Patent Description:
Electronic cigarettes are an alternative to conventional cigarettes. Instead of generating a combustion smoke, they vaporize a liquid, which can be inhaled by a user. The liquid typically comprises an aerosol-forming substance, such as glycerin or propylene glycol that creates the vapor. Other common substances in the liquid are nicotine and various flavorings. The electronic cigarette is a hand-held inhaler system, comprising a mouthpiece section, a liquid store and a power supply unit. Vaporization is achieved by a vaporizer or heater unit which typically comprises a heating element in the form of a heating coil and a fluid transfer element. The vaporization occurs when as the heater heats up the liquid in the wick until the liquid is transformed into vapor.

The electronic cigarette may comprise a chamber or a cartridge seating, which is configured to receive disposable consumables in the form of capsules. Capsules comprising the liquid store and the vaporizer are often referred to as "cartomizers". The prior art document <CIT> describes a mouthpiece assembly by which the amount of aerosol output can be adjusted. The mouthpiece assembly includes a blocking element at the base thereof, which defines at least one through hole and which is capable of preventing air from flowing through. The mouthpiece, when pushed inside, is capable of driving the blocking element to rotate relative to the base so that an area of at least one opening formed by the at least one through hole and an air inlet can be changed. Thus, the aerosol passage through the mouthpiece can be adjusted.

The prior art document <CIT> discloses a mouthpiece portion comprising the features mentioned in the preamble of the present claim <NUM>; in particular, it discloses an aerosol transferring adaptor for an aerosol generating device, wherein the adaptor is provided in the form of a mouthpiece component that can be rotated to align different flow-through channels of the mouthpiece component with an outlet of the aerosol generating device. Thereby, a user is enabled to flexibly adjust the taste profile and properties of the inhaled aerosol.

When the inlet and outlet openings of the liquid capsules of the prior art are open to the ambient there is on the one hand the risk of leaking and on the other hand the liquid may evaporate or dry out over the time, even when not in use. Thus, the need exists to provide a solution for preventing any undesired loss of liquid, particularly by leaking of liquid from a liquid capsule and by drying out.

The above-mentioned problem is solved by a mouthpiece portion for an electronic cigarette according to claim <NUM>.

In a first aspect of the invention the mouthpiece portion for an electronic cigarette, comprising a liquid store having a housing and being configured to store a liquid to be vaporized; a main vapor channel extending through the liquid store, between a vaporization chamber and a vapor outlet opening; a mouthpiece comprising a vapor inlet and a vapor outlet; wherein the mouthpiece portion is configured to provide a relative rotatable movement between the mouthpiece and the housing of the liquid store between a fist position and a second position; and wherein the mouthpiece portion is configured to be open and only dispense vapor through the mouthpiece vapor outlet when the mouthpiece is in the first position, in which the vapor outlet opening of the main vapor channel is aligned with the vapor inlet of the mouthpiece.

Thus, the mouthpiece and the liquid store directly cooperate for closing and opening of the vapor outlet opening. This provides for a structurally simple construction of the mouthpiece assembly that allows the user to easily fluidly connect the vapor outlet opening of the liquid store and the vapor inlet of the mouthpiece by rotation and alignment. To do so the user simply needs to rotate the mouthpiece in respect to the liquid store. Alternatively, the user may rotate the liquid store and the mouthpiece remains stationary. For the present invention only a relative rotational movement of the mouthpiece with respect to the liquid store is required. Further, the user can also easily block the vapor outlet opening of the liquid store by corresponding rotation of the mouthpiece with respect to the liquid store for avoiding any leaking and dry out of liquid through the vapor outlet opening of the liquid store.

Preferably, the liquid store is stationary arranged and the mouthpiece is rotatable. Alternatively, the mouthpiece is stationary arranged and the liquid store is rotatable. Thus, the mouthpiece portion is provided such that user can either rotate the mouthpiece or the liquid store for providing the desired relative rotatable movement. This allows design flexibility when realizing an electronic cigarette with a mouthpiece according the invention.

Preferably, the mouthpiece portion is configured as a cartridge, and further comprises a vaporizer, and wherein the cartridge is configured to be received into a cartridge seating of an electronic cigarette. Thus, the mouthpiece portion can be easily replaced at the electronic cigarette.

Preferably, the mouthpiece portion is closed when the vapor outlet opening of the main vapor channel of the liquid store is misaligned with the vapor inlet of the mouthpiece. Thus, no leaking or dry-out can happen if the user has not rotated the mouthpiece into the correct position for using the electronic cigarette.

Preferably, the mouthpiece portion comprises a selectively operable vapor closure arranged at the mouthpiece for closing the vapor outlet opening of the main vapor channel of the liquid store. The vapor closure serves for a tight closing of the vapor outlet opening.

Preferably the mouthpiece further comprises an air closing element that in the first position of the mouthpiece portion opens an air inlet opening of the liquid store and that in the second position of the mouthpiece portion closes the air inlet opening of the liquid store. The air closing element further selectively closes and opens the air inlet opening of the liquid store, which further avoids any leaking and dry out of liquid through the air inlet opening of the liquid store. Thus, by one rotational movement of the mouthpiece with respect to the liquid store both the air inlet opening and the vapor outlet opening of the liquid store can be opened and closed. This facilitates use of the electronic cigarette and avoids any leaking directly at the liquid store.

Preferably, the angle of rotation of mouthpiece between the second position and the first position amounts to less or equal to <NUM>°. Thus, only a small rotation of max. <NUM>° is necessary to open or close the mouthpiece portion.

Preferably the mouthpiece portion further comprises a first seal arranged either at the mouthpiece or the liquid store for sealing between the vapor outlet opening of the main vapor channel and the vapor inlet of the mouthpiece. The first seal seals the interface between the liquid store and the mouthpiece in the second position against leaking and dry out and in the first position against any bypassing vapor or air flow.

Preferably, the mouthpiece further comprises an air channel with an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening. Thus, the airflow for the vaporizer can be guided through the mouthpiece as well and can be selectively opened and blocked.

Preferably, the mouthpiece portion comprises a second seal arranged either at the mouthpiece or the liquid store for sealing between the air inlet opening of the mouthpiece and an air inlet opening to the vaporization chamber.

Preferably, the vapor inlet and the vapor closure of the mouthpiece are arranged at the mouthpiece mirror inverted with respect to a rotational axis of the mouthpiece and the liquid store. Thus, by rotation of the mouthpiece by <NUM>° the vapor closure can adopt the location of the vapor inlet and vice versa. This allows a very easy and reliable configuration of the mouthpiece. Further, it is not required to prevent unlimited rotation of the mouthpiece by stop elements, or the like, although they might be provided if desired.

Preferably, a vaporizer is arranged within the main vapor channel, whereby the mouthpiece portion is configured as a cartridge. The vaporizer electrically vaporizes the liquid as known to the person skilled in the art. Since the mouthpiece portion is configured as a cartridge it can be exchanged and replaced at the electronic cigarette easily.

Preferably, the mouthpiece portion comprises an electric switch that is actuated by the rotation of the mouthpiece. The electric switch can automatically signal to the electronic cigarette's control electronics the condition of the assembly, preferably that the assembly is set to an open position.

Preferably, the electric switch comprises electric contacts arranged at the liquid store and an electrically conducting element at the mouthpiece, wherein the electrically conducting element electrically connects the electric contacts when the mouthpiece is rotated in the first position of the assembly. Such an electric switch is easy to manufacture, cost efficient and very reliable.

Preferably, the electric switch enables the activation of the vaporizer only in the first position of the assembly. This saves battery capacity and avoids any damage to the vaporizer if the electronic cigarette is presently not in use and the assembly in the closed position.

Preferably, the vapor outlet opening and the air inlet opening of the liquid store are both arranged essentially on the same surface facing the mouthpiece. This configuration enables an easy manufacturing and assembly of the liquid store.

Preferably, the vapor closure, the vapor inlet opening and if available the air outlet opening of the mouthpiece are all arranged essentially on the same surface facing the liquid store. This configuration enables an easy manufacturing of the mouthpiece and an easy assembly with the liquid store.

Preferably, the mouthpiece portion further comprises a position indicator at the mouthpiece, for indicating the rotational orientation of the mouthpiece with respect to the liquid store.

Preferably, the liquid store further comprises an air inlet valve that in the first position of the mouthpiece portion opens an air inlet opening of the liquid store and that in the second position of the mouthpiece portion closes the air inlet opening of the liquid store, wherein the mouthpiece comprises an actuating pin for selectively opening the air inlet valve. Thus, a specific air inlet valve is provided at the liquid store for selectively opening and closing the air inlet opening of the liquid store. The air inlet valve is selectively mechanically opened by an actuation pin at the mouthpiece.

A further aspect relates to an electronic cigarette comprising a mouthpiece portion as described before.

A method of using a mouthpiece portion for an electronic cigarette is described. An assembly comprising a liquid store having a housing and being configured to store a liquid to be vaporized; a main vapor channel extending through the liquid store, between a vaporization chamber and a vapor outlet opening; a mouthpiece comprising a vapor inlet and a vapor outlet; wherein the mouthpiece portion is configured to provide a relative rotatable movement between the mouthpiece and the housing of the liquid store between a fist position and a second position; wherein the method comprises the steps of.

Thus, the user can simply rotate the mouthpiece in respect to the liquid store to a first position for aligning the vapor outlet opening of the liquid store with vapor inlet of the mouthpiece for dispensing vapor through the mouthpiece vapor outlet or to a second position in which the vapor outlet opening of the liquid store is mis-aligned with vapor inlet of the mouthpiece for preventing dispense of vapor through the mouthpiece. In the second position the vapor outlet opening of the liquid store is preferably closed by a vapor closure arranged at the mouthpiece. This on the one hand facilitates use of the electronic cigarette and on the other hand avoids any leaking and dry out directly at the liquid store without further elements.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of manually connecting the liquid store with the mouthpiece by inserting a latch into a corresponding receptacle. This allows for a convenient assembly of the mouthpiece to the liquid store, which can be easily performed by the user of the electric cigarette when replacing the liquid store.

The invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings, which by way of example illustrate embodiments of the present invention and in which like features are denoted with the same reference numerals, and wherein:.

In the following preferred embodiments of the invention are described with respect to the figures. Although certain features are described with respect to specific embodiments, they may be used in other embodiments as well as appropriate.

As used herein and as schematically shown in <FIG>, the "electronic cigarette" may include an electronic cigarette <NUM> configured to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for smoking. An aerosol for smoking may refer to an aerosol with particle sizes of <NUM> - <NUM> microns. The particle size may be less than <NUM> or <NUM> microns. The electronic cigarette <NUM> may be portable. The electronic cigarette <NUM> has generally a main body <NUM> comprising a power supply unit, like a battery <NUM>, and electrical control circuitry <NUM> for supplying a vaporizer <NUM> with electric energy.

Referring to <FIG> a first embodiment of a mouthpiece portion <NUM> for an electronic cigarette <NUM> (see Fig. 2A) for vaporizing a liquid <NUM> is illustrated. The electronic cigarette <NUM> can be used as a substitute for a conventional cigarette.

The mouthpiece portion <NUM> comprises a mouthpiece <NUM> and a main housing <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> is configured to supply vapor to the user and is rotatably connected to the main housing <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> may have a tip-shaped form to correspond to the ergonomics of the user's mouth and has a vapor outlet <NUM> for delivering vapor to the user.

The mouthpiece portion <NUM> further comprises a liquid store <NUM> for storing liquid <NUM> to be vaporized, a vaporizer <NUM> for vaporizing the liquid <NUM>, and a mouthpiece <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece portion <NUM> can be configured as a disposable cartridge <NUM> that is releasably connectable to the main body of the electronic cigarette.

Alternatively, (as illustrated in <FIG>) the mouthpiece portion <NUM> is configured as a so called "open tank" that can be refilled when depleted.

The housing of the mouthpiece portion <NUM> may be made of a transparent material, such that the liquid level within the liquid store <NUM> is clearly visible to the user. The housing of the mouthpiece portion may be formed in a polymeric or plastic material, such as polyester.

The liquid <NUM> may comprise an aerosol-forming substance such as propylene glycol or glycerol and may contain other substances such as nicotine. The liquid <NUM> may also comprise flavorings such as e.g. tobacco, menthol or fruit flavor.

The vaporizer <NUM> is fluidically connected to the liquid store <NUM> for obtaining the liquid <NUM> to be vaporized. The vaporizer <NUM> comprises a heating element <NUM> and a fluid transfer element <NUM>, which is configured to transfer the liquid <NUM> by capillary action from the housing <NUM> to the heating element <NUM>. The fluid transfer element <NUM> can be a fibrous or porous element such as a wick made from twined cotton or silica. Alternatively, the fluid transfer element <NUM> can be any other suitable porous element such as porous ceramic.

In the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG> the vaporizer <NUM> is integral with the liquid store <NUM> and arranged within a vaporization chamber <NUM> thereof. In this embodiment the mouthpiece portion <NUM> is configured as a cartridge <NUM>, that can be inserted as an integral element into the main body <NUM> of the electric cigarette <NUM>. To do so the electric cigarette <NUM> comprises a cartridge seating <NUM> that is geometrically adapted to the cartridge <NUM> for holding the same and that has contacts for suppling electric energy to the vaporizer <NUM> within the cartridge <NUM>.

In the second embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG> the vaporizer <NUM> is separate from the liquid store <NUM> and comprises a vaporizer housing <NUM>. The vaporizer housing <NUM> is mounted on a vaporizer seating <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. The vaporizer seating <NUM> also provides an electrical connection between the vaporizer <NUM> and the main body <NUM> that supplies the vaporizer <NUM> with electric energy. The vaporizer <NUM> of the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG> can be replaced independently from the liquid store <NUM>. The supply of liquid <NUM> to the vaporizer <NUM> is done via liquid valves <NUM> at the liquid store <NUM> that provide liquid to holes <NUM> at the outer side of the vaporizer housing <NUM>. The liquid store <NUM> is preferably re-fillable a releasably connected to the main body <NUM>, for example by a threaded connection <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

In the embodiment of <FIG> the liquid store <NUM> is stationary arranged and the mouthpiece <NUM> is rotatable.

The main cartridge housing <NUM> has a main vapor channel <NUM> with an air inlet opening <NUM> for receiving ambient air and a vapor outlet opening <NUM> for supplying vapor of the liquid <NUM> to the mouthpiece <NUM>. The vaporizer <NUM> is arranged within a vaporization chamber <NUM> connected to the main vapor channel <NUM> for vaporizing the liquid <NUM>.

The mouthpiece <NUM> comprises a vapor channel <NUM> with a vapor inlet <NUM> for receiving vapor directly from the vapor outlet opening <NUM> of the main vapor channel <NUM> of the liquid store <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> further comprises a vapor outlet channel X provided with an inlet X at the vaporization chamber and a vapor outlet <NUM> for providing the vapor to the user.

The mouthpiece <NUM> may also comprise an air channel <NUM> with an air inlet opening <NUM> for receiving air from the ambient and an air outlet opening <NUM> for providing air through the liquid store <NUM> to the vaporizer <NUM>.

The mouthpiece <NUM> is rotatably connected to the liquid store <NUM>, for instance by a circular latch <NUM> that is inserted into a corresponding receptacle <NUM>. As it can be seen best in <FIG> the connection can be simply established by manually snapping in the circular latch <NUM> into the receptacle <NUM> of the liquid store <NUM>. This rotatable connection allows the liquid store <NUM> and the mouthpiece <NUM> to rotate with respect to each other.

For providing a first, open position of the mouthpiece portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG> the mouthpiece <NUM> can be rotated with respect to the liquid store <NUM>, or the liquid store <NUM> can be rotated with respect to the mouthpiece <NUM>, such that the vapor outlet opening <NUM> of the liquid store <NUM> and the vapor inlet <NUM> of the mouthpiece are superimposed. This enables a direct vapor flow from the main vapor channel <NUM> of the liquid store <NUM> to the vapor cannel <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM>. Thus, in this first position of the mouthpiece portion <NUM> the user can use the electronic cigarette for smoking or inhaling.

In this first position of the mouthpiece portion <NUM> also the air outlet opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> are advantageously superimposed with the air inlet opening <NUM> of the liquid store <NUM>. Thus, fresh air can enter the main vapor channel <NUM>, when vapor is withdrawn from the cigarette by the user.

For providing a second, closed position as shown in <FIG> the mouthpiece <NUM> can be rotated with respect to the liquid store <NUM>, or the liquid store <NUM> can be rotated with respect to the mouthpiece <NUM>, such that the vapor outlet opening <NUM> of the liquid store <NUM> and a vapor closure <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> are superimposed. The vapor closure <NUM> may be a separate sealing or just a blind face at the outer side - particularly the underside - of the mouthpiece <NUM> covering the vapor outlet opening <NUM>. It the second position the vapor outlet opening <NUM> of the liquid store <NUM> is closed, such that substantially no vapor, air or liquid can escape. Thus, any spilling, leaking or drying out of liquid <NUM> through this opening is avoided.

In addition, in the second position of the mouthpiece portion <NUM> also the air inlet opening <NUM> of the liquid store <NUM> is closed since an air closing element <NUM> superimposes with the air inlet opening <NUM>, such that substantially no vapor, air or liquid can escape through this opening. Thus, any spilling, leaking or drying out through this opening is avoided as well.

In the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG> the angle of rotation for switching from the first to the second position of the assembly <NUM> is substantially <NUM>°. However, other rotation angles, for example <NUM>° or below <NUM>° are also preferred. In such embodiments simply the arrangement of the inlet and outlet openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> and the liquid store <NUM> have to be arranged correspondingly. In the embodiment of <FIG> the angle of rotation switching from the first to the second position is less than <NUM>°, for example about <NUM>°. Preferably, the rotatable connection of the mouthpiece <NUM> with respect to the liquid store <NUM> is such that only a rotation is needed to switch from first to second position and vice versa of the mouthpiece portion.

For avoiding any vapor or liquid leaks between the mouthpiece <NUM> and the liquid store <NUM> a first seal <NUM> between the vapor inlet <NUM> and the vapor outlet opening <NUM> is provided. The first seal <NUM> may be arranged at the mouthpiece <NUM> or at the liquid store <NUM>.

Similarly, for avoiding any air leaks a second seal <NUM> is provided between the air outlet opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> and the air inlet opening <NUM> of the liquid store <NUM>. A third seal <NUM> seals between the air closing element <NUM> of the mouthpiece and the air inlet opening <NUM> of the main vapor channel <NUM> for avoiding any liquid leaks from the air inlet opening <NUM>, when the mouthpiece portion <NUM> is in the second position as shown in <FIG>.

Similarly, a fourth seal <NUM> seals between the vapor closure <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> and the vapor outlet opening <NUM> of the main vapor channel <NUM>, when the mouthpiece portion <NUM> is in the closed position.

The seals <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be annular gaskets that are arranged around the openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or the air closing element <NUM> or the vapor closure <NUM>. Generally, the seals <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged either at the outer surface of the mouthpiece <NUM> facing the liquid store <NUM> or at the outer surface of the liquid store <NUM> facing the mouthpiece <NUM>. Preferably, the seals <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be arranged in corresponding annular grooves at the underside of the mouthpiece <NUM> and can rotate together with the mouthpiece <NUM>. In other embodiments the seals <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are preferably arranged in corresponding annular grooves of the liquid store <NUM> and can rotate together with the liquid store <NUM>. The seals <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be elements independent from each other or may be a combined element with some or all of the seals <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> show details of the electric activation system of an embodiment of a mouthpiece portion <NUM>. The vaporizer <NUM> is electrically heated and receives electric energy from an energy source, for example an electric accumulator or battery (not shown) within the main body <NUM> via electric power supply contacts <NUM> arranged at the bottom side of the liquid store <NUM>. One of the power supply contacts <NUM> is directly connected to the heating element <NUM> of the vaporizer <NUM>. The other power supply contact <NUM> is electrically connected with the heating element <NUM> of the vaporizer <NUM> via an electronic switch <NUM>. The electronic switch <NUM> conducts the electric energy when the mouthpiece portion <NUM> is rotated in the first position as shown in <FIG>. In this first position an electrically conducting element <NUM> at the mouthpiece <NUM> connects two electric contacts <NUM> at the liquid store <NUM> and closes an electric circuit. Thus, only in the first position of the mouthpiece portion <NUM> the vaporizer <NUM> can be electrically actuated.

<FIG> shows the assembly in the closed position, wherein the mouthpiece <NUM> is rotated by <NUM>° with respect to <FIG>. In this position the electrical conducting element <NUM> is not connecting the electric contacts <NUM> and, thus, does not close the electric circuit to the vaporizer <NUM>. This prevents any undesired actuation of the vaporizer <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a third embodiment of a mouthpiece portion <NUM>, that is similar to the first embodiment but differs thereof by an air channel <NUM> that is arranged only within the main cartridge housing <NUM>. Thus, the mouthpiece <NUM> of the second embodiment has only a vapor channel <NUM> with a vapor inlet <NUM> and a vapor outlet <NUM>. The air channel <NUM> with an air inlet and air outlet opening <NUM>, <NUM> is thus provided in the main cartridge housing <NUM>.

The air channel <NUM> within the main cartridge housing <NUM> comprises an air inlet valve <NUM> that automatically closes the air channel <NUM> if it is not being actuated. For selectively opening of the air inlet valve <NUM> the mouthpiece <NUM>, preferably at its underside, comprises an actuating pin <NUM>. In the first position of the mouthpiece portion <NUM> the actuating pin <NUM> opens the air inlet valve <NUM> for opening the air inlet opening <NUM>. In the second position of the mouthpiece portion <NUM> the air inlet valve <NUM> is automatically closed, preferably by resilience of the valve <NUM> or by an additional spring.

<FIG> shows a further embodiment on an electronic cigarette <NUM>, wherein the liquid store <NUM> is rotatable and the mouthpiece <NUM> is stationary arranged.

<FIG> show further details of this fourth embodiment of a mouthpiece portion <NUM>. The liquid store <NUM> is essentially cylindrically shaped and arranged within a corresponding receptacle <NUM> of a main body <NUM>, such that the liquid store <NUM> is rotatable around rotation axis R with respect to the main body <NUM> and with respect to a mouthpiece <NUM> mounted at the main body <NUM>. The liquid store <NUM> can further be in form of a cartridge <NUM> that comprises the vaporizer <NUM>. The mouthpiece portion <NUM> can be brought from the first position of <FIG> into the second position of <FIG> by a rotation of the liquid store <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM> and the mouthpiece <NUM>.

The liquid store <NUM>, like in the previous embodiments, comprises a vapor outlet opening <NUM> that can be aligned with a vapor inlet <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> when the mouthpiece portion <NUM> is in the open position. If vapor outlet opening <NUM> is mis-aligned with the vapor inlet <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> the mouthpiece portion <NUM> is in the closed position.

For allowing the user to rotate the liquid store <NUM>, it comprises a position indicator <NUM> that preferably extends through the housing of the main body <NUM>. The housing of the liquid store <NUM> may further comprise a protrusion configured as a grip surface in order to facilitate the rotation of the liquid store. In an advantageous embodiment, the position indicator is configured as a protrusion that also facilitates the rotation of the liquid store <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A mouthpiece portion (<NUM>) for an electronic cigarette (<NUM>), the mouthpiece portion comprising:
a liquid store (<NUM>) having a housing (<NUM>) and being configured to store a liquid (<NUM>) to be vaporized;
a main vapor channel (<NUM>) extending through the liquid store (<NUM>), between a vaporization chamber (<NUM>) and a vapor outlet opening (<NUM>);
a mouthpiece (<NUM>) comprising a vapor inlet (<NUM>) and a vapor outlet (<NUM>);
wherein the mouthpiece portion (<NUM>) is configured to provide a relative rotatable movement between the mouthpiece (<NUM>) and the housing (<NUM>) of the liquid store (<NUM>), between a first position and a second position;
characterized in that
the mouthpiece portion (<NUM>) is configured to be open and only dispense vapor through the mouthpiece vapor outlet (<NUM>) when the mouthpiece portion (<NUM>) is in the first position, in which the vapor outlet opening (<NUM>) of the main vapor channel (<NUM>) is aligned with the vapor inlet (<NUM>) of the mouthpiece (<NUM>).