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(11) | EP 4 311 441 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | ATOMIZER AND ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE COMPRISING THE SAME |
| (57) An atomizer includes an e-liquid tank and a seal member. The e-liquid tank includes
an e-liquid chamber and the seal member seals the e-liquid chamber. The seal member
includes at least one e-liquid inlet unit including an elastic material that is penetrable
by a sharp object and is restorable to its original shape after the sharp object is
removed.
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[0002] An electronic cigarette is a device that heats an e-liquid to produce an aerosol; the electronic cigarette includes a cartomizer (cartridge atomizer), which is connected to a battery that powers a heating element to heat up the e-liquid. The e-liquid is atomized to create the aerosol, which is then released from an e-liquid tank and inhaled by a user.
[0003] A conventional electronic cigarette is pre-filled with an e-liquid from original manufacturers, and then is packaged and transported for sale elsewhere. Generally, the conventional electronic cigarette includes only one seal ring for sealing an e-liquid tank. No seals are arranged in the gaps between an atomizing core and an air pipe, resulting in e-liquid leakage due to bumpy roads and external shocks during transportation. Dust and humid air may get into the atomizing core and the air pipe when the electronic cigarette is not in use. As a result, the e-liquid deteriorates and ash or rust grows on the atomizing core, all of which are hazardous to human body while smoking.
[0004] In addition, a conventional e-liquid filling method is time-consuming because it involves disassembly and reassembly of the atomizer.
[0005] To solve the aforesaid problems, the first objective of the disclosure is to provide an atomizer.
[0006] The atomizer comprises an e-liquid tank and a seal member; the e-liquid tank comprises an e-liquid chamber and the seal member seals the e-liquid chamber; the seal member comprises at least one e-liquid inlet unit comprising an elastic material that is penetrable by a sharp object and is restorable to its original shape after the sharp object is removed.
[0008] In a class of this embodiment, the elastic material comprises rubber, silica gel, latex or plastic.
[0010] In a class of this embodiment, the e-liquid inlet unit of the seal member comprises a bottom wall comprising a groove for receiving the sharp object.
[0011] In a class of this embodiment, the e-liquid inlet unit has a thickness ranging from 1 mm to 3 mm.
[0012] In a class of this embodiment, the e-liquid inlet unit has a thickness ranging from 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.
[0013] In a class of this embodiment, the atomizer further comprises a heating core and a smoke pipe; the e-liquid tank comprises an opening functioning as a mouthpiece through which the vapor is inhaled; the smoke pipe is disposed in the e-liquid tank and comprises a first open end communicating with the mouthpiece.
[0014] In a class of this embodiment, the heating core is disposed in the smoke pipe and the smoke pipe comprises at least one e-liquid inlet; or the smoke pipe comprises a second open end away from the mouthpiece, and the heating core is disposed outside the second open end.
[0015] In a class of this embodiment, the seal member further comprises a top portion that is concaved to form a female connector; a residual area of the top portion slopes down to the female connector to form a sloped top surface; the female connector is opposite to the e-liquid chamber and is connected to the smoke pipe, so that the e-liquid inlet faces the sloped top surface.
[0016] In a class of this embodiment, the seal member further comprises a base and a boss; the boss protrudes from the base and comprises one end away from the base; the female connector and the sloped top surface are disposed on the one end of the boss; the base is inserted into the e-liquid chamber, so that an outer wall of the base abuts against the inner wall of the e-liquid tank.
[0017] In a class of this embodiment, the atomizer further comprises at least one partition; the at least one partition is disposed in and divides the e-liquid tank into a plurality of separate e-liquid chambers; each smoke pipe is disposed in a corresponding e-liquid chamber; the base comprises a plurality of bosses each corresponding to a separate e-liquid chamber; and each boss is inserted into the corresponding e-liquid chamber.
[0018] In a class of this embodiment, the seal member further comprises a first air inlet; each partition or smoke pipe comprises an air passage communicating with the first air inlet and the mouthpiece.
[0019] In a class of this embodiment, the air passage communicates with the first air inlet; or the seal member further comprises a second air inlet communicating with the air passage.
[0020] The second objective of the disclosure is to provide an electronic cigarette comprising the atomizer.
[0021] The following advantages are associated with the atomizer and the electronic cigarette of the disclosure: the atomizer comprises an e-liquid inlet unit made of an elastic material that allows the electronic cigarette to be filled with e-liquid after transport. The e-liquid is separated from the atomizing core and the air outlet, preventing e-liquid leakage during transportation and allowing users to fill the electronic cigarette with their preferred flavor of e-liquid. The e-liquid injection component reduces e-liquid waste while increasing sales.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of an atomizer according to one example of the disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a top view of a seal member according to one example of the disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a seal member according to one example of the disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken from line A-A in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a projection of an e-liquid chamber and an e-liquid inlet unit onto a bottom surface of a seal member according to one example of the disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a seal member with two smoke pipes according to one example of the disclosure;
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a seal member according to one example of the disclosure;
FIG. 8 shows other structures in FIG. 3;
FIG. 9 shows other structures in FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of an atomizer comprising only one e-liquid chamber according to one example of the disclosure; and
FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of an atomizer comprising two e-liquid chambers according to one example of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0023] To further illustrate the disclosure, embodiments detailing an atomizer and an electronic cigarette comprising the same are described below. It should be noted that the following embodiments are intended to describe and not to limit the disclosure.
[0024] Before a conventional electronic cigarette leaves its factory, it is pre-filled with an e-liquid only from original manufacturers, and then is packaged and transported for sale elsewhere. The conventional electronic cigarette generally includes only one seal ring for sealing an e-liquid tank. No seals are arranged in the gaps between an atomizing core and an air pipe, resulting in e-liquid leakage due to road bumps and external shocks during transportation. Dust and humid air may get into the atomizing core and the air pipe while user is not using the conventional electronic cigarette. As a result, the e-liquid deteriorates and ash rusts the atomizing core, all of which are hazardous to human body during smoking.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an atomizer comprises an e-liquid tank 11 and a seal member 30; the e-liquid tank 11 comprises an e-liquid chamber 12; the seal member 30 is used to seal the e-liquid chamber 12; the seal member 30 comprises at least one e-liquid inlet unit comprising an elastic material that is penetrable and capable of restoring its original shape after deformation.
[0026] The elastic material comprises rubber, silica gel, latex or plastic. The term "elastic material" as used herein refers to a material capable of restoring its original shape after deformation when the external forces are removed. The at least one e-liquid inlet unit 31 comprises rubber, silica gel, latex, plastic, or sponge. Preferably, the seal member 30 comprises rubber, silica gel or latex.
[0027] In certain examples, the at least one e-liquid inlet unit 31 is formed integrally with the seal member 30 and hence both comprise the same material, such as rubber, silica gel, latex, plastic, or sponge.
[0028] In certain examples, the at least one e-liquid inlet unit 31 is a film; preferably, the film is transparent so that users can observe whether the e-liquid is injected into the atomizer.
[0029] In certain examples, the seal member 30 has a thickness h1 ranging from 5 mm to 20 mm, such as 5 mm, 7 mm, 9 mm, 11 mm, 13 mm, 15 mm, 17 mm, 19 mm, and 20 mm. In an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the seal member 30 has a thickness ranging from 7.0 mm to 15 mm, such as 7 mm, 9 mm, 11 mm, 13 mm, and 15 mm.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seal member 30, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken from line A-A in FIG. 3. In certain examples, the e-liquid is injected through the at least one e-liquid inlet unit 31 without leaking out of the seal member; when the at least one e-liquid inlet unit 31 is too thick, it is unable to be pierced by a needle; when the at least one e-liquid inlet unit 31 is too thin, it is unable to go back to its original shape, causing e-liquid leakage. The e-liquid inlet unit 31 has a thickness h2 ranging from 1 mm to 3 mm, such as 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3.0 mm.
[0031] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the e-liquid inlet unit 31 has a thickness h2 ranging from 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, such as 1.5 mm, 1.7 mm, 1.9 mm, 2.1 mm, 2.3 mm, and 2.5 mm.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 7, in certain examples, the seal member 30 comprises a groove 32 for locating an injection site; the groove 32 comprises a bottom surface functioning as the e-liquid inlet unit 31; the groove 32 is in the shape of a blind hole and has a depth ranging from 6.0 mm - 7.0 mm, such as 3.0 mm, 6.5 mm, and 7.0 mm. The groove 32 facilitates aligning a needle with the e-liquid inlet unit, preventing e-liquid leakage.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, in certain examples, the atomizer further comprises at least one smoke pipe 322, and e-liquid inlet unit is opposite to the e-liquid chamber. A first projection H1 of the e-liquid inlet unit 31 in the direction of a longitudinal axis Y falls in a second projection H2 of the e-liquid chamber 12 in the direction of the longitudinal axis Y. The e-liquid chamber 12 is formed by the inner wall of the e-liquid chamber 11, the outer wall of at least one smoke pipe 322, and the top portion of the seal member 3, and is projected onto the bottom surface of the seal member to form a third projection H3. When the e-liquid is injected directly into the at least one smoke pipe, it may leak out of the e-liquid chamber.
[0034] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the seal member further comprises a top portion that is concaved to form at least one female connector 3220; a residual area of the top portion slopes down to the at least one female connector to form at least one sloped top surface; the at least one female connector is opposite to the e-liquid chamber and is connected to the smoke pipe 322, so that the at least one e-liquid inlet faces the sloped top surface.
[0035] The sloped top surface comprises a bottom edge opposite to the at least one e-liquid inlet 321, so that the e-liquid collects at the bottom edge and flows through the at least one e-liquid inlet 321, thereby improving the utilization of the e-liquid.
[0036] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the atomizer further comprises a heating core 320 disposed in the at least one smoke pipe 322 and used to heat the e-liquid; and the at least one smoke pipe 322 comprises at least one e-liquid inlet 321.
[0037] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the atomizer further comprises a heating core 320 disposed on one end of the at least one smoke pipe 322 that is away from a mouthpiece.
[0038] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the heating core 320 further comprises a heating element 326 and an e-liquid guide member 325. The heating element 326 is used to heat the e-liquid. The e-liquid in the e-liquid chamber 12 flows through the at least one e-liquid inlet 321 and the e-liquid guide chamber 325 successively, and is heated by the heating element 326. The heating element 326 is heated by electricity or electromagnetic induction. The heating element 326 is wrapped in or around the e-liquid guide member 325. The heating element 326 is in the shape of a wire, a mesh, a sheet, a needle, a rod, or a cup. The heating element 326 comprises metal or a carbonaceous material. The e-liquid guide chamber 325 comprises cotton, an e-liquid absorption material, a porous ceramic, or mica.
[0039] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the heating element 326 is disposed in or on the e-liquid guide chamber 325.
[0040] In certain examples, the cross section of the e-liquid inlet unit 31 is a geometric shape such as circle, square and trapezoid, preferably, circle. The circular cross section is easy to create, has a larger area than other shapes with the same perimeter, and provides better utilization of space than others.
[0041] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the e-liquid inlet unit 31 has a circular cross section and a diameter ϕ ranging from 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm, such as 1.0 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.6 mm, 1.8 mm, and 2.0 mm.
[0042] Understandably, the term "thickness h2" as used herein refers to an average thickness of the e-liquid inlet unit 31.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 8, in an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the seal member 30 comprises a base and a boss 33 disposed on the base; the boss 33 abuts against the inner wall of the e-liquid tank 11; at least one seal ring 331 is disposed between the boss 33 and the e-liquid tank 11 to improve the sealing effect of the seal member 30.
[0044] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the boss 33 is detachably connected to the e-liquid tank 11, which allows for an easy disassembly of the atomizer.
[0045] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, as shown in FIG. 8, the boss 33 protrudes from the base 332 and comprises one end away from the base; the at least one female connector and the at least one sloped top surface are disposed on the one end of the boss; the base is inserted into the e-liquid chamber, so that an outer wall of the base abuts against the inner wall of the e-liquid tank. The seal member 30 is an elastic member for sealing the e-liquid chamber.
[0046] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, a seal ring 331 is disposed between the boss 33 and the e-liquid tank 11 to improve the sealing effect of the seal member 30.
[0047] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the boss 33 comprises a side wall comprising an elastic fastener for easy assembly and disassembly of the atomizer.
[0048] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, as shown in FIG. 11, the seal member 30 further comprises a first air inlet 324; the atomizer comprises at least one partition 327; the at least one partition is disposed in the e-liquid tank to create the plurality of separate e-liquid chambers; each smoke pipe is disposed in a corresponding e-liquid chamber; each partition or smoke pipe comprises an air passage for communicating with the first air inlet and the mouthpiece. A microphone head is triggered in the mouthpiece whether the smoking pipe is blocked.
[0049] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the first air inlet 324 communicates with the air passage; optionally, the seal member further comprises a second air inlet 328 communicating with the air passage.
[0050] The second air inlet 328 allows more air to flow smoothly into the atomizer, facilitating the flow of the e-liquid.
[0051] To further illustrate the disclosure, embodiments detailing the atomizer and the electronic cigarette are described below.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 9, an atomizer comprises an e-liquid tank 11 and a seal member 30; the e-liquid tank 11 comprises an e-liquid chamber 12; the seal member 30 is used to seal the e-liquid chamber 12; the e-liquid tank 11 comprises an opening functioning as a mouthpiece 323; the atomizer further comprises at least one smoke pipe 322 disposed in the e-liquid tank; the at least one smoke pipe comprises a first open end communicating with the mouthpiece 323; the at least one smoke pipe 322 comprises at least one e-liquid inlet 321; the seal member 30 is disposed between the at least one smoke pipe 322 and the e-liquid tank 11 to seal the e-liquid chamber 12; the seal member 30 comprises at least one e-liquid inlet unit 31.
[0054] The heating core 320 is disposed in the at least one smoke pipe 322 and the at least one e-liquid inlet 321 is disposed on the at least one smoke pipe 322; or the at least one smoke pipe comprises a second open end away from the mouthpiece, and the heating core is disposed outside the second open end. The heating core comprises a hollow ceramic core and a helix heating wire disposed in the hollow ceramic core; the hollow ceramic core functions as an e-liquid guide member 325; and the helix heating wire functions as a heating element 326. In use, by using a needle, the e-liquid is injected through the e-liquid inlet unit 31 into the e-liquid chamber 12, flows through the at least one e-liquid inlet 321 and the e-liquid guide member 325 successively, and is heated by the heating element 326; the e-liquid evaporates to a vapor state and inhaled through the mouthpiece 323 by the user.
[0055] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the atomizer comprises one or more e-liquid chambers 12, and are described below.
[0056] In certain examples, the e-liquid tank comprises a plurality of separate e-liquid chambers; the atomizer further comprises at least one partition; the at least one partition is disposed in the e-liquid tank to create the plurality of separate e-liquid chambers; each smoke pipe is disposed in a corresponding e-liquid chamber; the base comprises a plurality of bosses each corresponding to a separate e-liquid chamber; and each boss is inserted into the corresponding e-liquid chamber.
Example 1
[0057] As shown in FIG. 10, the atomizer comprises an e-liquid tank 11 and a seal member 30; only one e-liquid chamber 12 is formed in the e-liquid tank 11; the seal member 30 comprises an e-liquid inlet unit 31 opposite to the e-liquid chamber 12; the e-liquid chamber 12 is formed by the e-liquid tank 11 and a smoke pipe 322; the e-liquid inlet unit 31 is disposed on a projection of the e-liquid chamber onto a bottom part of the seal member.
Example 2
[0058] A second example of the atomizer is illustrated and similar to Example 1, except for the following specific differences: a partition 327 is disposed in the e-liquid tank 11 to create two separate e-liquid chambers 12 that is parallel to the at least one smoke pipe; one or two types of e-liquid are injected into the two separate e-liquid chambers to meet consumer taste.
[0059] Understandably, the number of the e-liquid chamber increases with increases in the partition 327 (not shown in figures), and hence is not described in greater detail herein.
[0062] The following advantages are associated with the atomizer and the electronic cigarette of the disclosure: the atomizer comprises an e-liquid inlet unit made of an elastic material that allows the electronic cigarette to be filled with e-liquid after transport. The e-liquid is separated from the atomizing core and the air outlet, preventing e-liquid leakage during transportation and allowing users to fill the electronic cigarette with their preferred flavor of e-liquid. The e-liquid injection component reduces e-liquid waste while increasing sale.
1. An atomizer, comprising: an e-liquid tank and a seal member; wherein the e-liquid
tank comprises an e-liquid chamber and the seal member seals the e-liquid chamber;
the seal member comprises at least one e-liquid inlet unit comprising an elastic material
that is penetrable by a sharp object and is restorable to its original shape after
the sharp object is removed.
2. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the at least one e-liquid inlet unit is a film.
3. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the elastic material comprises rubber, silica gel,
latex, or plastic.
4. The atomizer of claim 3, wherein the e-liquid inlet unit is opposite to the e-liquid
chamber.
5. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the e-liquid inlet unit of the seal member comprises
a bottom wall comprising a groove for receiving the sharp object.
6. The atomizer of claim 2, wherein the e-liquid inlet unit has a thickness ranging from
1 mm to 3 mm.
7. The atomizer of claim 6, wherein the e-liquid inlet unit has a thickness ranging from
1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.
8. The atomizer of claim 1, wherein
the atomizer further comprises a heating core and a smoke pipe; the e-liquid tank comprises an opening functioning as a mouthpiece through which the vapor is inhaled; the smoke pipe is disposed in the e-liquid tank and comprises a first open end communicating with the mouthpiece; and
the heating core is disposed in the smoke pipe and the smoke pipe comprises at least one e-liquid inlet; or the smoke pipe comprises a second open end away from the mouthpiece, and the heating core is disposed outside the second open end.
9. The atomizer of claim 8, wherein the seal member further comprises a top portion that
is concaved to form a female connector; a residual area of the top portion slopes
down to the female connector to form a sloped top surface; the female connector is
opposite to the e-liquid chamber and is connected to the smoke pipe, so that the e-liquid
inlet faces the sloped top surface.
10. The atomizer of claim 9, wherein the seal member further comprises a base and a boss;
the boss protrudes from the base and comprises one end away from the base; the female
connector and the sloped top surface are disposed on the one end of the boss; the
base is inserted into the e-liquid chamber, so that an outer wall of the base abuts
against the inner wall of the e-liquid tank.
11. The atomizer of claim 10, wherein the atomizer further comprises at least one partition;
the at least one partition is disposed in and divides the e-liquid tank into a plurality
of separate e-liquid chambers; each smoke pipe is disposed in a corresponding e-liquid
chamber; the base comprises a plurality of bosses each corresponding to a separate
e-liquid chamber; and each boss is inserted into the corresponding e-liquid chamber.
12. The atomizer of claim 11, wherein the seal member further comprises a first air inlet;
each partition or smoke pipe comprises an air passage communicating with the first
air inlet and the mouthpiece.
13. The atomizer of claim 12, wherein the air passage communicates with the first air
inlet; or the seal member further comprises a second air inlet communicating with
the air passage.
14. An electronic cigarette, comprising the atomizer of any one of claims 1-13.