a
valve closing member 152 (e.g. in the form of a ball) and a valve seat 153.
The
valve closing member 152 is biased, by the valve seat 153, to close off a
channel
151 so that the liquid supply from the liquid reservoir 122 is closed. The
cartridge
seating 145 is provided with a fluid transfer element 120. The fluid transfer
element 120 is configured to contact a valve seating defined by the
circumference
of the channel. In another embodiment, heater 180 can be a capillary tube
configured to receive liquid from the liquid reservoir and vaporise the liquid
into
vapour.
As seen in the alternative embodiments illustrated in Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b and
Fig. 6,
the fluidic communication between the liquid reservoir 122 and the heater 180
can
be established by direct contact with a portion of the heater 180 in the form
of a
capillary tube.
Hence, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the heater 180 can have the shape of a
capillary
tube 180a and may be provided with an elongate shape with an absorbing portion
180b and a heating portion 180c. The absorbing portion 180b may thus act as a
fluid transfer element 120 for transferring fluid from the liquid reservoir
122 to the
heating portion 180c. The temperature of the absorbing portion 180b during use
of
the electronic cigarette 100 is preferably lower than the temperature of the
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portion 180c during use. Liquid can therefore be transported by capillary
action
from the liquid reservoir 122 to the heater 180.
In a still further embodiment, as illustrated in figure 7, the cartridges 140
can
comprise a plurality of liquid reservoirs 122. Hence, the axial cross-section
of the
liquid reservoirs 122 can be shaped such that, put together, their shape
corresponds to the shape of the cartridge seating 145. "Corresponding" in this
context may be understood to mean that the axial cross-section of the arranged
alongside one another essentially fills out the axial cross-section of the
cartridge
seating 145.
For example, the cross-section of the liquid reservoirs 122 may be shaped as a
semi-circle, as a quarter-circle and so on. Preferably, the heater 180 is
provided
with as many capillary tubes 180a (and corresponding absorbing portions 180b
and heating portions 180c) as a maximum number of cartridges 140 which the
cartridge seating 145 is configured to accommodate at any time. Alternatively,
one
heater 180 for each of the maximum number of cartridges 140 may be provided.
In Fig. 6, a heater 180 according to one embodiment is shown that comprises
four
.. capillary tubes 180a, each with corresponding absorbing portions 180b and
heating portions 180c. Advantageously, the individual heating portions 180c
are
individually controllable to heat the liquid absorbed by the corresponding
absorbing portions 180b. In that way, liquids from different liquid reservoirs
122
may be heated at different times and/or to different temperatures.
That heater 180 is advantageously configured for use with a cartridge seating
145
that is configured to accommodate, at maximum, four different cartridges 140
at
the same time, at which time each absorbing portion 180b will be in fluidic
contact
with one of the four different cartridges 140 each.
It will be understood that the same configuration of the heater 180 is equally
suitable for when the same cartridge seating 145 comprises, e.g., three
different
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cartridges 140, wherein one cartridge 140 has a semi-circular cross-section as
shown in Fig. 4a to Fig. 4c and fig. 5, and two cartridges have a quarter-
circular
cross-section each. Of course, the same applies when the cartridge seating 145
comprises only two cartridges 140 (e.g. both shaped with semi-circular cross-
sections, or one with a quarter-circular cross-section and one with a three-
quarter-
circular cross-section) or when the cartridge seating 145 comprises only one
cartridge 140 having a cross-section in the form of a complete circle.
It will also be understood that the heater 180 may also be configured with a
different number of capillary tubes 180a, e.g. two, three, five, six, or more
capillary
tubes 180a with the corresponding number of absorbing portions 180b and
heating
portions 180c.
In another exemplary embodiment, the cartridge can be configured similar to
the
embodiment of Fig. 5, but instead of a valve 150 it can comprise a pierceable
membrane or a septum sealing its liquid reservoir 122. Such a cartridge is
therefore configured to be connected to a fluid transfer element in the form
of a
piercing member in the cartridge seating 145. The membrane is preferably
provided with a high elasticity such that it can reseal when the cartridge 140
is
retracted from the piercing member.
As seen in Fig. 5, the cartridge 140 is further provided with a connecting
portion
154 and a vapour outlet portion 155. The connecting portion 154 is configured
to
connect with the main body 110. A vapour groove 147 extends from the
connecting portion and a vapour outlet portion. The vapour groove 147 of each
cartridge 140 forms a closed vapor channel when at least two cartridges 140
are
located inside the cartridge seating 145, i.e. the vapour grooves 147 of a
plurality
of cartridges 140 may together form the closed vapor channel. The vapor
channel
is thus configured to enable a flow of vapour from a vaporization chamber 146
located in the proximity of the heater 180. The vaporization chamber 146 may
be
partially located inside the cartridge 140 and partially located inside the
cartridge
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seating 145, or completely within the cartridge 140 or completely within the
cartridge seating 145 of the main body 110.
The cartridge 140 can be provided as a cartomizer and thus comprise an
integrated heater 180. A fluid transfer element 120, such as an absorber, for
transferring liquid from the liquid reservoir 122 to the heater is in such
embodiments integrated into the cartridge140 as well. Electrical contacts can
be
provided at the connecting portion 154 of the cartridge. To this effect, the
cartridge
seating 145 may comprise a plurality of electrical contact pairs configured to
provide power to each cartridge heater individually. The electrical contact
pairs
may be provided having a first contact located at a bottom surface (i.e. a
distal or
proximal end surface) of the cartridge 140 and a second electrical contact
provided around the circumference of the cartridge 140.
The electrical contacts inside the cartridge seating 145 can be provided as
resilient
contacts configured to connect to first power terminals of the cartomizer
cartridge.
The resilient contacts establish a good contact between the cartridge and the
terminals so that the cartridge can be connected throughout a variable
insertion
depth in the cartridge seating 145.
The heater 180 can be integrated into the cartridge. Such cartridges are
sometimes designated as "cartomizers". Alternatively, similarly as illustrated
in Fig.
6, the heater 180 can be formed as a separate atomizer part including a
plurality of
heaters (e.g., heating portions 180c) and corresponding fluid transfer
elements
(e.g., absorbing portions 180b). Each fluid transfer element is configured to
establish a fluidic connection between one liquid reservoir in the cartridge
and one
corresponding heater.
The fluid transfer element 120 can be a piercing member arranged at the
cartridge
seating and configured to penetrate into the cartridge 140 such that a fluidic
connection is established between the liquid reservoir 122 and the heater 180.
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To further enhance the mixing of the vapours from different heaters, the
vapour
groove 147 (and, as a consequence, also the vapour channel formed by multiple
vapour grooves 147) can comprise an airflow diverter 148 configured to create
turbulence inside the vapour channel. As seen in Fig. 4c, the airflow diverter
148
can be a protrusion 148 extending in the transverse direction in relation to
the
vapour groove 147. The protrusion 148 can be provided with a hemispherical
shape. Cartridges 140 with different liquids may be provided with protrusions
148
at different axial length of the cartridges to further enhance the turbulence.
The cartridge 140 and the inner walls of the cartridge seating 145 may be
provided
with cooperating guides 149a, 149b in order to correctly position the
cartridge 140
in the cartridge seating 145. The guides can be provided as a keyway 149a on
the
cartridge 140 and a rail member 149b of the cartridge seating 145, e.g. at an
inner
surface thereof, and/or a rail member 149c of the mouthpiece portion 111. The
cooperating guides extend in the insertion direction of the cartridge 140 into
the
cartridge seating 145. This enables the electrical contacts of the cartridge
140 to
be aligned with the electrical contacts in the cartridge seating 145.
The cartridges 140 may also comprise, as illustrated in Fig. 7, inter-locking
connectors 150a, 150b, such that the liquid reservoirs can form, or connect
to, a
uniform mouthpiece portion 111. The inter-locking connectors may comprise a
keyway 150a and a rail member 150b. The interlocking connectors give stability
to
the composed cartridge. Additionally, the interlocking connectors enable the
cartridges to be used directly as a mouthpiece.
Additionally, or alternatively, as seen in Fig. 3, the electronic cigarette
100 may
further comprise a mouthpiece portion 111 formed as a sleeve around the
cartridges 140. The sleeve is configured to enclose the cartridges 140 and
hold
them together. To this end, the sleeve may be insertable into, or connectable
to,
the cartridge seating 145, e.g. by screw threads.
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As illustrated in the following Fig. 8a, Fig. 8b, Fig. 9, and Fig. 10, the
electronic
cigarette 100 may further comprise user controls 170 configured to enable a
user
of the electronic cigarette 100 to control the mixing of liquids. The liquids
may, as
previously described, contain different flavors or different concentrations of
ingredients such as nicotine. For instance, the controls may enable to control
the
amount of liquid that is used from each liquid reservoir 122 to generate the
aerosol. In Fig. 8a, Fig. 8b, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, an embodiment is shown in
which
the electronic cigarette 100 comprises two different liquids, either by being
configured to receive a single cartridge 140 with two different liquid
reservoirs 122,
.. by being configured to receive two separate cartridges 140, each of which
may
comprise a different liquid, and/or the like.
As seen in Fig. 9a and 9b, the user-control 170 can be in the form of a rocker
button 171 or, as shown in Fig. 8, in the form of a set consisting of, or
comprising,
two separate buttons 172, 173. The electronic cigarette 100 may be configured
such that operating one of the rocking ends of the rocker button 171 or one of
the
two separate buttons 172, 173 results in an amount and/or percentile of a
corresponding one of two different liquids being increased in the mix of vapor
generated to be inhaled by the user, whereas operating the other rocking end
or
the other one of the two separate buttons 172, 173, respectively, results in
an
amount and/or percentile of the other of the two different liquids being
increased in
the mix.
It should be understood that the set of buttons 172, 173 can be provided with
more
than three buttons, or the rocker button 171 with more than two rocking ends,
wherein in each case the number of buttons/rocking ends preferably corresponds
with a maximum number of different liquids and/or different cartridges that
are
insertable into the electronic cigarette 100. In that way, users can directly
set their
preferred mix.
The electronic cigarette 100 may further comprise a display 175, i.e. a visual
indicator, configured to display (or indicate) the proportion of flavors (i.e.
of liquids
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in the resulting liquid that is vaporized) in the vapor. The display 175 can
be
formed as light bars that illustrate the relative proportions of the selected
liquids.
Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 10, the user controls 170 can comprise, or be
in the
form of, a rotary dial 174. The rotary dial 174 can be positioned on a distal
end of
the electronic cigarette 100 opposite to the mouthpiece portion 111. When a
rotary
dial 174 is used, the display 175 can be located within the center of the
rotary dial
174. For example, as shown in Fig. 9, the display 175 may comprise a number of
light elements (bars, dots, starts, etc.) arranged in a circle, preferably
concentrically with the rotary dial 174. This creates a compact user control
170,
and display 175 and is positioned outside of the area where the user normally
places his fingers so that no accidental modification of the user controls 170
happen during vaping.
However, in a simpler embodiment, the display can be a light source (e.g. a
RGB
LED) configured to indicate a flavor, flavor mix or nicotine strength of the
vapor by
different colors and/or intensities of the color(s). Optionally, a plurality
of light
sources can be used.
The electronic cigarette 100 further comprises a regulating arrangement 160
configured to selectively enable the delivery of liquid from at least one
liquid
reservoir 122 to at least one heater 180. Hence, the regulating arrangement is
configured to open and close the liquid delivery from the different liquid
reservoirs
122.
The regulating arrangement may comprise a valve. The valve may comprise a
valve body configured to enable and modify the liquid supply from a plurality
of
liquid reservoirs. The valve body can have a plurality of channels configured
to be
aligned and disaligned to outlets from the liquid reservoirs and wherein each
valve
is configured to regulate the flow of liquid from each liquid outlet. For
instance the
valve body can be rotatable. The regulating arrangement further comprises an
actuator, which is connected to the at least one valve and the controller.
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Alternatively, the regulating arrangement 160 may comprise a plurality of
valves.
Each valve may be linked to a unique liquid reservoir or a number of
reservoirs.
In another embodiment as illustrated in figures 2b and 6, the regulating
arrangement 160 may comprise a plurality of heaters. The heaters may e.g. be
realized as Ohmic heating elements, for example as heating wires. The
individual
heaters of the plurality of heaters may be part of a single heater structure
that is
divided into a number of individually controllable segments as heaters.
Each heater 180 is connected to at least one fluid transfer element 120
configured
to conduct an aerosol-generating liquid from a liquid reservoir 122 to the
heater
180 connected to the fluid transfer element 120. The fluid transfer elements
120
may comprise a wick or a needle that delivers the aerosol-generating liquid
e.g. by
capillary action. The heaters 180 may also be formed integrally with the fluid
transfer elements 120, i.e. the heaters 180 may be formed such that they also
function as the fluid transfer elements 120.
The liquid reservoirs 122 may in some embodiments be compartments in the
housing 110 of the electronic cigarette 100 which are filled, and are
preferably
refillable, with at least one, preferably more, aerosol-generating liquids.
The electronic cigarette 100 further comprises a control circuitry 130. The
control
circuitry 130 comprises a memory 132 configured to store at least one program
defining a sequence of which liquid reservoir 122 is enabled for liquid
delivery a
duration of time for the activation. In the embodiment where a plurality of
dedicated heaters 180 is used, the control circuitry 130 can therefore control
the
heater activation times, i.e. which heater is activated when, and a duration
of time
for the activation. If a valve is used in the regulation arrangement, the
control
circuitry 130 can control an actuator of said valve in order to position the
valve to
enable liquid delivery from selected liquid reservoirs 122 to achieve the
desired
composition of vapour.
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The memory 132 may be fixedly integrated into the main body of the electronic
cigarette 100 and/or may, partially or completely, be removable from the
electronic
cigarette 100. For example, the memory 132 could be realized as a computer
memory such as a solid-state memory as a memory chip such as a SIM card or in
any other known way to store memory. Thus, a memory 132 comprising new
and/or updated programs may be inserted into the electronic cigarette 100 by a
user. The program may include heating profiles, i.e. information which heater
is to
be heated to which temperature or temperatures when and how long, or may be
usable together with one or more heating profiles stores separately in the
memory
132.
In an embodiment, the cartridges are provided with heating elements (e.g.,
heating
coils) having different electrical resistance, wherein at least two different
electrical
resistances indicate respective different liquid types. The control circuitry
130 of
the main body may be configured to measure the electrical resistance of each
heating element and to determine the liquid type based on the measured
electrical
resistance.
The memory 132 (and in particular at least one program stored therein) may
also
be updated by a user via a user interface. For example, the electronic
cigarette
100 may comprise a user interface (a touch screen, a number of manipulators
such as buttons and/or dials and the like, etc.) with which the user may
change
some or all parameters of one or more of the programs stored in the memory
132.
Preferably, the electronic cigarette 100 comprises a wire bound or wireless
interface through which a computing device of the user, such as a mobile
phone, a
tablet, a laptop or the like, may be, preferably wirelessly, connected to the
memory
132 in order to change parameters of one or more of the stored programs, to
remove programs from the memory 132 and/or to add new programs to the
memory 132. The interface is preferably configured to enable the user, when
changing parameters, to extend or shorten a duration of a heater activation
time of
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one or more of the heaters and/or shift the heater activation time of at least
one
heater forward or backward in time with respect to at least one other heater
activation time. The interface may alternatively give the user a list of
options such
as "stronger taste" or "fresher" and may then translate the user's settings
into
appropriate settings within at least one program and/or heating profile.
By the interface, data may be transmitted to the computing device indicating
which
type of aerosol-generating liquid is present in each of the liquid reservoirs
122, or,
more directly, which type of aerosol-generating liquid is currently being
arranged to
be supplied to which heater. In this way, the user knows which type of aerosol-
generating liquid will be affected when the user changes the heater activation
time
of the corresponding heater in any way.
The control circuitry 130 also comprises a timer 134 configured to control the
enablement of each liquid reservoir 122 according to the selected program from
the memory 132. The timer 134 can therefore control the time the valve is in
each
position or regulate the time during which each heater is activated, in
particular to
monitor how long each heater is activated (i.e. measure the heater activation
time)
and to output a corresponding heater activation time signal. The heater
activation
time signal may indicate an amount of time e.g. in seconds (or milliseconds or
the
like) or in a number of puffs.
The control circuitry 130 further comprises a controller 136 configured to
selectively control the activation of each heater according to the at least
one
program on the memory 132 and/or according to at least one heating profile.
The
timer 134 may also be integrated into the controller 136.
The program may comprise two or more heaters being activated at the same time
and/or two or more heaters being activated at different times. The activation
times
of two or more heaters may overlap, in particular for at least 10%, at least
30%, at
least 50%, at least 70% or at least 90% of either activation time. The heater
activation times for each heater may have the same duration. Alternatively,
some
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heater activation time may have different durations from one another. In some
embodiments, all of the heaters may have different heater activation times.
One important characteristic of the electronic cigarette is a temperature to
which
the consumable is heated to generate the aerosol. This temperature is also
referred to as a "vaping temperature". The vaping temperature can have a
significant impact on the user's vaping experience for multiple reasons.
Excessive
heating can increase the temperature of the inhaled vapour to an uncomfortable
level, cause faster consumption of the consumable, in particular of the
aerosol-
generating liquid, and may cause more rapid degradation of the components of
the
electronic cigarette. Moreover, an optimal vaping temperature may be different
for
differently composed consumables, as different components of the e-liquid may
vaporise and/or release flavours at different temperatures.
Each heater may be provided with a temperature sensor configured to sense a
temperature of the heater and to provide an according heater temperature
sensor
signal to the controller 136. Based on that heater temperature sensor signal,
the
controller 136 may control the individual vaping temperatures of the heaters
which
may be different from one another. The electronic cigarette 100 may be
configured
such that the vaping temperatures of the heaters are ¨ at least partially ¨
different
and fixed. In that case, the aerosol-generating liquid can be arranged
according to
their respective vaping temperature in the cartridge 140, as will be described
in the
following. In other embodiments, the vaping temperature of each heater may be
individually controllable by the controller 136, e.g. based on information
about the
aerosol-generating liquid being currently supplied to each individual heater,
specifically based on information about the vaping temperature of said aerosol-
generating liquid, for example as described later with respect to a data
storage of
the cartridge 140.
When the heaters are activated at different times and/or for different heater
activation times, then advantageously the vapour composition of the vapour
varies in time according to the program stored on the memory 132.
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In Fig. 1 and the following Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b, an embodiment is illustrated
according to which the electronic cigarette 100 is configured to receive a
consumable, in particular a cartridge 140, comprising at least one liquid
reservoir
122, and preferably at least two liquid reservoirs 122. More preferably, the
at least
two liquid reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140 comprise two different aerosol-
generating liquids, i.e. aerosol-generating liquids of different composition.
The (at least one) liquid reservoir integrated into the electronic cigarette
100 may
therefore be larger than one, or all, of the liquid reservoirs of the
cartridge 140 or
may even be larger than the cartridge 140 itself.
In the following, the case will be described in more detail in which there is
no liquid
reservoir integrated into the electronic cigarette 100. The embodiment of Fig.
1 is
illustrated also with respect to Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b.
Fig. 2a shows a schematic perspective view of the fluid transfer elements 120
of
the electronic cigarette 100 and of a sealed cartridge 140 comprising liquid
reservoirs 122. The liquid reservoirs 122 can be provided on a support 123
configured to group the plurality of reservoirs 122 together.
Fig. 2a shows a cartridge 140 with three different liquid reservoirs 122, each
of the
same size, that are sealed so that no aerosol-generating liquid may spill. The
three
different liquid reservoirs 122 are arranged next to each other, separated by
a
respective divider wall, and are rectangular in shape. Preferably, each liquid
reservoir 122 comprises an aerosol-generating liquid different from the other
liquid
reservoirs 122 such that the cartridge 140 carries, in this example, three
different
aerosol-generating liquids.
As is also evident from Fig. 2a, when the cartridge 140 is completely and
correctly
inserted into, or attached to, the electronic cigarette 100, then the fluid
transfer
elements 120 align in a predefined way with the cartridge 140. Preferably,
each
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fluid transfer element 120 is aligned with exactly one liquid reservoir 122 of
the
cartridge 140. In this way, a maximal variety of flavours may be provided to
the
user.
The present invention thus also provides a cartridge 140 comprising a
plurality of
liquid reservoir 122 arranged and configured such that, when the cartridge 140
is
inserted into, or attached to, the electronic cigarette 100 in a predefined
way, each
of the liquid reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140 is aligned according to a
predefined way with at least one, preferably with exactly one, fluid transfer
element
120 of the electronic cigarette 100.
Fig. 2b illustrates that the heaters 180 may each be formed with a piercing
member, in particular a needle comprising a capillary tube, which act as fluid
transfer elements 120 by capillary action after they have pierced a seal or
membrane protecting the liquid reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140.
The present invention accordingly also provides a smoking system 1000
comprising an electronic cigarette 100 according to the present invention and
a
cartridge 140 according to the present invention configured to align with each
other in the way described in the foregoing.
In the example of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2a, the cartridge 140 has only three liquid
reservoirs 122 which are arranged such that each liquid reservoir 122 is
aligned
with six of the fluid transfer elements 120. In other cartridges 140 for the
same
electronic cigarette 100, the apportionment may be different.
In the example shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2a, the cartridge 140 is further
provided
with a sealing 142 or packaging which is configured and arranged to seal off
one
or more of the liquid reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140 to prevent leakage.
For
example, the cartridge 140 may be formed with the plurality of liquid
reservoirs 122
which my then be filled with at least two different aerosol-generating
liquids, and
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then a sealing foil may be placed and fixed over the liquid reservoirs 122 to
seal
them.
In the embodiment of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2a, the fluid transfer elements 120 of
the
electronic cigarette 100 are realized as comprising, or consisting of,
piercing
members 124 configured to be able to pierce the sealing or packaging, which
seals the individual liquid reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140. The piercing
of the
liquid reservoirs 122 may occur coincident with the cartridge 140 being fully
and
correctly inserted into a receiving cavity of the electronic cigarette 100.
The
piercing members may be configured as hollow tubes with sharpened ends (e.g.
as hollow needles) through which aerosol-generating liquid is drawn via
capillary
action from the liquid reservoirs 122. In some embodiments, the fluid transfer
e1ement120, the piercing member 124 and the corresponding heater may be
realized as a single element, i.e. the heaters may function as heaters, as
fluid
transfer elements and as piercing members.
The receiving cavity of the electronic cigarette 100 may comprise the piercing
members 124 which are arranged such that, when the user inserts the cartridge
140 for the first time into the receiving cavity, the user pushes the sealing
or
packaging of the cartridge 140 against the piercing members 124 until the
piercing
members 124 pierce the sealing or packaging of the liquid reservoirs 122 of
the
cartridge 140. In other embodiments, the piercing members 124 may be moveable
between a retracted and an extended position, wherein the piercing members 124
pierce the sealing 142 of the cartridge 140 only when they are in the extended
position. Then, the cartridge 140 may be inserted into the electronic
cigarette 100
without its sealing 142 being pierced automatically. The contents of the
cartridge
140 may thus remain fresh longer, i.e. until the user actually wants to start
the
vaping session, at which point the user will extend the piercing members 124
using an actuating member such as a push button or a lever.
When the piercing members 124 have pierced the sealing 142 or packaging of the
liquid reservoirs 122, the fluid transfer elements 120 conduct the aerosol-
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generating liquids within the liquid reservoirs 122 to the respective heaters
to be
heated for the generation of the vapour.
The cartridge 140 may be provided with a data storage that comprises
information
about which kind of aerosol-generating liquid is contained in each of the
liquid
reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140. In other words, the information may
indicate
which aerosol-generating liquid of the cartridge 140 is deposited in which
liquid
reservoir 122 and/or which composition it has. The information may also
indicate
an optimal vaping temperature of each aerosol-generating liquid, or
information
that allows the controller 136 to determine the vaping temperature for each
aerosol-generating liquid via a database, a look-up table, an internet link or
the
like. The controller 136 may then control each heater to function at the
respective
vaping temperature.
The information may be transmitted from the data storage of the cartridge 140
to
the electronic cigarette 100, e.g. to the controller 136 or the memory 132 so
that
the controller 136 knows which heater is to be activated in order to produce
vapour
from a certain aerosol-generating liquid contained in one of the liquid
reservoirs
122 of the cartridge 140. In this way, when two types of cartridge 140 e.g.
comprise, among others, the same aerosol-generating liquid but have arranged
the liquid reservoir 122 containing said aerosol-generating liquid at
different
positions of the cartridge 140, the controller 136 will be aware of the true
position
of the aerosol-generating liquid and control the heaters accordingly, based on
at
least one program and/or heating profile.
The information from the cartridge 140 may be transmitted wirelessly from the
cartridge 140 to the electronic cigarette 100, e.g. by RFID or Bluetooth or
the like,
or a contact interface may be provided, by which the controller 136 is able to
determine the contents and/or positions of the aerosol-generating liquids
contained in the liquid reservoirs 122 of the cartridge 140.
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The information for the cartridge 140 may also be printed as a code segment on
a
part of the cartridge 140 such as on a surface of the cartridge 140. That code
segment may thus act as a data storage of the cartridge 140. The code segment
may be read by the electronic cigarette 100 electrically and/or optically,
i.e. by an
electric and/or optic reading device of the electronic cigarette 100.
Alternatively, the data storage on the cartridge may be in the form of a
memory,
configured to store a plurality of programs. The programs may include
different
combinations and sequences of the liquids in the cartridge. To this effect,
the main
body can be configured to select one of the programs included on the memory.
The cartridge may further comprise an indicia or a description of the programs
available on the cartridge to inform the user about the flavour
characteristics of the
program.
Hence, the data storage of the cartridge 140 may also comprise a complete
program for the controller 136 to follow. Thus, the controller 136 may be
configured to automatically select and follow a program from the data storage.
For
example, a specific cartridge 140 may be designed to offer the user a flavour
journey akin to a multi-course meal, with carefully blending and varying
vapour
compositions over time. A single program for such a flavour journey may be
stored
in the cartridge 140 and be automatically followed by the controller 136 of
the
electronic cigarette 100, or there may be a plurality of programs stored on
the
cartridge 140, from which the controller 136 will automatically select one
program
based on e.g. a preference of the user, a setting of the electronic cigarette
100 (for
example a desired time duration of the flavour journey indicated by the user
via the
user interface), a time of the day, a time in the circadian rhythm of the
user, a
prescribed drug dosage, sensor data and/or personal data, as will be explained
in
more detail in the following.
Information about the contents of the cartridge 140 may be displayed to the
user
via a display of the electronic cigarette 100 and/or, via the optional
interface
described in the foregoing, by a mobile device of the user, e.g. in an app of
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smartphone. The user is thus able to compose a personalized flavour program,
making selections from the aerosol-generating liquids available from a certain
type
of cartridge 140 which is, e.g., automatically determined or which the user
has
input into the electronic cigarette 100 by the user interface. Instead of a
single
cartridge 140, the electronic cigarette 100 may be configured to receive a
plurality
of cartridges 140, each providing information about its contents to the
controller
136 in one of the ways discussed in the foregoing.
Similarly, the electronic cigarette 100 may be configured to let the user,
e.g. using
the user interface, input what type of flavour program the user would like to
experience, for example by making a selection from flavours provided as
options
from a server. The user may then be informed, by a display of the electronic
cigarette 100 and/or by a mobile device connected to the electronic cigarette
100
by the interface, which cartridge the user would have to insert into the
electronic
cigarette 100 so that the electronic cigarette 100 is able to produce the
desired
flavour program.
The flavour program may also be set partially, or completely, automatically.
The
electronic cigarette 100 may comprise at least one sensor that is configured
to
sense an environment condition and/or a property or a state of the user, and
to
determine, or adjust, the program of the electronic cigarette 100 accordingly.
For example, a sensor and/or a determining routine of the controller 136 may
determine a circadian rhythm of a user and transmit data relating to said
rhythm to
the controller. The controller may then consult the memory 132 which may
comprise a database linking sections of the circadian rhythm to parameters of
vapour compositions. The database may be a general database for all users, or
may be personalized for one or more individual users.
The determining of the circadian rhythm may be aided and/or performed by the
determining routine running on the controller 136 which may keep track of time
and enable the user to provide information to help synchronise the controller
136
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to the user's circadian rhythm. The determining routine may be configured to
determine the circadian rhythm also based on the previous usage of the device
which may be determined and stored by the controller 136 within the memory
132.
The determining routine may also receive measurements and/or personal data
from a mobile device of the user, such as from a smart watch or a smart phone
and determine the circadian rhythm based on said measurements and/or personal
data. The personal data may include e.g. sleep patterns or patterns of other
activities of the user.
For example, a user may prefer vapour compositions that are perceived as
"mild"
after waking up in the morning, may prefer stronger tastes during the day and
may
prefer more balanced vapour compositions in the evening. The electronic
cigarette
100 may comprise a clock configured to provide the controller 136 with the
time of
the day, and the controller 136 may be configured to adapt the vapour
composition
of a program and/or to select a program based on the time of the day.
Combined with the sensor and/or routine for determining the circadian rhythm
of
the user, the electronic cigarette 100 may thus be able to always provide the
user
with the most desired vapour composition whenever the user activates the
electronic cigarette 100. For example, the flavour and/or smell sensitivity of
most
users varies over time, in particular with the circadian rhythm. A program may
be
configured such that the perceived flavour experience for a user is constant
over
time, e.g. by increasing a ratio of flavour-carrying aerosol-generating
liquids with
respect to flavourless or flavour-neutral aerosol-generating liquids when the
flavour and/or smell sensitivity of the user is comparatively lower, and to
reduce
said ratio when the sensitivity of the user is higher.
The electronic cigarette 100 may be configured to perform a test with a user
in
which it provides different flavour intensities to a user (preferably at
different times
of the day and/or different times with respect to the circadian rhythm of the
user)
and requires an input of the user characterizing the perceived strength of
flavour.
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The controller 136 may be configured to select and/or adapt a program stored
in
the memory 132 based on results of the test.
As another example, when the electronic cigarette 100 is used to administer a
drug with an unpleasant smell and/or taste, the vapour composition may be
configured such that that smell and/or taste is hidden from the user or
neutralized
by the vapour composition.
The internal clock and/or the sensor for determining the circadian rhythm may
also
be used to ensure, or facilitate, the prescription of a drug to a user
according to a
dosage regime. For example, the user may have a prescription for a
comparatively
lower dosage of the drug during the morning (and/or during a number of hours
after waking up) and a prescription for a comparatively higher dosage of the
drug
during the afternoon (and/or during a number of hours after the previous
period, or
before going to sleep). The electronic cigarette 100 may thus be employed as a
device for delivering a pre-set drug dosage over time to a user. The program
controlling the addition of the drug to the vapour composition may be put
together,
or approved, by a physician and may preferably be unalterable by the user.
The internal clock may also be configured to provide a current date, and the
program may comprise a program for weaning off of a drug in which the dosage
of
the drug is e.g. reduced every day. The corresponding program may be
configured
to compensate the reduced amount of the drug by a corresponding change in
another component of the vapour composition. For example, a reduced amount of
nicotine could be compensated by an increased amount of an aerosol-generating
liquid that has a tobacco flavour or that creates a sensation close to the
sensation
of smoking actual tobacco. Similarly, if a certain active ingredient produces
a
certain sensation for the user when inhaled, a reduced amount of said active
ingredient could be compensated by an increased amount of an aerosol-
generating liquid that produces the same sensation for the user. The user may
therefore have the impression that the drug content is not reduced at all.
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The electronic cigarette 100 may in some advantageous embodiments also
comprise a particle sensor such as a food molecule sensor. In this way, the
vapour
composition can automatically be set by the controller 136 based on e.g. a
previous consumption of a user and/or on a chemical balance (e.g.
acidic/basic)
within the mouth of the user. Preferably, the particle sensor is arranged at
the
mouthpiece 111 of the electronic cigarette 100 or at a connector for
connecting a
mouthpiece to the electronic cigarette 100. The particle sensor is preferably
arranged and configured to detect molecules in the saliva of the user, e.g.
using
molecularly imprinted polymers.
The corresponding settings may be stored in the memory 132 by the user
according to the user's preferences. For example, a user may prefer vapour
compositions with a cooling effect or a cooling sensation after having
consumed a
spicy meal. The particle sensor may be configured to detect capsaicin in the
user's
breath and/or saliva and select a "after spicy meal" program or to choose a
"after
spicy meal" setting within a program. Similarly, the taste and/or smell sense
of the
user may be dulled after a particularly flavour-intensive meal such that the
vapour
composition may have to be adapted to also include stronger flavours in order
to
counteract the effect.
The cartridge 140 may also comprise an aerosol-generating liquid acting as a
palate cleanser which helps the user to better sense flavours after it has
been
inhaled. The controller 136 may be configured to automatically add a heater
activation time for a heater arranged to heat the palate-cleansing aerosol-
generating liquid before all programs based on a sensor signal of the particle
sensor. Additionally, or alternatively, the memory 132 may comprise a special
palate-cleansing program that comprises a heater activation time for the
palate-
cleansing aerosol-generating liquid. The controller 136 may be configured to
automatically select the palate-cleansing program based on the sensor signal
of
the particle sensor and/or the user may be able to manually activate the
palate-
cleansing program.
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The particle sensor may also be configured to detect bad odours in the breath
or
mouth of the user, and to choose a vapour composition or a program to counter,
or
lessen, the detected bad odours specifically. Specifically, a vapour
composition set
according to other criteria (e.g. personal preference, time of the day and/or
contents of the cartridge 140 and the like) may be adapted to include, in
addition,
an agent designed to counteract the detected bad odour or odours in the breath
of
the user. Such an addition of a breath-improving agent to the vapour
composition
may be triggered by measuring a concentration of a specific chemical substance
over a predefined threshold, and may last until the measured concentration has
fallen below a threshold, which may be the same or different (in particular
lower)
than the first threshold.
A typical vaping session may start with the user inserting a cartridge 140
into the
electronic cigarette 100 fully and correctly (e.g. closing the electronic
cigarette 100
thereafter) such that the fluid transfer elements 120 can or will conduct the
aerosol-generating liquids from the cartridge 140 to the heaters of the
electronic
cigarette 100. The user then turns on the electronic cigarette 100 and places
the
mouthpiece on the user's lips.
The controller 136 may then apply a flavour selection algorithm to determine
an
initial program, i.e. an initial vapour composition and a temperature setting
to use.
The initial vapour composition may comprise only vapour from a single aerosol-
generating liquid but may also comprise vapours from a plurality, or even all
of, the
aerosol-generating liquids available from the cartridge 140.
During the course of the vaping session, the controller 136 may adjust the
vapour
composition by activating and/or deactivating different heaters and/or
controlling
the heaters to function at different vaping temperatures based on a chosen
flavour
program and/or on any of the inputs as has been described in the foregoing,
e.g.
based on sensor data and/or personal data about the user (circadian rhythm,
composition of the user's breath or saliva, time of the day, current date and
so on)
and/or data from the data storage of the cartridge 140. Of course, the user
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also be allowed to manually change some or all of the setting of the program
using
a user interface of the electronic cigarette 100.For instance, the user
control may
be used to skip over a flavor that the user does not like and advance to the
next
flavor. The memory 132 can register that the user did not like the sequence
and
remove it from the program.
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.
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.
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List of Drawing Signs
100 electronic cigarette
110 main body
111 mouthpiece portion
112 power source
120 conducting member
122 liquid reservoir
123 support
124 piercing member
130 control circuitry
132 memory
134 timer
136 controller
140 cartridge
142 sealing
143 housing
145 cartridge seating
146 vaporization chamber
147 vapor groove
148 airflow diverter
149a keyway
149b rail member
149c rail member
150 valve
150a rail member
150b keyway
151 channel
152 closing member
153 valve seat
154 connecting portion
155 vapor outlet portion
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160 regulating arrangement
170 user controls
171 rocker button
172 button
173 button
174 rotary dial
175 display
180 heater
180a capillary tube
180b absorbing portion
180c heating portion
1000 smoking system
38
