Abstract:
The present invention provides an electronic cigarette and a soft power source stem thereof. The power source stem includes a power source stem sleeve with a built-in battery. One end of the power source stem sleeve is closed, while the other end thereof is provided with an absorption stem connector for connecting with an absorption stem of the electronic cigarette. Herein, the power source stem sleeve is made of soft material; and an outer wall of the power source stem sleeve is sleeved with a holding member for clamping the absorption stem connector and power source stem sleeve. The electronic cigarette and a soft power source stem have good experience when held in hand, are able to reduce production cost, have stable construction and are convenient to attach a paper layer thereon.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of International (PCT) Patent Application No. PCT/CN2012/087870, filed on Dec. 28, 2012, now pending and designating the United States. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to field of electronic cigarette and more particularly, relates to an electronic cigarette with a soft power source stem. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An electronic cigarette generally includes an absorption stem and a power source stem. The power source stem includes a power source stem sleeve for receiving a battery. The above sleeve is generally made of metal material such as steel, copper or aluminum. 
     A prior art power source stem suffers from the following drawbacks: the power source stem sleeve of the power source stem is constructed of metal and as the metal is hard material, it will produce less comfortable experience when held by hand of a smoker. In addition, using of metal material results in high cost for the power source stem. Moreover, it is inconvenient to attach paper layer such as trademarks and advertisement onto the outer wall of the metal power source stem sleeve. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to provide an electronic cigarette soft power source stem which is capable of producing comfortable experience when held by hand of a smoker, saving production cost, with stable construction, and is convenient for attaching paper layer thereon. 
     To realize the above object, the present invention provides an electronic cigarette soft power source stem including a power source stem sleeve with a built-in battery. One end of the power source stem sleeve is closed, while the other end thereof is provided with an absorption stem connector for connecting with an absorption stem of the electronic cigarette. Herein, the power source stem sleeve is made of soft material; and an outer wall of the power source stem sleeve is sleeved with a holding member for clamping the absorption stem connector and power source stem sleeve. 
     Herein, the outer wall of the power source stem sleeve is wrapped with a paper layer for advertisement or trademark use. 
     Herein, the holding member is a circular holding ring. 
     Herein, the absorption stem connector includes a connection bushing and a power source electrode member sleeved on the middle portion of the connection bushing by an insulation ring. The power source electrode member and connection bushing are electrically connected with the positive and negative electrodes of the battery respectively. 
     Herein, the connection bushing is of a cylinder shape and its outer wall is tightly pressed against and secured on the inner wall of the power source stem sleeve; the inner wall of the connection bushing is provided with an internal thread and a holding groove for holding the power source electrode member; and the power source electrode member is sleeved on the middle portion of the connection bushing by the insulation ring. 
     Herein, the power source stem further includes a control component and a control component bracket; the control component bracket is secured on the inner wall of the power source stem sleeve, while the control component is secured in the control component bracket and is electrically connected with the battery. 
     Herein, a base cover independent of the power source stem sleeve is inserted into the other end of the power source stem sleeve opposite to the absorption stem connector to seal the power source stem sleeve; a holding member is also disposed on the outer wall of the power source stem sleeve at a connection portion between the base cover and power source stem sleeve for clamping them together. 
     Herein, the soft material is plastic, paper, rubber, silica gel or fiber; the plastic material is any one of the following materials: PC, PP, PVC, ABS, PET or PE; the paper material includes paper having desired hardness; and the fiber material includes chemical fiber tube, wood pulp fiber or glass fiber tube. 
     The invention also provides an electronic cigarette including an absorption stem and power source stem. Herein, the power source stem is the soft power source stem as described above. The absorption stem is connected with the absorption stem connector of the soft power source stem detachably. The absorption stem includes an absorption stem sleeve, an atomizer and a cigar liquid cup both of which are positioned in the absorption stem sleeve. Both ends of the absorption stem sleeve are provided with a nozzle case and a power source stem connector for being connected with the power source stem. 
     Herein, the absorption stem sleeve is made of soft material. One end of the power source stem connector is inserted into the absorption stem sleeve and is pressed tightly against the inner wall thereof; while the other end thereof is provided with an externally threaded connector for connecting with the power source stem. 
     Herein, the nozzle case is a part of the cigar liquid cup. The cigar liquid cup includes a cup base and a nozzle case, both of which are opposite to and distanced from each other, and are both pressed tightly upon the inner wall of the sleeve, and a liquid storage component held between the cup base and nozzle case. 
     Herein, the liquid storage component is of a cylinder shape. A through hole is defined in a middle portion of the liquid storage component. The nozzle case includes a cylindrical cover body and a first locating post located at one end of the cover body and extended axially from the middle portion of the cover body. A nozzle case venting hole is defined in the middle portion of the nozzle case and is extended axially through the cover body and first locating post. The cup base is of a cylindrical cup construction defined by a side wall and a bottom wall together and a hollow chamber is defined therein. A second locating post is extended axially from the bottom wall of the cup base. A circular cavity for receiving the liquid storage component is defined between the second locating post and inner wall of the cup base. A cup base venting hole is defined at the middle portion of the cup base and extends axially through the second locating post and bottom wall. The first locating post of the nozzle case is corresponding to the second locating post of the cup base, and the two posts are inserted into the through hole of the liquid storage component to secure the two ends of the liquid storage component. 
     Herein, the atomizer includes an electric heater coil and a fiber member for supporting the electric heater coil and absorbing cigar liquid. The fiber member is secured in the through hole along radial direction of the liquid storage component. Both ends of the fiber member are pressed against the liquid storage component so as to absorb cigar liquid which will be atomized by the electric heater coil. The electric heater coil is wrapped on the fiber member. Both ends of the electric heater coil are pressed against the side wall of the through hole and pass across the cigar liquid cup and then electrically connected with the positive and negative electrodes of the power source stem connector respectively. A wire guiding hole is defined in the bottom wall of the cup base of the cigar liquid cup and is extended axially through the bottom wall for passing of the electric heater coil. The interface between the electric heater coil and wire guiding hole is sealed. 
     Herein, the power source stem connector includes a connection member working as a first electrode of the atomizer, an absorption stem electrode member functioning as a second electrode of the atomizer, and an insulation member for insulating the connection member from the absorption stem electrode member. The connection member is substantially of a hollow cylinder shape and includes a cylindrical main body with a larger diameter and a cylindrical connection portion with a smaller diameter. A locating rim is disposed between the main body and connection portion and extends radially outwardly from the main body for matching the connection end of the sleeve. The main body is inserted and secured into the sleeve. An externally threaded connector for connecting with the power source stem and an intake hole for air entrance are disposed on the connection portion. A holding groove is defined in the inner wall of the connection member for mounting the absorption stem electrode member therein. The absorption stem electrode member is inserted into the holding groove by the insulation member. A venting hole extended axially is defined in a middle portion of the absorption stem electrode member. 
     The embodiments of the present invention have the following advantageous effects: due to construction of the power source stem sleeve of the soft power source stem made of soft material, it brings good experience when held in hand. In addition, use of soft material makes saving of production cost of the power source stem sleeve. Moreover, paper layer for showing commercials or trademark can be easily adhered to the outer wall of the soft power source stem sleeve. Because the holding ring is provided on the outer wall of the power source stem sleeve at the connection region between the absorption stem connector and base cover, the entire enclosure has stable structure. 
     The embodiments of the invention are described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of an electronic cigarette soft power source stem of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an electronic cigarette soft power source stem of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of an electronic cigarette of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an absorption stem of an electronic cigarette of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an absorption stem of an electronic cigarette of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a nozzle case of an absorption stem of an electronic cigarette of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a cup base of an absorption stem of an electronic cigarette of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a connection member of an absorption stem of an electronic cigarette of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It is noted that, in case no interference is resulted in, the embodiments and features contained therein may be combined with each other. The present invention is described in greater detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the present invention provides an electronic cigarette soft power source stem  95  which includes a power source stem sleeve  951 , an absorption stem connector  7  disposed at one end of the power source stem sleeve  951 , a base cover  953  disposed at the other end of the power source stem sleeve  951 , a paper layer  952  attached onto an outer wall of the power source stem sleeve  951  for advertisement or trademark use, a battery  954  positioned inside the power source stem sleeve  951 , a control component  955 , and a control component bracket  956 . The absorption stem connector  7  is inserted into the power source stem sleeve  951  and is tightly pressed against and secured on the inner wall of the power source stem sleeve  951 . A holding mechanism is disposed on the outer wall of the power source stem sleeve  951  for clamping the absorption stem connector  7  and power source stem sleeve  951 . In this embodiment, the holding mechanism is a circular holding ring  957 . For facilitating description, the direction shown in  FIG. 3  is referred to. 
     The power source stem sleeve  951  is a cylinder with hollow chamber, and is made of soft material with required strength and flexibility, and the soft material may include plastic, paper, rubber, silica gel or fiber material. The plastic material may be any one of the following materials: PC, PP, PVC, ABS, PET or PE. The paper material may include paper having desired hardness such as food package paper, bond paper, fiber paper, coated paper or brown paper. The fiber material may include fiber tube, wood pulp fiber or glass fiber tube. As made of soft material, the power source stem sleeve  951  produces good experience when held in hand. In addition, using of soft material also reduces manufacture cost. Furthermore, a paper layer  952  may easily stick on the outer wall of the power source stem sleeve  951 . The paper layer  952  matches with the power source stem sleeve  951  and is also of a cylindrical shape. The paper layer  952  is sleeved on the outer wall of the power source stem sleeve  951 . In addition, the paper layer  952  may also be made of soft material to guarantee flexibility of the entire power source stem  95  after being sleeved on the power source stem sleeve. For example, the paper layer may be made of soft material such as label paper or self-adhesive paper. 
     The absorption stem connector  7  is intended for connection with the absorption stem  90  which will be described later and is composed of a connection bushing  71 , a power source electrode member  72  and an insulation ring  73 . The connection bushing  71  is of a cylinder shape and its outer wall is tightly pressed against and secured on the inner wall of the power source stem sleeve  951 . The inner wall of the connection bushing  71  is provided with an internal thread and a holding groove for holding the power source electrode member  72 . The power source electrode member  72  is sleeved on the middle portion of the connection bushing  71  by the insulation ring  73 . That is, the member  72  is held in the holding groove. The power source electrode member  72  and connection bushing  71  are respectively electronically connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the battery  954 . An intake hole  9531  is defined in the base cover  953  permitting entrance of external air into the power source stem  95 . The control component  955  is used for control operation of the entire electronic cigarette and is provided with a mini pneumatic switch for control conduction of the electric circuit such that the electronic cigarette starts to work. The control component bracket  956  is secured on the inner wall of the power source stem sleeve  951 , while the control component  955  is secured in the control component bracket  956  and is electrically connected with the battery  954 . The control component bracket  956  includes a receiving groove for receiving the control component  955  and a venting hole running axially (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-8 , the present invention also provides an electronic cigarette  100  incorporating the electronic cigarette soft power source stem  95  aforementioned. The electronic cigarette includes an absorption stem  90  connected with the absorption stem connector  7  of the soft power source stem  95  detachably. In this embodiment, the absorption stem  90  and power source stem  95  are connected with each other by threaded manner, or insertion manner or snap connection. The absorption stem  90  includes an absorption stem sleeve  1 , an atomizer  2  and a cigar liquid cup  3  both of which are positioned in the sleeve  1 . Both ends of the absorption stem sleeve  1  are provided with a nozzle case  4  and a power source stem connector  5  for being connected with the power source stem  95 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the absorption stem sleeve  1  is made of the same soft material as the power source stem sleeve  951 . As made of soft material, the absorption stem sleeve  1  produces good experience when held in hand. In addition, using of soft material also reduces manufacture cost. Furthermore, a paper layer may easily stick on the outer wall of the absorption stem sleeve  1  for showing trademarks or advertisement. One end of the power source stem connector  5  is inserted into the absorption stem sleeve  1  and is pressed tightly against the inner wall thereof. A holding member is sleeved on the outer wall of the absorption stem sleeve  1  at the connection portion there-between for tightly clasping the sleeve  1  and power source stem connector  5 . In this embodiment, the holding member is a circular holding ring  16  identical to the circular holding ring  957 . A paper layer  17  for showing commercials or trademark surrounds the outer wall of the absorption stem sleeve  1 . The paper layer  17  is identical to the paper layer  952 . One end of the paper layer  17  is pressed against the holding ring  16  such that the absorption stem sleeve  1  is wrapped with the paper layer  17  and holding ring  16  together. 
     The atomizer  2  includes an electric heater coil  211  and a fiber member  212  for supporting the electric heater coil  211  and absorbing cigar liquid. The fiber member  212  works like sponge so as to absorb and store cigar liquid, and may be made of material with good liquid absorption and storage ability such as glass fiber or cotton. 
     In this embodiment, for making the internal construction of the absorption stem  90  more compact, the nozzle case  4  is part of the cigar liquid cup  3 . The cigar liquid cup  3  includes a cup base  31  and a nozzle case  4  which are opposite to and distanced from each other and are both pressed tightly upon the inner wall of the sleeve  1 , and a liquid storage component  32  held between the cup base  31  and nozzle case  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the nozzle case  4  includes a cylindrical cover body  40  and a first locating post  41  located at one end of the cover body  40  and extended axially from the middle portion of the cover body  40 . A nozzle case venting hole  42  is defined in the middle portion of the nozzle case  40  and is extended axially through the cover body  40  and first locating post  41 . A locating rim  43  is provided on the outer wall of the cover body  40  for matching the end portion of the absorption stem sleeve  1 . The outer wall of the cover body  40  is pressed against the inner wall of the sleeve  1 . In addition, the cover body  40  is held in place by the locating rim  43 . In addition, the connection interface between the cover body  40  and locating rim  43  is filled and sealed with the glue. The nozzle case  4  may be made of soft material such as silica gel, rubber, PVC, TPU or PE so that it produces good experience when held in mouth and also leads to low cost. 
     The liquid storage component  32  is of a cylinder shape for absorbing and storing cigar liquid flowed into the cigar liquid cup  3  so that the cigar liquid is atomized later by the atomizer  2 . The liquid storage component  32  functions as sponge for liquid absorption and storage, and may be made of material capable of absorbing and storing cigar liquid such as non-woven fabrics, wood pulp cotton, chemical fiber or PVA. A through hole  321  is defined in a middle portion of the liquid storage component  32  for venting and mounting the atomizer  2 . One end, which is engaged with the cup base  31 , of the liquid storage component  32 , is provided with a stepped axis-like recess  322  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) for realizing insertion between it and cup base  31 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the cup base  31  is of a cylindrical cup construction and includes a side wall  311  and a bottom wall  312 . A second locating post  313  is extended axially from the bottom wall  312  of the cup base  31 . A circular cavity  314  for receiving the liquid storage component  32  is defined between the second locating post  313  and inner wall of the cup base  31 . A cup base venting hole  315  is defined at the middle portion of the cup base  31  and extends axially through the second locating post  313  and bottom wall  312 . A wire guiding hole  316  is defined in the bottom wall  312  and is extended axially. A circular sealing ring  317  is provided on the outer wall of the cup base  31  for being tightly pressed against the inner wall of the absorption stem sleeve  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the first locating post  41  of the nozzle case  4  corresponds to the second locating post  313  of the cup base  31 . Both of the locating posts are inserted into the though hole  321  of the liquid storage component  32  so as to secure both ends of the liquid storage component  32  such that the component  32  is supported in the cigar liquid cup  3 , thereby no deformation being generated and having required strength. By this manner, the risk of cigar liquid inside the liquid storage component  32  being squeezed out of the component  32  due to squeezing of the absorption stem  90  of the soft enclosure when smoking is eliminated or reduced. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , the fiber member  212  is secured in the through hole  321  along radial direction of the liquid storage component  32 . Both ends of the fiber member  212  are pressed against the liquid storage component  32  so as to absorb cigar liquid which will be atomized by the electric heater coil  211 . The electric heater coil  211  is wrapped on the fiber member  212 . Both ends of the electric heater coil  211  are pressed against the side wall of the through hole  321  and pass across the wire guiding hole (not labeled) of the bottom wall of the cup base  31  and then electrically connected with the positive and negative electrodes of the power source stem connector  5  respectively. The interface between the electric heater coil  211  and wire guiding hole is sealed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , the power source stem connector  5  includes a connection member  51  which functions as a first electrode (for example the negative electrode) of the atomizer  2 , an absorption stem electrode member  52  functioning as a second electrode (for example the positive electrode) of the atomizer  2 , and an insulation member  53  for insulating the connection member  51  from the absorption stem electrode member  52 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the connection member  51  is substantially of a hollow cylinder shape and includes a cylindrical main body  511  with a larger diameter and a cylindrical connection portion  512  with a smaller diameter. A locating rim  513  is disposed between the main body  511  and connection portion  512  and extends radially outwardly from the main body  511  for matching the connection end of the sleeve  1 . The main body  511  is inserted and secured into the sleeve  1 . An externally threaded connector  514  for connecting with the power source stem  95  and an intake hole  516  for air entrance are disposed on the connection portion  512 . A holding groove  515  is defined in the inner wall of the connection member  51  for mounting the absorption stem electrode member  52  therein. The absorption stem electrode member  52  is inserted into the holding groove  515  by the insulation member  53 . A venting hole (not shown) extended axially is defined in a middle portion of the absorption stem electrode member  52 . 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 4 , external air travels into the power source stem  95  via the intake hole on the base cover  953  located at the bottom of the power source stem  95 , then travels across the venting holes of the power source electrode member  72  and absorption stem electrode member  52 , then across the venting hole of the cup base  31  of the cigar liquid cup  3  and through hole  321  of the liquid storage component  32 , and finally flows out of the absorption stem  90  via the venting hole  42  of the nozzle case  4 , thus forming a unique air path inside the electronic cigarette, and letting air flow smoothly between interior and exterior of the electronic cigarette. Of course, external air may also enters into the absorption stem electrode member  52  directly via the gap between the absorption stem  90  and power source stem  95  and then via the intake hole  516  (as shown in  FIG. 8 ) of the connection member  51 . Before operation of the electronic cigarette, small amount of cigar liquid soaks through the liquid guiding member  52  and is stored in the fiber member  212 . During operation, the electric heater coil  211  of the atomization device  2  works to generate heat such that the cigar liquid stored in the fiber member  212  is heated and changed to smoke. The smoke travels across the through hole  321  of the liquid storage component  32  and is finally absorbed by the smoker via the venting hole  42  of the nozzle case  4 . 
     Though various embodiments of the invention have been illustrated above, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, variations and improvements made upon the illustrative embodiments fall within the scope of the invention, and the scope of the invention is only limited by the accompanying claims and their equivalents.