Abstract:
An electronic cigarette with a selectively replaceable mouthpiece. This includes a vapor generating electronic cigarette with a rigid mouthpiece that has a vapor opening at its distal end. The rigid mouthpiece is configured with a first circumference located about its longitudinal axis, and a second circumference, which is larger than the first circumference, located distal from the first circumference. A mouthpiece cover is formed from a pliable polymeric material, and has an internal cavity that generally conform with the shape of rigid mouthpiece. The mouthpiece cover also has a vapor passage extending from the internal cavity to an outlet end, which defines a continuous passage for vapor to pass from the vapor generating electronic cigarette to the outlet end. In addition, the pliable polymeric material stretches to enable removal and replacement of the mouthpiece cover to and from the rigid mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to electronic cigarettes. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic cigarette having both a rigid mouthpiece and a replaceable soft tip mouthpiece. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Electronic cigarettes have become increasingly popular in recent years. Electronic cigarettes emulate tobacco cigarettes, but without the combustion of tobacco during use. Rather than burning tobacco, a fluid is atomized within the electronic cigarette, which produces a vapor that emulates the smoke produced in a tobacco cigarette. The fluid may contain flavoring agents such as tobacco flavor, menthol, fruits, herbs, and others, to enhance the “smoking” experience of the electronic cigarette. Nicotine may be added to the atomization fluid as well. 
         [0005]    Most of the early electronic cigarette designs emulated the appearance and function of tobacco cigarettes, which was most familiar to tobacco users. However, the weight of electronic cigarettes is significantly greater than tobacco cigarettes, so there is a significant difference in handling between the two. For example, it is quite common for a tobacco cigarette user to hold a cigarette, hands free, between their lips. While this is certainly possible to do with an electronic cigarette, it is not as comfortable due to the increased weight. Additionally, electronic cigarette users seek extended life of both the battery power reserve and the vaporization fluid reserve, which has led to larger sized, and heavier, electronic cigarettes. These factors, among others, are driving electronic cigarette design away from the familiar tobacco cigarette format. One area that deserves some attention in this regard is the mouthpiece structure. Thus, it can be appreciated that there is a need in the art for an electronic cigarette that addresses the differences in design, particularly with respect to the mouthpiece. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The need in the art is addressed by the apparatus of the present invention. The present disclosure teaches an electronic cigarette with a selectively replaceable mouthpiece. This includes a vapor generating electronic cigarette with a rigid mouthpiece that has a vapor opening at its distal end. The rigid mouthpiece is configured with a first circumference located about its longitudinal axis, and a second circumference, which is larger than the first circumference, located distal from the first circumference. A mouthpiece cover is formed from a pliable polymeric material, and has an internal cavity that generally conform with the shape of rigid mouthpiece. The mouthpiece cover also has a vapor passage extending from the internal cavity to an outlet end, which defines a continuous passage for vapor to pass from the vapor generating electronic cigarette to the outlet end. In addition, the pliable polymeric material stretches to enable removal and replacement of the mouthpiece cover to and from the rigid mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette. 
         [0007]    In a specific embodiment of the foregoing electronic cigarette, the internal cavity includes a first engagement zone formed to be substantially compliant with the size of the first circumference, and a second engagement zone formed to be substantially compliant with the shape of the second circumference. 
         [0008]    The present disclosure also teaches an electronic cigarette assembly, which includes a housing of an electronic cigarette that generates vapor, and a rigid mouthpiece with an elongated body that is fixed to the housing at a proximal end. A vapor conduit is formed through a longitudinal axis to a distal end of the rigid mouthpiece. The elongated body also includes a first circumference located about the longitudinal axis, and a second circumference, which is larger than the first circumference, located distal from the first circumference along the longitudinal axis. A mouthpiece cover is formed from a pliable polymeric material, and has an internal cavity adjacent to a first end that is shaped to generally conform to the elongated body of the rigid mouthpiece. The cavity is pneumatically coupled through a vapor passage to an outlet end. The vapor conduit and the vapor passage align to define a continuous passage for vapor to pass from the electronic cigarette housing to the outlet end of the mouthpiece cover while the internal cavity is engaged with the elongated body of the rigid mouthpiece. In addition, the pliable polymeric material stretches sufficiently to enable removal and replacement of the mouthpiece cover over the rigid mouthpiece. 
         [0009]    In a specific embodiment of the foregoing electronic cigarette assembly, the internal cavity includes a first engagement zone formed to be substantially compliant with the size of the first circumference, and a second engagement zone formed to be substantially compliant with the shape of the second circumference. 
         [0010]    The present disclosure also teaches a mouthpiece cover for use with a vapor generating electronic cigarette. Particularly where the electronic cigarette has an elongated rigid mouthpiece, with an vapor outlet at a distal end, and where the elongated rigid mouthpiece includes a first circumference located about a longitudinal axis, and a second circumference, which is larger than the first circumference, located distal from the first circumference along the longitudinal axis. The mouthpiece cover includes a body formed from a pliable polymeric material, which has an internal cavity adjacent to a first end, which is shaped to generally conform to the elongated rigid mouthpiece, and which is pneumatically coupled through a vapor passage to an outlet end. When installed on the electronic cigarette, the vapor passage aligns with the vapor outlet to define a continuous passage for vapor to pass from the vapor generating electronic cigarette to the outlet end of the mouthpiece cover. In addition, the pliable polymeric material stretches sufficiently to enable removal and replacement of the body on the elongated rigid mouthpiece. 
         [0011]    In a specific embodiment of the foregoing mouthpiece cover, the internal cavity includes a first engagement zone formed to be substantially compliant with the size of the first circumference, and a second engagement zone formed to be substantially compliant with the shape of the second circumference. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view drawing of an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view drawing of an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are side view and end view drawings, respectively, of an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are side view and end view drawings, respectively, of an electronic cigarette with a soft tip mouthpiece according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side view and end view drawings, respectively, of an electronic cigarette with a soft tip mouthpiece according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C are a first section view, a second section view, and an end view drawing, respectively of a soft tip mouthpiece for an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are assembly drawings for a soft tip mouthpiece for an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Illustrative embodiments and exemplary applications will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to disclose the advantageous teachings of the present invention. 
         [0020]    While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope hereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility. 
         [0021]    In considering the detailed embodiments of the present invention, it will be observed that the present invention resides primarily in combinations of steps to accomplish various methods or components to form various apparatus and systems. Accordingly, the apparatus and system components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the disclosures contained herein. 
         [0022]    In this disclosure, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, upper and lower, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
         [0023]    The illustrative embodiments presented herein disclose electronic cigarettes with contoured mouthpieces, which are comfortable for the user to form a pneumatic seal thereabout when drawing vapor from the apparatus. A rigid mouthpiece is fixed to the housing of the electronic cigarette, and is thus generally a permanent mouthpiece, although the apparatus may be disassembled for service, refills, or cleaning purposes. Such a mouthpiece may be elongated with a smooth profile that is comfortable on the lips of the user. The mouthpiece will include a vapor conduit coupled to a vapor outlet adjacent to its distal end. Such a mouthpiece may be fabricated from metal or rigid plastic materials. This is an effective mouthpiece design for users that firmly hold the electronic cigarette by hand and draw vapor by sealing their lips about the mouthpiece. However, some users prefer to grip the mouthpiece using their teeth, and in this situation, a rigid mouthpiece is not comfortable due to the hard contact between the teeth and the rigid mouthpiece. The present disclosure teaches a mouthpiece system for an electronic cigarette that provides a comfortable experience for both kinds of user, as well as an alternative mouthpiece configuration that offers variety in use for all users. 
         [0024]    Reference is directed to  FIG. 1 , which is a perspective view drawing of an electronic cigarette  2  according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The electronic cigarette  2  comprises a battery section  4 , which is generally and elongated cylinder, and an atomizer section  6 , which is generally a truncated cylinder. Although, other housing cross sectional designs may be employed, such as ovals, ellipses, polygons and irregular configurations. Various arrangements of internal components and functions of electronic cigarettes are known to those skilled in the art. A rigid mouthpiece  8  extends from the atomizer  6 , and truncates with a vapor outlet  10  at its distal end. In the illustrative embodiment, the housing of the battery  4  and atomizer  6  are fabricated from steel tubing, and the rigid mouthpiece  8  is fabricated from aluminum. The rigid mouthpiece  8  has a smooth, cylindrical contour and generally tapers from the atomizer  6  to the outlet  10 , but includes an increased circumference adjacent to the distal end. In use, the user firmly grasps the battery  4 , places their lips about the rigid mouthpiece  8 , and draws vapor out of the vapor outlet  10 . 
         [0025]    Reference is directed to  FIG. 2 , which is a perspective view drawing of an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. This figure generally corresponds to  FIG. 1 , however,  FIG. 2  illustrates a soft mouthpiece cover  12  in place. The soft mouthpiece cover is fabricated from a pliable and resilient polymeric material. The soft mouthpiece cover includes an internal vapor passage  14  that provides a continuous passageway for vapor to exit the soft mouthpiece cover. Further details of the design will be described hereinafter. Having placed the soft mouthpiece cover  12  onto the rigid mouthpiece  8  of the electronic cigarette  2 , the user is presented with a soft, resilient, and pliable mouthpiece that is comfortable to grip with teeth. Note that the rigid mouthpiece  8  provides a solid internal support structure for the soft mouthpiece cover  12 , and that the soft mouthpiece cover  12  extends beyond the distal end of the rigid mouthpiece  8 . This results in a soft mouthpiece cover that is flexible at its distal end because the internal rigid support does not extend to the distal end of the soft mouthpiece cover  12 . 
         [0026]    Reference is directed to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , which are side view and end view drawings, respectively, of an electronic cigarette  2  according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The electronic cigarette  2  comprises a battery section  4  and an atomizer section  6 , with a rigid mouthpiece  8  that extends from the atomizer  6 . There is a vapor conduit  10  formed through the rigid mouthpiece  8 , which serves to deliver vapor to the vapor outlet  10  at the distal end of the rigid mouthpiece  8 . The rigid mouthpiece  8  has a smooth, cylindrical contour and generally tapers from the atomizer  6  to the outlet  10 , but includes an increased circumference portion  11  adjacent to the distal end. The increased circumference portion  11  serves to retain the soft mouthpiece cover (not shown) in place, as will be more fully discussed hereinafter. 
         [0027]    Reference is directed to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , which are side view and end view drawings, respectively, of an electronic cigarette with a soft tip mouthpiece  12  according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Reference is also directed to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , which are side view and end view drawings, respectively, of an electronic cigarette  2  with a soft tip mouthpiece  12  according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. These figures illustrate the foregoing illustrative electronic cigarette  2  when the soft mouthpiece cover  12  has been placed onto the rigid mouthpiece  8 . A vapor passage  14  is formed through the soft mouthpiece cover  12  so that vapor from the rigid mouthpiece  8  vapor conduit  10  can pass through to the distal end of the soft mouthpiece cover  12 . Note that the view perspectives of  FIGS. 4A and 5A  are orthogonal to one another, thus illustrating the tapered and flattened shape of the distal end of the soft mouthpiece cover  12  in the illustrative embodiment. Other physical shapes and configuration could also be employed. Also note that the length of the vapor passage  14  in the soft mouthpiece cover  12  is coextensive with the length of the soft mouthpiece cover that is not supported by the rigid mouthpiece  8  therein. 
         [0028]    Reference is directed to  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C, which are a first section view, a second section view, and an end view drawing, respectively of a soft tip mouthpiece  12  for an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Note that the perspectives of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  are orthogonal to one another. The soft mouthpiece cover  12  comprises an internal cavity  20  that generally conforms with the exterior shape of the host rigid mouthpiece (not shown). Note that the rigid mouthpiece discussed hereinbefore was generally tapered, but had an increased circumference portion near its distal end. The internal cavity  20  is formed to take advantage of that configuration so as to hold the soft mouthpiece cover  12  in place. Within the internal cavity  20 , there is a first engagement zone  22 , which conforms to the narrowest circumference on the host rigid mouthpiece, and a second engagement zone  24 , which conforms to the enlarged circumference on the host rigid mouthpiece. Thusly, while the soft mouthpiece cover  12  is engaged with the rigid mouthpiece (not shown), that soft mouthpiece cover is effectively retained by the resilience of the soft mouthpiece cover  12  polymeric material. Also note the vapor passage  14  that is pneumatically coupled to the cavity  20 . Also note the tapered distal end  18  of the soft mouthpiece cover  12 , which is flexible because it is unsupported and fabricated from a pliable and resilient material. Further note that the proximal end  16  of the soft mouthpiece cover  12  has an enlarged internal diameter to facilitate alignment and placement of the soft mouthpiece cover  12  onto the rigid mouthpiece of the host electronic cigarette (not shown). 
         [0029]    Reference is directed to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , which are assembly drawings for a soft tip mouthpiece  12  for an electronic cigarette  2  according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. These figures illustrate the placement and removal of the soft mouthpiece cover  12  onto the rigid mouthpiece  8  of the host electronic cigarette  2 . In  FIG. 7A , the soft mouthpiece cover  12  is pushed onto, or pulled off of, the rigid mouthpiece  8 . Note that the resilience of the soft mouthpiece cover  12  material enables the smaller circumference engagement zone  22  to slide over the enlarged circumference  11  of the distal end of the rigid mouthpiece  8 . Once the soft mouthpiece cover  12  is fully engaged with the rigid mouthpiece  8 , the first engagement zone  22  and the second engagement zone  24  fully conform to the shape of the rigid mouthpiece  8 , and the resilience of the material effectively hold the soft mouthpiece cover in place. Note that the vapor conduit  10  of the rigid mouthpiece  8  and the vapor passage  14  of the soft mouthpiece cover  12  aligned to form a continuous passage for drawing vapor from the distal end of the soft mouthpiece cover. 
         [0030]    Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof. 
         [0031]    It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.