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`US008528569B 1
`
`c12) United States Patent
`
`Newton
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,528,569 Bl
`Sep. 10, 2013
`
`2009/0095311 Al
`2010/0031967 Al
`2012/0111347 Al*
`
`4/2009 Han
`2/2010 Inagaki
`5/2012 Hon
`
`131/329
`
`CN
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`201379072 Y * 1/2010
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner - Richard Crispino
`Assistant Examiner - Eric Yaary
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm -Dan Brown Law Office;
`Daniel R. Brown
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An electronic cigarette including an elongated housing that
`has a mouthpiece with an aerosol outlet, and an atomizer
`disposed within an atomizing chamber. The atomizer selec(cid:173)
`tively generates an aerosol of the liquid in response to suction
`pressure at the aerosol outlet. The atomizing chamber has an
`air inlet, an atomizer outlet coupled to the aerosol outlet, and
`a first wick aperture. A liquid reservoir is disposed within the
`elongated housing, which is sealably separated from the
`atomizing chamber. A wick disposed through the first wick
`aperture between the liquid reservoir and the atomizing
`chamber and it is configured to transfer the liquid by capil(cid:173)
`larity from the liquid reservoir to the atomizer.
`
`17 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`(54) ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE WITH LIQUID
`RESERVOIR
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Kyle D. Newton, Colleyville, TX (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 296 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/157,024
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun. 28, 2011
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A24F 1122
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ....... 131/194; 131/270; 131/273; 128/202.21
`( 58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ............ 131/194, 273, 328-329; 128/200.14,
`128/202.21
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`7,726,320 B2
`6/2010 Robinson et al.
`2005/0016550 Al
`1/2005 Katase
`9/2006 Hon
`2006/0196518 Al
`11/2007 Hon
`2007 /0267031 Al
`
`46
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1007.001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.10,2013
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
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`US 8,528,569 Bl
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`4
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`12
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`14
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`Fig. 1
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`NJOY Exhibit 1007.002
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.10,2013
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
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`US 8,528,569 Bl
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`(ff£)(-45
`Fig.2c ~
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`4
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`
`Fig. 3b
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`Fig. 3a
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`10
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`6
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`NJOY Exhibit 1007.003
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Sep.10,2013
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`Sheet 3 of 7
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`US 8,528,569 Bl
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`Fig. 4c
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`Fig. 4b
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`20
`
`10
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`26
`20
`
`10
`
`Fig. 5b
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`Fig. Sa
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`NJOY Exhibit 1007.004
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.10,2013
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
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`US 8,528,569 Bl
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`60
`
`Battery
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`62~-
`
`70
`
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`- - - - - - - - -1 Circuit
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`Pressure
`Sensor
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`66
`68
`
`72
`
`Amber
`
`Fig. 6
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`NJOY Exhibit 1007.005
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Sep.10,2013
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
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`US 8,528,569 Bl
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`46
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`& 0
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`0
`o.
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`46
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`Fig. 7
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`12
`
`36
`
`38
`
`39
`
`26
`
`--14
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1007.006
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.10,2013
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`Sheet 6 of 7
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`US 8,528,569 Bl
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`~4
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`
`36
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`38
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`Fig. 9
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`Fig.10
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`NJOY Exhibit 1007.007
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Sep.10,2013
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`Sheet 7 of 7
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`US 8,528,569 Bl
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`Fig. 13c
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`36
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`42
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`38
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`40
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`Fig. 12c
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`40
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`Fig. 12b
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`40
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`40
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`Fig. 13b
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`Fig. 12a
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`24
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`5
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`4
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`12
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`5
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`Fig. 11c
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`14
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`27
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`Fig. 11a
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`NJOY Exhibit 1007.008
`
`

`

`US 8,528,569 B 1
`
`1
`ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE WITH LIQUID
`RESERVOIR
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`is coupled to the atomizing chamber air inlet by a conduit. In
`a further refinement, the conduit sealably passes through the
`liquid reservoir.
`In a specific embodiment of the foregoing apparatus, the
`atomizer outlet and the aerosol outlet are coupled together by
`a chinmey. In a refinement to this embodiment, the chinmey
`sealably passes through the liquid reservoir.
`In a specific embodiment of the foregoing apparatus, the
`atomizer is a resistive heating element. In a refinement to this
`embodiment, the wick is partially engages the resistive heat(cid:173)
`ing element.
`In a specific embodiment of the foregoing apparatus, the
`atomizer has a tubular form defining an open central passage.
`15 In a refinement to this embodiment, the wick passes through
`the open central passage.
`In a specific embodiment of the foregoing apparatus, the
`atomizing chamber further includes a second wick aperture,
`and the apparatus is arranged such that a first end of the wick
`20 passes through the first wick aperture and a second end of the
`wick passes through the second wick aperture.
`In a specific embodiment of the foregoing apparatus, the
`wick is fabricated as a bundle of heat resistant fibers. In a
`refinement to this embodiment, the bundle of heat resistant
`25 fibers is fiberglass. In another refinement to this embodiment,
`the bundle of heat resistant fibers is fabricated from a material
`selected from; aramid, fluorocarbon, sulfide, melamine, poly(cid:173)
`imide, carbon, and glass.
`In a specific embodiment of the foregoing apparatus, the
`liquid reservoir is formed as an annular cavity between the
`interior of the elongated housing and the atomizing chamber.
`In another specific embodiment of the foregoing apparatus,
`the liquid reservoir includes an external access opening, for
`enabling addition of liquid into the liquid reservoir. In a
`refinement to this embodiment, the external access opening is
`a removable mouthpiece.
`
`10
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to electronic cigarettes. More
`specifically, the present invention relates to an electronic
`cigarette with an internal liquid reservoir.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Electronic cigarettes have become increasingly popular in
`recent times. Electronic cigarettes emulate a tobacco ciga(cid:173)
`rettes, but without the combustion of tobacco during use.
`Rather than burning tobacco, a liquid is atomized within the
`electronic cigarette, which emulates the smoke produced in a
`tobacco cigarette. The liquid may contain flavoring agents
`such as tobacco flavor, menthol, and others, to enhance the
`"smoking" experience of the electronic cigarette. Nicotine
`has been added to the atomization liquid in prior art electronic
`cigarettes. In certain prior art electronic cigarettes, a reserve
`of liquid is stored within the cigarette housing in a porous
`material, which is placed into contact with an atomizing
`assembly such that the liquid can be gradually transferred to
`the atomizing assembly during consumption. A replaceable
`cartridge with a liquid soaked porous material has been pro(cid:173)
`vided to enable consumers to replenish the supply ofliquid as
`it is depleted during use by replacing the cartridge. It should
`be appreciated that the structural and electrical components in
`an electronic cigarette are durable and outlast, by a long 30
`measure, the period of consumption for the quantity ofliquid
`provided in such a porous reservoir.
`Consumers of electronic cigarettes are experienced at
`replacing the liquid reservoir cartridges as the liquid is 35
`depleted during consumption. In fact, it is common for con(cid:173)
`sumers to carry spare cartridges so that they are readily avail(cid:173)
`able in the event their current cartridge becomes depleted. In
`fact, this arrangement can become somewhat tedious after a
`period of use, and there is a general desire on the marketplace 40
`to extend the duration of use between cartridge changes, or
`even the elimination of the need to ever change cartridges.
`Thus is can be appreciated that there is a need in the art for an
`apparatus for increasing the quantity of liquid stored within
`an electronic cigarette and other means to reduce the fre- 45
`quency of replacing or adding additional liquid during use.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The need in the art is addressed by the apparatus of the 50
`present invention. The present invention teaches an electronic
`cigarette apparatus including an elongated housing that has a
`mouthpiece with an aerosol outlet, and an atomizer disposed
`within an atomizing chamber. The atomizer selectively gen(cid:173)
`erates an aerosol of the liquid in response to suction pressure 55
`at the aerosol outlet. The atomizing chamber has an air inlet,
`an atomizer outlet coupled to the aerosol outlet, and a first
`wick aperture. A liquid reservoir is disposed within the elon(cid:173)
`gated housing, which is sealably separated from the atomiz-
`ing chamber. A wick disposed through the first wick aperture 60
`between the liquid reservoir and the atomizing chamber and it
`is configured to transfer the liquid by capillarity from the
`liquid reservoir to the atomizer.
`In a specific embodiment, the foregoing apparatus further
`includes an inlet vent formed on the exterior of the elongated 65
`housing that is coupled to deliver air to the atomizing cham-
`ber air inlet. In a refinement to this embodiment, the inlet vent
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view drawing of an electronic ciga(cid:173)
`rette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c are a tip end view, a side view, and
`mouthpiece end view, respectively, drawings of an electronic
`cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIGS. 3a and 3b are side view drawings, respectively, of a
`cartridge portion and a power supply portion of an electronic
`cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c are tip end view, side section view, and
`mouthpiece end view, respectively, drawings of an electronic
`cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIGS. Sa and Sb are side section view drawings, respec(cid:173)
`tively, of a cartridge portion and a power supply portion of an
`electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram an electronic cigarette
`according to an illustrative embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`FIG. 7 is a detailed side section view drawing of a liquid
`reservoir cartridge according to an illustrative embodiment of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 8 is an exploded view drawing of a liquid reservoir
`cartridge according to an illustrative embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1007.009
`
`

`

`US 8,528,569 B 1
`
`3
`FIG. 9 is a partially exploded section view drawing of a
`liquid reservoir cartridge according to an illustrative embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 10 is a section view drawing of a liquid reservoir
`cartridge according to an illustrative embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIGS. Ha, llb. llc, and lld are a first end view, a first side
`section view, a second end view, and a second side section
`view drawing, respectively, of an atomizing assembly accord(cid:173)
`ing to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
`FIGS. 12a, 12b, and 12c are a first end view, a side section
`view, and a second end view drawing, respectively, of an
`atomizing chamber according to an illustrative embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FIGS. 13a, 13b, and 13c are a first end view, a side section
`view, and a second end view drawing, respectively, of a
`mouthpiece housing according to an illustrative embodiment
`of the present invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`Illustrative embodiments and exemplary applications will
`now be described with reference to the accompanying draw(cid:173)
`ings to disclose the advantageous teachings of the present
`invention.
`While the present invention is described herein with refer(cid:173)
`ence to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it
`should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto.
`Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teach(cid:173)
`ings provided herein will recognize additional modifications,
`applications, and embodiments within the scope hereof and
`additional fields in which the present invention would be of
`significant utility.
`In considering the detailed embodiments of the present
`invention, it will be observed that the present invention
`resides primarily in combinations of steps to accomplish vari(cid:173)
`ous methods or components to form various apparatus and
`systems. Accordingly, the apparatus and system components
`and method steps have been represented where appropriate by
`conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those
`specific details that are pertinent to understanding the present
`invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that
`will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
`having the benefit of the disclosures contained herein.
`In this disclosure, relational terms such as first and second, 45
`top and bottom, upper and lower, and the like may be used
`solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity
`or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual
`such relationship or order between such entities or actions.
`The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation
`thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such
`that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a
`list of elements does not include only those elements but may
`include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such
`process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded
`by "comprises a" does not, without more constraints, pre(cid:173)
`clude the existence of additional identical elements in the
`process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the ele(cid:173)
`ment.
`The present invention advances the art of electronic ciga(cid:173)
`rettes by teaching an electronic cigarette that provides a liquid
`reservoir, which effectively delivers liquid at the requisite
`rates from the reservoir to an atomizer in a open atomizing
`chamber. This arrangement enables production of aerosol of
`the liquid at desired rates of atomization without excessive
`liquid transfer during periods of non-use. This function is
`enabled though utilization of a wick aperture through the
`
`4
`atomizing chamber and a wick disposed between the liquid
`reservoir and the atomizer. The wick enables the transfer of
`liquid by capillarity in a controlled manner without flooding
`the open atomization chamber.
`Reference is directed to FIG. 1 is a perspective view draw(cid:173)
`ing of an electronic cigarette 2 according to an illustrative
`embodiment of the present invention. The electronic cigarette
`2 comprises a housing having a first elongated portion 10 and
`a second elongated portion 12. The second elongated portion
`10 12, also referred to as the "cartridge" in certain illustrative
`embodiments, comprises a mouthpiece end 4, which has an
`aerosol outlet (not shown) for drawing air through the car(cid:173)
`tridge 12. The first elongated portion 10 and the second elon(cid:173)
`gated portion 12 are removable joined together with a
`15 mechanical coupler 14. One or more air inlet vents 16 are
`provided about the coupler 14 for allowing airflow into the
`cartridge 12 when the user draws air through the electronic
`cigarette 2. The first elongated portion 10 comprises a tip end
`6, which in the illustrative embodiment, is fabricated from a
`20 translucent material enabling the transmission oflight there(cid:173)
`through. Within the second elongated portion 12 is disposed
`a liquid reservoir (not fully shown). The liquid reservoir
`includes a clear or translucent window 13 to the exterior of the
`housing 12 for visually determining the liquid level 15 within
`25 the liquid reservoir.
`Now, considering FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c, these are a tip end
`view, a side view, and mouthpiece end view, respectively,
`drawing of an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative
`embodiment of the present invention. Note that the first elon-
`30 gated portion 10 and second elongated portion 12 combine at
`coupler 14 to present a complete electronic cigarette 2 that
`closely resembles a tobacco cigarette. The cartridge 12 is
`fabricated with a finished material resembling the filter of a
`tobacco cigarette, and the first elongated portion 10 is fabri-
`35 cated to resemble the tobacco roll of a tobacco cigarette. As
`noted above, the cartridge 12 includes a window 13 for visu(cid:173)
`ally determining the liquid level of the internal liquid reser(cid:173)
`voir (not shown). The mouthpiece end 4 includes an aerosol
`outlet opening 5, for drawing air and aerosol out of the car-
`40 tridge 12. Air is inlet to the electronic cigarette 2 at the vent
`openings 16 located at the coupler 14. The air inlet openings
`16 can be located elsewhere on the electronic cigarette 2, and
`is a matter of design choice. In the illustrative embodiment,
`the tip end 6 is a translucent gray material resembling an ash.
`Reference is directed to FIGS. 3a and 3b, which are side
`view drawings, respectively, of a cartridge portion 12 and a
`power supply portion 10 of an electronic cigarette according
`to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. A
`threaded extension 20 on the power supply portion 10 of the
`50 housing threadably engages the mechanical coupler 14 on the
`cartridge portion 12. In addition, as will be described more
`fully hereinafter, an electrical connection is also facilitated in
`the connection between the threaded extension 20 and the
`mechanical coupler 14. The cartridge portion 12 can thusly be
`55 installed, uninstalled, and replaced as needed. The cartridge
`portion contains the liquid reservoir and the window 13 pro(cid:173)
`vides the visual cue as to the liquid remaining. The tip end 4
`can be removed in certain illustrative embodiments to facili(cid:173)
`tate the addition ofliquid to the reservoir. The tip end 6 glow
`60 by light of an internal amber LED in response to suction
`pressure at the aerosol outlet 5.
`Reference is directed to FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c, which are tip
`end view, side section view, and mouthpiece end view, respec(cid:173)
`tively, drawings of an electronic cigarette according to an
`65 illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Reference is
`additionally directed to FIGS. Sa and Sb, which are side
`section view drawings, respectively, of a cartridge portion and
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1007.010
`
`

`

`US 8,528,569 B 1
`
`5
`a power supply portion of an electronic cigarette correspond
`to this illustrative embodiment. FIGS. 4 and 5 correspond to
`the same illustrative embodiment and provide details of the
`internal structures of the illustrative embodiment. The tip end
`4 is a resilient insert that engages the interior of the cartridge
`housing 12 and provides the aerosol outlet 5, which is a
`passage formed therethrough. Within the cartridge housing
`12 is an atomizing chamber 38 that has an open chinmey 36
`extending to the aerosol outlet 5. The chinmey 36 is located
`within the cartridge housing by a resilient seal 42. The annual 10
`space formed between the interior of the cartridge housing 12
`and the chinmey 36 defines the liquid reservoir 43. At the
`upper end, resilient seal 42 closes and seals the liquid reser(cid:173)
`voir 43. The lower end of the reservoir 43 engages the atom(cid:173)
`izer assembly 28, which will be more fully described herein- 15
`after.
`In FIGS. 4 and 5, the atomizer assembly 28 include the
`atomizer 32, which is disposed within the atomizer chamber
`38. In addition, the atomizer assembly 28 comprises the
`mechanical coupler 14 that engages the threaded extension 20 20
`of the power supply portion 10. Within the mechanical cou(cid:173)
`pler 14, and also a part of the atomizer assembly 28, is an
`electrical coupler 22 that has an air inlet port 26 formed
`therethrough, which is pneumatically coupled into the atom(cid:173)
`izing chamber 38. Thusly, the pathway for the flow of fresh air 25
`in and aerosol out includes air drawn through the mechanical
`coupler 14, through the air inlet port 26, to the atomizer 32
`within the atomizing chamber 38, up the chinmey 36 and out
`the aerosol outlet 5.
`In FIGS. 4 and 5, the power supply portion 10 of the 30
`housing has a threaded extension 20 that engages the
`mechanical coupler 14. There is also a corresponding electri-
`cal connection such that the power supply portion 10 can
`deliver electric current to the atomizer 32 to facilitate genera(cid:173)
`tion of aerosol. Two conductors are provided, including the 35
`outer mechanical connection and the central pneumatic/elec-
`tric connection. Suitable milling for air-flow channels is pro(cid:173)
`vided to facilitate solid mechanical, conductive electrical, and
`pneumatic connections. In the illustrative embodiment,
`power is derived from a storage battery 11. A pressure sensor 40
`48 detects negative pressure within the housing 10 and ener(cid:173)
`gizes the atomizer. The pressure sensor 46 is located by a
`pressure seal 50. A draw circuit 52 provides the electrical
`operation functions. In addition, and amber LED 54 is dis(cid:173)
`posed to illuminate through the translucent tip 6 to emulate 45
`burning ash while the draw pressure sensor 48 detects nega(cid:173)
`tive pressure.
`Reference is directed to FIG. 6, which is a functional block
`diagram an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative
`embodiment of the present invention. This diagram presents 50
`the electrical functions of the electronic cigarette. The battery
`60 provides power to a draw circuit 70. A pressure sensor 68
`is disposed within the cigarette housing 68. When negative
`pressure is detected, the draw circuit 70 delivers electric
`power to the atomizer 64 and the amber LED 72. This action 55
`causes aerosol to be produced in the presence of the negative
`pressure, and the tip of the electronic cigarette to glow amber
`so long as the negative pressure continues. The atomizer 64 is
`eclectically coupled to the circuit through electrical coupler
`62.
`Reference is directed to FIG. 7, which is a detailed side
`section view drawing of a liquid reservoir cartridge according
`to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. This
`drawing provides further details into the structure and opera(cid:173)
`tion of the liquid reservoir cartridge assembly. The cartridge
`comprises an outer housing 12 that is closed at the upper end
`by the tip end resilient insert 4, which has the aerosol port 5
`
`6
`formed therethrough. The lower end of the housing 12 is
`closed with the atomizer assembly 28, which has the
`mechanical coupler 14 at the extreme end. Plural air inlet
`vents 16 are formed though the mechanical coupler so that
`fresh air can enter while it is secured to the power supply
`housing. Within the cartridge housing 12 is the atomizing
`chamber 38 that is pneumatically coupled to the chinmey 36,
`which is aligned with the aerosol outlet 5. The chinmey 36 is
`located and sealed at the upper end by resilient seal 42. The
`annual space 43 between the chinmey 36 and the interior of
`the housing 12 defines the liquid reservoir 43. Note that there
`is a thinner annually cavity 39 formed between the exterior of
`the atomizing chamber 38 and interior of the cartridge hous(cid:173)
`ing 12. The fluid 44 is stored in the fluid reservoir 43, and is
`also capable of flowing into the annular cavity 39 to saturate
`wick 37.
`In FIG. 7, the atomizing assembly 28 is comprised of
`several components. The atomizer 32 is a coiled nickel-chro(cid:173)
`mium heater through which the wick 37 passes. The wick 37
`passes through wick apertures in the atomizing chamber (not
`shown) on its two end, and into the annular cavity 39. The
`atomizer assembly 28 is machined from a suitable metal and
`includes the mechanical couple 14, the electrical coupler 22,
`which is supported by an insulative support 24, and which has
`the air inlet port 26 formed therethrough. During operation,
`when there is a negative pressure imposed on the system by
`drawing air out of the aerosol outlet 5, and while electric
`current is delivered to the atomizer 36, air enters the air inlet
`port 26 and carries aerosol of the liquid 46 away from the
`atomizer 32, up the chinmey 36 and out the aerosol outlet 5.
`As the liquid in the wick 37 is depleted by the atomizer 32,
`capillary action draws additional liquid from the liquid res(cid:173)
`ervoir 43, through the cavity 39 and to the atomizer 32.
`Reference is directed to FIG. 8, which is an exploded view
`drawing of an atomizer 28, atomizing chamber 38, chinmey
`36 and resilient seal 42 according to an illustrative embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention. In the illustrative embodiment,
`the atomizing chamber 38 and chinmey 36 are formed as a
`single unit. The resilient seal 42 is a donut shaped polymeric
`material that is pressed onto the upper end of the chinmey 3 6.
`The atomizing chamber 38 includes a pair of opposing wick
`apertures 40 formed therein, which provide clearance for the
`wick 3 7 to pass into the atomizing chamber 38. The atomizing
`assembly 28 includes the mechanical coupler 14 at its lower
`end and the atomizer 32 at its upper end. The wick 37 passes
`through the center of the atomizer 32. The atomizing assem-
`bly has a pair of semicircular recesses 30 formed therein
`which align cooperatively with the wick apertures 40 in the
`atomizing chamber when the two units are engaged. This
`results in a circular aperture through which the wick 37 passes
`with a slightly compressive fit. This arrangement enables
`liquid to pass through by capillarity of the wick 37, but
`prevents the liquid from flooding the atomizing chamber 38,
`which would be detrimental or atomizer function.
`Reference is directed to FIG. 9, which is a partially
`exploded side section view drawing, and to FIG. 10, which is
`an assembled side section view drawing, of a liquid reservoir
`cartridge according to an illustrative embodiment of the
`present invention. The wick 37 passes through the atomizer
`60 32 and extends to the outer periphery of the atomizer assem(cid:173)
`bly 28. The atomizing chamber 38 is engaged with the atom(cid:173)
`izing assembly 28, thereby perfecting the wick aperture 40 as
`described hereinbefore, and enclosing the atomizing chamber
`38. The resilient seal 42 is disposed between the exterior of
`65 the chinmey 36 and the interior of the housing 12, thereby
`sealing the upper end of the fluid reservoir 43. The tip end
`resilient insert 4, with the aerosol outlet port 5, closes the
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1007.011
`
`

`

`US 8,528,569 B 1
`
`15
`
`7
`upper end of the cartridge housing 12, and the chimney 36 is
`thereby aligned and sealed to the aerosol outlet 5. The housing
`12 is engaged with the atomizer assembly 28, which urges the
`ends of the wick 37 downwardly and constrains them within
`the annular cavity 39 formed between the interior of the
`housing 12 and the exterior of the atomizing chamber 38. The
`wick 37 i~ thusly enabled to absorb the liquid (not shown).
`The atomizer 32 has a first end electrically coupled to the
`atomizer assembly body 28 and a second end electrically
`coupled to the electrical coupler 22. The electrical circuit is 10
`completed when the cartridge is engaged with the power
`supply portion, discussed hereinbefore. The atomizing cham-
`?er 38 is thusly sealed but for the entry of fresh air through air
`mlet port 26 and the exit of air and aerosol up chimney 36 and
`out aerosol outlet 5.
`~eference is directed to FIGS. lla, llb. llc, and lld,
`which are a first end view, a first side section view a second
`~nd view, and a ~e~ond side section view drawin~, respec(cid:173)
`tively, of an atom1zmg assembly 28 according to an illustra(cid:173)
`tive embodiment of the present invention. The assembly is 20
`?ased ?n a metal body 28 that has a electrical coupler 22
`msulatJvely supported 24 therein. The electrical coupler 22
`has an air inlet port formed therethrough. The electrical cou(cid:173)
`pler has a pair of air recesses 27 machined on its face so that
`an air channel is created when the cartridge is engaged with 25
`the power supply portion of the electronic cigarette. In this
`manner, the air path is from the exterior, through the air inlet
`vents 16, through the air recesses 27, through the air inlet port
`26 of the electrical coupler and u to the atomizer 32. The wick
`37 is positioned through the central cavity of the atomizer 32 30
`and extends through the pair of semicircular recesses 30 in the
`body 28. The wick is a fibrous bundle, which is formed from
`a temperature resistant material, and may be selected from
`amongst aramid, fluorocarbon, sulfide, melamine, polyimide,
`carbon, and glass fibers. Or, from another suitable materials 35
`known to those skilled in the art.
`Reference is directed to FIGS.12a, 12b, and 12c, which are
`a first end view, a side section view, and a second end view
`drawing, respectively, of an atomizing chamber 38 and chim(cid:173)
`ney 6 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present 40
`invention. In the illustrative embodiment, the atomizing
`chamber 38 and chimney 36 are formed as a single unit. The
`atomizing chamber 38 and the chimney 36 are cylindrical in
`form. The resilient seal 42 is a donut shaped polymeric mate-
`rial that is pressed onto the upper end of the chimney 36. The 45
`atomizing chamber 38 includes a pair of opposing wick aper(cid:173)
`tures 40 formed therein, which provide clearance for the wick
`(not shown) to pass into the atomizing chamber 38.
`Reference is directed to FIGS. 13a, 13b, and 13c, which are
`a first end view, a side section view, and a second end view 50
`drawing, respectively, of a mouthpiece housing 12 according
`to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The
`housing 12 is a cylindrical plastic tube in the illustrative
`embodiment. The plastic is transparent or translucent to
`facilitate visual inspection of the liquid content. The tip end 55
`resilient insert 4, with the aerosol outlet port 5, closes the
`upper end of the cartridge housing 12.
`Thus, the present invention has been described herein with
`r~ference to a particular embodiment for a particular applica(cid:173)
`tion. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the 60
`present teachings will recognize additional modifications
`applications and embodiments within the scope thereof.
`'
`
`8
`It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any
`and all such applications, modifications and embodiments
`within the scope of the present invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. An electronic cigarette apparatus, comprising:
`an elongated housing having a mouthpiece with an aerosol
`outlet;
`an atomizer disposed within an atomizing chamber, and
`operable to selectively generate an aerosol of the liquid
`in response to suction pressure at said aerosol outlet;
`said atomizing chamber having an air inlet, an atomizer
`outlet coupled to said aerosol outlet, and a first wick
`aperture;
`a liquid reservoir disposed within said elongated housing
`and sealably separated from said atomizing chamber
`and
`'
`a wick disposed through said first wick aperture between
`said liquid reservoir and said atomizing chamber and
`configured to transfer the liquid by capillarity from said
`liquid reservoir to said atomizer.
`2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
`an inlet vent formed on the exterior of said elongated
`housing and coupled to deliver air to said atomizing
`chamber air inlet.
`3. The apparatus of claim 2, and wherein said inlet vent is
`coupled to said atomizing chamber air inlet by a conduit.
`4. The apparatus of claim 3, and wherein said conduit
`sealably passes through said liquid reservoir.
`5. The apparatus of claim 1, and wherein said atomizer
`outlet and said aerosol outlet are coupled by a chimney.
`6. The apparatus of claim 5, and wherein said chimney
`sealably passes through said liquid reservoir.
`7. The apparatus of claim 1, and wherein said atomizer is a
`resistive heating element.
`8. The apparatus of claim 7, and wherein said wick is
`partially engages said resistive heating element.
`9. The apparatus of claim 1, and wherein said atomizer has
`a tubular form defining an open central passage.
`10. The apparatus of claim 9, and wherein said wick passes
`through said open central passage.
`11. The apparatus of claim 1, and wherein said atomizing
`chamber further comprises a second wick aperture, and
`wherein a first end of said wick passes through said first wick
`aperture