Abstract:
An electronic cigarette with plural of atomizing assembly sizes. A battery assembly contains a battery and control circuit, with a first mechanical connector disposed adjacent to a first end, and a second mechanical connector disposed adjacent to the first connector. The electronic cigarette also has a small atomizer assembly with a mouthpiece, an atomizer, and a liquid reservoir. A small mechanical connector is designed to engage the second mechanical connector of the battery assembly. The assembly includes a connector shroud that has a shroud mechanical connector, and that tapers from a first outer periphery, which corresponds to the elongated housing size of the battery assembly, to a second outer periphery, which corresponds to the small atomizer assembly. When assembled, the mouthpiece of the small atomizing assembly is exposed beyond the second end of the connector shroud.

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 that employs dual interfaces between a battery assembly and an atomizer cartridge. 
         [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 liquid is atomized within the electronic cigarette, which produces a vapor that emulates the smoke produced in a tobacco cigarette. The liquid may contain flavoring agents such as tobacco flavor, menthol, fruits, or other flavors to enhance the “smoking” experience of the electronic cigarette. The atomizing liquid is a consumable component in an electronic cigarette, while the housing, battery, and related circuitry in the electronic cigarette are suitable for repeated use. For this reason, as well as the desire of users to enjoy various flavors of atomizing liquids, suppliers of electronic cigarettes commonly divide the electronic cigarette into two components, referred to as a battery assembly and an atomizer assembly. The atomizer assembly may be a disposable item. The battery assembly houses the battery and related circuitry, while the atomizer assembly houses the atomizing liquid, the atomizer itself, and certain pneumatic passages that route the atomized vapor to a mouthpiece. 
         [0005]    Most of the early electronic cigarette designs emulated the appearance and function of tobacco cigarettes, both in size and proportions, making them appear familiar to tobacco users. However, the relatively small proportions of these electronic cigarettes limited the capacity of the battery power reserve, and also limited the volume of atomizing liquid that could be stored in the atomizer assembly. Hereinafter, these components will be referred to as small, or smaller, in reference to similar larger components that were later developed. Unsurprisingly, electronic cigarette users sought products that overcame these limitations. Users sought electronic cigarettes with extended life of both the battery power reserve and the vaporizing liquid, which has led to larger sized battery assemblies and larger sized atomizer assemblies. However, not all users desire to utilize the larger battery assemblies and atomizer assemblies, so there remains a demand for the smaller components. This has resulted in an environment where users my utilize both larger and smaller electronic cigarette components, which are not interchangeable. Thus, it can be appreciated that there is a need in the art for an electronic cigarette design that addresses the differences in design, particularly with respect to differing sizes of electronic cigarette components. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The need in the art is addressed by the apparatus of the present invention. The present disclosure teaches a battery assembly for an electronic cigarette for use in combination with removably connected atomizer assemblies. The battery assembly includes an elongated housing that contains a battery and a control circuit, a first mechanical connector disposed adjacent to a first end of the elongated housing, and a second mechanical connector disposed adjacent to the first mechanical connector. 
         [0007]    In a specific embodiment of the foregoing assembly, which is useful in combination with a large atomizer assembly and a small atomizer assembly, the first mechanical connector is adapted to engage the large atomizer assembly, and the second mechanical connector is adapted to engage the small atomizer assembly. In a refinement to this embodiment, the first mechanical connector and the second mechanical connector can not be simultaneously utilized to connect the larger atomizer assembly and the smaller atomizer assembly. 
         [0008]    In a specific embodiment, the foregoing assembly further includes a large atomizer assembly for an electronic cigarette, which includes an atomizer and a liquid reservoir therein, and that has a large mechanical connector designed to engage the first mechanical connector of the battery assembly, which are combined to provide a complete electronic cigarette assembly. 
         [0009]    In a specific embodiment, the foregoing assembly further includes a small atomizer assembly that has a mouthpiece, and that has an atomizer and a liquid reservoir inside, and that has a small mechanical connector designed to engage the second mechanical connector of the battery assembly. In a refinement to this embodiment, the assembly further includes a connector shroud with a shroud mechanical connector at an open first end and an open second end, where the shroud is configure to taper from a first outer periphery at the open first end, which corresponds to the elongated housing size of the battery assembly, to a second outer periphery at the second end, which corresponds to the small atomizer assembly. Further, the mouthpiece of the small atomizing assembly is exposed beyond the second end of the connector shroud while the small atomizer assembly and the connector shroud are connected to the battery assembly. 
         [0010]    In a specific embodiment of the foregoing assembly, the first mechanical connector and the second mechanical connector are concentric. In a refinement to this embodiment, the first mechanical connector is a threaded connector and the second mechanical connector is a threaded connector. In another refinement, the first mechanical connector employs external threads and the second mechanical connector employs internal threads. In yet another refinement, the first mechanical connector is a friction fit connector and the second mechanical connector is a threaded connector. 
         [0011]    In a specific embodiment, the foregoing assembly further includes an electrical interface coupled to the control circuit, and, the electrical interface is utilized in conjunction with both of the first mechanical connector and the second mechanical connector. In another specific embodiment, the foregoing assembly further includes a pneumatic interface coupled to the elongated housing, and the pneumatic interface is utilized in conjunction with both of the first mechanical connector and the second mechanical connector. 
         [0012]    The present disclosure also teaches an electronic cigarette assembly that functions with plural sizes of atomizing assemblies. The embodiment includes a battery assembly that has an elongated housing that contains a battery and a control circuit, and that has a first mechanical connector disposed adjacent to a first end of the elongated housing, and a second mechanical connector disposed adjacent to the first connector. The assembly also has a small atomizer assembly with a mouthpiece, an atomizer and a liquid reservoir disposed inside. It also has a small mechanical connector designed to engage the second mechanical connector of the battery assembly. In addition, the assembly includes a connector shroud that has a shroud mechanical connector at an open first end and an open second end, the shroud is configured to taper from a first outer periphery at the open first end, which corresponds to the elongated housing size of the battery assembly, to a second outer periphery at the second end, which corresponds to the small atomizer assembly. When assembled, the mouthpiece of the small atomizing assembly is exposed beyond the second end of the connector shroud. 
         [0013]    In a specific embodiment of the foregoing assembly, the battery assembly and the small atomizer are cylindrical, and the connector shroud is conical. In another specific embodiment, the foregoing assembly further includes an electrical interface for coupling the control circuit to the atomizer, where the electrical interface is utilized in conjunction with both of the first mechanical connector and the second mechanical connector. 
         [0014]    In a specific embodiment, the foregoing assembly further includes a pneumatic interface for coupling the elongated housing to the mouthpiece, where the pneumatic interface is utilized in conjunction with both of the first mechanical connector and the second mechanical connector. In another specific embodiment of the foregoing assembly, the first mechanical connector and the second mechanical connector are concentric. 
         [0015]    In a specific embodiment of the foregoing assembly, the first mechanical connector is a threaded connector and the second mechanical connector is a threaded connector. In a refinement to this embodiment, the first mechanical connector employs external threads that engage the shroud connector, and the second mechanical connector employs internal threads that engage the small mechanical connector. 
         [0016]    The present disclosure also teaches a connector shroud for an electronic cigarette assembly that includes a battery assembly, that has an elongated housing that contains a battery and a control circuit, and that has a first mechanical connector disposed adjacent to a first end of the elongated housing, and that has a second mechanical connector disposed adjacent to the first connector. The electronic cigarette also including small atomizer assembly that has an atomizer and a liquid reservoir disposed inside, and that has a small mechanical connector designed to engage the second mechanical connector of the battery assembly. The connector shroud includes a tubular shroud structure that has a shroud mechanical connector at an open first end, and an open second end. The tubular shroud structure tapers from a first outer periphery at the open first end, which corresponds to the housing of the battery assembly, to a second outer periphery at the second end, which corresponds to the small atomizer assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view drawing of an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view drawing of an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a drawing of several electronic cigarette components according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side view drawing of an assembled electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a disassembled side view drawing of an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a side view drawing of an assembled electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a disassembled side view drawing of an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a disassembled side view drawing of an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are a section view drawing and an end view drawing, respectively, an electronic cigarette battery assembly according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 10A ,  10 B, and  10 C are a section view drawing, and end cap drawing, and an end view drawing, respectively, of an electronic cigarette battery housing assembly according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are a section view drawing and an end view drawing, respectively, of an electronic cigarette large atomizing cartridge according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a section view drawing of a disassembled electronic cigarette atomizing cartridge and battery housing assembly according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a disassembled section view drawing of a small atomizer and a large battery assembly of an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a section view drawing of an electronic cigarette shroud according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is an assembled section view drawing of a small atomizer, a large battery assembly and shroud of an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a disassembled section view drawing of a small atomizer and larger battery assembly of an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is a section view drawing of an electronic cigarette shroud according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 18  is an assembled section view drawing of a small atomizer, large battery assembly and shroud of an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    Illustrative embodiments and exemplary applications will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to disclose the advantageous teachings of the present invention. 
         [0036]    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. 
         [0037]    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. 
         [0038]    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. 
         [0039]    The illustrative embodiments presented herein disclose electronic cigarette assemblies and components that enable users to selectively arrange small and large atomizing assemblies with small and large battery assemblies. A shroud is also disclosed, which is useful to both conceal an exposed, and unused, interface connector, as well as presenting a smooth and graceful exterior surface of the assembled electronic cigarette. Note that the small battery assembly is not discussed at length in this disclosure, nor presented in the drawing figures, because it is primarily suitable for use only with the small atomizer assembly due to the mechanical connector configuration. 
         [0040]    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  is of the large variety, and includes a large battery assembly  6  connected to a large atomizer assembly  8 , which includes a mouthpiece  13  extending from one end. This is the type of electronic cigarette sought be users who preferred the increase battery capacity and increased atomizing liquid storage afforded by the use of larger components. 
         [0041]    Reference is directed to  FIG. 2 , which is a perspective view drawing of an electronic cigarette  4  according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment presents an assembled electronic cigarette  4  where a larger battery assembly  6  is connected to a small atomizer assembly  10 , so that the user can integrate components from two differing size and capacity products. The atomizer assembly  10  includes a mouthpiece  14 , which is presented at the exposed end of the small atomizer assembly  10 . Note that a connector shroud  12  is also connected, and serves the functions of concealing a larger connector that is used to attach a large atomizer assembly (not shown), and also to provide a clean and graceful appearance of the assembled electronic cigarette  4 . 
         [0042]    Reference is directed to  FIG. 3 , which is a drawing of several electronic cigarette components according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. These components include larger and smaller electronic cigarettes as follows. The large battery assembly  6  includes dual connectors, including a first, large, connector  16 , and a second, small, connector  18 . The larger atomizer assembly  8  includes a mouthpiece  13  at one end and a larger connector  24  at the other end. Note that the large connector  24  on the large atomizer assembly  8  connects to the first connector  16  on the battery assembly  6 . These two assemblies combine to yield the electronic cigarette  2  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  also presents a small atomizer assembly  10 , which includes a mouthpiece  14  at a first end and a small connector  30  at a second end. Note that the small connector  30  connects to the second connector  18  on the large battery assembly  6 . This small connector  30  would also connect to a small battery, which is not illustrated or presented in this disclosure.  FIG. 3  also presents a connector shroud  12 , which has a shroud connector  36  at one end. The shroud connector  36  is adapted to connect to the first connector  16  on the large battery assembly  6 . 
         [0043]    Reference is directed to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , which are a side view drawing of an assembled larger electronic cigarette  2  and a disassembled side view drawing of a large electronic cigarette, respectively, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  shows the external appearance when a large battery assembly  6  is connected to a large atomizer assembly  8 , including the mouthpiece  13  at the distal end of the larger atomizer assembly  8 .  FIG. 5  shows the components disassembled, including the large battery assembly  6  and larger atomizer assembly  8 . Note that the large battery assembly  6  includes two connectors at one end, which include a first connector  16  and a second connected  18 , which are different in size. The large atomizer assembly  6  includes a large connector  24  at one end, and this large connector  24  is designed to engage the first connector  16  on the large battery assembly  6 . Note that in this embodiment, the second connector  18  on the larger battery assembly  6  is unused, but is concealed from view while these components are connected. 
         [0044]    Reference is directed to  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 8 , which are a side view drawing of an assembled electronic cigarette  4 , a side view drawing of a partially disassembled electronic cigarette, and a disassembled side view drawings of an electronic cigarette, respectively, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  illustrates a connected large battery assembly  6 , small atomizer assembly  10 , and connector shroud  12 , which result in an assembled electronic cigarette  4 . A mouthpiece  14  is presented at the distal end of the small atomizer assembly  10 , and this extends beyond the end of the connector shroud  12 . The connection between the large battery assembly  6  and the connector shroud  12  is accomplished with the first connector  16  on the larger battery assembly  6  and a shroud connector  36  on the connector shroud  12 . This is more clearly pictured in  FIG. 7 , where the connector shroud  12  has been removed from the large battery assembly  6 . 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 7 , the exposed first connector  16  on the large battery assembly  6  can be seen. The connector shroud  12  has a shroud connector  36 , which engages the first connector  16 . Note that the distal end  38  of the connector shroud  12  is open to allow clearance for the small atomizer assembly  10 . The small atomizer assembly  10  is connected to the second connector  18  of the large battery assembly  6  as it engages the small connector  30  on the small atomizer assembly  10 . This arrangement is more plainly visible in  FIG. 8 , where all of these connectors  16 ,  18 , and  30  are exposed. 
         [0046]    Reference is directed to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , which are a section view drawing and an end view drawing, respectively, an electronic cigarette battery assembly  6  according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Reference is also directed to FIGS.  10 A,  10 B, and  10 C, which are a section view drawing, and end cap drawing, and an end view drawing, respectively, of an electronic cigarette battery assembly according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. These figures presents further details, including internal structure and components of the large battery assembly  6 . The first connector  16  is an external machine tread at one end of the large battery assembly  6 . The second connector  18  is an internal machine thread that is concentric with the first connector  16 . At the center of the connector end is central electric contact terminal  20 , which has a pneumatic port  22  formed there through. A circuit interface  40  connects two conductors, one to the central electrical contact  20  and one to the connectors  16 ,  18 . In this manner, the central electrical contact terminal  20  is shared with both the small and large connectors to provide a common electrical interface. So too is the pneumatic port  22 . The purpose of the pneumatic port  22  is to couple the negative pressure induced when the user draws vapor to a pneumatic sensor  44  located in the large battery assembly  6 . The pneumatic sensor  44  detects the draw, which causes a control circuit  42  to activate the atomizer electric power. The electric power is provided by an internal rechargeable storage battery  9 . The large battery assembly  6  also includes user interface components, which include a USB port  48 , and indicator lamp  50 , and a push button actuator  50 . A press-on end cap  7  conceals the user interface components when they are not in use. 
         [0047]    Reference is directed to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , which are a section view drawing and an end view drawing, respectively, of an electronic cigarette large atomizing cartridge  8  according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The large atomizing cartridge  8  includes a mouthpiece  13 , which presents a comfortable profile for drawing vapor there from. An internal chimney  62  couples the mouthpiece  13  to an atomizing chamber  56  within the large atomizer assembly  8 . An atomizer  58  is disposed within the atomizing chamber  56 , and a bundle of absorbent fibers  60  enables atomizing liquid (not shown) to flow by capillary action from a liquid storage chamber  64  to the atomizer  58 . The large connector  24  is an internal machine thread at the end of the large atomizer assembly  8 . Central to the large connector  24  is an electrical contact terminal  26 , which as a pneumatic port  28  formed there through. The atomizer  58  is a coil of nickel-chromium wire that is electrically bonded to both the electrical contact terminal  26  and the large connector  24 . The pneumatic port serves as the entry point for air to enter the atomizing chamber  56 , for flow out through the chimney  62  and mouthpiece  13 . 
         [0048]    Reference is directed to  FIG. 12 , which is a section view drawing of an assembled electronic cigarette large atomizing assembly  8  and large battery assembly  6  assembly according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows the connections between these two sub-assemblies. Note that the first connector  16  of the larger battery assembly  6  and the large connector  24  of the large atomizer assembly are engaged together  16 / 24 . This connection facilitates the electrical connection of the two central contact terminals  20 / 26 , respectively, and also facilitates the pneumatic port coupling  22 / 28 . Also, note that the second connector  18  of the large battery assembly  6  is unused in this connection arrangement. 
         [0049]    Reference is directed to  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 14 , and  FIG. 15 , which are a disassembled section view drawing of a small atomizer assembly  10  and large battery assembly  6 , a cross section view of a connector shroud  12 , and an cross section view of these components assembled together, respectively, for an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The small atomizing assembly  10  includes a mouthpiece  14 , which enables drawing vapor there from. An internal chimney  66  couples the mouthpiece  14  to an atomizing chamber  70  within the small atomizer assembly  10 . An atomizer  72  is disposed within the atomizing chamber  70 , and a bundle of absorbent fibers  74  enables atomizing liquid (not shown) to flow by capillary action from a liquid storage chamber  68  to the atomizer  72 . The small connector  30  is an external machine thread at the end of the small atomizer assembly  10 . Central to the small connector is an electrical contact terminal  32 , which as a pneumatic port  34  formed there through. The atomizer  72  is a coil of nickel-chromium wire that is electrically bonded to both the electrical contact terminal  32  and the small connector  30 . The pneumatic port  34  serves as the entry point for air to enter the atomizing chamber  70 , for flow out through the chimney  66  and mouthpiece  14 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 14  is a cross section view of a connector shroud  12 , which is tapered and hollow, open at both ends. A shroud connector  36 , which is an internal machine thread, is located at one end of the connector shroud  12 . The size of the connector shroud is selected to match the external size of the larger battery assembly  6  at the connector  36  end, and the size of the small atomizer assembly  10  at the other end. Note that in this illustrative embodiment all of the components have circular cross sections. However, various other cross sectional shapes could be employed as well, including ovals, ellipses, polygons, as well as irregular shapes. 
         [0051]    Reference is directed to  FIG. 15 , which is a section view drawing of an assembled electronic cigarette small atomizing assembly  10 , a connector shroud  12 , and large battery assembly  6  assembly according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows the connections between these three sub-assemblies. Note that the second connector  18  of the larger battery assembly  6  and the small connector  30  of the small atomizer assembly  10  are engaged together  18 / 30 . This connection facilitates the electrical connection of the two central contact terminals  20 / 32 , respectively, and also facilitates the pneumatic port coupling  22 / 34 . Also, note that the first connector  16  of the large battery assembly  6  is connected to the shroud connector  36  of the connector shroud  12 , labeled as  18 / 30 . 
         [0052]    Reference is directed to  FIG. 16 ,  FIG. 17 , and  FIG. 18 , which are a disassembled section view drawing of a small atomizer assembly  10  and large battery assembly  80 , a cross section view of a connector shroud  74 , and an cross section view of these components assembled together, respectively, for an electronic cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a friction based press-fit connection is made between the large battery assembly  80  and the connector shroud  74 . In particular a polymeric band  86  is disposed to provide the first connector function. The small atomizing assembly  10  includes a mouthpiece  14 , which enables drawing vapor there from. An internal chimney  66  couples the mouthpiece  14  to an atomizing chamber  70  within the small atomizer assembly  10 . An atomizer  72  is disposed within the atomizing chamber  70 , and a bundle of absorbent fibers  74  enables atomizing liquid (not shown) to flow by capillary action from a liquid storage chamber  68  to the atomizer  72 . The small connector  30  is an external machine thread at the end of the small atomizer assembly  10 . Central to the small connector is an electrical contact terminal  32 , which as a pneumatic port  34  formed there through. The atomizer  72  is a coil of nickel-chromium wire that is electrically bonded to both the electrical contact terminal  32  and the small connector  30 . The pneumatic port  34  serves as the entry point for air to enter the atomizing chamber  70 , for flow out through the chimney  66  and mouthpiece  14 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 17  is a cross section view of a connector shroud  74 , which is tapered and hollow, open at both ends. A shroud connector  74  is a smooth interior surface  76 , and is located at one end of the connector shroud  74 . The size of the connector shroud is selected to match the external size of the larger battery assembly  80  at the connector  76  end, and the size of the small atomizer assembly  10  at the other end. 
         [0054]    Reference is directed to  FIG. 18 , which is a section view drawing of an assembled electronic cigarette small atomizing assembly  10 , a connector shroud  74 , and large battery assembly  80  assembly according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows the connections between these three sub-assemblies. Note that the second connector  84  of the larger battery assembly  80  and the small connector  30  of the small atomizer assembly  10  are engaged together  84 / 30 . This connection facilitates the electrical connection of the two central contact terminals  32 / 88 , respectively, and also facilitates the pneumatic port coupling  34 / 90 . Also, note that the first connector  86  of the large battery assembly  80  is connected to the shroud connector  76  of the connector shroud  74 , labeled as  34 / 90 . A press-fit connection is employed. 
         [0055]    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. 
         [0056]    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.