Abstract:
A multi-source electronic vapor cigarette which overcomes the shortcomings of current devices. The device allows a user, when using the device for smoking cessation, to select different levels of nicotine at different times of the day to satisfy different levels of craving. The device holds multiple individual containers of a different liquid concentration of nicotine, flavored or not, or flavored medium only, within one device. A user can select a desired refillable container by operation of a switch to create a vapor passage from the desired container to the mouthpiece. For flavored vapor users, operation of the switch will select a container holding the desired flavor. The user can take a puff of one flavor vapor followed by another without mixing flavors within the device. The device allows any desired combination by inserting individual containers the user fills with their choice of liquid.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the filing priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/952,287 titled “Vapor Device With Switch Assembly” and filed on Mar. 13, 2014. The &#39;287 disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to methods for making and using a vapor-type electronic cigarette (a.k.a., e-cigarette) and to vapor-type electronic devices as well. Particularly, the present device relates to an electronic cigarette having a multi-cartridge capacity and a switch for quickly and easily changing between multiple vapor cartridges. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Electronic cigarettes on the market for smoking cessation predominately deliver an amount of nicotine through an atomizer connected to a liquid medium. The amount delivered with each puff is determined by the concentration of the drug in the liquid medium placed into the device. For a user, there are different amounts of nicotine needed at different times of day in order to satisfy different levels of nicotine cravings. The user can inhale more or less of the drug by taking longer or shorter puffs. To change the concentration of drug delivered, it is necessary to change the cartridge holding the liquid medium to a different concentration—for example, from a 0.3 percent concentration to a 0.1 percent concentration. 
         [0004]    A new market has arisen for adding flavored medium to enhance the experience of simulated smoking. This flavored vapor inhalation has become an industry of its own, with a growing number of recreational users. Vapor inhalant devices now allow use of a broad spectrum of flavors, alone or mixed; however to change from one flavor to another involves either having more than one vapor device or disassembling a single device to change to another atomizer with a different flavored medium. These alternatives are inefficient, costly, complex, and/or relatively time-consuming. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, the invention of the present disclosure provides a method and device for efficiently, quickly, and simply changing between different vapor inhalants without undue added cost. These and other problems are addressed by the present device and methods to provide a system with numerous advantages in operation and effectiveness. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of current devices mentioned above. The present invention allows a user, when using the device for smoking cessation, to select different levels of a drug (e.g., nicotine) at different times of the day, to satisfy different levels of craving. 
         [0007]    Generally speaking, the device is comprised of a body for storage of multiple liquid containers, an operational vaporizing source, a mouthpiece and an adjustable passageway to permit vaporized liquid from a selected container to be inhaled through the mouthpiece by a user. 
         [0008]    In a specific embodiment, the invention holds multiple individual containers, each holding a different liquid concentration of nicotine, flavored or not, or flavored medium only, all within one device. The user can quickly and easily select the desired refillable container of medium by simply sliding a switch coupled to the mouthpiece nozzle to the position of the desired container. For the flavored vapor user, sliding the switch will select one of the containers holding the desired flavor. The user could take a puff of one flavor vapor followed by another, for instance chocolate, followed by cherry, then a mint flavor. There would be no mixing of the flavors within the device, so the flavors are not tainted by one another. 
         [0009]    The present device allows almost any desired combination by inserting a plurality (e.g., two, three, four) of individual containers that the user fills with his/her choice of liquid vapor (e.g., flavors, nicotine concentrations). The present device further allows a user to quickly and easily change between a plurality of individual containers with a unique switch mechanism. 
         [0010]    These and other advantages will be more readily apparent from a review of the following detailed description and the appended drawings referenced therein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND APPENDIX 
         [0011]    For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawing and appendix, embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of the vapor device in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a switch assembly used in the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustrating a “lift and lock” mechanism of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a series of images illustrating an embodiment of a one-way valve used in the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of a switch assembly capable of use in the device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a mouthpiece and connecting assembly capable of use in the device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated. 
         [0019]    The following is a listing of components and the respective reference number for each as used in the appended drawing figures. The component name and a brief description, where useful, is included: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Ref. No. 
                 Component/Function 
               
               
                   
               
               
                  1 
                 Vapor Device 
               
               
                  1a 
                 Main Body 
               
               
                  1b 
                 Upper Body - Opens Device for Access to Containers of 
               
               
                   
                 Medium 
               
               
                  2 
                 Battery 
               
               
                  2a 
                 Removable Battery Cover in Rear of Device 
               
               
                  3 
                 Inner Compartment with spaces for 3 containers of medium 
               
               
                  4 
                 One Container shown, with Cap 
               
               
                  4a 
                 Container Cap, removable to refill Container 
               
               
                  5 
                 Stationary Draw Tubes (3) - When Cap closes, tube lower 
               
               
                   
                 ends create positive seals to Caps on Containers 
               
               
                  6 
                 Switch Box - Open area in Cap holding Switch and allowing 
               
               
                   
                 Switch movement 
               
               
                  6a 
                 Pop-in cover plate on rear of Device - 
               
               
                   
                 allows insertion of Switch Assembly 
               
               
                  7 
                 Switch Assembly 
               
               
                  71 
                 Switch Frame Box - Includes holes sized to hold pop-in 
               
               
                   
                 studs from Switch Slide, vertical pin guides for plates and 
               
               
                   
                 springs 
               
               
                  72 
                 Top Plate - Slides onto pin guides in Frame 
               
               
                  73 
                 Bottom Plate - Slides onto pin guides in Frame 
               
               
                  74 
                 Springs (4) - Keep tension on Plates to return Plates to 
               
               
                   
                 outward position 
               
               
                  75 
                 Spring Holder 
               
               
                  76 
                 Fixed Plate Inserts (6) 
               
               
                 761 
                 Tube with flared end to hold 762 in place 
               
               
                 762 
                 Seal (6) - Create seals to Draw Tubes when 
               
               
                   
                 plates are in outward position 
               
               
                  77 
                 Movable Draw Tubes - Ends fit into Inserts, with Stop 
               
               
                   
                 Rings 771 
               
               
                 771 
                 Stop Rings - Limit distance Plates can move 
               
               
                   
                 inward 
               
               
                  78 
                 Lift Ramps (4/Plate) - 
               
               
                   
                 See Lift and Lock Mechanism: Switch movement causes 
               
               
                   
                 Lift Ramps to climb Lifts (781), squeezing Plates toward 
               
               
                   
                 each other, lifting seals 762 off of fixed tubes. In next 
               
               
                   
                 Switch position, Ramps fall into Locks (782), allowing 
               
               
                   
                 Plates to return outward, dropping Seals onto Fixed 
               
               
                   
                 Tubes, and hold Switch in place 
               
               
                  79 
                 Switch Slide. 
               
               
                 791 
                 Button with Grip - 
               
               
                   
                 On outside of Device. Pins slide through 
               
               
                   
                 slot on Device to move Switch Assembly 
               
               
                 792 
                 Electrical Switch inside Switch Box 
               
               
                 793 
                 Electrodes - 
               
               
                   
                 When moved with Switch Assembly align with 
               
               
                   
                 various contacts to direct power to correct 
               
               
                   
                 Container Heater and LED. 
               
               
                 794 
                 Pin ends - 
               
               
                   
                 Sized to pop into holes in Frame and lock in 
               
               
                   
                 place 
               
               
                  8 
                 Pads (see 73) - Land on fixed tubes not in use to prevent air 
               
               
                   
                 leak 
               
               
                  9 
                 Valve (4) - Inserted firmly into tube for one-way air flow, 
               
               
                   
                 passive closure 
               
               
                  91 
                 Cut from pliable material and crimped so teeth are angled 
               
               
                  91a 
                 Showing strip bending into circle 
               
               
                  91b 
                 Showing angle and mobility of triangle 
               
               
                  91c 
                 Showing when bent into circle, teeth overlap for closure 
               
               
                  91d 
                 Shown inserted into tube, opening with air flow 
               
               
                  10 
                 Mouthpiece - Pressed to lock into body when not in use 
               
               
                  11 
                 Spring loaded ball catches (2) 
               
               
                  12 
                 Ball catch receivers (3) - 
               
               
                   
                 One at bottom of mouthpiece tube. Groove 15 not shown for 
               
               
                   
                 initial insertion, removal, then turn to lock in. Groove from 
               
               
                   
                 top to bottom 12s to right not shown, allows for easy ball 
               
               
                   
                 catch travel up and down. Mouthpiece cannot be removed 
               
               
                   
                 without turning, locks into bottom 12 
               
               
                  13 
                 Mouthpiece Tube - Storage of mouthpiece when not used 
               
               
                  14 
                 Spring coil - Raises mouthpiece when catch is released 
               
               
                  15 
                 Grooves (not shown) - Insert mouthpiece ball catches and turn 
               
               
                   
                 to lock position 
               
               
                  16 
                 Release button - Pushes pin into ball catch to release 
               
               
                   
                 mouthpiece 
               
               
                  17 
                 Release pin - Disengages ball catch 
               
               
                  18 
                 Push button - Releases catch and open Upper Body 
               
               
                  19 
                 Hinge for Upper Body 
               
               
                  20 
                 Side push On button (2) 
               
               
                  21 
                 Face push On button 
               
               
                  22 
                 Circuit Contacts - Complete circuit to desired container heater 
               
               
                  23 
                 All 3 push buttons wired parallel so any one operates Device 
               
               
                  24 
                 Pressure switch - 
               
               
                   
                 Must be depressed by mouthpiece ball catch to complete 
               
               
                   
                 circuit, so Device will not work without mouthpiece 
               
               
                   
                 extended 
               
               
                  25 
                 LED Indicators light to show Container in use. 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ref. No. 
                 Component/Function (Alternate Embodiment - See FIGS. 5-6) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 A-6 
                 Alternate Switch Box Design: Open area in Cap holding 
               
               
                   
                 flexible Switch Plate and allowing controlled movement of 
               
               
                   
                 Plate. 
               
               
                 A-6.1 
                 Contains molded plenum to collect vapors from selected draw 
               
               
                   
                 tube and discharge through mouthpiece. 
               
               
                 A-7 
                 Alternate Switch Assembly 
               
               
                 A-71 
                 Flexible Plate: Contains one hole for air passage, which slides 
               
               
                   
                 either way to position hole above selected stationary draw 
               
               
                   
                 tube. 
               
               
                   
                 Tabs on edge of Plate fit into guide slots (A-74) on both sides 
               
               
                   
                 of plate in Switch Box. Plate flexes as guide pins move along 
               
               
                   
                 slots to raise and lower hole and covers onto draw tube ends 
               
               
                   
                 for positive seal. Dotted circles indicate crimping for positive 
               
               
                   
                 seal. 
               
               
                 A-72 
                 Spacer attached to Plate. Spacer flexes with plate to keep 
               
               
                   
                 contact with Switch Bracket. 
               
               
                 A-73 
                 Switch Bracket attaches to flexible Spacer and protrudes 
               
               
                   
                 through slot in side of Upper Body. The Switch attaches to 
               
               
                   
                 Bracket to move the assembly. 
               
               
                 A-74 
                 In lieu of Plate crimping, a thin layer of soft material may be 
               
               
                   
                 attached to the Plate to create the positive tube seal. 
               
               
                 A-75 
                 Diagram of guide slot in Switch Box which causes Plate to lift 
               
               
                   
                 and drop for positive tube seal without damaging seal material 
               
               
                 A-10 
                 Alternate Mouthpiece Assembly 
               
               
                 A-10 
                 Mouthpiece as shown in original design containing spring, 
               
               
                   
                 guides, electrical connection, and release button 
               
               
                 A-10.1 
                 Upper Draw Tube: To avoid any one of the three containers 
               
               
                   
                 being open when not in use, the Switch must be in the center 
               
               
                   
                 position for the mouthpiece to retract. When the mouthpiece is 
               
               
                   
                 depressed, it engages the Stop Ring and Tube is pushed down 
               
               
                   
                 until bottom seal closes off the opening to center Draw Tube 
               
               
                   
                 (5). When Mouthpiece extends, it pulls the Tube into the 
               
               
                   
                 working position. 
               
               
                 A-10.2 
                 Stop Ring 
               
               
                 A-10.3 
                 Openings in Upper Draw Tube allow passage of vapors to 
               
               
                   
                 Mouthpiece. 
               
               
                 A-10.4 
                 Bottom Seal, which engages and closes center hole of Plate. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0020]    As detailed above, the disclosed invention may include several individually unique parts and which collectively and individually achieve the unique functions of the present device. Additionally, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, alternate embodiments of many of these components are available as well. 
         [0021]    The purpose of the device  1  is to allow a user, whether for tobacco cessation or inhalation of flavored vapor, to operate the device while allowing quick and easy changing between different dosages of a component (e.g., nicotine), different flavors of vapor, or any combination thereof, or more than one of the same, as the user desires. 
         [0022]    Referring now to drawing  FIGS. 1-6 , preferred and alternate embodiments of the electronic vapor cigarette device  1  are illustrated and will herein be described. As illustrated, the vapor device  1  is configured to hold three containers  4  of liquid medium (one shown), each with its own atomizer/heater (coil in container  4 ). 
         [0023]    Generally speaking, the device  1  comprises a base section having a main body la and an upper body lb. The main body la contains a battery  2  as a power source. The battery  2  is used to power the vaporizing feature of the device  1 . An inner compartment  3 , designed with divided sections is configured to hold multiple containers  4  of liquid medium. 
         [0024]    The containers  4 , containing an absorbent medium for holding the liquid to be vaporized (as is well-known in the art) and a heating element/atomizer, which may be metallic or plastic, is designed specifically to fit within the inner compartment  3 . The containers  4  fit into the inner compartment  3  so that the base of the heater makes electrical contact with the circuitry to the power switch  21 . If plastic, the containers will have a metal strip to conduct electric current from the heater to an electrode imbedded in the cap  4   a , which contacts an electrode. The containers  4  may be removed from the inner compartment  3  for easy exchange or refilling. Alternatively, the containers  4  can be refilled in place. 
         [0025]    The device  1  is preferably about the size and shape of a common smart phone, and can be carried in a shirt pocket, or wherever a person would carry a phone. The mouthpiece  10  can be stored within tube  13  in the upper body lb where a push of a recessed release button  16  can be used to pop up the mouthpiece  10  into place for use. Only when the mouthpiece  10  is in the extended position will it be possible to complete the circuit to the heater/vaporizer, thus the device cannot be accidentally engaged when carried. 
         [0026]    There are preferably three “power” buttons, any of which can be pushed to activate the device  1 . The two side buttons  20  are at the balance point, so they would be under the finger and thumb of the user when held in the flat or vertical position by the sides. The third button  21  on the face would be under a user&#39;s finger when held flat between a finger at the center of a front face and a thumb at the center of the rear face. 
         [0027]    The switch  79  for changing between the three containers slides between three positions. The circuitry sending power to the heater/vaporizers switches power to the selected container  4 . An LED light may be used on the face of device  1 , above the selected container to light briefly upon moving the switch  79  to that container. The LED may also come on when a power button  20  or  21  is engaged to show that container is in use. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the switch assembly  7  has internal draw tubes  77  that are moved by the switch assembly  7  to engage the mouthpiece tube  13  and the fixed tube  5  connecting to the selected container compartment  3 . As the switch slide  791  is engaged, ramps  78  on the surface of two plates  72 ,  73  act against lift profiles  781  in the switch box  6  to squeeze the plates  72 ,  73  together against springs  74 , raising seals  762  affixed to tubular inserts  761  fixed in the plates, thus protecting the seals  762 . Then, as the switch moves on, the ramps drop into locks  782 , allowing the plates to return to their outward positions, engaging the seals  762  and pads  8  onto the mouthpiece tube and a different fixed tube  5 . 
         [0029]    The internal draw tubes  77  are inserted into the fixed plate inserts  761 . The inserts  761  are free to move over the tubes  77  as far as allowed by the stop rings  771  when the plates  72 ,  73  are squeezed together. Stop rings  771  are held in a slot in the tube  77 , and are a spring coil, keeping the internal tubes  77  from changing position relative to the inserts  761  when the plates  72 ,  73  move apart. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an alternate switch assembly A- 7  is illustrated. The alternate switch assembly A- 7  is contained within an alternate switch box A- 6  having an open area for holding the flexible switch plate A- 71  and allowing controlled movement of the plate. The cover plate A- 6 . 1  contains a molded plenum to collect vapors from a selected draw tube and discharge the vapors through mouthpiece  10 . The alternate switch assembly A- 7  includes flexible plate A- 71  which contains a single hole for air passage. The plate A- 71  is capable of sliding in either direction to position the hole above a selected stationary draw tube  5 . Tabs on the edge of the plate A- 71  fit into guide slots A- 74  on both sides of plate. Plate A- 71  flexes as guide pins move along slots to raise and lower hole and covers onto draw tube ends for positive seal. Dotted circles indicate crimping for positive seal. 
         [0031]    A spacer A- 72  is attached to plate A- 71  and flexes with the plate to keep contact with switch bracket A- 73 . The switch bracket A- 73  attaches to the flexible spacer and protrudes through a slot in side of the upper body  1 B. The switch attaches to the bracket A- 73  to move the assembly A- 7 . In lieu of the plate A- 71  crimping, a thin layer of soft material A- 74  may be attached to the plate A- 71  to create the positive tube seal. Diagram A- 75  of guide slot in the switch box A- 6  illustrates how the plate A- 71  is caused to lift and drop for positive tube seal without damaging the seal material A- 74 . 
         [0032]    An alternate mouthpiece assembly A- 10  is shown in  FIG. 6 . The mouthpiece A- 10  is similar to the original design in that it includes spring, guides, electrical connection, and a release button. However, the upper draw tube A- 10 . 1  is configured to avoid any one of the three containers  4  from being open when not in use. Accordingly, the switch must be in the center position for the mouthpiece A- 10  to retract. When the mouthpiece A- 10  is depressed, it engages stop ring A- 10 . 2  and the tube A- 10 . 1  is pushed down until the bottom seal A- 10 . 4  closes off the opening to center draw tube  5 . When the mouthpiece A- 10  extends, it pulls the tube A- 10 . 1  into a working position. The openings A- 10 . 3  in the upper draw tube A- 10 . 1  allow passage of vapors to mouthpiece A- 10 . 
         [0033]    Valves  9  ( FIG. 4 ) are inserted into the lower end of the fixed tubes  5  and contact the hole in the cap  4   a  of the container  4  when the upper body lb is in a closed position, creating a seal. The tabs of the valves  9  naturally lie overlapping one another in the closed position, preventing evaporation of the medium in the containers  4 . A small amount of vacuum or airflow will cause the valve  9  to open to allow full passage of air and vapor. An additional valve  9  is placed into the center lower insert in plate  73 , because this insert will contact all three of the fixed tubes  5 , depending on the switch position. This additional valve is to prevent any residual vapor in the fixed tubes  5  from entering the central tube when not in use. The pads  8  between the internal tubes on the bottom of plate  73  cover the other fixed tubes  5  not in use. 
         [0034]    The containers  4  are specifically designed to fit in the inner compartment  3 , and are refillable, either while in place, or they can be removed for filling or replacement with another container. A companion carrying case can be used to hold a number of additional containers, whether empty, partially used, or full, with seals closed against the ends to prevent spillage or evaporation. 
         [0035]    It will be intuitive to someone of skill in the art that changes can be made to the illustrated device to achieve several different embodiments. For example, the device can be designed to hold from two to four or more specifically designed containers, depending on the intended or desired use. With additional containers, the size and volume of the containers may be reduced, or the device enlarged. 
         [0036]    The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.