Abstract:
A multi-flavor electronic vapor device 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 turning the cap assembly containing the mouthpiece nozzle to the position of the desired container. For flavored vapor user, turning the cap will select a containers 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:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present device relates to methods and devices for making and using a vapor type electronic cigarette (a.k.a., e-cigarette). Particularly, the present device relates to methods for making, using and customizing electronic cigarette devices with the capability of providing multiple drug concentrations and/or multiple vapor flavors. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Electronic cigarettes (known more commonly as “e-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 given user, there may be different amounts of nicotine needed at different times of the day in order to satisfy different levels of nicotine cravings. In 1963, one of the first “smokeless” cigarettes was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,200,819 to Gilbert. More single source devices followed. With such devices, the user can either inhale more or less of the drug by taking longer or shorter puffs, or the user can change the concentration of the nicotine being delivered in each puff. With present e-cigarette devices, changing the concentration of drug delivered requires changing a cartridge containing the liquid medium. 
         [0003]    Similar to the concentration issue, a new market has arisen for adding flavored medium to enhance the experience of simulated smoking. Even the Gilbert cigarette in the &#39;819 patent suggested use of flavored solutions ranging from mentholated water to Scotch whiskey. 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 using more than one vapor device, or disassembling a single device to change to a different atomizer with a different flavored medium. Such a delay between flavors is often unsatisfactory, and many users may lack the ability to properly carry out the disassemble and reassemble processes. 
         [0004]    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 
       [0005]    The purpose of the disclosed invention is to overcome the shortcomings of current devices mentioned above and provide a vapor inhalation system which can accommodate a plurality of drug concentrations and/or a plurality of vapor flavors. Accordingly, the present invention allows a user, when using the device for smoking cessation, to select between different levels of nicotine at different times of the day to satisfy different levels of craving Likewise, the present invention may allow a user, when using the device for vapor flavor inhalation, to select between different vapor flavors in a single vapor device. 
         [0006]    Generally speaking, the invention is comprised of a vapor device having a mouthpiece, a multi-chambered main body configured to hold a plurality of fluid containers, a cap including an air tube, the cap being connected to the mouthpiece and the multi-chambered main body, and a vaporizing source contacting the main body. When liquid within a container is loaded into a chamber of the main body and vaporized by the vaporizing source, a user is able to draw the vapor through the air tube into the mouthpiece in a manner similar to smoking. 
         [0007]    In an embodiment of the inventive device, an adjustment mechanism may be provided to allow selection between a plurality of the fluid containers positioned within the multi-chambered body. The adjustment mechanism is simple and requires no disassembling of the device for selection. 
         [0008]    In an embodiment, the invention is configured to hold multiple individual containers, each containing a liquid medium of either a different concentration of nicotine, flavored or not, or a different flavoring only, all within a single device. It is an aspect of such an embodiment that the user can quickly and easily select the desired individual container of liquid medium by simply turning a cap assembly containing the mouthpiece nozzle to a position aligned with the desired container. For the flavored vapor user, turning the cap will select one of the containers holding the desired flavor. In an embodiment, a user could take a puff of one flavor vapor followed by a different vapor. For example, a chocolate flavored puff could be followed by a cherry flavor, then a mint flavor. There is no mixing of the flavors within the device. 
         [0009]    Additionally, in an embodiment of the invention, the device can be readily altered from a two container device to a three, four or more container device. Preferably, the device is a component of a system comprising at least one of a two, three, four, or more container configuration, including a proper static plate for each. A carrying case for each configuration is preferably provided for travel and storage of the refillable containers. 
         [0010]    The present device allows any desired combination by inserting individual containers the user fills with their choice of liquid vapor. 
         [0011]    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 
         [0012]    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. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a vapor device in accordance with the present disclosure, with sections (A)-(E) representing component portions of the device; and 
           [0014]      FIGS. 2A-B  are views of an embodiment of a liquid container for possible use within the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of an embodiment of a “universal” cartridge cap for possible use with the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a top view of an embodiment of a container carrying case; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an embodiment of a lid of the container carrying case of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the embodiment of the lid shown in  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an embodiment of a base of the container carrying case of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    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. 
         [0021]    Referring to the  FIGS. 1-3 , a preferred embodiment of a multi-container, electronic vapor device  10  is illustrated. As illustrated, the device  10  is comprised of a main base section  12 , a cartridge  14  seated within the base section  12 , a cap  16  which attaches over the cartridge  14  to the base section  12  via bolt  28 , and a mouthpiece  18  which inserts into the cap  16 . The cartridge  14  within the base section  12  is configured to hold at least one liquid medium container  20 . Each container  20  includes a heating element/atomizer  22  within and is shaped according to the number of containers to be seated within the cartridge  14 , as will be explained further below. The vapor device  10  includes several other individual unique parts and functions, which are also detailed below. 
         [0022]    Preferably, for smoking cessation users, the entire device  10  may be shaped like a cigarette, with the mouthpiece  18  on one end and an LED  30  on the opposite end. The LED  30  can be powered such that it lights during inhalation to simulate a burning cigarette. Alternatively, in another embodiment where only flavored vapor is being used, the LED may be eliminated or switched off, if desired. In most embodiments, the device  10  is preferably or a size and weight to be readily carried in a user&#39;s pocket, for example. 
         [0023]    Returning to the illustrated device  10  of  FIGS. 1-3 , there is preferably at least one power button  26  that, when pushed, activates the a selected liquid medium container  20  in the cartridge  14 . An LED  32  located within the cartridge  14  may be used to light with a specific color during operation to show the container in use. 
         [0024]    The base section  12  holds a battery  24  wired to the power button  26  and a contact plate in the bottom surface of the cartridge  14 , and used to power the device  10 . The device  10  may be designed to operate from any suitable battery size and type, whether disposable or rechargeable, with only minor modifications. A smaller battery(-ies) is preferred to maintain the compact size and light-weight of the device  10 . From the center of the base section  12  extending toward the opposite end is a hollow bolt  28 . The cartridge  14 , designed with divided sections  34  about the axis to hold multiple containers fits over the bolt  28 , with a locating guide to assure exact fit location. 
         [0025]    The containers  20 , each containing an absorbent medium for holding the liquid to be vaporized (as is well-known in the art) and the heating element/atomizer  22 , which may be metallic or plastic, are designed specifically to fit within the cartridge  14 . Preferably, the containers  20  are grouped for a single cartridge. For example, a group of two containers for a two-container cartridge, a group of three containers for a three-container cartridge, etc., etc. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a specific container  20  configured for a group of four containers. The container  20  also includes an indent area  40  for affixing an identification strip  42 . The strip  42  would include information about the liquid medium, such as flavor or nicotine concentration. In an embodiment of the present system  100 , the strips  42  may be provided as peel-and-stick strips from a pre-printed or printable sheet (not shown). Each strip may be opaque with a pattern of holes to allow reading of the hole pattern when back-lit with the container LED  32  (e.g., the word “MINT” or the nicotine concentration). Alternatively, the labels may be transparent and printable with opaque ink for a similar, but reverse, effect. 
         [0027]    Each container of a group fits into the cartridge  14  so that the base of the heating element  22  makes electrical contact with the circuitry  44  to the power switch  26 . If made of a plastic, the containers  20  may have a metal strip to conduct electric current from the heater to an electrode embedded in the container cap  21 , which contacts a static plate electrode  46 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the containers  20  are preferably taller than the cartridge  14  for easy removal to be exchanged or refilled. Alternatively, the containers  20  can be refilled in place, if desired. 
         [0028]    Each container  20  includes a check valve  48  in the bottom surrounding the battery contact to prevent leakage of medium while still allowing air passage under suction. The container cap  21  may include a similar check valve (not shown) to prevent leakage. 
         [0029]    The static plate  50 , unique to the present invention, fits over the containers to provide part of an adjustment mechanism and help prevent leakage. The static plate  50  has a guide opening  52  which connects to the guide pin  29  on the bolt  28  to assure proper positioning and to prevent movement (i.e., it is static). Seals  54  in the static plate  50  fit over the air passages  56  in the tops of the containers  20 . Due to the positioning of the seals  54 , the static plate  50  is specific to the cartridge configuration—i.e., two-container, three-container, four-container, etc. The static plate  50  contains electrodes  58  positioned proximate the seals  54  that are used to pass current from a container  20  toward the device cap  16 . On the top of the static plate  50  is at least one ramp  59  which lifts guide pins  60  in the cap plate  70 , as explained further below. 
         [0030]    Another part of the adjustment mechanism is the rotatable device cap  16  which fits over the bolt  28  and secures in place by a threaded nut  62 . When turned clockwise, the cap  16  tightens to the designed tightness against the static plate  50 , and then is capable of turning freely around the nut  62 . When turned counterclockwise, the cap  16  engages the nut  62  and screws off the bolt  28 . The cap  16  retains the nut  62  in a box  64  that allows the cap  16  to be lifted a short distance off of the static plate  50 . A hollow section of shaft  66  attached to the nut  62  has a flange  68  on top and is wrapped with a spring  69 . This configuration resists pulling on the cap  16  and limits the movement of the cap  16 . 
         [0031]    The purpose of limiting the movement is that there is a plate  70  fixed in the cap  16  that holds the box  64  and a lower end of a suction nozzle  72  connected back to the mouthpiece  18 . It is this configuration which allows the simple adjustment (or changing) from one container to another. The plate  70  contains guide pins  60  that, when the cap  16  is rotated, ride up the ramps  59  on the static plate  50  and lift the cap  16  sufficiently to disengage the seal of the nozzle  72  from a container seal in the static plate  50 . Continuation of the rotation then drops the nozzle  72  onto the next container seal in the static plate  50 . An air passage is thereby created from the selected container  20 , through the suction nozzle  72 , and into the mouthpiece  18 . Vapor created within the container  20  can then be drawn by a user into the mouthpiece  18 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates a “universal” cap plate  70 . The plate  70  includes lift guide pins  60  for two-container configurations (a), three-container configurations (b) and four-container configurations (c). The three different guide pin sets  60   a - c  are preferably at different distances from the center so as to properly align with the ramps  59  of an associated static plate for the proper cartridge configuration. Accordingly, a single device  10  can be changed between a two-container cartridge, a three-container cartridge, and a four-container cartridge, as described above, without requiring a change of the plate  70  within the cap  16  as well, but only the static plate  50 . 
         [0033]    The nozzle  72  is connected at an opposite end to a sleeve  74  into which the removable mouthpiece  18  is fitted. While the present embodiment illustrates a removable mouthpiece  18  for user storage convenience, a permanently fixed mouthpiece may also be used. The cap  16 , when installed, fits over and covers a portion of the cartridge  14 . 
         [0034]    A wire  76  attached to an electrode  78  in the cap plate  70  is raised and turned and lowered with the nozzle  72 . When in the lowered position, the wire connects to the electrode  46  in the static plate  50  for the specific container aligned with the nozzle  72 . The wire  76  is connected to the nut  62  and grounds through the bolt  28  to the battery  24 . Thus, the heater  22  within whichever container  20  contacted by the nozzle  72  is also connected to the switch circuitry  44 . When the power switch  26  is activated, the LED  32  in the section of the cartridge  14  holding the container  20  can light, showing the user which container is in use. Alternatively, each container  20  can be of a different color with an internal LED, or contain a light strip (not shown) that lights, so as to be seen through the cartridge  14 , or the light may be turned off with a programmable switch (not shown). 
         [0035]    The present disclosure also includes a preferred vapor inhalation system  100 . The system  100  includes at least one vapor device, including any of the disclosed embodiments described above. With reference to  FIGS. 4-7 , additional components of a preferred vapor system  100  are shown, specifically a carrying case  80 . The carrying case  80  has a bottom section  82  and a top section  84  which closes (hinged or otherwise) onto the bottom section  82 . The case  80  shown is designed to hold up to two individual containers  20  of liquid medium, each with its own atomizer/heater  22 , but may be designed for almost any number of containers or device components such as replacement mouthpieces, static plates, or batteries. A customized static plate (not shown) might also be storable within each carrying case container grouping for use with a properly configured cartridge  14 . The case  80  may be used to hold empty containers to be refilled, or at least partially filled containers for later use. Alternatively, the carrying case  80  may hold and store a cartridge  14  having a proper group of containers seated therein. This allows the entire cartridge  14  to be changed out instead of individual containers, if desired. 
         [0036]    A single case  80  may be altered for carrying different components or sets by changing uniformly sized pre-formed inserts  86 . These interchangeable pre-formed inserts  86  may be designed for a plurality of containers, or two-, three-, and four-container cartridge configurations. The inserts would be of a material to provide cushion and protection of the stored containers and/or cartridges. Pads  88  in the inserts for both the case bottom  82  and case top  84  would align with container seals to prevent leakage of the liquid medium. Closing the carrying case  80  would provide the proper tension on the pads as well. 
         [0037]    A carrying case  80  may be configured, for example, with a flavor theme, such as tropical fruits, mints, chocolates, berry flavors, etc., or varied concentrations of nicotine. Of course, the size of a carrying case  80  could vary considerably from one case to another. 
         [0038]    Those skilled in the art would understand from the present disclosure that changes can be made to the illustrated vapor device  10  to achieve several different embodiments. For example, the vapor device  10  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. Details such as construction materials, device shape, power source, and the like, can be easily changed while retaining the broader operational features of the disclosed vapor device  10  and vapor system  100 . 
         [0039]    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.