I 1111111111111111 11111 1111111111 11111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIIII IIII IIII IIII
`US008205622B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Pan
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,205,622 B2
`Jun.26,2012
`
`(54) ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Guocheng Pan, Cupertino, CA (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 435 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/437,511
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`May 7, 2009
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2010/024297 4 Al
`
`Sep. 30, 2010
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Mar. 24, 2009
`
`(CN) .......................... 2009 1 0080147
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A24F 47100
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................................................... 131/273
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................... 131/273
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,060,671 A * 10/1991 Counts et al.
`2008/0092912 Al *
`4/2008 Robinson et al.
`2009/0283103 Al * 11/2009 Nielsen et al.
`
`131/329
`131/200
`131/273
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`201067728 Y
`6/2008
`201238610 Y
`5/2009
`201379073 Y
`1/2010
`0845220 Al
`6/1998
`6/1998
`845220 Al *
`12/2009
`WO 2009/152651 Al
`
`CN
`CN
`CN
`EP
`EP
`WO
`
`UK Intellectual Property Office, "Combined Search and Examina(cid:173)
`tion Report" for Application No. GB0913768.8, report dated Apr. 8,
`2010 (5 pages).
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner - Matthew Daniels
`Assistant Examiner - Cynthia Szewczyk
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Squire Sanders (US) LLP
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An electronic cigarette has two tubes that resemble a ciga(cid:173)
`rette: an electronic inhaler and an electronic atomizer. The
`two tubes are connected through one or more electric connec(cid:173)
`tors to form an electronic cigarette. Inside the inhaler is a
`rechargeable or non-rechargeable power source such as a
`battery, which supplies electric power to the electronic
`inhaler and atomizer and ensures that both work together like
`a cigarette. In addition to the power source, the inhaler also
`includes other major components: an electric airflow sensor
`to detect air movement generated by a user's inhaling or
`puffing act and a Single Chip Micyoco which controls the
`atomization process. The sensor's role is to collect an airflow
`signal that triggers the Single Chip Micyoco, which in tum
`instructs the electronic cigarette to supply electric power to
`the inhaler and atomizer connected through an electric con(cid:173)
`nector. Inside the electronic atomizer are an electric connec(cid:173)
`tor, electric heating wire, liquid container, and atomizer cap
`with an air-puffing hole. The user inhales through the air(cid:173)
`puffing hole at an end of the electronic cigarette to create an
`air inflow, which triggers the atomization process. The Single
`Chip Micyoco driven by a software program controls the
`electronic cigarette in an on/off manner according to the
`signal detected by the electric sensor on the airflow and com(cid:173)
`pletes a cycle of atomization, which converts a solution of a
`liquid form inside the liquid container to a gas form. This
`entire process achieves the emulated smoking process of a
`user, who is satisfied with scent taste that mimics cigarette
`smoking.
`
`18 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
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`262
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`2b9
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`268
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`17
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`16
`15
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`263
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`264
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`265
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`267
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`18
`61
`6
`J4
`10
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`NJOY Exhibit 1032.001
`NJOY v. Juul
`IPR2024-00231
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.26,2012
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
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`US 8,205,622 B2
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`Figure 1
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`NJOY Exhibit 1032.002
`NJOY v. Juul
`IPR2024-00231
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun.26,2012
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`Sheet 2 of 7
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`US 8,205,622 B2
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`300
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`302
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`304
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`308
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`306
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`Figure 2
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`NJOY Exhibit 1032.003
`NJOY v. Juul
`IPR2024-00231
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun.26,2012
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`Sheet 3 of 7
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`US 8,205,622 B2
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`300
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`NJOY Exhibit 1032.004
`NJOY v. Juul
`IPR2024-00231
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.26,2012
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`Sheet 4 of 7
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`US 8,205,622 B2
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`Figure 4
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`NJOY Exhibit 1032.005
`NJOY v. Juul
`IPR2024-00231
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jun.26,2012
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`Sheet 5 of 7
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`US 8,205,622 B2
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`10
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`Figure 5
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`NJOY Exhibit 1032.006
`NJOY v. Juul
`IPR2024-00231
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.26,2012
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`Sheet 6 of 7
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`US 8,205,622 B2
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`Figure 6
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`NJOY Exhibit 1032.007
`NJOY v. Juul
`IPR2024-00231
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun.26,2012
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`Sheet 7 of 7
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`US 8,205,622 B2
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`NJOY Exhibit 1032.008
`NJOY v. Juul
`IPR2024-00231
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`

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`US 8,205,622 B2
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`1
`ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE
`
`This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent
`Application No. 200910080147.5, filed Mar. 24, 2009, the
`entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Tobacco smoking creates one of the most serious health
`threats to the mankind. Although people have used tobacco
`for centuries, cigarettes did not appear in the mass-manufac- 15
`turedform until the 19th century. Today, thenumberofsmok-
`ers has grown to over 1.3 billion worldwide. In the high(cid:173)
`income countries, smoking has been in overall decline for
`decades, although it continues to rise in some groups. In low(cid:173)
`and middle-income countries, by contrast, cigarette con- 20
`sumption has been increasing. Death directly related to the
`use of tobacco is estimated to be at least 5 million people
`annually. If every tobacco user smoked one pack a day, there
`would be a total of 1.3 billion packs of cigarettes smoked each
`day, emitting a large amount of harmful tar, CO and other 25
`more than 400 gas contents to homes and offices, causing
`significant second-hand smoking damages to human health.
`Nicotine is highly addictive. Tar in cigarettes increases
`smoker's risk oflung cancer, emphysema, and bronchial dis(cid:173)
`orders. The carbon monoxide in smoke increases the chance 30
`of cardiovascular diseases. Secondhand smoke causes lung
`cancer in adults and greatly increases the risk of respiratory
`illnesses in children. It is hard to quit smoking. In order to
`overcome these problems, people have invented many new
`technologies and products, such as nicotine patches, nicotine 35
`gum, etc. Recently, several new inventions have been made,
`including a Japanese patent (#3-232481), which proposes a
`simulated cigarette device with an insulated tube, inside
`which a heated generator and solid scent media are stored.
`Through an electric power source, the heat generator supplies 40
`heat to the scent media to generate an odor which is then
`absorbed to ease smokers' need for cigarette smoking. How(cid:173)
`ever, this simulated cigarette device requires a long time to
`reach a temperature high enough to generate the scent odor
`for users. Hence, this tool does not meet smokers' need.
`A Chinese patent (#03111582.9) proposes a non-flam(cid:173)
`mable atomizing electronic cigarette, which is intended to be
`a smoking cessation device and a replacement for conven(cid:173)
`tional cigarettes. This product includes a shell, battery, high(cid:173)
`frequency generator, nicotine-fluid chamber, controlling cir- 50
`cuit, display screen, electronic
`inductor, body-contact
`transducer, piezoelectricity supersonic atomizer, and high(cid:173)
`temperature air emitter. It also includes an electrically-con(cid:173)
`trolled pump, metering valve, unidirectional injection valve,
`etc. Due to its extreme complexity in structure and very high 55
`manufacturing cost, this kind of electronic cigarettes is diffi(cid:173)
`cult to commercialize.
`Another Chinese patent (#ZL200410048792.6) proposes
`an electronic cigarette, which has a stick-like shell, air-puff-
`ing hole, emitting device, pressure-modifying driver, control 60
`device, detection device, and smoke generator. This invention
`uses the control device to drive the emitting device to eject
`liquid drops generated from scent media outside of the shell.
`This invention also contains an atomizing device inside the
`shell, which vaporizes the liquid drops into vapor mists to be 65
`inhaled by the user by puffing through the smoke-flow hole at
`an end of the shell. This inhaling allows the user to absorb the
`
`2
`scent-media in a vapor form together with the airflow inside
`the shell. In this way, the user is satisfied with a scent taste that
`mimics cigarette smoking.
`In sum, the existing electronic cigarette devices have sev(cid:173)
`eral major drawbacks: (1) too complex to be implemented as
`an ordinary consuming product and too costly for manufac(cid:173)
`turing and maintenance; (2) all having problems such as fluid
`leaking, reversal, nicotine-liquid exposing, discontinuous
`vaporizing, hard inhaling, and sub-standard sanitation; (3) all
`10 using mechanical devices as an airflow detector, which has a
`short life and is too sensitive to outside temperature and
`humidity changes.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`An electronic cigarette described and claimed in this patent
`application overcomes at least some of the above-described
`problems associated with the prior art.
`An object of this invention is to provide a green alternative
`to harmful, polluting conventional cigarettes and to overcome
`at least some of the above-described problems associated
`with prior electronic cigarettes.
`This invention adopts a brand new technical solution to
`create a device that highly resembles a conventional cigarette
`and the cigarette smoking process. An electronic cigarette of
`the present invention preferably is comprised of two parts,
`one being an electronic inhaler and the other being an inte(cid:173)
`grated electronic atomizer. Each part may have a metal or
`plastic tube, and the two tubes may have an identical or
`similar diameter. The inhaler preferably includes one or more
`of an electric power source, electric sensor, single chip
`micyoco, and LED indicator. The electric power source,
`which can be a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery,
`supplies electricity to the atomizer to vaporize a liquid inside
`an atomizer chamber. On the first end of the inhaler tube may
`be a cigarette cap with a small hole for airflow. On the second
`end of the tube may be an electric connector with either
`outskirt screw thread or a DC socket.
`The electronic atomizer may include a liquid-container or
`a chamber inside the atomizer tube, which preferably also
`includes a heat equalizer that has an electric heat wire, a
`supporting piece which holds up the heat equalizer, and an
`electric connector. On the first end of the atomizer tube may
`be a cap with an air-puffing hole for the user to draw an airflow
`45 and for the emission of vapor mist. On the second of the
`atomizer tube may be an electric connector with either inter(cid:173)
`nal screw thread or a DC plug.
`In a preferred embodiment, the connection between the
`electronic inhaler and electronic atomizer through the con(cid:173)
`nectors on both parts forms an entire electronic cigarette.
`When the user puffs on the electronic cigarette through the
`air-puffing hole on the first end of the atomizer, the electronic
`sensor detects an airflow and converts it to a signal, which
`then wakes up the single chip micyoco to record the signal.
`The single chip micyoco guided by its embedded software
`instructions may turn on the electric power source to supply
`an electricity current with a predefined time length. This
`electric current preferably flows through the electric heat wire
`inside the atomizer tube, which then heats up the heat equal(cid:173)
`izer with absorbed liquid from the liquid-container. The
`heated equalizer converts the liquid into a form of vapor mist,
`which is finally drawn into the month of the user. This com(cid:173)
`pletes an entire cycle of vaporizing process from which the
`user gets satisfaction of "smoking."
`One of the unique technical advances in this invention is
`the integrated atomizer technology. Previous atomizing units
`are directly embedded into the inhaler tubes, while the liquid
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1032.009
`NJOY v. Juul
`IPR2024-00231
`
`

`

`US 8,205,622 B2
`
`3
`chamber is made as a separate piece, which must be inserted
`into the atomizing chamber before the electronic cigarette can
`be used. This old technology has several major drawbacks:
`(1) inconvenient in using the electronic cigarette, (2) insani(cid:173)
`tary and even unsafe to users due to the direct exposure of
`liquids, and (3) a short life for the atomizing unit. The inte(cid:173)
`grated atomizer of the present invention is an integrated and
`disposable part, which overcomes some or all of the problems
`stated above. In addition, the integrated atomizer technology
`has also minimized the likelihood of a liquid leak, liquid 10
`reversal to the month when the user puffs on the electronic
`cigarette, and discontinuous vaporizing problems.
`Another technical advance of the integrated atomizer is the
`material of the heat equalizer, which plays the key role in 15
`ensuring of large vapor volumes and the elimination of the
`disconnected vaporization problem. This material of the heat
`equalizer, which may be made of a non-toxic inorganic mate(cid:173)
`rial, is required to withstand a high temperature up to 2000
`degrees centigrade.
`The electronic inhaler of the present invention represents
`the state-of-the-art electronic cigarette technology in both
`structural design and microelectronic devices. One of the new
`technologies that may be used with an electronic cigarette of
`the present invention is the use of an electric airflow sensor 25
`instead of a mechanical device in detecting an airflow gener(cid:173)
`ated by the user's puffing and creating a signal for the micro(cid:173)
`processor to activate the electric circuit. Once the circuit is
`activated, the electric power source sends an electric current
`to the system and the connected integrated atomizer, and the 30
`vaporizing process begins. When the puffing stops, the micro(cid:173)
`processor instructs the electric power source to stop supply-
`ing the electricity current, and the vaporizing process stops.
`This new technology provides a solution to the problems of 35
`the current inhaling technology by eliminating aging and
`short-life drawbacks of the current mechanical device tech(cid:173)
`nology. Moreover, the new technology also makes the puffing
`of users on the cigarette much easier and smoother. It is more
`sensitive in turning on and off the vaporizing process than the
`conventional mechanical system. The life of an electric sen(cid:173)
`sor can last for five years, many times longer than the
`mechanical device.
`The new electronic inhaler may also adopt a new technol(cid:173)
`ogy of a protection board, which protects the inhaler from
`damage of a short-circuit event. Since use of electric connec(cid:173)
`tors between the inhaler and atomizing units, there is always
`a likelihood of a short-circuit, which usually destroys some of
`the electric components on the circuit board, and sometime
`even destroys the electric power source-the battery. Incor(cid:173)
`poration of the protection unit completely eliminates short(cid:173)
`circuit problems, and extends the life of the electronic inhaler.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates an electric circuit structure of an embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a section view of an integrated electronic atomizer
`of the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a section view of another integrated electronic
`atomizer of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a section view of an electronic inhaler of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 5 is a section view of another electronic inhaler of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 6 is a section view of an electronic cigarette of the
`present invention.
`
`4
`FIG. 7 is a section view of another electronic cigarette of
`the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring to FIG. 1, the electric power source 5 supplies an
`electric current to the electronic atomizer 22 and other electric
`units to heat up the heat equalizer through the connected
`electronic inhaler and atomizer 22 through the first electric
`connector 17 of the inhaler and the second electric connector
`21 of atomizer 22. The electric sensor 6 plays the role of
`detecting the airflow resulted from the puffing action of a user,
`and wakes up the single chip micyoco 3 to tum on the elec(cid:173)
`tricity on/off switch 4 and generate an electric current form
`the electric power source 5 to the electronic atomizer 22 for
`vaporizing of a liquid inside the liquid chamber inside the
`atomizer 22. The single chip micyoco 3 instructs the electric
`power source 5 to supply electricity to the system by its
`20 embedded computer programs when a signal is generated
`through the airflow detected by the electric sensor 6 from the
`user's puffing action.
`The LED indicator 12, which is connected to both the CPU
`processor 3 and electric power source 5, lights up when the
`electric current flows and it is turned off when the electric
`current stops flowing. The magnitude of the electric current
`supplied from the electric power source 5 depends on the
`magnitude of signal detected from the airflow proportional to
`the strength of user's puffing action. This, in tum, controls the
`temperature and heat generated through the electric heating
`wire and heat equalizer. This process closely mimics the
`process of cigarette smoking.
`FIG. 2 shows a section view of one integrated electronic
`atomizer of the present invention with the second electric
`connector being of the screw thread type. The electronic
`atomizer includes an atomizer tube 263 and, inside the atom-
`izer tube 263, a second electric connector267 with an internal
`screw thread with a rush pith 11 surrounded by a silica-gel
`insulator 18, supporting piece 268, heat equalizer 269 twined
`40 with electric heating wire 265, liquid container 261 inside
`which liquid-storing media 264 being filled with liquids is
`inserted, and an atomizer cap 262 with an air-puffing hole in
`the center. Between the liquid container 261 and the liquid
`media 264 there preferably is a side-space 290 (FIG. 3) for
`45 airflow. The second electric connector 267 may be inserted
`inside the atomizer tube 264.
`The atomizer tube 263 is preferably made of a metallic or
`plastic material. The liquid-storing media 264 is preferably
`made of specially-designed cotton, while the supporting
`50 piece 268 is preferably made of a ceramic or plastic material
`in the shape ofa cylinder or another configuration, which may
`be able to sustain a high temperature up to 1000 degrees
`centigrade. The heat equalizer 269 is preferably made of a
`special fiber which can withstand temperature as high as 2000
`55 degrees centigrade. The electric heating wire 265 twined on
`the heat equalizer 269 can be made from tungsten or another
`electric heating material, which produces heat when the elec(cid:173)
`tric current flows therethrough. The two ends of the electric
`heating wire 265 are going through the small holes of the
`60 supporting piece 268 and connected to the second electric
`connector 267 to supply heat for atomization or vaporization
`of the liquid inside the liquid-storing media 264.
`FIG. 3 is a section view of another integrated electronic
`atomizer with the second electric connector 21 being of a DC
`65 plug-socket type. The electronic atomizer includes an atom(cid:173)
`izer tube 263 and, inside the atomizer tube 263, a second
`electric connector comprised of a DC plug 21 located on a
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1032.010
`NJOY v. Juul
`IPR2024-00231
`
`

`

`US 8,205,622 B2
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`5
`plug seat 71, leak-proof piece 23, seal washer 251, supporting
`piece 268, heat equalizer 269 twined with an electric heating
`wire 265, liquid container 261 inside which liquid-storing
`media 264 being filled with liquids is inserted, and an air(cid:173)
`puffing hole in the center of one end of the atomizer tube 263.
`In FIG. 3, the air-puffing hole is placed atop the atomizer tube
`263.
`FIG. 4 is a section view of one electronic inhaler having a
`first electric connector of a screw thread type. The electronic
`inhaler includes an inhaler tube 10, cigarette cap 13 with
`small holes for air inflow, LED indicator 12, electric power
`source 5, annular tube 16 with its cap 15, integrated circuit
`board with a CPU processor 14, electric airflow sensor 6,
`sensor supporter 61, and first electric connector 17 with an
`inserted rush pith 11 surrounded by a silica-gel insulator 18.
`The electric power source 5 connects to the circuit board
`14, which connects to the first electric connector 17 and the
`electric airflow sensor 6. The LED 12 is connected to both
`electric power source 5 and the circuit board 14. The electric
`airflow sensor 6 is assembled onto the sensor supporter 61.
`The first electric connector 17 with an outskirt screw thread is
`partially embedded in the inhaler tube 10, which can be
`connected to the second electric connector of the electric
`atomizer to form an electronic cigarette.
`The inhaler tube 10 is made of either a metal or a plastic. 25
`The electric power source 5 may be a battery of rechargeable
`or non-rechargeable type. The first electric connector is gen(cid:173)
`erally made of copper or another metal conductor.
`FIG. 5 is a section view ofanotherelectronic inhaler having
`a first electric connector 17 of a DC plug-socket type. The 30
`electronic inhaler includes an inhaler tube 10, cigarette cap 13
`with small holes for air inflow, LED indicator 12, electric
`power source 5, seal piece 25, sensor supporter 61, electric
`airflow sensor 6, integrated circuit board with a CPU proces-
`sor 14, and the first electric connector 17 located on the DC 35
`socket seat 28.
`The electric power source 5 connects to the circuit board
`14, which connects to the first electric connector 17 and the
`electric airflow sensor 6. The LED 12 is connected to both
`electric power source 5 and the circuit board 14. The electric
`airflow sensor 6 is assembled onto the sensor supporter 61.
`The first electric connector 17 with the socket seat 28 is
`completely embedded in the inhaler tube 10, which can be
`connected to the second electric connector of the electric
`atomizer to form an electronic cigarette.
`The inhaler tube 10 is made of either a metal or a plastic.
`The electric power source 5 may be a battery of rechargeable
`or non-rechargeable type. The first electric connector is gen(cid:173)
`erally made of copper or another metal conductor.
`FIG. 6 is a section view of one electronic cigarette when the 50
`electronic inhaler and electronic atomizer are connected via
`their respective electric connectors of the screw thread type.
`The electronic inhaler and the integrated electronic atomizer
`are fit together through their connectors of the same type to
`form the electronic cigarette. The connection is done via the 55
`first electric connector 17 of the electronic inhaler and the
`second electric connector 267 of the integrated electronic
`atomizer. The connection achieves the electric combination
`of the inhaler tube and the atomizer tube, each of which has a
`circular cross section in this embodiment, wherein the diam- 60
`eter is the inhaler is the same as or similar to that of the
`atomize. The user puffs on the end of the electronic cigarette
`with the air-puffing hole to activate the CPU processor
`through detection of an airflow signal and generate an electric
`current flowing through the electric heating wire, which 65
`achieves vaporization of the solution inside the liquid con-
`tainer.
`
`6
`FIG. 7 is a section view of another electronic cigarette
`when the electronic inhaler and electronic atomizer are con(cid:173)
`nected via the electric connectors of the DC plug-socket type.
`The electronic inhaler and the integrated electronic atomizer
`are fit together through their connectors of the same type to
`form the electronic cigarette. The connection is done through
`the first electric connector socket 28 of the electronic inhaler
`and the second electric connector plug 21 of the integrated
`electronic atomizer. The connection achieves the electric
`10 combination of the inhaler tube and the atomizer tube, each of
`which has a circular cross section in this embodiment,
`wherein the diameter is the inhaler is the same as or similar to
`that of the atomizer. The user puffs on the endofthe electronic
`cigarette with the air-puffing hole to activate the CPU proces-
`15 sor through detection of an airflow signal and generate an
`electric current flowing through the electric heating wire,
`which achieves vaporization of the solution inside the liquid
`container.
`Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the tubular electronic atomizer
`20 includes exterior wall 300 having air-puffing hole 302 formed
`therethrough. Liquid container 261 includes a container wall
`304. Chamber 306 is disposed between exterior wall 300 and
`container wall 304. Tube 308 extends from air-puffing hole
`302 and into chamber 306.
`The invention claimed is:
`1. An electronic cigarette comprising a tubular electronic
`inhaler and a tubular electronic atomizer that is detachably
`attached to the electronic inhaler, wherein the electronic
`inhaler includes an electric power source that provides an
`electric current to the electronic atomizer, and wherein the
`tubular electronic atomizer includes a container and media
`within the container, the media is soaked with a solution to be
`atomized, and between the container and the media there is a
`side-space for airflow tubular electronic, and wherein the
`tubular electronic inhaler includes an electric airflow sensor
`configured to tum on and off the electric power source by way
`of detecting an airflow, and the airflow sensor is a diaphragm
`microphone.
`2. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the elec-
`40 tronic inhaler includes a first electric connector disposed at a
`second end of the electronic inhaler, wherein the electronic
`atomizer includes a second electric connector disposed at a
`first end of the electronic atomizer, and wherein the first
`electric connector is connected to the second electric connec-
`45 tor so that the electronic inhaler and the electronic atomizer
`form the electronic cigarette.
`3. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the liquid
`container prevents or reduces liquid leak and reverse flow.
`4. The electronic cigarette of claim 3, wherein the elec(cid:173)
`tronic atomizer includes an electric heating wire which gen(cid:173)
`erates heat for atomization of the solution soaked in the media
`inside the liquid container, a heat equalizer onto which the
`electric heating wire is wired and is made of fibers that can
`withstand a temperature up to 2000 degrees centigrade,
`wherein the heat equalizer ensures that the heat generated by
`the electric wire is uniform, and a supporting piece that is
`disposed next to the heat equalizer and is made of a plastic or
`ceramic material that can withstand a temperature up to 2000
`degrees centigrade.
`5. The electronic cigarette of claim 4, wherein the elec(cid:173)
`tronic atomizer includes a leak-proof member, wherein the
`leak-proof member and a second electric connector are closer
`to the first end of the electronic atomizer than the heat equal(cid:173)
`izer.
`6. The electronic cigarette of claim 5, where the first elec(cid:173)
`tric connector is a DC socket and the second electric connec(cid:173)
`tor is a DC plug, wherein the DC plug is embedded onto the
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1032.011
`NJOY v. Juul
`IPR2024-00231
`
`

`

`US 8,205,622 B2
`
`30
`
`35
`
`7
`leak-proof piece through a plug seat, which is connected to
`the electric heating wire, and wherein the first end of the
`electronic atomizer is connected to the second of the elec(cid:173)
`tronic inhaler by placing the DC plug to the DC socket.
`7. The electronic cigarette of claim 6, wherein the first
`electric connector is a cylinder terminal, and its outskirt is
`tightly embedded into the second end of the electric inhaler
`tube and its exposed portion has a screw thread, wherein the
`second electric connector is a cylinder terminal, which is
`tightly embedded into the first end of the electronic atomizer 10
`and has a screw thread inside the inhaler tube, and wherein the
`first electric connector and second electric connector are con(cid:173)
`nected through the screw threads.
`8. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the elec(cid:173)
`tronic atomizer includes, in sequence, a second electric con(cid:173)
`nector, a leak-proof piece, a supporting piece, a heat equalizer
`coupled with an electric heating wire, the container filled with
`the media, and an atomizer cap with an air-puffing hole.
`9. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the electric 20
`power source is inside the electronic inhaler.
`10. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the tubular
`electronic atomizer includes an exterior wall having an air(cid:173)
`puffing hole formed therethrough, wherein the liquid con(cid:173)
`tainer includes a container wall, there being a chamber dis- 25
`posed between the exterior wall and the container wall, and
`wherein the tubular electronic atomizer includes a tube
`extending from the air-puffing hole and into the chamber.
`11. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the media
`comprises cotton.
`12. An electronic cigarette comprising a tubular electronic
`inhaler and a tubular electronic atomizer, wherein the elec(cid:173)
`tronic inhaler includes an electric power source that provides
`an electric current to the electronic atomizer, the electronic
`cigarette further comprising an integrated circuit board that
`has a Single Chip Micyoco that controls atomization of a
`liquid solution.
`13. An electronic cigarette comprising a tubular electronic
`inhaler and a tubular electronic atomizer, wherein the elec-
`tronic inhaler includes an electric power source that provides
`an electric current to the electronic atomizer, the electronic
`cigarette further comprising an electric airflow sensor that is
`used to turn on and off the electric power source by way of
`detecting an airflow and sending a signal to a Single Chip
`Micyoco, wherein the Single Chip Micyoco receives the sig-
`nal from the electric airflow sensor, instructs the electric
`
`8
`power source to send an electric current to the electronic
`atomizer, and a time period and a magnitude of the electric
`current.
`14. The electronic cigarette of claim 13, wherein the elec(cid:173)
`tric airflow sensor is a diaphragm microphone.
`15. The electronic cigarette of claim 13, further comprising
`an LED indicator inside the electronic inhaler, wherein the
`LED indicator is connected to the Single Chip Micyoco and
`the electric power source, and wherein the on time of the LED
`indicator is controlled by the Single Chip Micyoco.
`16. An electronic cigarette comprising a tubular electronic
`inhaler and a tubular electronic atomizer, wherein the elec(cid:173)
`tronic inhaler includes an electric power source that provides
`an electric current to the electronic atomizer, wherein the
`electronic inhaler includes, sequentially from a first end of the
`15 electronic inhaler to the second end, a cigarette cap, an LED
`indicator, the electric power source, an electric airflow sensor,
`a circuit board for a Single Chip Micyoco, and a first electric
`connector.
`17. An electronic cigarette comprising:
`a tubular electronic inhaler; and
`a tubular electronic atomizer that is detachably attached to
`the electronic inhaler,
`wherein the electronic inhaler includes an electric power
`source that provides an electric current to the electronic
`atomizer,
`wherein the tubular electronic atomizer includes a con(cid:173)
`tainer and media within the container, the media is
`soaked with a solution to be atomized,
`wherein the tubular electronic atomizer includes an exte(cid:173)
`rior wall having an air-puffing hole formed there(cid:173)
`through, wherein the liquid container includes a con-
`tainer wall, there being a chamber disposed between the
`exterior wall and the container wall,
`wherein the tubular electronic atomizer includes a tube
`extending from the air-puffing hole and into the cham(cid:173)
`ber, and
`wherein the tubular electronic inhaler includes an electric
`airflow sensor configured to tum on and off the electric
`power source by way of detecting an airflow, and the
`airflow sensor is a diaphragm microphone.
`18. The electronic cigarette of claim 17, w