Mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarettes and methods of using the same

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette. In certain embodiments, mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette includes: a cartridge top portion, a cartridge bottom portion, and a control circuit. The cartridge top portion includes an E-liquid storage tank and a convertible vaporizer. E-liquid vapor volume generated by convertible vaporizer is selectable by a user and selectable E-liquid volume includes a small E-liquid vapor volume generated by a first set of heating element for mouth smoking and a large E-liquid vapor volume generated by a second set of heating element for lung smoking. In certain embodiments, the first set of heating element includes a first heating element. The second set of heating element may include: a second heating element, the first heating element and the second heating element connected in serial, and the first heating element and the second heating element connected in parallel.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of electronic cigarettes, and more particularly to mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarettes, and methods of using the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarettes.

BACKGROUND

It is well known that smoking cigarette is harmful to smoker's health. The active ingredient in a cigarette is mainly nicotine. During smoking, nicotine, along with tar aerosol droplets produced in the cigarette burning, are breathed into the alveolus and absorbed quickly by the smoker. Once nicotine is absorbed into the blood of the smoker, nicotine then produces its effect on the receptors of the smoker's central nervous system, causing the smoker relax and enjoy an inebriety similar to that produced by an exhilarant.

The electronic cigarette is sometimes referred as electronic vaporing device, personal vaporizer (PV), or electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS). It is a battery-powered device which simulates tobacco smoking. It generally uses a heating element that vaporizes a liquid solution (e-liquid). Some solutions contain a mixture of nicotine and a variety of flavorings, while others release a flavored vapor without nicotine. Many are designed to simulate smoking experience, such as cigarette smoking or cigar smoking. Some of them are made with similar appearance, while others are made considerably different in appearance.

Different smokers have different smoking habits. Some smokers want to have a limited amount of E-liquid vapor, and these smokers are sometime referred as mouth smokers. Others want to have large amount of E-liquid vapor, and these smokers are sometime referred as lung smokers. It is desirable to have an electronic cigarette that satisfies the needs of both types of smokers.

Therefore, an unaddressed need exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette. In certain embodiments, the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette includes: a cartridge top portion, a cartridge bottom portion, and a control circuit. The cartridge top portion includes an E-liquid storage tank and a convertible vaporizer. E-liquid vapor volume generated by the convertible vaporizer is selectable by a user and the selectable E-liquid volume includes a small E-liquid vapor volume generated by a first set of heating element for mouth smoking and a large E-liquid vapor volume generated by a second set of heating element for lung smoking. In certain embodiments, the first set of heating element includes a first heating element. The second set of heating element may include: a second heating element, the first heating element and the second heating element connected in serial, and the first heating element and the second heating element connected in parallel.

In certain embodiments, the cartridge bottom portion includes a vapor control sliding switch for selecting the E-liquid vapor volume and an electrical power source for providing electrical power to the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette. The control circuit is positioned inside of the cartridge bottom portion for detecting low E-liquid level condition, displaying a low E-liquid level warning when the E-liquid level in the E-liquid storage tank is at a first predetermined level and disconnecting the electrical power source to the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette when the E-liquid in the E-liquid storage tank is at a second predetermined level.

In certain embodiments, the convertible vaporizer is positioned around an E-liquid vapor path. The convertible vaporizer includes: a heating element base, a first E-liquid storage medium ring, and a second E-liquid storage medium ring. The heating element base is used to mount the first heating element around a first E-liquid storage medium bar and the second heating element around a second E-liquid storage medium bar. The first E-liquid storage medium ring is in direct contact with the heating element base to allow the E-liquid in the first E-liquid storage medium ring to flow to the first E-liquid storage medium bar and the second E-liquid storage medium bar. The second E-liquid storage medium ring is in direct contact with the first E-liquid storage medium ring to allow the E-liquid in the E-liquid storage tank to flow through the first E-liquid storage medium ring to the first E-liquid storage medium bar and the second E-liquid storage medium bar.

In certain embodiments, the convertible vaporizer is positioned around the E-liquid vapor path. The convertible vaporizer includes: a heating element e-liquid storage medium, the first E-liquid storage medium ring, and the second E-liquid storage medium ring. A combined heating element is mounted around the heating element e-liquid storage medium. The combined heating element includes a first heating element portion for generating the small E-liquid vapor volume and a second heating element portion for generating the large E-liquid vapor volume. The first heating element portion includes the first heating element. The second heating element portion may include the second heating element, the first heating element and the second heating element connected in serial, and the first heating element and the second heating element connected in parallel.

In certain embodiments, the vapor control sliding switch includes a switch slider. In one embodiment, the switch slider includes a first position for mouth smoking and a second position for lung smoking. When the switch slider is placed at the first position, the vapor control sliding switch opens a first air intake opening and connects the first positive output terminal of the electrical power source to the first set of heating element. When the switch slider is placed at the second position, the vapor control sliding switch opens a second air intake opening and connects the second positive output terminal of the electrical power source to the second set of heating element. In another embodiment, the vapor control sliding switch further includes a third position. When the switch slider is placed at the third position, the electrical power source is disconnected to the first set of heating element and the second set of heating element.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of using a mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette. In certain embodiments, the method includes: filling, by a user, E-liquid into an E-liquid storage tank, and installing, by the user, an electrical power source into a cartridge bottom portion. The method also includes: placing, by the user, a switch slider of a vapor control sliding switch to one of a first position and a second position. The first position corresponds to a mouth smoking position where a small E-liquid vapor volume is generated by a first set of heating element, and the second position corresponds to a lung smoking position where a large E-liquid vapor volume is generated by a second set of heating element. When the switch slider is placed in the first position, the method includes opening a first air intake opening and providing by the electrical power source electrical power to the first set of heating element to generate the small E-liquid vapor volume by the first set of heating element. When the switch slider is placed in the second position, the method also includes opening a second air intake opening and providing by the electrical power source electrical power to the second set of heating element to generate the large E-liquid vapor volume by the second set of heating element.

In certain embodiments, the vapor control sliding switch may include a third position. When the switch slider of the vapor control sliding switch is placed in the third position, the electrical power source is disconnected from the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette. In certain embodiments, the first set of heating element includes a first heating element. The second set of heating element may include: a second heating element, the first heating element and the second heating element connected in serial, and the first heating element and the second heating element connected in parallel.

In certain embodiments, the method further includes: displaying a warning when a control circuit detects that level of the E-liquid filled in the E-liquid storage tank is at a first predetermined level, and disconnecting the electrical power source to the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette when the control circuit detects that level of the E-liquid filled in the E-liquid storage tank is at a second predetermined level.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, “around”, “about” or “approximately” shall generally mean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent, and more preferably within 5 percent of a given value or range. Numerical quantities given herein are approximates, meaning that the term “around”, “about” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated.

Many specific details are provided in the following descriptions to make the present disclosure be fully understood, but the present disclosure may also be implemented by using other manners different from those described herein, so that the present disclosure is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed in the following.

The description will be made as to the embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsFIGS. 1 through 11.

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 9, in one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette10. In certain embodiments, the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette10includes: a cartridge top portion101, a cartridge bottom portion102, a vapor control sliding switch103, and a low E-liquid level warning display104. The cartridge top portion101includes an E-liquid storage tank10120for storing E-liquid for the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette10and a convertible vaporizer10118for generating E-liquid vapor for the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette10. The cartridge bottom portion102includes a vapor control sliding switch103for selecting the E-liquid vapor volume and an electrical power source1037for providing electrical power to the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette10.

In certain embodiments, as shown inFIG. 2, the cartridge top portion101includes the E-liquid storage tank10120and the convertible vaporizer10118. In certain embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B, the E-liquid storage tank10120includes an E-liquid refill cover10121attached on the E-liquid storage tank10120through an E-liquid refill cover anchor101211. The E-liquid refill cover10121may be rotated in a first direction to expose an E-liquid refill opening10122for refilling E-liquid into the E-liquid storage tank10120, and rotated in a second, reverse direction to close the E-liquid refill opening10122after the refilling. The first direction includes a clockwise direction, and a counter clockwise direction. The second direction includes the counter clockwise direction, and the clockwise direction.

In certain embodiments, the cartridge top portion101includes a first sealing ring10112for sealing the top end of the E-liquid storage tank10120, and a second sealing ring10119for sealing the bottom end of the E-liquid storage tank10120.

In certain embodiments, as shown inFIG. 2, the cartridge top portion101includes a mouthpiece cover1011. The mouthpiece cover1011defines an E-liquid vapor path10111in a center of the cartridge top portion101allowing air to pass from a bottom of the cartridge top portion101, through the convertible vaporizer10118to a top of the cartridge top portion101. The cartridge top portion101also includes a first heating element positive terminal101231for connecting a first set of heating element to a first positive output terminal10351of the electrical power source1037, a second heating element positive terminal101232for connecting a second set of heating element to a second positive output terminal10352of the electrical power source1037, and a heating element negative terminal101233for connecting a negative output terminal10353of the electrical power source1037to the first set of heating element and the second set of heating element.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the convertible vaporizer10118is positioned around the E-liquid vapor path10111. The convertible vaporizer10118includes: a sealing medium10113positioned at a top of the convertible vaporizer10118, a heating element base10116positioned at a bottom of the convertible vaporizer10118, a first E-liquid storage medium ring10114, and a second E-liquid storage medium ring10115coaxially positioned outside of the first E-liquid storage medium ring10114. The heating element base10116is used to mount a first heating element101181around a first E-liquid storage medium bar101171and a second heating element101182around a second E-liquid storage medium bar101172. The first E-liquid storage medium ring10114is in direct contact with the E-liquid in the E-liquid storage tank10120and the heating element base10116to allow the E-liquid to soak into the first E-liquid storage medium ring10114and flow to the first E-liquid storage medium bar101171and the second E-liquid storage medium bar101172. The second E-liquid storage medium ring10115is in direct contact with the first E-liquid storage medium ring10114to allow the E-liquid in the E-liquid storage tank10120to flow through the first E-liquid storage medium ring10114and the second E-liquid storage medium ring10115to the first E-liquid storage medium bar101171and the second E-liquid storage medium bar101172. The cartridge top portion101also includes a first sealing ring10112for sealing the top end of the E-liquid storage tank10120, and a second sealing ring10119for sealing the bottom end of the E-liquid storage tank10120.

In another embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the convertible vaporizer10118includes: a sealing medium10113positioned at a top of the convertible vaporizer10118, a heating element e-liquid storage medium101161coaxially positioned around the E-liquid vapor path10111, a first E-liquid storage medium ring10114, and a second E-liquid storage medium ring10115. A combined heating element is mounted around the heating element e-liquid storage medium101161. The combined heating element includes a first heating element portion for generating the small E-liquid vapor volume and a second heating element portion for generating the large E-liquid vapor volume. The first heating element portion includes the first heating element101181. The second heating element portion may include the second heating element101182, the first heating element101181and the second heating element101182connected in serial, and the first heating element101181and the second heating element101182connected in parallel. The cartridge top portion101may also include the first sealing ring10112for sealing the top end of the E-liquid storage tank10120, and a third sealing ring10124for sealing the bottom end of the E-liquid storage tank10120.

In certain embodiments, the first E-liquid storage medium ring10114is in direct contact with the E-liquid in the E-liquid storage tank10120and the heating element e-liquid storage medium101161to allow the E-liquid in the E-liquid storage tank10120to soak the first E-liquid storage medium ring10114. The second E-liquid storage medium ring10115is in direct contact with the first E-liquid storage medium ring10114to allow the E-liquid soaked in the first E-liquid storage medium ring10114to flow through the second E-liquid storage medium ring10115to the heating element e-liquid storage medium101161.

The cartridge top portion101also includes a bottom cover10125and a bottom cover ring10126for connecting the cartridge top portion101to the cartridge bottom portion102.

In certain embodiments, the first set of heating element includes the first heating element101181as shown inFIG. 8A,FIG. 9AandFIG. 9C. In one embodiment, the second set of heating element includes the second heating element101182as shown inFIG. 8B. In another embodiment, the second set of heating element includes the first heating element101181and the second heating element101182connected in serial as shown inFIG. 8BandFIG. 9B. In yet another embodiment, the second set of heating element includes the first heating element101181and the second heating element101182connected in parallel as shown inFIG. 9D.

In certain embodiments, the E-liquid vapor volume generated by the convertible vaporizer10118is selectable by a user and the selectable E-liquid volume includes a small E-liquid vapor volume generated by a first set of heating element for mouth smoking and a large E-liquid vapor volume generated by a second set of heating element for lung smoking.

In certain embodiments, as shown inFIG. 4, the cartridge bottom portion102includes a front cover1021and a back cover1022. The vapor control sliding switch103is positioned on the front cover1021and the electrical power source1037is positioned inside the front cover1021and the back cover1022. The vapor control sliding switch103includes a switch slider1031. In one embodiment, the switch slider1031includes two positions: a first position for mouth smoking, as shown inFIGS. 8A, 9A and 9C, and a second position for lung smoking, as shown inFIGS. 8B, 9B and 9D. In another embodiment, the switch slider1031may also include a third, off position for turning off the electrical power source1037from the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette10, as shown inFIG. 8C.

In certain embodiments, the vapor control sliding switch103includes a first air intake opening1032, and a second air intake opening1033, both positioned under the switch slider1031. When the switch slider1031is placed at the first position, the vapor control sliding switch103opens the first air intake opening1032and connects the first positive output terminal10351of the electrical power source1037to the first set of heating element for mouth smoking with small amount of E-liquid vapor. When the switch slider1031is placed at the second position, the vapor control sliding switch103opens the second air intake opening1033and connects the second positive output terminal10352of the electrical power source1037to the second set of heating element for lung smoking with large amount of E-liquid vapor.

The vapor control sliding switch103also includes an air intake10362for outside air to flow into the convertible vaporizer10118through either the first air intake opening1032or the second air intake opening1033. An air intake sealing ring10361may be positioned between the air intake10362and the cartridge bottom portion102to prevent the air from leaking.

In certain embodiments, the electrical power source1037may include a battery and/or a rechargeable battery. The cartridge bottom portion102may also include a positive charging terminal10371, a negative charging terminal10372, and a ground terminal10373for charging the rechargeable electrical power source1037. The cartridge bottom portion102may also include a first insulation plate10374, and a second insulation plate10375for insulating the positive charging terminal10371, the negative charging terminal10372, and the ground terminal10373. In certain embodiments, the rechargeable battery may include including lead-acid, nickel cadmium (NiCd), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium ion (Li-ion), and lithium ion polymer (Li-ion polymer).

In certain embodiments, a control circuit1035is positioned inside of the cartridge bottom portion102for detecting low E-liquid level condition, displaying a low E-liquid level warning when the E-liquid level in the E-liquid storage tank10120is at a first predetermined level and disconnecting the electrical power source1037to the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette10when the E-liquid in the E-liquid storage tank10120is at a second predetermined level. The low E-liquid level warning is displayed on the low E-liquid level warning display104located on the front cover1021of the cartridge bottom portion102.

Referring now toFIG. 10AandFIG. 10B, the E-liquid is filled to a MAX point10001at the beginning and the temperature of the first heating element101181is low at10021and the resistance of the first heating element101181is low at10011. As the user smokes, the E-liquid level is lowered and the temperature of the first heating element101181goes up and so does the resistance of the first heating element101181. When the E-liquid level reaches the first predetermined level: LOW point10002, the temperature of the first heating element101181reaches10022and the resistance of the first heating element101181reaches10012. When the control circuit1035detects that the resistance of the first heating element101181reaches10012, the control circuit1035turns on the low E-liquid level warning display104. The user is advised to fill more E-liquid into the E-liquid storage tank10120. If the user continues to smoke without filling more E-liquid to the E-liquid storage tank10120, the temperature of the first heating element101181and the resistance of the first heating element101181may continue to rise. When the E-liquid level reaches the second predetermined level: DRY point10003, the temperature of the first heating element101181reaches10023and the resistance of the first heating element101181reaches10013. When the control circuit1035detects that the resistance of the first heating element101181reaches10013, the control circuit1035disconnect the electrical power source1037from the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette10.

In another aspect, as shown inFIG. 11, the present disclosure relates to a method1100of using a mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette10.

At block1102, a user prepares the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette10. The preparation includes: installing an electrical power source1037and filling E-liquid into an E-liquid storage tank10120. In one embodiment, the electrical power source1037is a battery. In another embodiment, the electrical power source1037is a rechargeable battery. Installing the electrical power source1037includes opening a cartridge bottom portion102into a front cover1021and a back cover1022, placing the battery or the rechargeable battery between the front cover1021and the back cover1022, and closing the front cover1021and the back cover1022of the cartridge bottom portion102. In certain embodiments, installing the electrical power source1037may also include charging the rechargeable battery to get the electrical power source1037ready.

In certain embodiments, filling E-liquid into the E-liquid storage tank10120includes detaching a cartridge top portion101from the cartridge bottom portion102, turning an E-liquid refill cover10121around an E-liquid refill cover anchor101211in a first direction to expose an E-liquid refill opening10122, filling E-liquid into the E-liquid storage tank10120through the E-liquid refill opening10122, turning the E-liquid refill cover10121around the E-liquid refill cover anchor101211in a second, reverse direction to close the E-liquid refill opening10122, and attaching the cartridge top portion101to the cartridge bottom portion102. The attaching the cartridge top portion101to the cartridge bottom portion102also includes connecting the electrical power source1037in the cartridge bottom portion102to a convertible vaporizer10118in the cartridge top portion101.

In certain embodiments, the method also includes: placing, by the user, a switch slider1031of a vapor control sliding switch103to one of a first position and a second position. The first position corresponds to a mouth smoking position where a small E-liquid vapor volume is generated by a first set of heating element, and the second position corresponds to a lung smoking position where a large E-liquid vapor volume is generated by a second set of heating element.

At branching block1104, when the switch slider1031is placed in the first position, the method continues to block1106, and when the switch slider1031is placed in the second position, the method continues to block1108.

At block1106, when the switch slider1031is placed in the first position, the switch slider1031opens a first air intake opening1032and connects the electrical power source1037to the first set of heating element to generate the small E-liquid vapor volume by the first set of heating element. In certain embodiments, the first set of heating element includes a first heating element101181.

At block1108, when the switch slider1031is placed in the second position, the switch slider1031opens a second air intake opening1033and connects the electrical power source1037to the second set of heating element to generate the large E-liquid vapor volume by the second set of heating element.

When the switch slider1031is placed in the second position, the method also includes opening a second air intake opening and providing by the electrical power source1037electrical power to the second set of heating element to generate the large E-liquid vapor volume by the second set of heating element. In one embodiment, the second set of heating element includes a second heating element101182. In another embodiment, the second set of heating element includes the first heating element101181and the second heating element101182connected in serial. In yet another embodiment, the second set of heating element includes the first heating element101181and the second heating element101182connected in parallel.

At block1110, in certain embodiments, the method includes: displaying a warning when a control circuit1035detects that level of the E-liquid filled in the E-liquid storage tank10120is at a first predetermined level10002.

At block1112, in certain embodiments, the method includes: disconnecting the electrical power source1037to the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette10when the control circuit1035detects that level of the E-liquid filled in the E-liquid storage tank10120is at a second predetermined level10003.

At branching block1114, in certain embodiments, the vapor control sliding switch103may include a third, off position. When the switch slider1031of the vapor control sliding switch103is placed in the third, off position, the electrical power source1037is disconnected from the mouth to lung convertible electronic cigarette10and the method ends. Otherwise, method continues to branching block1104and the user continues either mouth smoking or lung smoking depending on the position of the switch slider1031of the vapor control sliding switch103.