Abstract:
An e-vaping device includes a first cartomizer section including a housing body with an inner tube extending longitudinally within the housing. A tubular reservoir for storing an e-vaping liquid is positioned between the housing body and the inner tube, with a wick is in fluid communication with the tubular reservoir. A heater is configured to vaporize the e-vaping liquid in the wick. The tubular reservoir is helically wound around the inner tube, and a vent hole is included in a distal end of the tubular reservoir. A cross-sectional diameter of the wick equals a cross-sectional diameter of the tubular reservoir.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    Example embodiments relate generally to an e-vaping device. The e-vaping device may include a tubular liquid supply reservoir. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Conventionally, e-vaping devices utilize a liquid supply reservoir that contains a liquid material. The liquid material is drawn toward a heater via a wick, where the heater vaporizes the liquid material, and the vaporized liquid is entrained in an air flow that is discharged into an adult vaper&#39;s mouth for consumption. However, an appreciable amount of liquid material in the liquid supply reservoir is often unused and ultimately wasted, as the liquid material may remain trapped in the reservoir. In particular, as the liquid material is consumed, a vacuum pressure may develop in a distal end of the reservoir, which may impede the liquid material from traveling through the reservoir and being discharged to a heater for vaporization. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    At least one example embodiment relates to a cartomizer. 
         [0006]    In one example embodiment, the cartomizer includes a housing body; a hollow inner body extending longitudinally within the housing body; a tubular reservoir configured to store an e-vaping liquid, at least a portion of the tubular reservoir disposed between the housing body and the inner body, the tubular reservoir being wound around the inner body; a wick in fluid communication with the tubular reservoir; and a heater configured to vaporize e-vaping liquid in the wick. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the tubular reservoir is helically wound around the inner body. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the tubular reservoir is made from a flexible material that is collapsible such that a distal end of the tubular reservoir is configured to collapse as the e-vaping liquid is consumed. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the distal end of the tubular reservoir defines a vent hole. In one embodiment, a cross-sectional diameter of the wick is about equal to a cross-sectional diameter of the tubular reservoir. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, a distal end of the tubular reservoir defines a vent hole. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, a cross-sectional diameter of the tubular reservoir is between about 1.0 mm and about 3.0 mm, and a diameter of the vent hole is between about 100 micrometers and about 300 micrometers. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the tubular reservoir is made from a rigid material. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, a cross-sectional diameter of the wick is about equal to a cross-sectional diameter of the tubular reservoir. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, a cross-sectional diameter of the wick is about equal to a cross-sectional diameter of the tubular reservoir. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, a cartomizer includes a housing body; a hollow inner body extending longitudinally within the housing body; a tubular reservoir configured to store an e-vaping liquid, at least a portion of the tubular reservoir disposed between the housing body and the inner body, the tubular reservoir being made from a flexible material that is collapsible; a wick in fluid communication with the tubular reservoir; and a heater configured to vaporize e-vaping liquid in the wick. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, a distal end of the tubular reservoir defines a vent hole. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, a cross-sectional diameter of the tubular reservoir is between about 1.0 mm and about 3.0 mm, and a diameter of the vent hole is between about 100 micrometers and about 300 micrometers. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, a cross-sectional diameter of the wick is about equal to a cross-sectional diameter of the tubular reservoir. In another embodiment, a cartomizer includes a housing body; a hollow inner body extending longitudinally within the housing body; a tubular reservoir configured to store an e-vaping liquid, at least a portion of the tubular reservoir disposed between the housing body and the inner body, a distal end of the tubular reservoir defining a vent hole; a wick in fluid communication with the tubular reservoir; and a heater configured to vaporize e-vaping liquid in the wick. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, a cross-sectional diameter of the wick is about equal to a cross-sectional diameter of the tubular reservoir. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, a cross-sectional diameter of the tubular reservoir is between about 1.0 mm and about 3.0 mm, and a diameter of the vent hole is between about 100 micrometers and about 300 micrometers. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment, a cartomizer includes a housing body; a hollow inner body extending longitudinally within the housing body; a tubular reservoir configured to store an e-vaping liquid, at least a portion of the tubular reservoir disposed between the housing body and the inner body; a wick in fluid communication with the tubular reservoir, a cross-sectional diameter of the wick being about equal to a cross-sectional diameter of the tubular reservoir; and a heater configured to vaporize e-vaping liquid in the wick. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the tubular reservoir is made from a flexible material that is collapsible such that a distal end of the tubular reservoir is configured to collapse as the e-vaping liquid is consumed. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the tubular reservoir is made from a rigid material, a distal end of the tubular reservoir defining a vent hole. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, a cross-sectional diameter of the tubular reservoir is between about 1.0 mm and about 3.0 mm, and a diameter of the vent hole is between about 100 micrometers and about 300 micrometers. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, an e-vaping device includes a cartomizer; and a power supply electrically connected to the cartomizer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The above and other features and advantages of example embodiments will become more apparent by describing in detail, example embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. The accompanying drawings are intended to depict example embodiments and should not be interpreted to limit the intended scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a detailed illustration of a cross-sectional view of an e-vaping device, in accordance with an example embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a magnified cross-sectional view of a section of an e-vaping device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an example embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3A  is a simplified illustration of forces acting on liquid in a liquid supply reservoir, in accordance with an example embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3B  is a simplified illustration of forces acting on liquid in a partially full liquid supply reservoir, in accordance with an example embodiment; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a magnified cross-sectional view of another section of an e-vaping device, in accordance with an example embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein. 
         [0033]    Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of example embodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures. 
         [0034]    It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “covering” another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or covering the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
         [0035]    It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of example embodiments. 
         [0036]    Spatially relative terms (e.g., “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like) may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
         [0037]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0038]    Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of example embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed as limited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of example embodiments. 
         [0039]    Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, including those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  is a detailed illustration of a cross-sectional view of an e-vaping device  60 , in accordance with an example embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the e-vaping device  60  may include a first major section (a cartridge, or “cartomizer”)  70  and a second major section  72 . The first and second sections  70 / 72  may each be encapsulated by an outer tube  6 . Mating male/female threaded connections  205   a/b  may be used to join the two sections  70 / 72 . A mouthpiece  8  with outlets  24  may be on an end of the first major section  70 . The first major section  70  (shown in more detail in  FIG. 2 , showing a magnified view of section  70 ) may include a central air passage  9  defined by an inner tube  62 . The inner tube  62  may be in fluid communication with outlets  24  of mouthpiece  8 . 
         [0041]    In operation, an adult vaper may use their mouth to draw air from the e-vaping device  60  via air outlets  24 . Specifically, when an adult vaper inhales air from outlets  24 , this inhalation causes air to be drawn into the e-vaping device  60   a  via air inlets  44 / 44   a , and this air then travels through central air passage  9 , and into the adult vaper&#39;s mouth via outlets  24 . Puff sensor  16  senses this internal movement of air within the e-vaping device  60   a , and causes power supply  1  to electrically energize heater  14  via electrical leads  26 . Puff sensor  16  may also energize heater activation light  48  in order to indicate that the e-vaping device  60  is being operated. Wick  28  draws a liquid material (e-vaping liquid) from the liquid supply reservoir  22  towards heater  14  via a capillary action of wick  28 . The heater  14  can be in the form of a wire coil, a planar body, a ceramic body, a single wire, a cage of resistive wire or any other suitable form. Liquid that is vaporized at heater  14  may become entrained in the air flowing through central air passage  9 , such that the entrained vapor may enter the adult vaper&#39;s mouth via outlets  24 . 
         [0042]    A tubular liquid supply reservoir  122  may be used to contain the e-vaping liquid. This reservoir may be helically wound around inner tube  62 . The tubular liquid supply reservoir  122  may have a circular cross-section, where a diameter of the reservoir  122  may be about equal to a diameter of the wick  28  that may be used to draw a e-vaping liquid from the liquid supply reservoir  122  to heater  14 . In particular, an end of the wick  28  may be affixed within a proximal end  122   c  of the liquid supply reservoir  122 , via crimping, friction fitting, adhesive, or other suitable means of affixing the wick  28  within the end  122   c  of reservoir  122 . The liquid supply reservoir  122  may have a diameter that is small, in order to cause a e-vaping liquid to be driven through the reservoir  122  via a capillary force. In particular, the diameter of the liquid supply reservoir  122  may be between about 1.0 and 3.0 millimeters in diameter. 
         [0043]    The wick  28  may be a porous medium, or a bundle of flexible filaments, that may combine to form uniformly sized interstitial spaces throughout the wick  28 . As explained in more detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 3A /B, these interstitial spaces must be small, in order to ensure that a difference between a capillary force in wick  28  may overcome a capillary force in reservoir  122 . This difference in capillary force, referred to herein as a “differential capillary force,” may be great enough that the differential capillary force may exceed a weight of the e-vaping liquid in reservoir  122 , allowing the wick  28  to draw e-vaping liquid toward heater  14  while e-vaping device  60  is in any orientation (including an orientation where wick  28  is drawing the liquid in a direction that is opposite to the direction of gravity). 
         [0044]    In one embodiment, the filaments of the wick  28  may be generally aligned in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the e-vaping device, but the example embodiments are not limited to this orientation. In one embodiment, the structure of the wick  28  is formed of ceramic filaments capable of drawing liquid via capillary action via interstitial spacing between the filaments to the heater  14 . The wick  28  can include filaments having a cross-section which is generally cross-shaped, clover-shaped, Y-shaped or in any other suitable shape. 
         [0045]    The wick  28  may include any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials are glass filaments and ceramic or graphite based materials. Moreover, the wick  28  may have any suitable capillarity accommodate aerosol generating liquids having different liquid physical properties such as density, viscosity, surface tension and vapor pressure. The capillary properties of the wick  28 , combined with the properties of the liquid, ensure that the wick  28  is always wet in the area of the heater  14  to avoid overheating of the heater  14 . 
         [0046]    Instead of using a wick, the heater can be a porous material of sufficient capillarity and which incorporates a resistance heater formed of a material having a high electrical resistance capable of generating heat quickly. 
         [0047]    The tubular liquid supply reservoir  122  may have a uniform diameter throughout the length of the reservoir  122 . The tubular liquid supply reservoir  122  may be formed from a material that is thin and flexible, which may reduce production complexity of the e-vaping device  60   b  as the reservoir  122  may be easily wound around inner tube  62 . For instance, tubular liquid supply reservoir  122  may be made from silicon, polypropylene, polyethylene, rubber, chemical resistant tubing, and/or any food and medical grade tubing. Due to the thin and flexible nature of the material that may be used to make the tubular liquid supply reservoir  122 , the reservoir  122  may be collapsible. That is to say, as a capillary force effectively drives the e-vaping liquid through reservoir  122  and through wick  28  to heater  14 , and as the e-vaping liquid is therefore vaporized and consumed, a distal end  122   d  of the reservoir  122  may collapse. Through this collapsing action, a potential vacuum force in the distal end  122   d  of reservoir  122  may be mitigated, such that the e-vaping liquid may travel through reservoir  122  without becoming trapped and/or impeded. By mitigating a potential vacuum force within reservoir  122 , a higher degree of e-vaping liquid within reservoir  122  may be consumed by an adult vaper. 
         [0048]    The tubular liquid supply reservoir  122  may alternatively be made from a rigid material. For instance, the tubular liquid supply reservoir  122  may be made from polyurethane, silicon, polypropylene, polyethylene, rubber, tygon, and/or any food and medical grade tubing. In the event that a rigid material is used, a vent hole  122   a  may be provided in the distal end  122   d  of reservoir  122 , in order to allow air to enter the distal end  122   d  as the e-vaping liquid is consumed in order to mitigate a potential vacuum force within the reservoir  122 . The vent hole  122   a  may have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the reservoir  122  (where the diameter of the vent hole  122   a  may be in the range of 100 to 300 micrometers), in order to allow air to enter the distal end  122   d  of the reservoir  122  as the e-vaping liquid is consumed, without allowing the e-vaping liquid to exit this vent hole  122   a.    
         [0049]    It should be understood that a vent hole  122   a  may also be included in a distal end  122   d  of a tubular liquid supply reservoir  122  made from the thin and flexible material (described above), in order to further assist in the mitigation of a potential vacuum force that may otherwise form in the reservoir  122  as the e-vaping liquid is consumed. 
         [0050]    The e-vaping liquid may be any e-vaping liquid that is capable of being vaporized by heater  14 . For instance, the e-vaping liquid may include a tobacco-containing material including volatile tobacco flavor compounds which are released from the liquid upon heating. The liquid may also be a tobacco flavor containing material or a nicotine-containing material. Alternatively, or in addition, the liquid may include a non-tobacco material(s). For example, the liquid may include water, solvents, active ingredients, ethanol, plant extracts and natural or artificial flavors. The liquid may further include an aerosol former. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerine, propylene glycol, etc. Because of the diversity of suitable e-vaping liquids, it should be understood that these various liquids may include varying physical properties, such as varying densities, viscosities, surface tensions and vapor pressures. 
         [0051]    The heater  14  may be a wire coil surrounding wick  28 . Examples of suitable electrically resistive materials include titanium, zirconium, tantalum and metals from the platinum group. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium- titanium- zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese- and iron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel. For example, the heater may be formed of nickel aluminides, a material with a layer of alumina on the surface, iron aluminides and other composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the external physicochemical properties required. In one embodiment, the heater  14  comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, nickel-chromium alloys, superalloys and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the heater  14  is formed of nickel-chromium alloys or iron-chromium alloys. In one embodiment, the heater  14  can be a ceramic heater having an electrically resistive layer on an outside surface thereof. 
         [0052]    In another embodiment, the heater  14  may be constructed of an iron-aluminide (e.g., FeAl or Fe.sub.3Al), or nickel aluminides (e.g., Ni.sub.3Al). Use of iron-aluminides is particularly advantageous in that they exhibit high resistivity. FeAl exhibits a resistivity of approximately 180 micro-ohms, whereas stainless steel exhibits approximately 50 to 91 micro-ohms. The higher resistivity lowers current draw or load on the power source (battery)  1 . 
         [0053]    In one embodiment, the heater  14  comprises a wire coil which at least partially surrounds the wick  28 . In that embodiment, the wire may be a metal wire and/or the heater coil that extends partially along the length of the wick  28 . The heater coil may extend fully or partially around the circumference of the wick  28 . In another embodiment, the heater coil is not in contact with the wick  28 . 
         [0054]    The heater  14  heats liquid in the wick  28  by thermal conduction. Alternatively, heat from the heater  14  may be conducted to the liquid by means of a heat conductive element or the heater  14  may transfer heat to the incoming ambient air that is drawn through the e-vaping device  60  during use, which in turn heats the liquid by convection. 
         [0055]    The power supply  1  may be a Lithium-ion battery or one of its variants, for example a Lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the battery may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, a Lithium-manganese battery, a Lithium-cobalt battery or a fuel cell. In that case, the e-vaping device  60  is usable until the energy in the power supply is depleted. Alternatively, the power supply  1  may be rechargeable and include circuitry allowing the battery to be chargeable by an external charging device. In that case, the circuitry, when charged, provides power for a desired (or alternatively a pre-determined) number of puffs, after which the circuitry must be re-connected to an external charging device. 
         [0056]    The e-vaping device  60  also may include control circuitry including the puff sensor  16 . The puff sensor  16  may be operable to sense an air pressure drop and initiate application of voltage from the power supply  1  to the heater  14 . Alternatively, the control circuitry may include a manually operable switch for an adult vaper to initiate a puff. The time-period of the electric current supply to the heater may be pre-set depending on the amount of liquid desired to be vaporized. The control circuitry may be programmable for this purpose. Alternatively, the circuitry may supply power to the heater as long as the puff sensor detects a pressure drop. 
         [0057]    When activated, the heater  14  may heat a portion of the wick  28  surrounded by the heater for less than about 10 seconds, more preferably less than about 7 seconds. Thus, the power cycle (or maximum puff length) can range in period from about 2 seconds to about 10 seconds (e.g., about 3 seconds to about 9 seconds, about 4 seconds to about 8 seconds or about 5 seconds to about 7 seconds). 
         [0058]    The mouthpiece  8  may be integrally affixed within the tube  6  of the cartridge  70 . Moreover, the mouthpiece  8  may be formed of a polymer selected from the group consisting of low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and combinations thereof. The mouthpiece  8  may also be colored if desired. 
         [0059]    In an embodiment, the e-vaping device  60  may be about the same size as a conventional cigarette. In some embodiments, the e-vaping device  60  can be about 80 mm to about 110 mm long, preferably about 80 mm to about 100 mm long and about 7 mm to about 8 mm in diameter. For example, in an embodiment, the e-vaping device may be about 84 mm long and have a diameter of about 7.8 mm. 
         [0060]    In one embodiment, the e-vaping device  60  may also include a filter segment upstream of the heater  14  and operable to restrict flow of air through the e-vaping device  60 . The addition of a filter segment can aid in adjusting the resistance to draw. 
         [0061]    The outer tube  6  and/or the inner tube  62  may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials include metals, alloys, plastics or composite materials containing one or more of those materials, or thermoplastics that are suitable for food or pharmaceutical applications, for example polypropylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), ceramic, and polyethylene. In one embodiment, the material is light and non-brittle. 
         [0062]      FIG. 3A  is a simplified illustration of forces acting on liquid in the liquid supply reservoir  122 , in accordance with an example embodiment. In particular,  FIG. 3A  shows the reservoir  122  full of a e-vaping liquid  122   b , where a downward capillary force (including a gravitational force, denoted as F down ) and an upward capillary force (denoted as F up ) is acting on the liquid  122   b . It should be understood that the orientation shown in  FIG. 3A  constitutes a challenging condition for liquid flow to heater  14 , because gravity is acting in a direction that is directly opposite to the desired direction of travel of the liquid  122   b  that is being drawn toward heater  14 . As shown in Equation 1, upward force F up  may be quantified. 
         [0000]        F   up   =n (2π r σ)cos(θ v )  Equation 1
 
         [0000]    where n may be a number of parallel upward interstitial channels within wick  28 , r may be an equivalent radius of the porous structure of the wick  28 , σ may be a surface tension of the liquid  122   b , and θ v  may be a contact angle between the liquid  122   b  and the solid material used to form the wick  28 . 
         [0063]    Based on this understanding, the downward capillary force F down  may be quantified, as shown in Equation 2. 
         [0000]        F   down =(2π r σ)cos(θ R )  Equation 2
 
         [0000]    where R may be the reservoir tube  122   b  diameter. A number of interstitial flow channels in wick  28  may therefore depend on a relative size of R and r, which is proportional to (R/r) 2 . 
         [0064]    Because R (which may be about 1.0 to 3.0 millimeters) is significantly larger than r (which may be about 5-15 microns), n is expected to be a relatively large number. This differential capillary force may therefore force the liquid  122   b  upward and through wick  28  to heater  14 , even in the orientation where gravity is acting to pull the liquid  122   b  in a direction that is opposite to the desired direction of travel of the liquid toward the heater  14 , and even for e-vaping liquids with a wide range of viscosities and surface tensions. 
         [0065]      FIG. 3B  is a simplified illustration of forces acting on liquid in a partially full liquid supply reservoir  122 , in accordance with an example embodiment. In particular,  FIG. 3B  depicts vent hole  122   a  allowing air to enter reservoir  122  as the e-vaping liquid is being consumed and vaporized by heater  14 . Due to the surface tension of the e-vaping liquid  122   b , a curvature  122   e  of the liquid  122   b  may form near the distal end  122   d  of the reservoir  122 . However, by properly designing the interstitial pores/channels of wick  28  to be small enough to ensure that the liquid  122   b  may be discharged from reservoir  122  through the wick  28  to heater  14  in all orientations of e-vaping device  60   b , little to none of the liquid  122   b  will be left behind in the reservoir  122  as the liquid  122   b  is being consumed. 
         [0066]      FIG. 4  is a magnified illustration of a cross-sectional view of another section  70  of an e-vaping device, in accordance with an example embodiment. The section  70   a  is identical to the section  70  shown in  FIG. 2 , with the following differences. The vaporizer (the collective term for heater  14  and wick  28 ) may be located on a distal end  62   b  of inner tube  62 , rather than on a proximal end  62   a  of the inner tube  62 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . By placing the vaporizer  14 / 28  on either the distal end  62   b  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) or proximal end  62   a  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) of inner tube  62 , the annular space surrounding an outer periphery of inner tube  62  may be maximized, such that a greater amount of this annular space may be monopolized by the tubular liquid supply reservoir  122 . 
         [0067]    While the example embodiments described above disclose a cartomizer  70  with a liquid supply reservoir  122  that is a part of a two-piece e-vaping device  60  configuration (where cartomizer  70  and power-supply section  72  form the two major pieces of the device  60 ), it should be understood that the liquid supply reservoir  122  may alternatively be included in a one-piece e-vaping device. That is to say, the components of the cartomizer  70  may optionally not be removably attachable to a power supply section or an e-vaping device. Alternatively, the liquid supply reservoir  122  may also be included in other e-vaping device configurations, where the components of the e-vaping device may be separated into multiple sections (of three, or four, or more sections) of an overall e-vaping device. 
         [0068]    Example embodiments having thus been described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the intended spirit and scope of example embodiments, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.