(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`( 43) International Publication Date
`12 July 2007 (12.07.2007)
`
`(51) International Patent Classification:
`A24F 1124 (2006.01)
`
`PCT
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`PCT/US2005/046546
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`22 December 2005 (22.12.2005)
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(71) Applicant (jar all designated States except US): AUGITE
`INCORPORATION [US/US]; 80 Wall Street, Suite 818,
`New York, NY 10005 (US).
`
`(72) Inventor; and
`(75) Inventor/Applicant (for US only): LIU, Zhen [CN/CN];
`3 Garden Road, Central Hongkong (CN).
`
`11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 2007/078273 Al
`(81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
`AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN,
`CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, Fl,
`GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE,
`KG, KM, KN, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV,
`LY, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NA, NG, NI,
`NO, NZ, OM, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RU, SC, SD, SE, SG,
`SK, SL, SM, SY, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US,
`UZ, VC, VN, YU, ZA, ZM, ZW.
`
`(84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
`GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM,
`ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM),
`European (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, Fl,
`FR, GB, GR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, MC, NL, PL, PT,
`RO, SE, SI, SK, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA,
`GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`Published:
`with international search report
`
`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid(cid:173)
`(74) Agents: COSTELLIA, Jeffrey, L. eta!.; Nixon Peabody
`LLP, 401 9th Street, N.w., Suite 900, Washington, DC
`ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations" appearing at the begin(cid:173)
`20004 (US).
`ning of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette.
`------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
`(54) Title: NO-TAR ELECTRONIC SMOKING UTENSILS
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`24
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`---- (57) Abstract: No-tar electronic smoking utensils includes a container (18) formed of a porous material for storing a liquid mixture.
`
`20
`
`30
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`The container communicates with a heater vapouriser (24) via a series of small apertures (28). The heater is in the form of a spirally
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`:::= wound electrical heater (26) mounted on an electrical insulating support. Battery supply means are provided for the heater. The
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`~ heater vapouriser communicates with a mouthpiece. In use, suction on the mouthpiece by the user causes air to be drawn through
`~ the porous container for liquid, over the heated vapouriser, into the mouthpiece and into the mouth of the user.
`t--(cid:173)
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`Exhibit 1008, Page 0001
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`

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`wo 2007/078273
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`PCT /US2005/046546
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`NO-TAR ELECTRONIC SMOKING UTENSILS
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`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to no-tar electronic smoking utensils
`
`such as, for example, cigarettes, cigars and cigarette holders.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`5
`
`10
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`Cigarettes are well known in which one end of a tobacco filled
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`cigarette is held in the mouth of the user and the other end of the
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`cigarette is ignited by a match or a lighter and the user draws on
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`one end of the cigarette to draw the tobacco smoke through the
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`15
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`cigarette into the mouth/lungs of the user. The health dangers of
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`tobacco smoking are well documented and many products have
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`appeared on the market in an attempt to assist smokers to cease
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`smoking tobacco products or to provide a more healthy tobacco
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`substitute.
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`20
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`One such product is a "flameless electronic atomising cigarette"
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`described in Malaysian patent application 03111582.9. The product
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`is a non-combustible simulated cigarette and the user draws on one
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`end of the "cigarette" to draw a nicotine vapour through the
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`25
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`cigarette via a solution having a controlled amount of nicotine. The
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`lack of a flame avoids inhaling tar and other unhealthy tobacco
`
`products, and the user can also control the amount of nicotine
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`inhaled. The nicotine mixture of the prior art electronic cigarette is
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`pumped through the device and is atomised by the use of a high
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`30
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`frequency generator, a piezoelectric ultrasonic atomiser and a high(cid:173)
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`temperature gasification jet tube. The resulting vapour, lacking the
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`Exhibit 1008, Page 0002
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`

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`wo 2007/078273
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`PCT/US2005/046546
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`conventional tar and unhealthy by- products, but including a
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`controlled amount of nicotine, is inhaled by the user.
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`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
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`It is an object of the present invention to provide a no-tar electronic
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`smoking utensils which is a suitable alternative to known products
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`and/or is of a simpler construction in comparison to known
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`products.
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`5
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`10
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`In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a
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`no-tar electronic smoking utensils including:
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`a container for a liquid,
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`a vapouriser including heater means adapted to vapourise the
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`15
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`liquid,
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`wherein air can be drawn by the suction of the user over the
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`container and vapouriser to form a simulated smoke vapour.
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`Preferably, in contrast to the above prior art device the
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`20
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`vapourisation is effected solely or principally by the air distribution
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`through the container in combination with the heat from the heating
`
`means.
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`Preferably, in contrast to the above prior art device the flow of fluids
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`25
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`through the cigarette is caused solely or principally by the suction of
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`the user.
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`Thus, the simulated cigarette of the present invention is of a simpler
`
`construction, easier to manufacture and more cost effective than
`
`30
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`the above prior art device.
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`2
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`Exhibit 1008, Page 0003
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`

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`wo 2007/078273
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`PCT/US2005/046546
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`Preferably, at least a portion of the container is formed of a porous
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`material to facilitate distribution of the liquid through the container,
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`prior to being fed to the heater means. Suitable materials include,
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`for example, foamed metal, foamed ceramic or special fibre.
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`5
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`In a preferred arrangement the heater means includes an electrical
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`heater mounted on an electrical insulating support, for example a
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`spirally wound heater wire.
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`10 The liquid mixture may be formed from any suitable
`
`materials/chemicals. The mixture could include a controlled amount
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`of nicotine, however the mixture need not include a nicotine
`
`content.
`
`15
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`Indicating/monitoring means may be included for the purpose of
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`indicating a range of activities such as when a pre-set level of
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`nicotine has been reached, when the unit is switched on or when
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`the liquid in the container is low.
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`20
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`In a preferred arrangement simulated tobacco is provided in the tip
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`end of the smoking article to give the article the appearance of a
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`conventional smoking article.
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`The no-tar electronic smoking utensils preferably includes electrical
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`25
`
`supply means, such as a battery, to supply power to the heater
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`and/or the indicator means. In a preferred arrangement power
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`supply switch means are located adjacent the mouthpiece end of
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`the cigarette, the power supply switch means being adapted to be
`
`activated by the lips of the user.
`
`30
`
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is
`
`provided a simulated cigarette including a container formed of a
`
`3
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`Exhibit 1008, Page 0004
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`

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`wo 2007/078273
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`PCT/US2005/046546
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`porous material for storing a liquid mixture, the container
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`communicating with a heater vapouriser via a series of apertures,
`
`said vapouriser including a spirally wound electrical heater mounted
`
`on an electrical insulating support, battery supply means for the
`
`5
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`heater, said heater vapouriser communicating with a mouthpiece,
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`whereby in use, suction on the mouthpiece by the user causes air to ·
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`be drawn through the porous container for liquid, over the heated
`
`vapouriser, into the mouthpiece and into the mouth of the user.
`
`10
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`SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OF THE INVENTION
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`In order to better understand the invention, an example will now be
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`described with reference to the following drawings, in which:
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`15
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`FIG 1 is an enlarged side view of a simulated cigarette constructed
`
`in accordance with the invention,
`
`FIG 2 is a cross- sectional side view of the simulated cigarette of
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`FIG 1,
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`20
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`FIG 3 is a tip end view of the simulated cigarette of FIG 1 looking in
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`the direction of arrow X,
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`FIG 4 is a mouthpiece end view of the simulated cigarette of FIG 1
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`25
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`looking in the direction of arrow Y,
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`FIG 5 is a cross-sectional end view taken along the lines AA of FIG
`
`2,
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`30
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`FIG 6 is a cross-sectional end view taken along the lines BB of FIG
`
`2, and
`
`4
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`Exhibit 1008, Page 0005
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`PCT/US2005/046546
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`FIG 7 is a schematic diagram of the electrical components of the
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`example shown in FIG 1.
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`Referring to FIG 1 of the example, the simulated cigarette is of the
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`5
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`general size and shape of a conventional elongated cylindrical
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`cigarette, having a tip end 2 and a mouthpiece end 4.
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`In broad terms, the simulated cigarette of the example is provided
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`with a container for a liquid mixture, a heater for vapourising the
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`10
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`liquid, apertures for passage of air/mixture vapour through the
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`cigarette into the mouth of the user, and a battery for supplying
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`power to the heater.
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`Referring to FIGS 1 and 2, the simulated cigarette is provided with
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`15
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`an outer casing 6. The tip end 2 of the casing 6 is provided with
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`simulated tobacco to give the simulated cigarette the appearance of
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`a conventional cigarette. Modifications, such as choice and feel of
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`materials, obvious to those skilled in the art, could also be made to
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`give the simulated cigarette the look and feel of a conventional
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`20
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`cigarette.
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`Adjacent and inner the tip end 2 of the cigarette and mounted on
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`the cigarette casing 6 is a light emitting diode (LED) 8. The LED is
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`for the purpose of monitoring/indicating, amongst other things, the
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`25
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`level of liquid in the container and when a pre-set level of nicotine
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`has been reached.
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`Located inner and adjacent of the simulated tobacco is a printed
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`circuit board (PCB) control unit 10 for controlling the electrics of the
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`cigarette.
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`30
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`Adjacent and inner of the PCB 10, is a cylindrical battery chamber
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`12 for housing a battery 14. The cigarette outer casing 6, adjacent
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`5
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`Exhibit 1008, Page 0006
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`PCT/US2005/046546
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`the battery chamber 12 is provided with a plurality of apertures 16
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`to permit entry of air into the battery chamber. Adjacent and inner
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`of the battery chamber 12 is a cylindrical liquid container 18
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`separated from the battery chamber by a dividing wall 20. The
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`5
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`dividing wall 20 is provided with a plurality of apertures 22 to
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`permit entry of air from the battery chamber into the liquid
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`container.
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`The container liquid mixture can be fed into the container 18 via a
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`10
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`one-way valve (not shown) mounted through the wall of the
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`cigarette casing 6. The liquid container 18 is formed of porous
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`inorganic material. The porous material of the liquid container
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`facilitates the distribution and the mixing of the air and liquid
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`mixture.
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`15
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`A cylindrical vapouriser heater assembly housing 24 is mounted
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`within a central bore provided in the mouthpiece end of the liquid
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`container 18. The vapouriser heater assembly housing houses a
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`heater wire 26 spirally wound on a central ceramic insulating rod.
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`20 The walls of the heater housing 24 are provided with a plurality of
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`apertures 28 to permit entry of the liquid/air from the liquid
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`container 18 into the heater housing 24.
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`Adjacent the mouthpiece end 4 of the cigarette and mounted on
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`25
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`the cigarette outer casing 6 is a switch 30 activated, in use, by the
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`mouth of the user for the purpose of switching on the battery power
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`supply.
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`As indicated above, the liquid of the container may contain any
`
`30
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`suitable chemicals, and may be provided with or without nicotine.
`
`6
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`Exhibit 1008, Page 0007
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`PCT/US2005/046546
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`The approximate percentages of ingredients for a mixture
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`containing nicotine are as follows:
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`1,2 propylene glycol 81 °lo, nicotine 7°1o, distilled water 6°1o, glycerol
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`triacetin S01o, formic acid, acetic acid, acetol and fragrance etc. 1 °lo.
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`The approximate percentages of ingredients for a mixture without
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`nicotine are as follows:
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`1,2 propylene glycol 88°1o, distilled water 6°1o, glycerol triacetin S01o,
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`formic acid, acetic acid, acetol and fragrance etc. 1 °lo.
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`5
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`10
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`In operation, the switch 30 is activated by the lips of the user
`touching the switch 30 thus switching on the battery power supply.
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`As best seen in the electrical schematic diagram of FIG 7, battery
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`power is supplied to the PCB control unit 10, the LED 8 and the
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`15
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`vapouriser heater 26.
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`As the user draws on the cigarette mouthpiece, air is drawn into the
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`battery chamber, into the liquid container to mix with the liquid
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`mixture, and into the heater assembly. The resulting vapour is
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`drawn into the mouth of the user.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`7
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`Exhibit 1008, Page 0008
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`

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`wo 2007/078273
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`CLAIMS:
`
`PCT/US2005/046546
`
`1. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils including:
`
`a container for a liquid,
`
`5
`
`a vapouriser including heater means adapted to vapourise the
`
`liquid,
`
`wherein air can be drawn by the suction of the user over the
`
`container and vapouriser to form a simulated smoke vapour.
`
`10
`
`2. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils according to Claim 1 wherein
`
`the vapourisation is effected solely or principally by the air
`
`distribution through the container in combination with the heat from
`
`the heating means.
`
`15
`
`3. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils according to Claim 1 or
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`Claim 2 wherein the flow of fluids through the cigarette is caused
`
`solely or principally by the suction of the user.
`
`4. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils according to any preceding
`
`20
`
`claim wherein at least a portion of the container is formed of a
`
`porous material to facilitate distribution of the liquid through the
`
`container, prior to being fed to the heater means.
`
`5. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils according to any preceding
`
`25
`
`claim wherein the heater means includes an electrical heater
`
`mounted on an electrical insulating support.
`
`6. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils according to any preceding
`
`claim wherein the liquid includes a controlled amount of nicotine.
`
`30
`
`8
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`Exhibit 1008, Page 0009
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`

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`PCT /US2005/046546
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`7. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils according to any preceding
`
`claim including indicator means for the purpose of indicating when a
`
`pre-set level of nicotine has been reached.
`
`5
`
`8. A no-tar electronic smoking utensils according to any preceding
`
`claim including simulated tobacco at a first or tip end of the
`
`smoking article to give the article the appearance of a conventional
`
`smoking article.
`
`10
`
`9. A simulated cigarette according to any preceding claim including
`
`electrical supply means to supply power to the heater and/or the
`
`indicator means, power supply switch means located adjacent the
`
`second or mouthpiece end of the cigarette, said power supply
`
`switch means being adapted to be activated by the lips of the user.
`
`15
`
`10. A simulated cigarette including a container formed of a porous
`
`material for storing a liquid mixture, the container communicating
`
`with a heater vapouriser via a series of apertures, said vapouriser
`
`including a spirally wound electrical heater mounted on an electrical
`
`20
`
`insulating support, battery supply means for the heater, said heater
`
`vapouriser communicating with a mouthpiece, whereby in use,
`
`suction on the mouthpiece by the user causes air to be drawn
`
`through the porous container for liquid, over the heated vapouriser,
`
`into the mouthpiece and into the mouth of the user.
`
`25
`
`30
`
`9
`
`Exhibit 1008, Page 0010
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`

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`(FIG 4)
`
`VIEW ON Y
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`---CD---
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`~-4
`
`(FIG 5)
`ON A-A
`SECTION
`
`(FIG 6)
`ON B-B
`SECTION
`
`22
`
`20
`
`FIG 2
`
`(FIG 3)
`
`VIEW ON X
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`(FIG 1)
`
`FRONT VIEW
`
`16
`
`6
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`Exhibit 1008, Page 0011
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`

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`2/2
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`PCT /US2005/046546
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`10
`
`+ .. o-----t
`
`r
`
`FIG 7
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`Exhibit 1008, Page 0012
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`

`
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`International application No.
`
`PCT/US05/46546
`
`A.
`fPC:
`
`CLASS!flCATlON OF SUBJECT MATTER
`r\ 24 F 01124
`
`J:H/194,329,347
`USPC:
`According to International Patent Cla~sification (IPC) or to both national classification and fPC
`
`B.
`
`FIELDS SEARCHED
`
`Minimum documentation searched (classilication system followed by classification symbols)
`U.S.: 131/194,329,347
`
`Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the lields searched
`
`Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used)
`
`DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`
`c
`Category*
`
`Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages
`
`Relevant to claim No.
`
`US 4,947,874 A (BROOKS et al ) 14 August 1990 ( 14.08.1990), sec entire document.
`
`X
`--
`y
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`1-5
`-----------
`6-10
`
`D Further documents arc listed in the continuation of Box C. D
`....
`
`Specu'tl catcgones of cited documents
`
`·x·
`
`.. E ..
`
`··t""
`
`""0""
`
`··p··
`
`document d..:fuung the gt:ncr~l st..ate uft.he art wh1ch 1s not cons1d~rt!d to b\! of
`pa.nicular Idevancc
`
`carlic:r applicauou or patent published on or aR.cr the intemfttlonnl ftling rlntc
`
`document wh1ch may throw rlo11ht<; on prionty clai.tmsJ or which ts cikd to
`~sta.blish the ptiblicnunn rlatc of another CJtatton or other special rt:ason 1 as
`specified)
`
`rlocumcnt r cfcn Uig to au orctl disclosure. u.se. ~xhibition or olher rne:ms
`
`,iocument published pnor to the ullemationallillng date but later than the
`pnonty date claimed
`
`Date of the actual completion ofthe international search
`
`22 Mav 2006 (22.05.2006)
`Name and mailing address of the !SAlUS
`\!ail Stop PCT . .-\lin: ISAit:S
`Conunissioner for Palents
`P.O. Box 1450
`. \lcxandria. Virginia 22313-1 ~50
`Facsimile No. !571) 273-3201
`-
`-
`form l'C r lSA. 210 !second sheet l 1 Apnl 200))
`
`See patent lamily annex.
`
`lat~r document published after the international ft.ling date or prionty
`date and not in conllict w1t.h the application but cited to under.;.tand the
`principle ur theory lUlderlying the rrtvention
`
`docwncut uf particular n:levance; the chtimed invention carmot be
`considerro novel or cannot he considered to involve an inventive step
`'Nht:n the rlocument is taken alone
`
`document of pru-ticular rei..! vance; tht: claimed invention carmot be
`considered to mvolvc an inventive stcp when the docrnnenlJS combmed
`\vith one or more other such documents, such combmation bemg
`obv10us to a per.;on skilled m the art
`
`"'X""
`
`··y·
`
`··&.""
`
`document member of the same patent family
`
`Date of mailing of the international search report
`
`2 7 llJN /ni)h
`Authorized ot1icer ~~. LcLi~J-{cC_c_/
`~-t<~/ '""'\
`
`Dionne Walls Maves
`
`Tdephonc No . (571) 272-111 0
`
`Exhibit 1008, Page 0013