(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2011/0011396 A1
`FANG
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jan. 20, 2011
`
`US 2011 0011396A1
`
`(54) ATOMIZER AND ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE
`USING THE SAME
`
`(76) Inventor:
`
`XIAOLINFANG, GUANGDONG
`PROVINCE (CN)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
`3458 ELLCOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUTE 101
`ELLICOTT CITY, MD 21043 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`ppl. No.:
`
`12/831553
`9
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 7, 2010
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(30)
`Jul. 14, 2009 (CN) ......................... 200910 108807.6
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`A6M I5/06
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................... 128/202.21
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An electronic cigarette includes a container for storing a
`tobacco flavored liquid, a container for storing a tobacco
`flavored liquid, an atomizer connected to the container to
`atomize the tobacco flavored liquid by an electric heating, a
`battery tube to power the atomizer, and an actuating film
`movably positioned in the battery tube to control the atomizer.
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`NJOY Exhibit 1008.001
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 20, 2011 Sheet 1 of 3
`
`US 2011/0011396 A1
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`NJOY Exhibit 1008.002
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 20, 2011 Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 2011/0011396 A1
`
`104
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`
`NJOY Exhibit 1008.003
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 20, 2011 Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 2011/0011396 A1
`
`P
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`
`NJOY Exhibit 1008.004
`
`

`

`US 2011/001. 1396 A1
`
`Jan. 20, 2011
`
`ATOMZER AND ELECTRONIC CGARETTE
`USING THE SAME
`
`BACKGROUND
`1. Technical Field
`0001
`0002 The present disclosure relates to electronic prod
`ucts, and particularly, to an atomizer and an electronic ciga
`rette using the atomizer.
`0003 2. Description of Related Art
`0004 As is well known, smoking is not only harmful to a
`smoker, but also harmful to other people around him due to
`passive Smoking, which is often referred as secondhand
`Smoking. In addition, a lit cigarette end may cause a fire if it
`is not properly extinguished.
`0005. Therefore, there is room for improvement within the
`art.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0006 FIG.1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of
`an electronic cigarette.
`0007 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an inhalation
`element of the electronic cigarette of FIG. 1.
`0008 FIG.3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of
`atomizer of the electronic cigarette of FIG. 1.
`0009 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a battery tube of
`the electronic cigarette of FIG. 1.
`0010 FIG. 5 is a side, schematic view of a switch of the
`electronic cigarette of FIG. 1 showing a actuating film is
`separated from a perforated plate;
`0011
`FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, but shows the actuating
`film contacts the perforated plate.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`EMBODIMENTS
`0012 Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an electronic
`cigarette 400 includes a container 100 configured for storing
`a tobacco flavored liquid, an atomizer 200 configured for
`vaporizing the liquid by electric heating, and a battery tube
`300 configured for powering the atomizer 200 and controlling
`the atomizer 200 to vaporize the liquid. The container 100, the
`atomizer 200 and the battery tube 300 are connected one by
`O
`0013 Referring to FIG. 2, the container 100 is detachably
`connected to the atomizer 200 to facilitate replacement of the
`container 100 and the liquid. The container 100 includes an
`inhalation element 1, a liquid tank 2, and an absorbent ele
`ment 3. The inhalation element 1 is shaped as a substantially
`hollow cylinder defining an opening 102 at one end and an
`inhalation hole 104 at the other end thereof. The liquid tank 2
`defines a smoke channel 106 in a middle portion thereof
`communicating with the inhalation hole 104. The smoke
`channel 106 has a relative greater width in a portion adjacent
`to the inhalation hole 104, such that the atomized liquid fully
`contacts an inner wall of the liquid tank 2 and is cooled into
`water, thus avoiding the atomized liquid from affecting a taste
`of the liquid. The liquid tank 2 is received in the inhalation
`element 1 and contacts a sidewall of the inhalation element 1
`with one end. The sidewall of the inhalation element 1 and the
`other end of the liquid tank 2 cooperatively define a gap 108
`therebetween to receive the absorbent element 3. The inhala
`tion element 1, the liquid tank 2 and the absorbent element 3
`cooperatively define a liquid storage area 110 to receive the
`liquid. A velocity of the liquid received in the storage area 110
`
`flow to the absorbent element 3 is slowed down due to the gap
`108, such that a fast consumption of the liquid and a high
`concentration of the atomized flavored liquid can be avoid.
`The inhalation element 1 and the liquid tank 2 may be made
`of food-grade polypropylene (PP) and is disposable. In the
`illustrated embodiment, the absorbent element 3 is a absor
`bent cotton.
`(0014) Referring to FIG. 3, the atomizer 200 includes a
`liquid conducting element 4, a stainless steel pipe 5, a sleeve
`6, a heating wire 7, a metal fiber element 8, an atomizing cup
`9, a nonwoven fabric 10, a nut 11, a first washer 12, and a first
`pin 13. The stainless steel pipe 5 is closely attached to an inner
`sidewall of the inhalation element 1. The inhalation element
`1, the stainless steel pipe 5, the liquid conducting material 4,
`the metal fiber element 8 and the atomizing cup 9 are coaxi
`ally arranged in that order. Both of an end of the liquid
`conducting material 4 and an end of the metal fiber element 8
`contact the absorbent element 3. The atomizing cup 9 defines
`a cavity 112 in a middle portion thereof. The other end of the
`liquid tank 2 is received in the atomizing cup 9. Such that the
`cavity 112 communicates with the smoke channel 106. The
`atomizing cup 9 defines two coaxial through holes 114 on a
`sidewall thereof communicating with the cavity 112. The
`sleeve 6 is received in the cavity 112 and aligned with the two
`through holes 114, such that the liquid guided by the metal
`fiber element 8 can flow into the sleeve 6. The heating wire 7
`is located inside the sleeve 6. When the heating wire 7 is
`heated by electricity, the liquid is vaporized and then passes
`through the smoke channel 106 and the inhalationhole 104 to
`reach a user's mouth. The atomizer 200 uses the metal fiber
`element 8 to guide the liquid to reach the heating wire 7
`accroding to capillary principle, such that an improved atom
`izing effect can be achieved. In the illustruted embodiment,
`the heating wire 7 is made of nichrome. The atomizing cup 9
`is made of polytetrafluoroethene, which is used as a bracket
`for the heating wire to avoid heat dissipation. The liquid
`conducting material 4 is capable of storing the tobacco fla
`Vored liquid temporarily accroding to capillary principle and
`can resist heat from conducting to container 100 effectively.
`0015 The nonwoven fabric 10 is sleeved on an end of the
`atomizing cup 9 away from the liquid tank 2. The nut 11 is
`positioned adjoining an end of the stainless steel pipe 5. The
`short pin 13 is received in the nut 11. The first washer 12,
`which is made of silicone, is positioned between the nut 11
`and the short pin 13 to fix the short pin 13.
`(0016 Referring to FIG.4, the battery tube 300 includes a
`second washer 14, a second pin 15, a screw element 16, a
`switch base 17, a switch 18, a control circuit board 19, a first
`insulation piece 20, an insulation cover 21, a tube body 22, a
`second insulation piece 24, a light control board 25, and a
`light cover 26. The screw element 16 is shaped as a substan
`tially hollow cylinder and is engaged in the nut 11. The second
`pin 15 is located inside the screw element 16, and the second
`washer 14 is positioned between the screw element 16 and the
`second pin 15 to fix the second pin 15. The first pin 13 and the
`second pin 15 are both hollow components, and define a
`channel 116 therebetween communicating with the cavity
`112. The screw element 16 is received in the tube body 22 via
`interference fit. The switch seat 17 is received in the tube body
`22 adjoining the screw element 16. The switch 18 is received
`in the seat 17. The first insulation piece 20 is received in the
`tube body 22 adjoining the switch 18. The control circuit
`board 19 is positioned between the first insulation piece 20
`and the insulation covering 21 and electrically connected to
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1008.005
`
`

`

`US 2011/001. 1396 A1
`
`Jan. 20, 2011
`
`the heating wire 7. The switch 18 is configured to activate the
`control circuit board 19 to control a output current to the
`heating wire 7. The insulation cover 21 defines an opening
`(not labeled). The first insulation piece 20 is mounted on the
`insulation cover 21 to cover the opening. A battery 23 may be
`positioned between the insulation covering 21 and the second
`insulation piece 24 and be electrically connected to the con
`trol circuit board 19. The light cover 26 covers a end of the
`tube body 22 away from the atomizer 200. The light control
`board 25 is mounted between the second insulation piece 24
`and the light cover 26 and electrically connected to the control
`circuit board 19. The battery tube 300 further includes a LED
`27 positioned on the light control board 25.
`0017 Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the switch 18
`includes a negative electrode 502, a positive electrode 504, a
`printed circuit board (PCB) 506, a metal ring 508, an alumi
`num casing 510, an insulation plate 512, an actuating film
`514, and a porous plate 516. The negative electrode 502 and
`the positive electrode 504 are located on the PCB 506. The
`PCB 506 is connected to the actuating film 514 via the metal
`ring 508. The perforated plate 516 is also connected to the
`PCB 506. The insulation plate 512 is postioned between the
`actuating film 514 and the perforated plate 516. The actuating
`film 514 and the perforated plate 516 cooperatively forms an
`unidirectional switch 515 When the actuating film 514 con
`tacts the perforated plate 516 (as shown in FIG. 6), the uni
`directional switch 515 is turned on, and the negative electrode
`502 and the positive electrode 504 are coupled; when the
`actuating film 514 is separated from the perforated plate 516
`(as shown in FIG. 5), the unidirectional switch 515 is turned
`off, and the negative electrode 502 and the positive electrode
`504 are disconnected. The insulation plate 512 is positoned
`between the actuating film 514 and the perforated plate 516 to
`prevent the actuating film 514 from accidentally contacting
`the perforated plate 516. When the switch 18 is assembled in
`the electronic cigarette 400, the actuating film 514 is opposite
`to the cavity 112 and the channel 116, the perforated plate 516
`is positioned between the actuating film 154 and the cavity
`112. The perorated plate 516 is capable of allowing an airflow
`to pass through. When the cavity 112 is in a state of negative
`pressure, the actuating film 514 contacts to the perorated plate
`516 and the switch is turned off. When the cavity 112 is in a
`state of positive pressure, the actuating film 514 is pushed
`away from the perorated plate 561 by the airflow and the
`switch cannot be turned off.
`0018. In use, the user inhales the electronic cigarette 400 at
`the inhalation hole 104. Such that a negative pressure is
`formed inside smoke channel 106, cavity 112, and channel
`116, and a pressure difference is formed on opposite sides of
`the actuating film 514. The actuating film 514 is therefore
`impelled to contact the perforated plate 516 by the pressure,
`and the negative electrode 502 and the positive electrode 504
`are coupled to generate an electrical signal to activate a chip
`on the control circuitboard 19 to power the heating element 7.
`The heating element 7 vaporizes the liquid conducted by the
`metal fiber element 8 into vapor, which is then inhaled by the
`user after passing through the channel 116, the cavity 112, the
`smoke channel 106 and the inhalation hole 104. Because the
`switch 18 has the unidirectional switch 515, it can stop the
`heating element 7 form working when the actuating film 514
`is not under a negative pressure cooperating with the control
`circuit board 19. Therefore, no power consumption occurs
`when the electric cigarette stops working. The switch 18 is
`highly sensitive to a inspiration force and can shiled an exte
`
`rior noise. The LED 27 on the light control board 25 is turned
`on by the control circuit board 19 when the side of the actu
`ating film 514 is in negative pressure condition, to imitate a
`lighting effect as a conventional cigarette.
`0019. The electronic cigarette 400 may be used as a sub
`stitute of conventional cigarette. Because the tobacco fla
`vored liquid used by the electronic cigarette 400 doesn't
`contain nicotin, a damage to the user's health can be avoided.
`In addition, the electronic cigarette 400 can also reduce the
`cost of Smoking and produce no cigarette ash and fire, and it
`is thus safe for use and good for environment protection.
`0020. It should be emphasized that the above-described
`embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any pre
`ferred embodiments, are merely possible examples of imple
`mentations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the
`principles of the invention. Many variations and modifica
`tions may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of
`the invention without departing substantially from the spirit
`and principles of the invention. All Such modifications and
`variations are intended to be included herein within the scope
`of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by
`the following claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. An electronic cigarette, comprising:
`a container for storing a tobacco flavored liquid;
`an atomizer connected to the container to atomize the
`tobacco flavored liquid by an electric heating:
`a battery tube to power the atomizer, and
`an actuating film movably positioned in the battery tube to
`control the atomizer.
`2. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the container
`is detachably connected to the atomizer and comprises a
`inhalation element and a liquid tank; the liquid tank is
`received in the inhalation element and defines a Smoke chan
`nel in a middle portion thereof; the inhalation element, the
`liquid tank and the absorbent element cooperatively define a
`liquid storage area to receive the tobacco flavored liquid.
`3. The electronic cigarette of claim 2, wherein the inhala
`tion element defines an opening at one end and an inhalation
`hole at the other end, one end of the liquid tank contacts the
`inhalation element, the inhalation element and the other end
`of the liquid tank cooperatively define a gap therebetween;
`the container further comprises an absorbent element
`received in the gap.
`4. The electronic cigarette of claim3, wherein the atomizer
`comprises a liquid conducting element, a stainless steel pipe,
`a sleeve, a heating wire, a metal fiber element, and an atom
`izing cup; the inhalation element, the stainless steel pipe, the
`liquid conducting material, the metal fiber element and the
`atomizing cup are coaxially arranged in that order; an end of
`the liquid conducting material and an end of the metal fiber
`element contact with the absorbent element, the atomizing
`cup defines a cavity communicating with the Smoke channel;
`the atomizing cup defines a through hole; the sleeve is
`received in the cavity and aligned with the through hole.
`5. The electronic cigarette of claim 4, wherein the atomizer
`further comprises a nonwoven fabric, a nut, a first washer, and
`a first pin; the nonwoven fabric is sleeved on an end of the
`atomizing cup away from the liquid tank; the nut is closely
`and coaxially connected to the stainless steel pipe, the first pin
`is mounted in the nut, and the first washer is positioned
`between the nut and the first pin to fix the first pin.
`6. The electronic cigarette of claim 4, wherein the battery
`tube comprises a tube body, a switch base received in the tube
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1008.006
`
`

`

`US 2011/001. 1396 A1
`
`Jan. 20, 2011
`
`body, a Switch comparing the actuating film, and a control
`circuit board; the control circuit hoard is electrically con
`nected to the heating element, the switch is received in the
`Switch base; the actuating film faces towards the cavity; the
`control circuit board is activated by the movement of the
`actuating film to control the electrical current to the heating
`W1e.
`7. The electronic cigarette of claim 6, wherein the switch
`further comprises a perforated plate located between the actu
`ating film and the cavity; the actuating film and the perforated
`plate cooperatively forms an unidirectional Switch.
`8. The electronic cigarette of claim 7, wherein the switch
`further comprises an insulation plate located between the
`actuating film and the perforated plate.
`9. The electronic cigarette of claim 6, wherein the battery
`tube further comprises a second insulation piece, a light con
`trol board, and a light cover; the light cover covers the end of
`the tube body opposite to the atomizer, the light control board
`is mounted between the second insulation piece and the light
`cover and electrically connected to the control circuit board.
`10. The electronic cigarette of claim 5, wherein the battery
`tube comprises a second washer, a second pin, and a screw
`element; the screw element and the nut are both hollow and
`connected together via threaded connection, the second pin is
`located inside the screw element, and the second washer is
`positioned between the screw element and the second pin to
`fix the second pin; the first pin and the second pin are both
`hollow, and define a channel therebetween communicating
`with the cavity.
`
`11. An electronic cigarette atomizer, comprising:
`a metal fiber element for conducting a tobacco flavored
`liquid.
`12. The electronic cigarette atomizer of claim 11, wherein
`the atomizer further comprises a liquid conducting material,
`and the liquid conducting material and the metal fiber element
`are coaxially arranged.
`13. The electronic cigarette atomizer of claim 12, wherein
`the atomizer further comprises a liquid tank defining a Smoke
`channel and an atomizing cup defining a hollow cavity com
`municating with the Smoke channel.
`14. The electronic cigarette atomizer of claim 13, wherein
`the atomizer further comprises a sleeve and a heating wire
`received inside the sleeve; the atomizing cup defines a
`through hole; the sleeve is received in the cavity and aligned
`with the through hole.
`15. The electronic cigarette atomizer of claim 14, wherein
`the atomizer further comprises a stainless steel pipe; the stain
`less steel pipe, the liquid conducting material, the metal fiber
`element, and the atomizing cup are coaxially arranged.
`16. The electronic cigarette atomizer of claim 13, wherein
`the atomizer further comprises a nonwoven fabric sleeved on
`an end of the atomizing cup.
`17. The electronic cigarette atomizer of claim 15, wherein
`the atomizer further comprises a nut coaxially connected to
`the stainless steel pipe.
`18. The electronic cigarette atomizer of claim 17, wherein
`the atomizer further comprises a first pin received in the nut.
`19. The electronic cigarette atomizer of claim 18, wherein
`the atomizer further comprises a first washer positioned
`between the nut and the first pin to fix the first pin.
`
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`
`NJOY Exhibit 1008.007
`
`