Mechanisms for vaporizing devices

• US 9,010,335 B1
• Filed: 05/13/2014
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NJOY electronic cigarettes
• Original Assignee: NJOY electronic cigarettes
• Inventors: Scatterday, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Crispino, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yaary, Eric
• Application Number:
  US14/276,547
• Time in Patent Office: 343 Days
• Field of Search: 12820014-20729, 392286-406
• US Class Current: 131/273
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/10 Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/40 Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0001 Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/06 Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to electronic vaporizing devices comprising a plurality of components, and mechanisms for locking or otherwise securing the components together. Components of the electronic vaporizing devices may include a cartridge (e.g., including a liquid for vaporization) and a battery unit (e.g., including a rechargeable battery), among other possible components. The electronic vaporizing devices may be at least partially disassembled to allow a user to replace, replenish, recharge, and/or repair the device, as needed.

Claims

1. A vaporizing device comprising:

a first component;

a second component having an outermost diameter equal to an outermost diameter of the first component, the second component being connectable to, and removable from, the first component; and

at least one locking element coupled to the second component for restricting movement between the first and second components when the first and second components are connected;

wherein an end portion of the first component includes a sheath configured to slide around an end portion of the second component for connecting the first component to the second component;

wherein the end portion of the second component includes a sheath configured to slide around an inner member of the first component;

wherein the at least one locking element is coupled to an inside surface of the sheath of the second component;

wherein each of the first component and the second component defines a lumen, such that, when connected, the lumens are in communication with each other and with an external environment; and

wherein one of the first component or the second component comprises a battery unit, and the other of the first component or the second component comprises a cartridge.

2. The vaporizing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one locking element includes a surface feature of the second component, and wherein the at least one locking element is configured to apply a force radially inward.

3. The vaporizing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one locking element includes a plurality of elements coupled to the inside surface of the sheath of the second component.

4. The vaporizing device of claim 3, wherein each element of the plurality of elements comprises a middle portion configured to flex in a radial direction.

5. The vaporizing device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of elements include at least two elements coupled to inside surfaces on opposite sides of the sheath of the second component.

6. The vaporizing device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes a liquid.

7. The vaporizing device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of elements are rotatable with respect to the second component to which they are coupled.

8. The vaporizing device of claim 1, wherein the vaporizing device comprises a rechargeable electronic cigarette.

9. A vaporizing device comprising:

a first component;

a second component having an outermost diameter equal to an outermost diameter of the first component, the second component being connectable to, and removable from, the first component; and

at least one locking element coupled to the second component for restricting movement between the first and second components when the first and second components are connected, the at least one locking element being rotatable relative to the second component;

wherein an end portion of the first component includes a sheath configured to slide around an end portion of the second component for connecting the first component to the second component;

wherein the end portion of the second component includes a sheath configured to slide around an inner member of the first component;

wherein the at least one locking element is coupled to an inside surface of the sheath of the second component; and

wherein one of the first component or the second component comprises a battery unit, and the other of the first component or the second component comprises a cartridge.

10. The vaporizing device of claim 9, wherein each of the first component and second component defines a lumen, such that, when the first and second components are connected, the lumens are in communication with each other and with an external environment for passage of air through the vaporizing device.

11. The vaporizing device of claim 10, wherein the first component and the second component are in communication with the external environment via an inlet at a second end portion of the vaporizing device and an outlet at a first end portion of the vaporizing device.

12. The vaporizing device of claim 9, wherein a portion of the at least one locking element is annular in shape, the at least one locking element being configured to apply a force radially inward against the inner member of the first component.

13. The vaporizing device of claim 9, wherein the end portion of the second component has an outer diameter less than an outer diameter of a remainder of the second component.

14. The vaporizing device of claim 13, wherein the sheath of the first component has a wall thickness approximately equal to a difference in the outer diameter of the end portion of the second component and the remainder of the second component.

18. The vaporizing device of claim 9, wherein the at least one locking element is rotatable about a central axis of the second component.

15. A vaporizing device comprising:

a first component;

a second component connectable to, and removable from, the first component; and

at least one locking element for restricting movement between first and second components when the first and second components are connected;

wherein an end portion of the first component includes a sheath configured to slide around an end portion of the second component for connecting the first component to the second component;

wherein the end portion of the second component includes a sheath configured to slide around an inner member of the first component;

wherein the at least one locking element is coupled to an inside surface of the sheath of the second component;

wherein one of the first component or the second component comprises a battery unit, and the other of the first component or the second component comprises a cartridge;

wherein the cartridge and the battery unit are rotatable relative to each other while connected and locked together via the at least one locking element; and

wherein the vaporizing device comprises an electronic cigarette.

16. The vaporizing device of claim 15, comprising an outlet at a distal end of the vaporizing device and an inlet at a proximal end of the vaporizing device for passage of air through the vaporizing device, the inlet and the outlet being in communication with each other and with the external environment.

17. The vaporizing device of claim 15, wherein the battery unit includes a rechargeable battery.

19. The vaporizing device of claim 15, wherein the at least one locking element includes a plurality of elements coupled to the cartridge or the battery unit, the plurality of elements being interconnected and rotatable with respect to the cartridge or the battery unit to which they are coupled.