Abstract:
An electronic cigarette built in a power supply rod comprises a suction rod and the power supply rod connected mutually as a whole. A connecting end of the suction rod is provided with a first connector. A connecting end of the power supply rod is provided with a second connector. The power supply rod extends from the connecting end of the suction rod and is accommodated and fixed in the suction rod. The connecting end of the suction rod and the connecting end of the power supply rod are fixedly connected by using screw threads of the first connector and the second connector. The length of the electronic cigarette becomes smaller, the structure is more compact, disassembly and assembly are convenient, and the amount of smoke is great, thereby helping observe the residual of tobacco liquid and making a smoker reduce the suction of the tobacco liquid or making the smoker avoid sucking the tobacco liquid.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to electronic cigarettes, especially an electronic cigarette with a built-in battery rod. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Conventional electronic cigarette usually includes an inhalation rod and a battery rod. In the inhalation rod disposes an e-liquid cup for storing e-liquid and an atomizer used to vaporize e-liquid to aerosol. The inhalation rod is usually made of opaque material. Because the battery rod is disposed at one end of the inhalation rod, makes the length of the whole electronic cigarette very long, occupying space; moreover, because a housing of the inhalation rod is made of non-transparent material, it is not convenient to observe balance of the e-liquid in the inhalation rod, thus it may occur that phenomenon of the e-liquid being dried out by the atomizer, even produce unpleasant pungent burning smell. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The objective of the present invention is to provide an electronic cigarette with a built-in battery, therefore the length is shorter, the structure is more compact and the assembly is convenient. 
         [0004]    To achieve the aforementioned objective, the present invention provides an electronic cigarette with a built-in battery rod, comprising an inhalation rod and a battery rod which are mutual connected forming an integral; the inhalation rod comprises a cartridge acting as a housing of the inhalation rod, an e-liquid cup disposed in the cartridge for storing e-liquid, an atomizer used to make e-liquid to be vaporized to aerosol and a mouthpiece cover assembly disposed at one end of the cartridge for users sucking The battery rod comprises a sleeve acting as a housing of the battery rod and a battery disposed in the sleeve operable to supply working power for the inhalation rod. A connecting end of the inhalation rod disposes a first connector. A connecting end of the battery rod disposes a second connector. The battery rod stretches into the inhalation rod from the connecting end of the inhalation rod, and is accommodated and fixed in the inhalation rod. The connecting end of the inhalation rod and the connecting end of the battery rod are threadedly connected and fixed by using the first connector and the second connector. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, the cartridge is made of transparent material. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, the first connector defines an inner thread hole therein, while on the second connector disposes an outer thread column which is threadedly connected with the inner thread hole. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, the first connector comprises a cartridge seat disposed at a bottom of the cartridge for sealing the bottom of the cartridge, a cylindrical liquid-isolating tube passing through the cartridge seat, extending into the cartridge and fixed on the cartridge seat, and a connecting sleeve disposed on an inner sidewall of a bottom of the liquid-isolating tube. In the connecting sleeve defines the inner thread hole; correspondingly, the second connector comprises a sleeve seat disposed at a bottom of the sleeve for sealing the bottom of the sleeve. A top of the sleeve seat is securely connected with the sleeve; the sleeve seat forms an outer thread column formed at a middle thereof and matching with the inner thread hole; the bottom of the sleeve seat disposes a seat body for users taking and holding. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, the central of the cartridge seat disposes a mounting hole axially through used to install the liquid-isolating tube; the bottom of the liquid-isolating tube is tensioningly fixed in the mounting hole. 
         [0009]    Furthermore, between a seat body of the sleeve seat and the outer thread column further disposes an annual groove for installing a sealing ring. 
         [0010]    Furthermore, in the battery rod disposes a control board for controlling the atomizer working; the sleeve seat further defines an accommodating chamber therein; the control board is accommodated in the accommodating chamber. 
         [0011]    Furthermore, on a top of the liquid-isolating tube further disposes a first electrode assembly; correspondingly, one end of the battery rod opposite to the connecting end of the battery rod disposes a second electrode assembly for matching with the first electrode assembly; the battery rod inserts into the inhalation rod, making a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the first electrode assembly to respectively abut with a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the second electrode assembly and then conduct the circuit. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, the first electrode assembly comprises a first seat body and a first electrode pole acting as the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the atomizer respectively; the first seat body and the liquid-isolating tube are securely connected; the first electrode pole uses a first insulation piece to be inserted and accommodated in the central of the first seat body, and two ends of the first electrode pole exposed; correspondingly, the second electrode assembly comprises a second seat body and a second electrode pole acting as a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the battery respectively; the second seat body and a top of the sleeve are securely connected; the second electrode pole uses a second insulation piece to be inserted and accommodated in the central of the second seat body, and two ends of the second electrode pole exposed. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, a space between an inner sidewall of the cartridge and an outer sidewall of the liquid-isolating tube together with a space between the cartridge seat and the mouthpiece cover assembly together limit an enclosed space forming the e-liquid cup for storing e-liquid; the liquid-isolating tube is made of transparent plastic material. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, on the second connector defines an inner thread hole, while on the first connector disposes an outer thread column which is thread connected with the inner thread hole. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, in the inhalation rod further disposes an atomization seat assembly used to fix the atomizer and for the atomizer working inside; the atomization seat assembly includes an atomization seat and an atomization cover; the atomization seat and the atomization cover are mutually clamped to clamping fix the atomizer, and between the atomization seat and the atomization cover forms an atomization chamber for the atomizer to vaporize e-liquid to aerosol inside thereof. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, in the inhalation rod further disposes a sleeve assembly acting as a aerosol channel; the sleeve assembly wraps the atomization seat assembly inside; the sleeve assembly includes a first sleeve and a second sleeve which are mutually sleeved to form a hollow pipe inside thereof to act as aerosol channel; the first sleeve and the second sleeve mutually sleeve to further clamping fix the atomizer. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, the atomizer includes a heating wire and a liquid-guiding member for absorbing e-liquid and supporting the heating wire; the heating wire winds on the liquid-guiding member; two ends of the first sleeve is open; on the upper sidewall of the first sleeve disposes a latching slot radially through for the liquid-guiding member passing through; the liquid-guiding member is across on the latching slot and stretches out of the first sleeve; a bottom of the second sleeve is open; the second sleeve is sheathed at the upper outside of the first sleeve; the bottom of the second sleeve abuts on the liquid-guiding member and acts with the first sleeve to further clamp the liquid-guiding member; a top of the second sleeve communicates with the mouthpiece. 
         [0018]    Furthermore, the mouthpiece cover assembly includes a cartridge top cover disposed on the cartridge and hermetically connected with the cartridge, and a mouthpiece inserted on the cartridge top cover and communicates with the internal of the cartridge; in the internal of the mouthpiece disposes a cooling chamber and an air vent with a predetermined length communicating with the cooling chamber. 
         [0019]    By adopting the aforementioned technical solutions, the present invention has the following benefits: firstly, the battery rod is accommodated in the inhalation rod, making the whole length of the electronic cigarette shorter, and the structure is more compact; secondly, at the bottom of the inhalation rod and the bottom of the battery rod respectively disposes the first connector and the second connector which are mutual thread connected by the inner thread hole and the outer thread column, making the assembly more convenient and fast thereof; additionally, the housing of the inhalation rod and the housing of the e-liquid cup are made of transparent material, facilitating to observe the usage and balance of the e-liquid in the internal of the electronic cigarette, may make the users feeling a greater amount of aerosol when smoking, and feeling more like smoking a real cigarette; finally, on the mouthpiece defines cooling chamber and air vent with a predetermined length, being able to reduce or avoid users to inhale in e-liquid. 
         [0020]    Embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail in the following drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electronic cigarette according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a main view of the electronic cigarette according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the electronic cigarette according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of an inhalation rod of the electronic cigarette according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the inhalation rod of the electronic cigarette according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a battery rod of the electronic cigarette according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a sleeve seat of a battery rod of the electronic cigarette according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the battery rod of the electronic cigarette according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a main view of the electronic cigarette according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the electronic cigarette according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of the inhalation rod of the electronic cigarette according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the battery rod of the electronic cigarette according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    It is needed to state that embodiments and all element limitations in all embodiments may be combined in the case of no conflicts. The present invention will be described in detail in the following combining figures and embodiments. To facilitate the description, the direction shown in  FIG. 1  is as a standard in the embodiment. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 8 , a first embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic cigarette  100 . The electronic cigarette  100  includes an inhalation rod  90  and a battery rod  91 . The battery rod  91  is inserted and accommodated in the inhalation rod  90 . A bottom of the battery rod  91  and a bottom of the inhalation rod  90  are connected by thread so as to make the battery rod  91  and the inhalation rod  90  being connected and fixed. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 6 , the inhalation rod  90  includes a cylindrical cartridge  1  acting as a housing of the inhalation rod  90 . The cartridge  1  disposes an atomizer  21  therein operable to vaporize e-liquid to aerosol, a sleeve assembly  27  for aerosol circulation, an e-liquid cup (not labeled) for storing e-liquid and a first electrode assembly  5  used to electrically connect with the battery rod  91 . A top of the cartridge  1  is a mouthpiece end for users sucking. A bottom of the inhalation rod is a connecting end used to connect with the battery rod. The mouthpiece end and the connecting end of the cartridge  1  dispose a mouthpiece cover assembly  4  and a first connector  7  respectively. The battery rod  91  includes a cylindrical sleeve  910  acting as a housing of the battery rod. A bottom of the sleeve  910  is a connecting end used to connect with the bottom of the inhalation rod  90 . A top and the bottom of the sleeve  910  respectively dispose a second electrode assembly  6  which is electrically connected with the first electrode assembly  5  and a second connector  8  which is securely connected with the first connector  7 . In the sleeve  910  further disposes a battery  911 , a control board  22  for controlling the atomizer  21  working and a control board support  23  used to fix the control board  22 . In order to facilitate observing the usage and balance of the e-liquid in the cartridge  1 , and avoiding phenomenon of the e-liquid dryout in the cartridge  1 , the cartridge  1  is made of transparent plastic material. 
         [0036]    The mouthpiece cover assembly  4  includes a cartridge top cover  41  for covering the top of the cartridge  1 , a mouthpiece  42  for users sucking, a sealing ring  43  and a sealing ring  44 . The cartridge top cover  41  is covered on the top of the cartridge  1  and securely threaded connects with the cartridge  1 . The central of the cartridge top cover  41  is recessed to form an accommodating chamber  411 . A bottom wall of the accommodating chamber  411  defines an air vent  412 . The mouthpiece  42  inserts into the accommodating chamber  411  of the cartridge top cover  41  and is tensioningly fixed on a sidewall of the accommodating chamber  411 . Between the cartridge top cover  41  and the cartridge  1  further disposes the sealing ring  43  to prevent aerosol leaking out from the gap between the cartridge top cover  41  and the cartridge  1 . The mouthpiece  42  includes a mouthpiece part  421 , and an inserting part  422  which is mutually infixed with the accommodating chamber  411 . The mouthpiece part  421  has a predetermined length. The central of the mouthpiece part  421  axially runs through to form an air vent  423  with a predetermined length to facilitate to make tiny e-liquid particles mixed in the aerosol cooling down and being condensed on an inner wall thereof, then reduce or avoid users to inhale in e-liquid. In an internal of the inserting part  422  forms a cooling chamber  424  interconnecting with the air vent  423  to facilitate making the tiny e-liquid particles mixed in the aerosol cooling down and being condensed on the inner wall thereof, then reduce or avoid users to inhale in e-liquid. On an outer sidewall of the inserting part  422  disposes an annular groove  425 . Between the mouthpiece  42  and the cartridge top cover  41  further disposes the sealing ring  44  to prevent aerosol leaking out from the gap between the mouthpiece  42  and the cartridge top cover  41 . The sealing ring  44  is disposed in the annular groove  425 . 
         [0037]    The electronic cigarette  100  disposes an atomization device  2  therein. The atomizer  21  is one part of the atomization device  2 . The atomization device  2  further includes the control board  22  used to control the atomizer  21  working and the control board support  23 . The control board  22  is disposed in the control board support  23 . The control board  22  disposes a mini pneumatic switch thereon to control the circuit being conducted, and then make a heating wire  211  starting to work. The atomizer  21  includes the heating wire  211  and a liquid-guiding member  212  for absorbing e-liquid and supporting the heating wire  211 . The heating wire  211  winds on the liquid-guiding member  212 . The liquid-guiding member  212  is able to absorb and store e-liquid, and may be made of fiberglass or materials capable of absorbing and storing e-liquid such as cotton material. In the embodiment, the liquid-guiding member  212  is fixed on a sleeve assembly  27  to be described in the following. Two ends of the heating wire  211  electrically connect to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a first electrode assembly  5  respectively. The atomization device  2  further includes an atomization seat assembly  24  used to fix the atomizer  21  and for the heating wire of the atomizer  21  working inside thereof. The atomization seat assembly  24  includes an atomization seat  25  and an atomization cover  26 . The atomization seat  25  and the atomization cover  26  are mutually clamped to clamping fix the liquid-guiding member  212 , and between the atomization seat  25  and the atomization cover  26  forms an atomization chamber for the heating wire  211  to make the e-liquid in the liquid-guiding member  212  to be vaporized into aerosol inside thereof. The atomization device  2  further includes the sleeve assembly  27  acting as an aerosol channel. The sleeve assembly  27  includes a first sleeve  28  and a second sleeve  29  which are mutually sleeved to form a hollow pipe inside thereof to act as aerosol channel. Two ends of the first sleeve  28  are open. An upper sidewall of the first sleeve  28  defines a latching slot  281  radially therethrough for the liquid-guiding member  212  passing through. The liquid-guiding member  212  is across on the latching slot  281  and extends out of the first sleeve  28 . A bottom of the first sleeve  28  is sheathed on the first electrode assembly  5 . The atomization seat  25  and the atomization cover  26  are accommodated and supported in the first sleeve  28 . A bottom of the second sleeve  29  is open and a top of the second sleeve  29  disposes a top wall. The second sleeve  29  is sheathed at an upper outside of the first sleeve  28 . The bottom of the second sleeve  29  abuts on the liquid-guiding member  212  and acts with the first sleeve  28  to further clamp the liquid-guiding member  212 . The top wall of the second sleeve  29  axially extends outward to form a vent pipe  291  operable to communicate with the accommodating chamber  411 . The vent pipe  291  inserts into the accommodating chamber  411  of the cartridge top cover  41  from the air vent  412  and tensioningly fixed in the air vent  412 . The sleeve assembly  27  wraps the atomization seat assembly  24  inside, and the function is to make the vaporized aerosol to be concentrated output thereof. The sleeve assembly  27  communicates with the mouthpiece cover assembly  4  directly, which may make users feeling a greater amount of aerosol when smoking, and feeling more like smoking a real cigarette. 
         [0038]    The first electrode assembly  5  includes a first seat body  51  and a first electrode pole  52  respectively acting as a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the inhalation rod  90 , and further includes a first insulation piece  53  used to make the first seat body  51  and the first electrode pole  52  being mutually insulated and isolated. The first electrode pole  52  uses the first insulation piece  53  to insert in the central of the first seat body  51  and stretch out of the first seat body  51 . A positive electrode and a negative electrode of the heating wire  211  of the atomizer  21  electrically connect with the first seat body  51  and the first electrode pole  52  respectively. Similarly, the second electrode assembly  6  includes a second seat body  61  and a second electrode pole  62  respectively acting as a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the battery rod  91 , and further includes a second insulation piece  63  used to make the second seat body  61  and the second electrode pole  62  being mutually insulated and isolated. The second electrode pole  62  uses the second insulation piece  63  to insert in the central of the second seat body  61  and stretch out of the second seat body  61 . The second seat body  61  and the second electrode pole  62  electrically connect with a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the battery  911  respectively by the control board  22 . Both the central of the first electrode pole  52  and the central of the second electrode pole  62  define an air vent (not labeled) which is axially through. On an upper end of the first seat body  51  further disposes a vent pipe used to be mutually infixed with the first sleeve  28 . 
         [0039]    The first connector  7  includes a cartridge seat  71  disposed at the bottom of the cartridge  1  for sealing the bottom of the cartridge  1 , a liquid-isolating tube  72  disposed in the cartridge  1  and a connecting sleeve  73  disposed at a bottom of the liquid-isolating tube  72 . The central of the cartridge seat  71  disposes a mounting hole (not labeled) axially through and used to install and fix the liquid-isolating tube  72 . The liquid-isolating tube  72  inserts into the cartridge  1  from the mounting hole. The bottom of the liquid-isolating tube  72  uses an outer sidewall to be tensioningly fixed in the mounting hole of the cartridge  71 , while the connecting sleeve  73  is tensioningly fixed on an inner sidewall of the bottom of the liquid-isolating tube  72 . On the top of the liquid-isolating tube  72  disposes the first electrode pole assembly  5 . The first seat body  51  of the first electrode pole assembly  5  tensioningly infixed with the liquid-isolating tube  72  and a connecting portion of the first seat body  51  of the first electrode pole assembly  5  and the liquid-isolating tube  72  is sealed along circumferential thereof. The central of the connecting sleeve  73  disposes an inner thread hole  731  axially through. 
         [0040]    In the embodiment, a space between the inner sidewall of the cartridge  1  and the outer sidewall of the liquid-isolating tube  72  together with a space between the cartridge seat  71  and the mouthpiece cover assembly  4  (specifically as the cartridge top cover  41 ) mutually form the e-liquid cup for storing e-liquid. The two ends of the liquid-guiding member  212  stretch out from the sleeve assembly  27  and then naturally droop to a bottom of the e-liquid cup to facilitate to absorb the e-liquid in the e-liquid cup. 
         [0041]    The second connector  8  includes a sleeve seat  81  disposed at the bottom of a sleeve  910  for sealing the bottom of the sleeve  910 , and a sealing ring  82  used for make the first connector  7  and the second connector  8  hermetically connected. The sleeve seat  81  is cylindrical, and a top of the sleeve seat  81  disposes an inserting column  811  used to tensioningly connect and fix with the sleeve seat  81  thereof. The central of the sleeve seat  81  forms an outer thread column  812  used to threadedly connect with the connecting sleeve  73 . A bottom of the sleeve seat  81  disposes a seat body  813  for users taking and holding; by using the seat body  813  makes the battery rod  91  screwing mounted in the inhalation rod  90  or dismantle the battery rod  91  out from the inhalation rod  90 . Between the seat body  813  and the outer thread column  812  further disposes an annual groove  814  for installing the sealing ring  82 . In the embodiment, in order to make the structure of the battery rod  91  more simple and compact, the control board support  23  is sheathed in the sleeve seat  81 ; correspondingly, the e sleeve seat  81  disposes an accommodating chamber  815  used to accommodate the control board support  23 . To facilitate observing the electronic cigarette working conditions, at the bottom of the sleeve  910  further disposes an indicating light cover  83  equipped with a working indicating light (not shown) and an air vent (not shown). The indicating light cover  83  is disposed at the bottom of the sleeve seat  81 ; correspondingly, at the bottom of the sleeve seat  81  further disposes a light cover hole  816  for accommodating the indicating light cover  82 . The light cover hole  816  communicates with the accommodating chamber  815 . 
         [0042]    When assembling, the battery rod  91  stretches into the liquid-isolating tube  72  from an inner thread hole of the connecting sleeve  73 , making the second electrode assembly  6  electrically connecting with the first electrode assembly  5 , that is, making the second seat body  61  and the first seat body  51  mutually abutting and power on, and making the second electrode pole  61  abutting with the first electrode pole  51 . While the bottom of the battery rod  91  uses the outer thread column  812  on the sleeve seat  81  threadedly connecting with the inner thread hole  731  of the connecting sleeve  73  of the inhalation rod  90  to fix. The assembly and disassembly between the battery rod  91  and the inhalation rod  90  are convenient and fast. When smoking, external air enters from the air vent at the bottom of the indicating light cover  83  on the battery rod  91 , then enters into the sleeve  910  through the accommodating chamber  815  in the sleeve seat  81 , and then flows out of the inhalation rod  90  individually through the air vent of the second electrode pole  62  and the first electrode pole  52 , the aerosol channel of the sleeve assembly  27 , the air vent  412  of the cartridge top cover  41 , the cooling chamber  424  on the mouthpiece  42  and the air vent  423 , thus forming an air channel in the electronic cigarette. The air in the electronic cigarette and the external air flow smoothly. Certainly, external air may also directly enter from the air vent  423  on the mouthpiece  42  through the air vent  412  on the cartridge top cover  41  into the cartridge  1  and then arrive at the inner of the sleeve assembly  27 . When the e-liquid in the cartridge  1  is exhausted, dismantle the mouthpiece cover  4  and then may continue to add e-liquid into the cartridge  1 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12 , a second embodiment of the present invention provides an alternative electronic cigarette  100 ′. The electronic cigarette  100 ′ includes an inhalation rod  90 ′ and a battery rod  91 ′. The battery rod  91 ′ is also inserted and accommodated in the inhalation rod  90 ′. The structures of the inhalation rod  90 ′ and the battery rod  91 ′ are basically the same as the structures of the inhalation rod  90  and the battery rod  91  respectively. The inhalation rod  90 ′ includes a first connector  7 ′ with a structure basically the same as the structure of the first connector  7 . The first connector  7 ′ includes a cartridge seat  71 ′ with a structure basically the same to the structure of the cartridge seat  71 . On the cartridge seat  71 ′ disposes an outer thread column  711 ′. The battery rod  91 ′ includes a second connector  8 ′ with a structure basically the same to the structure of the second connector  8 . The structures of the second connector  8 ′ and the sleeve seat  81  are basically the same. In the second connector  8 ′ disposes an inner thread hole  811 ′ screwing match with the outer thread column  711 ′. The inhalation rod  90 ′ and the battery rod  91 ′ are tightly fixed by the screwing of the outer thread column  711 ′ and the inner thread hole  811 ′. In the second connector  8 ′ further disposes the control board  22  and the control board support  23 . At a bottom of the second connector  8 ′ does not dispose with the indicating light cover  83 . The battery rod  91 ′ includes a sleeve  910 ′. To facilitate air entering into the battery rod  91 ′, on the sidewall of the sleeve  910 ′ defines an air vent  912 ′ (shown in  FIG. 12 ). Meanwhile, the connecting portion of the outer thread column  711 ′ and the inner thread hole  811 ′ does not dispose with a sealing ring to facilitate air entering into the sleeve  910 ′ through the gap of the screwing matching part. The other matching parts of the first connector  7 ′ and the second connector  8 ′ make adaptive changes only. Here will not describe in detail. 
         [0044]    Embodiments of the present invention is shown and described in the above-mentioned. Various improvement and modifications can be made to the embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.