Patent Description:
Electronic cigarettes are well known. A conventional electronic cigarette includes a cartridge and a battery assembly, where the cartridge further includes a liquid storage assembly and an atomizing assembly, the liquid storage assembly provides tobacco liquid to the atomizing assembly, which is electrically driven by the battery assembly and thereby atomizes the tobacco liquid into vapor for users to enjoy. Therefore, the whole cartridge should be discarded due to the exhaustion of the tobacco liquid in the liquid storage assembly. However, it may be possible that the atomizing assembly of the cartridge is still in good condition at this time, thus it is wasteful to discard the whole cartridge.

Despite numerous designs currently available, there is a need for additional designs of electronic cigarettes.

<CIT> discloses an electronic cigarette and an electronic cigarette atomizer. The electronic cigarette atomizer comprises an atomizing sleeve, and a smoking oil bin and an atomizing assembly which are mounted inside the atomizing sleeve; smoking oil is accommodated in a sealed inner cavity of the smoking oil bin; the bottom of the smoking oil bin is provided with an oil outlet; the oil outlet is closed by an openable sealing part; the atomizing assembly comprises a heating assembly and an oil conduit; the oil conduit is arranged behind the sealing part formed in the oil outlet of the smoking oil bin in an insertable manner; the smoking oil bin can move towards the tendency of closing to the atomizing assembly.

The present invention is defined in the appended set of claims.

According to the invention, a cartridge is provided, and the cartridge includes a liquid absorbing assembly and a liquid container for supplying tobacco liquid to the liquid absorbing assembly. The liquid absorbing assembly is arranged below the liquid container and at a bottom of the cartridge. The liquid absorbing assembly is arranged in such a manner that the liquid container is in fluid communication with the liquid absorbing assembly and configured for supplying tobacco liquid to the liquid absorbing assembly, so that the tobacco liquid is kept in the liquid container or the liquid absorbing assembly before the cartridge is assembled at an in-use state. The cartridge further includes a membrane and a puncturing unit, the membrane is arranged on a bottom of the liquid container, and the puncturing unit is arranged with a predefined distance below the membrane. The cartridge further includes a heater removably located below the liquid absorbing assembly and adapted for touching the liquid absorbing assembly. The puncturing unit includes a puncturing element and an elastic element, a first end of the puncturing element is attached to the heater, and a second end of the puncturing element protrudes above the liquid absorbing assembly.

According to one embodiment, the liquid absorbing assembly is formed of rigid material.

According to one embodiment, the elastic element is elastically compressively disposed between the puncturing element and the bottom of the liquid container. One end of the elastic element abuts against the puncturing element and the other end of the elastic element abuts against the bottom of the liquid container.

According to one embodiment, the cartridge further includes a heat transferring element arranged between the liquid absorbing assembly and the heater, the upper surface of the heat transferring element defines one or more vapor outlets, one side of the heat transferring element is provided with an air inlet opening, and the other side of the heat transferring element is provided with a vapor outlet opening.

According to one embodiment, the liquid absorbing assembly further comprises a joint element. The joint element is arranged between the liquid container and the liquid absorbing assembly.

According to one embodiment, the joint element is made of an elastic material.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic cigarette is provided, and the electronic cigarette includes a cartridge according to the first aspect of the present disclosure and a battery assembly detachably connected to the cartridge.

According to one embodiment, the battery assembly includes a housing and a heater. An insulating element and a power supply unit are accommodated within the housing. The power supply unit comprises a circuit board and a battery. The insulating element is arranged between the housing and the power supply unit. The heater has one or more openings and is electrically connected to the circuit board extending through the insulating element. The battery is arranged below the circuit board and is electrically connected with the circuit board.

According to one embodiment, the heater comprises a heating element and a plurality of electrical clamps. One end of the electrical clamp is clamped on the heating element. The other end of the electrical clamp is connected to the circuit board.

According to one embodiment, the heater is formed of aluminum nitride.

It should be noted that the drawing figures may be in simplified form and might not be to precise scale. In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, front, distal, and proximal are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. Such directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the embodiment in any manner.

The first embodiment, not according to the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the present disclosure of the first embodiment provides an electronic cigarette <NUM>. The electronic cigarette <NUM> includes a cartridge <NUM>, a housing <NUM> and a battery assembly <NUM>, and the battery assembly <NUM> is located within the housing <NUM>. The cartridge <NUM> is at least partially disposed within the housing <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the cartridge <NUM> is removably attached to the battery assembly <NUM> to facilitate user to replace the cartridge <NUM>. The cartridge <NUM> is a disposable cartridge. It is understood, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the cartridge <NUM> is reusable.

The electronic cigarette <NUM> further includes a mouthpiece <NUM> located on and attached to the cartridge <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> is a part of the cartridge <NUM>. Besides, the mouthpiece <NUM> may be exposed when the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the housing <NUM>. It is understood, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the mouthpiece <NUM> is a separate piece detachably mounted on the cartridge <NUM>.

An air inlet <NUM> is defined on a sidewall of the housing <NUM>, through which air enters the electronic cigarette <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> is provided with an air outlet <NUM> in fluid communication with the inside of the electronic cigarette <NUM>. Vapor formed by the electronic cigarette <NUM> is released from the air outlet <NUM> for a user to inhale. In the embodiment, two air inlets <NUM> are respectively located on two opposite sidewalls of the housing <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the cartridge <NUM> includes a cartridge shell <NUM>, a liquid container <NUM> received within the cartridge shell <NUM> and a liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> located at the bottom of the cartridge shell <NUM>.

The liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> is arranged in such a manner that the tobacco liquid is kept in the liquid container <NUM> or the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> before the cartridge <NUM> is assembled at an in-use state. When a cartridge <NUM> is assembled at the in-use state, it means that the user can use the electronic cigarette <NUM> normally, i.e., when the user can enjoy the vapor when sucking on the mouthpiece <NUM>.

The liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> is arranged below the liquid container <NUM>, in other words, the cartridge <NUM> has a liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> at its bottom. The liquid container <NUM> is in fluid communication with the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> and configured for supplying tobacco liquid to the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>. The bottom of the cartridge <NUM> defines one or more outflow pathways <NUM> which communicates between the liquid container <NUM> and the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>, so that liquid passing through the outflow pathways <NUM> is exposed on and absorbed by the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>. In the embodiment, the outflow pathways <NUM> are not filled with liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>. It is understood, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the outflow pathways <NUM> are filled with liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>.

The liquid container <NUM> may hold a gel, tobacco liquid, solids, etc., which is not limited herein. The tobacco liquid will be used as an example in the present disclosure.

In the embodiment, the interior of the cartridge shell <NUM> is hollow to form the liquid container <NUM>. It is understood, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the liquid container <NUM> having a hollow structure for containing liquid received within the cartridge shell <NUM>, and one or more liquid flow channels are defined at the bottom of the liquid container <NUM>, and in fluid communication with the outflow pathways <NUM>.

The liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> is made of absorbable materials so as to absorb the tobacco liquid therein, for example, the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> may be a wick which made of cotton, liquid-absorbing ceramics or fiber.

Referring to <FIG>, the cartridge <NUM> further defines first grooves <NUM> on its side walls, and second grooves <NUM> on its front wall and back wall. In this embodiment, the first grooves <NUM> and the second grooves <NUM> are defined on the outer surfaces of the cartridge shell <NUM>. When the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the housing <NUM>, the first grooves <NUM> and the inner walls of the housing <NUM> cooperatively define inner air channels (not labeled) which fluidly communicate with the an air inlet <NUM>, and the second grooves <NUM> and the inner walls of the housing <NUM> cooperatively define outlet air channels (not labeled) which fluidly communicate with the an air outlet <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM>. Each of the second grooves <NUM> extends upward to communicate with the air outlet <NUM> on the mouthpiece <NUM>. In the embodiment, the second grooves <NUM> curves upward and inward toward respectively, much like a cathedral ceiling, eventually leading to the air outlet <NUM> on the mouthpiece <NUM>.

In other contemplated embodiments, channels/passage for air travel can be anywhere on the electronic cigarette <NUM> and not limited to the side walls and front/back wall of the cartridge <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the cartridge <NUM> further includes a first sealing member <NUM>, which serves to seal air in the outlet air channels cooperatively formed by the second grooves <NUM> and the inner walls of the housing <NUM>, so as to improve the utilization of the vapor generated by the electronic cigarette <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the battery assembly <NUM> includes a heater <NUM>, an insulating element <NUM> and a power supply unit, the power supply unit includes a circuit board <NUM> and a battery <NUM> electrically connected with the circuit board <NUM> and the heater <NUM>.

The insulating element <NUM> is disposed between the heater <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM>. The battery assembly <NUM> further includes two leads <NUM> attaching the heater <NUM> to the circuit board <NUM>. Specifically, one end of the leads <NUM> is attached to the heater <NUM>, the opposite end of the leads <NUM> is extending through the insulating element <NUM> and attached to the circuit board <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in the embodiment, the leads <NUM> is soldered on the circuit board <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in another embodiment, the heater <NUM> is "clamped" on the circuit board <NUM> using two clamps <NUM> to facilitate user to replace the heater <NUM>. With respect to each clamp <NUM>, one end of the clamps <NUM> is clamped on the heater <NUM>, the other end of the clamps <NUM> is connected to the circuit board <NUM>. Specifically, the heater <NUM> has two leads <NUM> located on its opposite ends, and each of the clamp <NUM> can then be clamped on one of the leads <NUM> respectively.

Since the clamps <NUM> are conductive, the heater <NUM> begins heating the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> once the battery assembly <NUM> is turned on. In an embodiment, combinations of nut and bolt (not shown) may be arranged between the heater <NUM> and the clamp <NUM> to further fasten the heater <NUM>. Surely, other combinations may be used instead of the nut and bolt as long as they can affix the heater <NUM>.

It should be noted that the clamps <NUM> are not only configured to hold the heater <NUM> but also to serve as electrical leads between the heater <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM>. In other words, they may also function as the electrical leads in the soldering manner. Therefore, similarly, the number of the clamps <NUM> can also be changed according to actual requirements.

The heater <NUM> is a solid-state heater, the heater <NUM> is made of ceramic, metal, or metal-ceramic complex (such as ceramic embedded with metal inside, and so on). In the embodiment, the heater <NUM> is made of AlN ceramic containing trace amounts of tungsten. In other embodiment, tungsten is embedded in the AlN ceramic.

The heater <NUM> defines one or more openings <NUM> so that when its top surface touches the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>, there can be sufficient openings for vapor to escape. The number of the openings <NUM> is not limited herein. In the embodiment, the openings <NUM> extend through the heater <NUM>.

When the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into place, the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> is in close proximity, or makes direct contact, with a heater <NUM>. In one embodiment, since the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> is made of deformable material such as cotton, the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> will be deformed and partially accommodated in the openings <NUM> under the action of an external force, so that the contact surface area between the heater <NUM> and the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> can be improved.

The cartridge <NUM> also has a sealing element (not shown) which covers a liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> inside/outside of the cartridge <NUM>. The sealing element is generally sleeved on a bottom of the cartridge <NUM> for preventing the liquid from leaking out of the cartridge <NUM> before being used. As long as the sealing element can seal the bottom of the cartridge, its material, size, and form are not limited herein.

The battery assembly <NUM> further includes a sensor <NUM>. In this embodiment, a sensor <NUM> is arranged near the heater <NUM> in the insulating element <NUM>. There can be a channel (not shown) allowing fluid communication of air between where the sensor <NUM> is and a path of airflow (e.g., inlet, outlet, region near the heating element).

The sensor <NUM> is an airflow sensor. In fact, the sensor <NUM> can be arranged anywhere in the electronic cigarette <NUM> to detect air pressure changes as a user sucks on the mouthpiece <NUM>. This pressure change automatically turns on the heater <NUM>. This eliminates the need for an ON/OFF button for a user to press (to turn on the heater). The sensor <NUM> should be in fluid communication with the region where air moves as a result of a user sucking on the mouthpiece <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the sensor <NUM> is located below the battery <NUM>, and the electronic cigarette <NUM> further includes an air inlet channel (not shown) connecting with the sensor <NUM> and the mouthpiece <NUM>, the sensor <NUM> is located in the air inlet channel. Outside air enters the electronic cigarette <NUM> and passes through the air inlet channel and the mouthpiece <NUM> successively, such that the sensor <NUM> can detect the air pressure changes as user sucks on the mouthpiece <NUM>.

Based on the above structure, when a user sucks on the mouthpiece <NUM>, outside air enters, passes through the air inlet <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and travels down the inner air channels, eventually reaches a region underneath the heater <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> then detects the air pressure change and turns on the heater <NUM> of the battery assembly <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> thus begins heating the exposed liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>, thereby vaporizing the tobacco liquid thereon. The vapor then travels up in the outlet air channels into the mouthpiece <NUM>. It should be noted that the outlet air channels and the inner air channels described herein are for illustrative purposes, in an embodiment, passage for air travel can be anywhere between the cartridge <NUM> and the housing <NUM> and not limited to the side walls and front/back wall of the cartridge <NUM>.

In an embodiment, a front surface of the housing <NUM> is provided with a light indicator <NUM> which can be used to signal one or more things. For example, it may be an in-use indicator configured to indicate the ON or OFF state of the electronic cigarette <NUM>, or that of a heater <NUM> arranged within the housing <NUM>, or it may also be a battery low indicator configured to remind the user to charge/replace a battery in the battery assembly <NUM>. It should be noted that the function of the light indicator <NUM> is not limited herein and can be varied according to actual requirements.

In this embodiment, the battery assembly <NUM> is rechargeable. As can be seen from <FIG>, two charging contacts <NUM> are arranged on the bottom of the battery assembly <NUM>. These charging contacts <NUM> are configured to charge the battery assembly <NUM>. It should be noted that the positions of the charging contacts <NUM> in the figure are only for illustrative purposes.

In use, when the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the housing <NUM>, only the mouthpiece <NUM> is exposed as shown in <FIG>. When a user sucks on the mouthpiece <NUM>, outside air enters pass through the air inlet <NUM> and travels down the inner air channels and the openings <NUM>, eventually reaching the region right underneath the exposed liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> (the entire bottom side of the cartridge <NUM> in <FIG> is the exposed and moist wick). The heater <NUM> is turned on by the sensor <NUM>, thus begins heating the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> thereby vaporizing liquid on the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>. The vapor then travels up the outlet air channels of the cartridge <NUM> into the mouthpiece <NUM>.

The cartridge <NUM> is replaceable and removable. When a user removes the cartridge <NUM> by simply pulling the mouthpiece <NUM> upwards, the entire cartridge <NUM> becomes separated from the battery assembly <NUM>. Once the cartridge <NUM> is removed, the heater <NUM> exposed at the top of the battery assembly <NUM> (see <FIG>), that is the heater <NUM> does not need to be replaced together with the cartridge <NUM> so as to reduce the replacement cost.

Although the drawings show a generally linear configuration of mouthpiece <NUM> on top of liquid container <NUM>, which has a liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> at its bottom adapted for touching the heater <NUM>, which is on top of a battery assembly <NUM>, it should be especially noted that any other spatial arrangements are possible as long as the same concept is utilized. One of the intended goals is to have a cartridge <NUM> pre-filled with liquid within its liquid container <NUM>, wherein the liquid container <NUM> is connected to the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> that is exposed for contact with a heating element. This cartridge <NUM> then can produce vapor with different flavors and nicotine levels, or other additives.

It is understood, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the arrangement of the element of the battery assembly <NUM> can be varied according to actual requirements. For example, the battery assembly <NUM> includes a battery part and an atomizing part removable attached to the battery part. The battery part includes the power supply unit which including the circuit board <NUM> and the battery <NUM>. The atomizing part includes the heater <NUM> and the insulating element <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> is located on the battery part or the atomizing part.

It should be noted that the function of the light indicator <NUM> is not limited herein and can be varied according to actual requirements.

One problem with removable cartridge may be that, when the cartridge is inserted into place, a liquid absorbing assembly which is normally arranged within the cartridge becomes in close proximity, or make direct contact, with a heater which can be part of the battery assembly. The tobacco liquid in the liquid absorbing assembly may thus leak out due to the pressure. In order to solve this problem, the present disclosure provides several implementations of the cartridge as described in the following.

The second embodiment, according to the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the present disclosure of the second embodiment provides a cartridge <NUM>. The cartridge <NUM> includes a cartridge shell <NUM>, a liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>, a membrane <NUM>, a puncturing unit <NUM> and a heater <NUM>. The cartridge shell <NUM> has a hollow structure defines a chamber <NUM> at its lower part. The liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>, the membrane <NUM> and the heater <NUM> are removably located within the chamber <NUM>. The membrane <NUM> is arranged on the bottom of the liquid container <NUM>, and the puncturing unit <NUM> is arranged with a predefined distance below the membrane <NUM>. In the embodiment, the membrane <NUM> is a liquid isolating membrane configured for sealing the liquid within the liquid container <NUM>. The puncturing unit <NUM> includes a puncturing element <NUM> and an elastic element <NUM>. One end of the puncturing element <NUM> is attached to the heater <NUM>, and the opposite end of the puncturing element <NUM> is protruded above the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>. The elastic element <NUM> is elastically compressively disposed between the puncturing element <NUM> and the bottom of the liquid container <NUM>. One end of the elastic element <NUM> abuts against the puncturing element <NUM> and the other end of the elastic element <NUM> abuts against the bottom of the liquid container <NUM>. The puncturing element <NUM> has a sharp end whose shape matches with a corresponding end of the membrane <NUM>, so that the sharp end is engaged with the corresponding end of the membrane <NUM> when moving up to the membrane <NUM>. Surely, the shape of the sharp end is not limited herein to the present disclosure.

When the cartridge <NUM> is in a non-use state as shown in <FIG> (i.e., before the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the in-use state), the membrane <NUM> seals the tobacco liquid in the liquid container <NUM>, and the elastic element <NUM> expands so that the puncturing element <NUM> is at a predefined distance below the membrane <NUM>. When the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the in-use state, the elastic elements <NUM> contracts due to the external force, and the cartridge <NUM> therefore goes into an in-use state as shown in <FIG>. The sharp end of the puncturing element <NUM> thrusts its way through the membrane <NUM>, thus form holes for the tobacco liquid held in the liquid container <NUM> to pass downwards into the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>, and then contacts with the heater <NUM>. Once the heater <NUM> is turned on, the tobacco liquid held in the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> may be heated into vapor for the user to enjoy.

It is understood, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the heater <NUM> is a separate element of the cartridge <NUM>, that is, the heater <NUM> is not a part of the cartridge <NUM>. The puncturing element <NUM> is attached to the cartridge shell <NUM> or the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>, and the elastic element <NUM> is elastically compressively disposed between the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> and the bottom of the liquid container <NUM>.

It is understood, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the elastic element <NUM> can be omitted, such as using two or more limiting grooves to limit the motion of the puncturing element <NUM>.

The membrane <NUM> can be formed of soft materials with good sealing performance.

Besides, it should be noted that the distance between the membrane <NUM> and the puncturing element <NUM>, the width of the membrane <NUM>, the shape and the number of the puncturing element <NUM> are only for illustrative purposes, which can be changed according to actual requirements.

The third embodiment, according to the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the present disclosure of the third embodiment provides a cartridge <NUM> having another kind of puncturing unit <NUM> different from the puncturing unit <NUM> of the second embodiment. The puncturing unit <NUM> includes two limiters <NUM> and a plurality of puncturing elements <NUM>. The two limiters <NUM> are respectively arranged on two ends of the membrane <NUM>. The limiter <NUM> serves to prevent the puncturing elements <NUM> from moving into the liquid container <NUM> when suffering from the external force.

Similarly, when the cartridge <NUM> is in a non-use state as shown in <FIG> (i.e., before the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the in-use state), the membrane <NUM> seals the tobacco liquid in the liquid container <NUM>, and the puncturing elements <NUM> stay at a predefined distance below the membrane <NUM>. When the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the in-use state, the puncturing elements <NUM> move up due to the external force and the cartridge <NUM>, therefore, goes into an in-use state as shown in <FIG>. The sharp end of the puncturing elements <NUM> thrust their ways through the membrane <NUM>, thus form small holes for the tobacco liquid held in the liquid container <NUM> to follow downwards into the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>, and then contacts with the heater <NUM>. Once the heater <NUM> is turned on, the tobacco liquid held in the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> may be heated into vapor for the user to enjoy.

The fourth embodiment, not according to the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the present disclosure of the fourth embodiment provide a cartridge <NUM>, the cartridge <NUM> further includes a heat transferring element <NUM> arranged below the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> compared with the first embodiment. In in-use state, the heat transferring element <NUM> contacts with the heater <NUM>. The upper surface of the heat transferring element <NUM> is provided with one or more vapor outlets <NUM>. One side of the heat transferring element <NUM> is provided with an air inlet opening <NUM>, and the other side of the heat transferring element <NUM> is provided with a vapor outlet opening <NUM>.

The bottom surface of the liquid container <NUM> is provided with a plurality of outflow pathways <NUM>, these outflow pathways <NUM> form liquid flow channels for the tobacco liquid held in the liquid container <NUM> to permeate the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> downwards. In an embodiment, the outflow pathways <NUM> are filled with a liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> such as a wick.

When the cartridge <NUM> is assembled at the in-use state, since a lower surface of the heat transferring element <NUM> is attached to the heater <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> is not in direct contact with the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>, so the tobacco liquid would not leak out due to the external force. When the heater <NUM> is turned on, the heat formed by the heater <NUM> passes by the lower surface and sides of the heat transferring element <NUM> and arrives at its upper surface, the upper surface of the heat transferring element <NUM> then heats the tobacco liquid held in liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> into vapor, which enters into the inner chamber of the heat transferring element <NUM> through the vapor outlets <NUM>.

When a user sucks on the mouthpiece <NUM>, outside air passes through the inner air channels and enters into the inner chamber of the heat transferring element <NUM> through the air inlet opening <NUM>, then mixes with the vapor therein and exhausts through the vapor outlet opening <NUM>, the outlet air channels, and eventually arrives at the mouthpiece <NUM> for the user to enjoy.

Besides, it should also be noted that the heat transferring element <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a cuboid, so the air and the vapor have to pass through the openings on its sides into the inner chamber. In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, it may also have a center opening <NUM>, the upper surface of the heat transferring element <NUM> contacts with the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> and is provided with vapor outlets (not shown), the lower surface of the heat transferring element <NUM> contacts with the heater <NUM>, outside air may pass through its center opening <NUM>, mix with the vapor from the vapor outlets and exhaust through the outlet air channels, and eventually arrive at the mouthpiece <NUM> for the user to enjoy.

In all the implementations described above, the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> is formed of soft materials such as cotton. In an embodiment, it may also be formed of rigid materials so that the tobacco liquid stored therein will not leak out even when suffering from the external force.

The fifth embodiment, not according to the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the present disclosure of the fifth embodiment provide a cartridge <NUM>, the cartridge <NUM> includes a cartridge shell <NUM>, a liquid container <NUM>, a liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> accommodated inside the cartridge shell <NUM>, a supporting element <NUM>, and a joint element <NUM> arranged between the supporting element <NUM> and the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>. The liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> is made of absorbing ceramic or other kinds of rigid material.

In this embodiment, when the cartridge <NUM> is assembled on an atomizing assembly/battery assembly having a heater <NUM>, the heater <NUM> is arranged below the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>.

The joint element <NUM> is configured to increase the contact area between the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> and the heater <NUM>, when the cartridge <NUM> is assembled on an atomizing assembly/battery assembly having a heater <NUM>. The joint element <NUM> is an elastic component, that is, the joint element <NUM> is made of elastic material.

In the embodiment, the joint element <NUM> is cotton. With this joint element <NUM>, the liquid container <NUM> and the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> become in close contact, under the external force when the cartridge <NUM> is assembled at the in-use state.

It is understood, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the joint element <NUM> is located at one side of the heater <NUM>, to provide an elastic support to increase the contact area between the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> and the heater <NUM>.

The bottom surface of the liquid container <NUM> is provided with one or more outflow pathways <NUM>. These outflow pathways form liquid flow channels for the tobacco liquid held in the liquid container <NUM> to permeate the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> downwards. In an embodiment, the outflow pathways are filled with the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM> such as a wick.

In an embodiment, the supporting element <NUM> is arranged between the liquid container <NUM> and the joint element <NUM> to support the liquid container <NUM>. In this case, the supporting element <NUM> is also provided with one or more outflow pathways (not shown) corresponding to the outflow pathways <NUM> defined on the bottom surface of the liquid container <NUM>, so that the tobacco liquid held in the liquid container <NUM> can pass through into the liquid absorbing assembly <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> includes a heating element <NUM> and two clamps <NUM>, the inner surface of each clamp <NUM> is provided with a slot, and the heating element <NUM> is inserted into the slots. One of the clamps <NUM> is connected to a positive contact <NUM> which can be connected to the circuit board (not shown) once the cartridge <NUM> is assembled at the in-use state. The other clamp <NUM> serves as a negative contact. Similarly, combinations of nut and bolt may be provided between each clamp <NUM> and the corresponding end of the heating element <NUM> so as to further fasten the heating element <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A cartridge (<NUM>), comprising: a liquid absorbing assembly (<NUM>), and a liquid container (<NUM>) for supplying tobacco liquid to the liquid absorbing assembly (<NUM>), wherein:
the liquid absorbing assembly (<NUM>) is arranged below the liquid container (<NUM>) and at a bottom of the cartridge (<NUM>);
the liquid absorbing assembly (<NUM>) is arranged in such a manner that the liquid container (<NUM>) is in fluid communication with the liquid absorbing assembly (<NUM>) and configured for supplying tobacco liquid to the liquid absorbing assembly (<NUM>), so that the tobacco liquid is kept in the liquid container (<NUM>) or the liquid absorbing assembly (<NUM>) before the cartridge (<NUM>) is assembled at an in-use state;
characterized in that, the cartridge (<NUM>) further comprises a membrane (<NUM>) and a puncturing unit (<NUM>), the membrane (<NUM>) is arranged on a bottom of the liquid container (<NUM>), and the puncturing unit (<NUM>) is arranged with a predefined distance below the membrane (<NUM>),
wherein, the cartridge (<NUM>) further comprises a heater (<NUM>) removably located below the liquid absorbing assembly (<NUM>) and adapted for touching the liquid absorbing assembly (<NUM>), the puncturing unit (<NUM>) comprises a puncturing element (<NUM>) and an elastic element (<NUM>), a first end of the puncturing element (<NUM>) is attached to the heater (<NUM>), a second end of the puncturing element (<NUM>) protrudes above the liquid absorbing assembly (<NUM>).