1111111111111111 IIIIII IIIII 1111111111 11111 111111111111111 111111111111111 1111111111 11111111
`US 20130192623Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Tucker et al.
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2013/0192623 Al
`Aug. 1, 2013
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(71) Applicant: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES INC.,
`Richmond, VA (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Midlothian, VA
`(US); Geoffrey Brandon Jordan,
`Midlothian, VA (US); Barry S. Smith,
`Hopewell, VA (US); Ali A. Rostami,
`Glen Allen, VA (US); Charles E.B.
`Glenn, SR., Richmond, VA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES INC.,
`Richmond, VA (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/756,127
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 31, 2013
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60)
`
`Provisional application No. 61/593,004, filed on Jan.
`31, 2012.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A24F 47100
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC .................................... A24F 471004 (2013.01)
`USPC .......................................................... 131/329
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An electronic cigarette includes a liquid supply including
`liquid material, a heater operable to heat the liquid material to
`a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and
`form an aerosol, a wick in communication with the liquid
`material and in communication with the heater such that the
`wick delivers the liquid material to the heater, at least one air
`inlet operable to deliver air to a central air passage upstream
`of the heater, and a mouth end insert having at least two
`diverging outlets. The electronic cigarette can also include an
`air flow diverter which directs incoming air away from a
`heating zone of the heater.
`
`24
`
`6 (72
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1034.001
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2013 Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 2013/0192623 Al
`
`24
`
`6
`
`70
`
`/60
`
`6 (72
`
`-
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`
`-
`
`FIGo 1
`
`24
`
`80
`
`FIG. J
`
`B
`
`FIG. 2
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1034.002
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2013 Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 2013/0192623 Al
`
`21
`
`30
`
`(
`
`26
`
`60
`
`20
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`
`NJOY Exhibit 1034.003
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2013 Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 2013/0192623 Al
`
`24
`
`24
`
`FIG. 6
`
`22
`
`16
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`6
`
`9
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`14
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`FIG. 8
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1034.004
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2013 Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 2013/0192623 Al
`
`70
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`
`NJOY Exhibit 1034.005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2013 Sheet 5 of 10
`
`US 2013/0192623 Al
`
`24
`
`16
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`34
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1034.006
`
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`NJOY Exhibit 1034.007
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Aug. 1, 2013 Sheet 7 of 10
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`US 2013/0192623 Al
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`NJOY Exhibit 1034.009
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2013 Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 2013/0192623 Al
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`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2013 Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 2013/0192623 Al
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1034.011
`
`

`

`US 2013/0192623 Al
`
`Aug. 1, 2013
`
`ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
`§119(e)to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/593,004, filed
`on Jan. 31, 2012, the entire content of which is incorporated
`herein by reference thereto.
`
`SUMMARY OF SELECTED FEATURES
`
`[0002] An electronic cigarette includes a heater which
`vaporizes liquid material to produce an aerosol and an airflow
`diverter for abating the tendency of incoming air to reduce
`heater performance and aerosol output due to its cooling
`effect upon the heater during a puff. The electronic cigarette
`can also include a mouth end insert including at least two
`diverging outlets.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0003] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic
`cigarette according to a first embodiment wherein the mouth
`end insert includes diverging outlets.
`[0004] FIG. 2 is a perspective view ofa mouth end insert for
`use with the electronic cigarette of FIG. 1.
`[0005] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view alonglineB-B of the
`mouth end insert of FIG. 2.
`[0006] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment
`wherein an electronic cigarette includes an air flow diverter.
`[0007] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the air flow diverter of
`the electronic cigarette of FIG. 4.
`[0008] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment
`wherein an electronic cigarette includes an air flow diverter.
`[0009] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of the
`electronic cigarette of FIG. 6.
`[0010] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment
`wherein an electronic cigarette includes an air flow diverter.
`[0011] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic
`cigarette according to the first embodiment and further
`including a sleeve assembly.
`[0012] FIG. 10 is a top view of an electronic cigarette
`including an aroma strip on an outer surface thereof.
`[0013] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a second
`embodiment of a mouth end insert for use with the electronic
`cigarettes of FIGS. 1, 4, 6 and 8.
`[0014] FIG.12 is an exploded view of the mouth end insert
`of FIG. 11.
`[0015] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment
`wherein an electronic cigarette includes an air flow diverter.
`[0016] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view along lineA'-A' of
`the electronic cigarette of FIG. 13.
`[0017] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment
`wherein an electronic cigarette includes an air flow diverter.
`[0018] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of an air flow diverter
`and tank reservoir of the electronic cigarette of FIG. 15.
`[0019] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of an alternate air flow
`diverter and tank reservoir of the electronic cigarette of FIG.
`15.
`[0020] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment
`wherein an electronic cigarette includes an air flow diverter.
`[0021] FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of an air flow diverter
`and tank reservoir of the electronic cigarette of FIG. 18.
`
`[0022] FIG. 20 is enlarged views of an alternate air flow
`divert er and tank reservoir of the electronic cigarette of FIG.
`18.
`[0023] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment
`wherein an electronic cigarette includes a tank reservoir, two
`heaters and two air flow diverters.
`[0024] FIG. 22 is an enlarged perspective view of the tank
`reservoir, the two air flow diverters and heaters of the elec(cid:173)
`tronic cigarette of FIG. 21.
`[0025] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional representation of an
`embodiment wherein electrical connections to the heaters are
`internal of the tank reservoir.
`[0026] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional top view of an embodi(cid:173)
`ment wherein an electronic cigarette includes a tank reservoir
`and an air flow diverter disposed about a longitudinally
`extending wick.
`[0027] FIG. 25 is a side view of the tank reservoir, the
`longitudinally extending wick and the air flow diverter of the
`electronic cigarette of FIG. 24.
`[0028] FIG. 26 is a side view of an alternate tank reservoir
`having more than one liquid compartment, each with its own
`wick, heater and air flow diverter.
`[0029] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of another alternate
`tank reservoir having more than one liquid compartment,
`each with its own wick, heater and the air flow diverter.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0030] An electronic cigarette provides improved aerosol
`output and/or better mouthfeel by utilizing one or more of a
`mouth end insert including at least two off-axis, preferably
`diverging outlets, at least one air flow diverter and/or alterna(cid:173)
`tive materials for the construction of the electronic cigarette.
`[0031] Not wishing to be bound by theory, the use of a
`mouth end insert having at least two off-axis, preferably
`diverging outlets allows for greater distribution of aerosol
`into a smoker's mouth so as to provide a fuller mouth feel. The
`mouth end insert also provides an impaction surface for col(cid:173)
`lecting unaerosolized liquid droplets which prevents such
`liquid droplets from exiting the mouth end insert in a non(cid:173)
`aerosolized form. The impaction surface of the mouth end
`insert also acts to intensify heat due to droplets striking the
`surface during smoking.
`[0032] Moreover, while not wishing to be bound by theory,
`the use of an air flow diverter acts to slow the air flow and/or
`redirect at least some air flow around portions of the heater so
`as to abate the tendency of drawn airflow to cool the heater
`during increased draw on the electronic cigarette. It is
`believed that by reducing the cooling effect on the heater, it
`will provide greater aerosol output during longer and/or
`stronger draws on an electronic cigarette, as expected by the
`smoker.
`[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 13, a novel
`electronic cigarette 60 comprises a replaceable cartridge ( or
`first section) 70 and a reusable fixture ( or second section) 72,
`which are coupled together at a threaded connection 205 or by
`other convenience such as a snug-fit, detent, clamp and/or
`clasp. The first section 70 includes an outer tube 6 ( or casing)
`extending in a longitudinal direction and an inner tube 62
`coaxially positioned within the outer tube or casing 6. The
`second section 72 can also include an outer tube 6 ( or casing)
`extending in a longitudinal direction. In an alternative
`embodiment, the outer tube 6 can be a single tube housing
`both the first section 70 and the second section 72 and the
`entire electronic cigarette 60 can be disposable.
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1034.012
`
`

`

`US 2013/0192623 Al
`
`Aug. 1, 2013
`
`2
`
`In an embodiment, the electronic cigarette 60 can
`[0034]
`also include a central air passage 20 in an upstream seal 15.
`The central air passage 20 opens to the inner tube 62. More(cid:173)
`over, the electronic cigarette 60 includes a liquid supply res(cid:173)
`ervoir 22. The liquid supply comprises a liquid material and
`optionally a liquid storage medium 21 operable to store the
`liquid material therein. In an embodiment, the liquid supply
`reservoir 22 is contained in an outer annulus between the
`outer tube 6 and the inner tube 62. The annulus is sealed at an
`upstream end by the seal 15 and by a liquid stopper 10 at a
`downstream end so as to prevent leakage of the liquid material
`from the liquid supply reservoir 22.
`In an embodiment, a heater 14 is also contained in
`[0035]
`the inner tube 62 downstream of and in spaced apart relation
`to the central air passage 20. The heater 14 can be in the form
`of a wire coil, a planar body, a ceramic body, a single wire, a
`cage of resistive wire or any other suitable form. A wick 28 is
`in communication with the liquid material in the liquid supply
`reservoir 22 and in communication with the heater 14 such
`that the wick 28 disposes liquid material in proximate relation
`to the heater 14. The wick 28 may be constructed of a fibrous
`and flexible material. The wick 28 preferably comprises at
`least one filament having a capacity to draw a liquid, more
`preferably the wick 28 comprises a bundle of filaments which
`may comprise glass ( or ceramic) filaments and most prefer(cid:173)
`ably a bundle comprising a group of windings of glass fila(cid:173)
`ments, preferably three of such windings, all which arrange(cid:173)
`ments are capable of drawing liquid via capillary action via
`interstitial spacings between the filaments. A power supply 1
`in the second section 72 is operable to apply voltage across
`the heater 14. The electronic cigarette 60 also includes at least
`one air inlet 44 operable to deliver air to the central air passage
`20 and/or other portions of the inner tube 62.
`[0036] The electronic cigarette 60 further includes a mouth
`end insert 8 having at least two off-axis, preferably diverging
`outlets 24. The mouth end insert 8 is in fluid communication
`with the central air passage 20 via the interior of inner tube 62
`and a central passage 63, which extends through the stopper
`10. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the heater 14
`preferably extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal
`direction and heats the liquid material to a temperature suffi(cid:173)
`cient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol. In
`other embodiments, other orientations of the heater 14 are
`contemplated. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the heater
`14 and the heated portion of the wick 28 can be arranged
`longitudinally within the inner tube 62. Preferably, as shown,
`the heater 14 is arranged centrally within the inner tube 62.
`However, in other embodiments the heater 14 can be arranged
`adjacent an inner surface of the inner tube 62.
`[0037] Referring now to FIG. 1, the wick 28, liquid supply
`reservoir 22 and mouth end insert 8 are contained in the
`cartridge 70 and the power supply 1 is contained in the second
`section 72. In one embodiment, the first section (the car(cid:173)
`tridge) 70 is disposable and the second section (the fixture) 72
`is reusable. The sections 70, 72 can be attached by a threaded
`connection 205 whereby the downstream section 70 can be
`replaced when the liquid supply reservoir 22 is used up.
`Having a separate first section 70 and second section 72
`provides a number of advantages. First, if the first section 70
`contains the at least one heater 14, the liquid supply reservoir
`22 and the wick 14, all elements which are potentially in
`contact with the liquid are disposed of when the first section
`70 is replaced. Thus, there will be no cross-contamination
`between different mouth end inserts 8, for example, when
`
`using different liquid materials. Also, if the first section 70 is
`replaced at suitable intervals, there is little chance of the
`heater becoming clogged with liquid. Optionally, the first
`section 70 and the second section 72 are arranged to
`releaseably lock together when engaged.
`[0038]
`In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the outer
`tube 6 can include a clear (transparent) window 71 formed of
`a transparent material so as to allow a smoker to see the
`amount of liquid material remaining in the liquid supply
`reservoir 22. The clear window 71 can extend at least a por(cid:173)
`tion of the length of the first section 70 and can extend fully or
`partially about the circumference of the first section 70. In
`another embodiment, the outer tube 6 can be at least partially
`formed of a transparent material so as to allow a smoker to see
`the amount of liquid material remaining in the liquid supply
`reservoir 22.
`In an embodiment, the at least one air inlet 44
`[0039]
`includes one or two air inlets 44, 44'. Alternatively, there may
`be three, four, five or more air inlets. Preferably, if there is
`more than one air inlet 44, 44', the air inlets 44, 44' are located
`at different locations along the electronic cigarette 60. For
`example, as shown in FIG. 1, an air inlet 44a can be posi(cid:173)
`tioned at the upstream end of the cigarette adjacent the puff
`sensor 16 such that the puff sensor supplies power to the
`heater upon sensing a puff by the smoker. Air inlet 44a should
`communicate with the mouth end insert 8 so that a draw upon
`the mouth end insert activates the puff sensor. The air from the
`air inlet 44a can then flow along the battery and to the central
`air passage 20 in the seal 15 and/or to other portions of the
`inner tube 62 and/or outer tube 6. At least one additional air
`inlet 44, 44' can be located adjacent and upstream of the seal
`15 or at any other desirable location. Altering the size and
`number of air inlets 44, 44' can also aid in establishing the
`resistance to draw of the electronic cigarette 60.
`In an embodiment, the heater 14 is arranged to com(cid:173)
`[0040]
`municate with the wick 28 and to heat the liquid material
`contained in the wick 28 to a temperature sufficient to vapor(cid:173)
`ize the liquid material and form an aerosol.
`[0041] The heater 14 is preferably a wire coil surrounding
`wick 28. Examples of suitable electrically resistive materials
`include titanium, zirconium, tantalum and metals from the
`platinum group. Examples of suitable metal alloys include
`stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium- tita(cid:173)
`nium- zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tanta(cid:173)
`lum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese- and iron-contain(cid:173)
`ing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt,
`stainless steel. For example, the heater can be formed of
`nickel aluminides, a material with a layer of alumina on the
`surface, iron aluminides and other composite materials, the
`electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in,
`encapsulated or coated with an insulating material or vice(cid:173)
`versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the
`external physicochemical properties required. Preferably, the
`heater 14 comprises at least one material selected from the
`group consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloys,
`nickel-chromium alloys, superalloys and combinations
`thereof. In an embodiment, the heater 14 is formed of nickel(cid:173)
`chromium alloys or iron-chromium alloys. In one embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the heater 14 can be a ceramic heater having an elec(cid:173)
`trically resistive layer on an outside surface thereof.
`[0042]
`In another embodiment, the heater 14 may be con(cid:173)
`structed of an iron-aluminide ( e.g., FeAl or Fe3Al), such as
`those described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,706
`to Sikka et al. filed Dec. 29, 1994, or nickel aluminides (e.g.,
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1034.013
`
`

`

`US 2013/0192623 Al
`
`Aug. 1, 2013
`
`3
`
`Ni 3Al). Use of iron-aluminides is particularly advantageous
`in that they exhibit high resistivity. FeAl exhibits a resistivity
`of approximately 180 micro-ohms, whereas stainless steel
`exhibits approximately 50 to 91 micro-ohms. The higher
`resistivity lowers current draw or load on the power source
`(battery) 1.
`[0043]
`In one embodiment, the heater 14 comprises a wire
`coil which at least partially surrounds the wick 28. In that
`embodiment, preferably the wire is a metal wire and/or the
`heater coil that extends partially along the length of the wick
`28. The heater coil may extend fully or partially around the
`circumference of the wick 28. In another embodiment, the
`heater coil is not in contact with the wick 28.
`[0044] Preferably, the heater 14 heats liquid in the wick 28
`by thermal conduction. Alternatively, heat from the heater 14
`may be conducted to the liquid by means of a heat conductive
`element or the heater 14 may transfer heat to the incoming
`ambient air that is drawn through the electronic cigarette 60
`during use, which in turn heats the liquid by convection.
`[0045]
`In one embodiment, the wick comprises a ceramic
`material or ceramic fibers. As noted above, the wick 28 is at
`least partially surrounded by the heater 14. Moreover, in an
`embodiment, the wick 28 extends through opposed openings
`in the inner tube 62 such that end portions 29, 31 of the wick
`28 are in contact with the liquid supply reservoir 22.
`[0046] Preferably, the wick 28 may comprise a plurality or
`bundle of filaments. The filaments may be generally aligned
`in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the
`electronic cigarette. In one embodiment, the structure of the
`wick 28 is formed of ceramic filaments capable of drawing
`liquid via capillary action via interstitial spacings between the
`filaments to the heater 14. The wick 28 can include filaments
`having a cross-section which is generally cross-shaped, clo(cid:173)
`ver-shaped, Y-shaped or in any other suitable shape.
`[0047] Preferably, the wick 28 includes any suitable mate(cid:173)
`rial or combination of materials. Examples of suitable mate(cid:173)
`rials are glass filaments and ceramic or graphite based mate(cid:173)
`rials. Moreover, the wick 28 may have any suitable capillarity
`accommodate aerosol generating liquids having different liq(cid:173)
`uid physical properties such as density, viscosity, surface
`tension and vapor pressure. The capillary properties of the
`wick 28, combined with the properties of the liquid, ensure
`that the wick 28 is always wet in the area of the heater 14 to
`avoid overheating of the heater 14.
`[0048]
`Instead of using a wick, the heater can be a porous
`material of sufficient capillarity and which incorporates a
`resistance heater formed of a material having a high electrical
`resistance capable of generating heat quickly.
`[0049]
`In one embodiment, the wick 28 and the fibrous
`medium 21 of the liquid supply reservoir 22 are constructed
`from an alumina ceramic. In another embodiment, the wick
`28 includes glass fibers and the fibrous medium 21 includes a
`cellulosic material or polyethylene terephthalate.
`[0050]
`In an embodiment, the power supply 1 includes a
`battery arranged in the electronic cigarette 60 such that the
`anode is downstream of the cathode. A battery anode connec(cid:173)
`tor 4 contacts the downstream end of the battery. The heater
`14 is connected to the battery by two spaced apart electrical
`leads 26 (shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 8).
`[0051] Preferably, the connection between the uncoiled,
`end portions 27, 27' (see FIG. 5) of the heater 14 and the
`electrical leads 26 are highly conductive and temperature
`
`resistant while the heater 14 is highly resistive so that heat
`generation occurs primarily along the heater 14 and not at the
`contacts.
`[0052] The battery can be a Lithium-ion battery or one ofits
`variants, for example a Lithium-ion polymer battery. Alter(cid:173)
`natively, the battery may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a
`Nickel cadmium battery, a Lithium-manganese battery, a
`Lithium-cobalt battery or a fuel cell. In that case, preferably,
`the electronic cigarette 60 is usable by a smoker until the
`energy in the power supply is depleted. Alternatively, the
`power supply 1 may be rechargeable and include circuitry
`allowing the battery to be chargeable by an external charging
`device. In that case, preferably the circuitry, when charged,
`provides power for a pre-determined number of puffs, after
`which the circuitry must be re-connected to an external charg(cid:173)
`ing device.
`[0053] Preferably, the electronic cigarette 60 also includes
`control circuitry including a puff sensor 16. The puff sensor
`16 is operable to sense an air pressure drop and initiate appli(cid:173)
`cation of voltage from the power supply 1 to the heater 14.
`The control circuitry can also include a heater activation light
`48 operable to glow when the heater 14 is activated. Prefer(cid:173)
`ably, the heater activation light 48 comprises an LED 48 and
`is at an upstream end of the electronic cigarette 60 so that the
`heater activation light 48 takes on the appearance of a burning
`coal during a puff. Moreover, the heater activation light 48
`can be arranged to be visible to the smoker. In addition, the
`heater activation light 48 can be utilized for cigarette system
`diagnostics. The light 48 can also be configured such that the
`smoker can activate and/or deactivate the light 48 for privacy,
`such that the light 48 would not activate during smoking if
`desired.
`[0054] Preferably, the at least one air inlet 44a is located
`adjacent the puff sensor 16, such that the puff sensor 16 senses
`air flow indicative of a smoker taking a puff and activates the
`power supply 1 and the heater activation light 48 to indicate
`that the heater 14 is working.
`[0055] A control circuit is integrated with the puff sensor 16
`and supplies power to the heater 14 responsive to the puff
`sensor 16, preferably with a maximum, time-period limiter.
`[0056] Alternatively, the control circuitry may include a
`manually operable switch for a smoker to initiate a puff. The
`time-period of the electric current supply to the heater may be
`pre-set depending on the amount ofliquid desired to be vapor(cid:173)
`ized. The control circuitry is preferably programmable for
`this purpose. Alternatively, the circuitry may supply power to
`the heater as long as the puff sensor detects a pressure drop.
`[0057] Preferably, when activated, the heater 14 heats a
`portion of the wick 28 surrounded by the heater for less than
`about 10 seconds, more preferably less than about 7 seconds.
`Thus, the power cycle ( or maximum puff length) can range in
`period from about 2 seconds to about 10 seconds ( e.g., about
`3 seconds to about 9 seconds, about 4 seconds to about 8
`seconds or about 5 seconds to about 7 seconds).
`[0058]
`In an embodiment, the liquid supply reservoir 22
`includes a liquid storage medium 21 containing liquid mate(cid:173)
`rial. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 13,
`the liquid supply reservoir 22 is contained in an outer annulus
`62 between inner tube 62 and outer tube 6 and between
`stopper 10 and the seal 15. Thus, the liquid supply reservoir
`22 at least partially surrounds the central air passage 20 and
`the heater 14 and the wick 14 extend between portions of the
`liquid supply reservoir 22. Preferably, the liquid storage
`material is a fibrous material comprising cotton, polyethyl-
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1034.014
`
`

`

`US 2013/0192623 Al
`
`Aug. 1, 2013
`
`4
`
`ene, polyester, rayon and combinations thereof. Preferably,
`the fibers have a diameter ranging in size from about 6
`microns to about 15 microns (e.g., about 8 microns to about
`12 microns or about 9 microns to about 11 microns). The
`liquid storage medium 21 can be a sintered, porous or foamed
`material. Also preferably, the fibers are sized to be irrespirable
`and can have a cross-section which has a y shape, cross shape,
`clover shape or any other suitable shape. In the alternative, the
`reservoir 22 may comprise a filled tank lacking a fibrous
`storage medium 21, such as further described with reference
`to FIGS. 15-26.
`[0059] Also preferably, the liquid material has a boiling
`point suitable for use in the electronic cigarette 60. If the
`boiling point is too high, the heater 14 will not be able to
`vaporize liquid in the wick 28. However, if the boiling point is
`too low, the liquid may vaporize without the heater 14 being
`activated.
`[0060] The liquid material may include a tobacco-contain(cid:173)
`ing material including volatile tobacco flavor compounds
`which are released from the liquid upon heating. The liquid
`may also be a tobacco flavor containing material or a nicotine(cid:173)
`containing material. Alternatively, or in addition, the liquid
`may include a non-tobacco material. For example, the liquid
`may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts and natu(cid:173)
`ral or artificial flavors. Preferably, the liquid further includes
`an aerosol former. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are
`glycerine and propylene glycol.
`In use, liquid material is transferred from the liquid
`[0061]
`supply reservoir 22 and/or liquid storage medium 21 in prox(cid:173)
`imity of the 14 heater by capillary action in the wick 28. In one
`embodiment, the wick 28 has a first end portion 29 and a
`second opposite end portion 31 as shown in FIG. 4. The first
`end portion 29 and the second end portion 31 extend into
`opposite sides of the liquid storage medium 21 for contact
`with liquid material contained therein. Also preferably, the
`heater 14 at least partially surrounds a central portion of the
`wick 28 such that when the heater is activated, the liquid in the
`central portion of the wick 28 is vaporized by the heater 14 to
`vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol.
`[0062] One advantage of an embodiment is that the liquid
`material in the liquid supply reservoir 22 is protected from
`oxygen (because oxygen cannot generally enter the liquid
`storage portion via the wick) so that the risk of degradation of
`the liquid material is significantly reduced. Moreover, in
`some embodiments in which the outer tube 6 is not clear, the
`liquid supply reservoir 22 is protected from light so that the
`risk of degradation of the liquid material is significantly
`reduced. Thus, a high level of shelf-life and cleanliness can be
`maintained.
`[0063] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mouth end insert 8,
`includes at least two diverging outlets 24 (e.g., 3, 4, 5 or more,
`preferably 2 to 10 outlets or more, more preferably 2 to 6
`outlet passages 24, even more preferably 4 outlet passages
`24). Preferably, the outlets 24 of the mouth end insert 8 are
`located at ends of off-axis passages 80 and are angled out(cid:173)
`wardly in relation to the longitudinal direction of the elec(cid:173)
`tronic cigarette 60 (i.e., divergently). As used herein, the term
`"off-axis" denotes at an angle to the longitudinal direction of
`the electronic cigarette. Also preferably, the mouth end insert
`( or flow guide) 8 includes outlets uniformly distributed
`around the mouth end insert 8 so as to substantially uniformly
`distribute aerosol in a smoker's mouth during use. Thus, as
`the aerosol passes into a smoker's mouth, the aerosol enters
`the mouth and moves in different directions so as to provide a
`
`full mouth feel as compared to electronic cigarettes having an
`on-axis single orifice which directs the aerosol to a single
`location in a smoker's mouth.
`In addition, the outlets 24 and off-axis passages 80
`[0064]
`are arranged such that droplets of unaerosolized liquid mate(cid:173)
`rial carried in the aerosol impact interior surfaces 81 at mouth
`end insert and/or interior surfaces of the off-axis passages
`such that the droplets are removed or broken apart. In an
`embodiment, the outlets of the mouth end insert are located at
`the ends of the off-axis passages and are angled at 5 to 60°
`with respect to the central axis of the outer tube 6 so as to more
`completely distribute aerosol throughout a mouth of a smoker
`during use and to remove droplets.
`[0065] Preferably, each outlet has a diameterofabout 0.015
`inch to about 0.090 inch ( e.g., about 0.020 inch to about 0.040
`inch or about 0.028 inch to about 0.038 inch). The size of the
`outlets 24 and off-axis passages 80 along with the number of
`outlets can be selected to adjust the resistance to draw (RTD)
`of the electronic cigarette 60, if desired.
`[0066] As shown in FIG. 1, an interior surface 81 of the
`mouth end insert 8 can comprise a generally domed surface.
`Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the interior surface 81' of
`the mouth end insert 8 can be generally cylindrical or frusto(cid:173)
`conical, with a planar end surface. Preferably, the interior
`surface is substantially uniform over the surface thereof or
`symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the mouth end
`insert 8. However, in other embodiments, the interior surface
`can be irregular and/or have other shapes.
`[0067] Preferably, the mouth end insert 8 is integrally
`affixed within the tube 6 of the cartridge 70. Moreover, the
`mouth end insert 8 can be formed of a polymer selected from
`the group consisting of low density polyethylene, high den(cid:173)
`sity polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, poly(cid:173)
`etheretherketone (PEEK) and combinations thereof. The
`mouth end insert 8 may also be colored if desired.
`In an embodiment, the electronic cigarette 60 also
`[0068]
`includes various embodiments of an air flow diverter or air
`flow diverter means, which are shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 8, 13,
`15-26. The air flow diverter is operable to manage air flow at
`or about around the heater so as to abate a tendency of drawn
`air to cool the heater, which could otherwise lead to dimin(cid:173)
`ished aerosol output.
`In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the
`[0069]
`electronic cigarette 60 can include an air flow diverter com(cid:173)
`prising an impervious plug 30 at a downstream end 82 of the
`central air passage 20 in seal 15. Preferably, the