DISPOSABLE ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE

This invention discloses a disposable electronic cigarette, comprising a cigarette holder and a cigarette rod, the cigarette holder defining an air outlet hole, wherein, at least three air inlet holes are defined in a cigarette rod wall of the cigarette rod, the air inlet holes and the air outlet hole cooperatively form an airflow loop, and at least one indicator light corresponding to the air inlet holes is mounted on the cigarette pipe to indicate positions of the air inlet holes and/or operation states of the electronic cigarette. When users holds the electronic cigarette, the indicator light will indicate the positions of the air inlet holes, and users can adjust the air inflow amount to keep a smooth airflow.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2013/074375, with an international filing date of Apr. 18, 2013, designating the United States, now pending. The contents of these specifications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of electrical heating products, and more particularly to a disposable electronic cigarette.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the enhancement of national smoking banning propaganda and the promotion of the people's health consciousness, electronic cigarettes are more and more widely used as substitutes of typical tobacco. A typical electronic cigarette comprises a cigarette rod and a cigarette holder fixed together. A battery is mounted in the cigarette rod, an atomizer is received inside the cigarette holder, and the cigarette rod is connected with the cigarette rod by a connector. Electronic cigarettes are configured for simulating smoking feel on the premise of no influence on health, so as to be used for quitting smoking or replacing cigarette. Electronic cigarettes include rechargeable electronic cigarettes and disposable electronic cigarettes. A disposable electronic cigarette refers to an electronic cigarette which needs neither to be charged nor to change an electronic cigarette cartridge, and can be discarded after being used once. Compared with the rechargeable electronic cigarettes, the disposable electronic cigarettes have simpler structures and lower cost. However, in a typical disposable electronic cigarette, only one or two air inlet hole(s) are defined in a connector close to a cigarette holder. Because the air inlet holes are generally very small, the positions of the air inlet holes may be difficult to be noticed by users. In use, if the air inlet holes are incorrectly blocked by users' fingers, air may be unable to enter the electronic cigarette smoothly, which may adversely affect smoke generation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem to solve in the invention is that, aiming at the defects in the prior art that air inlet hole is defined in the connector close to the cigarette holder, and is easy to get blocked by users' finger, this invention provides an electronic cigarette, which comprises at least three air inlet holes defined in the cigarette rod wall, and also comprises indicator lights configured for indicating the position of the air inlet holes. In use, even if one of the air inlet holes get blocked, the air flow can still stay smooth, and it can be more convenient for adjusting the air inlet amount, so as to keep a nice air inflow, and a swift smoke generating, and thus the users' individuating demands can be met.

The technical solution of the invention is as follows: a disposable electronic cigarette comprising a cigarette holder and a cigarette rod, the cigarette holder defining an air outlet hole, wherein, at least three air inlet holes are defined in a cigarette rod wall of the cigarette rod, the air inlet holes and the air outlet hole cooperatively form an airflow loop, and at least one indicator light corresponding to the air inlet holes is mounted on the cigarette pipe to indicate positions of the air inlet holes and/or operation states of the electronic cigarette.

In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, the indicator light is embedded in at least one of the air inlet holes, with a gap formed therebetween, and partially contacts an inner surface of the air inlet hole; or the indicator light is mounted at a position of the cigarette rod wall that is adjacent to the air inlet holes; or the indicator light is embedded in a position of the cigarette rod wall corresponding to positions of the air inlet holes.

In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, the air inlet holes are arranged to form a warning pattern.

In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, the warning pattern is snakelike or spiral.

In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, the air inlet holes shaped as any one of circle, polygon, kidney, and ellipse.

In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, the disposable electronic cigarette further comprises a battery and an atomizer including heating wires, which are both mounted in the cigarette rod; and the cigarette rod wall sleeves the atomizer and the battery, with a first gap formed between the atomizer and the battery along an axial direction.

In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, the at least three air inlet holes communicate with the first gap.

In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, the atomizer comprises an atomizing passage formed along an axial direction of the cigarette rod wall and communicating with the first gap, and an end of the atomizer that is away from the battery communicates with the cigarette holder.

In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, the indicator light is electrically connected with the battery, and is supplied with power by the battery (4).

In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, the at least three air inlet holes are defined in a circumference of the cigarette rod wall, corresponding to the first gap.

In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, the indicator light is mounted in the first gap.

In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, a second gap is formed between the cigarette rod wall and the battery.

In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, the at least three air inlet holes are defined on the cigarette rod wall, corresponding to the second gap.

In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, a breather pipe that is coaxial with the atomizing passage is mounted between the cigarette holder and the atomizer, and the breather pipe communicates with the air inlet holes and the atomizing passage respectively. In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, the at least three air inlet holes are equidistantly defined in positions of the cigarette rod wall arranged in a same radial direction. In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, the at least three air inlet holes are equidistantly defined in positions of the cigarette rod wall arranged in a same axial direction.

In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, the first gap is configured with a width of 0.3-8 mm.

In the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, the second gap is configured with a width of 0.08-5 mm.

The disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, at least one layer of sticker is attached on an outer surface of the cigarette rod wall, and a second through hole corresponding to the air inlet holes and third through hole corresponding to the indicator light are defined in the sticker.

By implementing the electronic cigarette of the present invention, the following advantages can be achieved: in the invention, at least three air inlet holes are defined in the cigarette rod wall. During smoking, under the indication of the indicator light, users can find positions of the air inlet holes quickly and exactly. The air inlet amount can be adjusted more conveniently, and the smoking taste can be improved. A good ventilation effect is ensured, and meanwhile the users' individuating demands can be met.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments in the following, in the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a whole structure of a disposable electronic cigarette in accordance with a first preferable embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partially cutaway structure of the disposable electronic cigarette shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the disposable electronic cigarette in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial structure of a disposable electronic cigarette in accordance with a second preferable embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a position relationship between the indicator light and the air inlet hole of the disposable electronic cigarette shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial structure of a disposable electronic cigarette in accordance with a third preferable embodiment of the present invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

To make the objective, technical solution and advantages of the invention be more clearly understood, the invention is to be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a preferable embodiment of the present invention provides a disposable electronic cigarette with an integrated structure, which comprises a cigarette holder 1 defining an air outlet hole, and a cigarette rod engaged with the cigarette holder. At least three air inlet holes 21 are defined in a cigarette rod wall 2 of the cigarette rod, and at least one indicator light (not shown) corresponding to the at least three air inlet holes is mounted on the cigarette rod wall 2. The at least three air inlet holes 21 communicate with the air outlet hole of the cigarette holder 1, so that air enters the air flows into the cigarette rod from the air inlet holes 21, forms smoke, and flows out via the air outlet hole. The at least one indicator light emits light when the electronic cigarette is in operation to indicate the position of the air inlet holes, thus makes users locate the air inlet holes more conveniently, and further adjust air inlet amount of the at least three air inlet holes.

Furthermore, the cigarette rod receives an atomizer 3 including heating wires 31, a battery 4, and a light cap 5; wherein the cigarette wall 2 sleeves the atomizer and the battery, the cigarette holder 1 is mounted at one end of the cigarette rod wall 2 that is adjacent to the atomizer 3, and the light cap 5 is mounted at the other end of the cigarette rod wall 2 that is adjacent to the battery 4. A breather pipe 10 is mounted between the cigarette 1 and the atomizer 3 along an axial direction, and the cigarette holder 1 communicates with the atomizer 3 via the breather pipe 10. The atomizer 3 includes an atomizing passage 30 formed along an axial direction of the cigarette rod wall 2, a first gap 20 is formed between the atomizer 3 and the battery 4 along an axial direction, and the at least three air inlet holes communicate with the first gap 20 and cooperate with the atomizing passage 30, the breather pipe 10 and the cigarette holder 1 to form an airflow loop,. At least one indicator light corresponding to the air inlet holes 21 is mounted on the cigarette rod. In this embodiment, the disposable electronic cigarette involves an integrated structure, which benefits manufacture processing, and achieves a good wholeness.

Furthermore, the atomizer 3 comprises an atomizing base 301 and an atomizing frame 302, wherein the atomizing base 301 includes a substrate (not shown) and a main body (not shown) that is perpendicular to the substrate. The main body is hollow and cylinder-like, the atomizing passage 30 is formed therein, and heating wires 31 are mounted at an end of the atomizer 3 that is away from the atomizing frame 302. The heating wires 31 are connected to the battery 4 via a cable (not shown) to be supplied with power by the battery 4. Additionally, the at least one indicator light of the present invention is electrically connected to the battery 4 to be supplied with power by the battery 4.

The breather pipe 10 is cylinder-shaped. The heating wires 31 are mounted between the breather pipe 10 and the atomizing passage 30, and the heating wires 31 comprises interspaces or gaps, so that the breather pipe 10 communicates with the atomizing passage 30.

The substrate of the atomizing base 301 is engaged with the atomizing frame 302, and a first through hole 303 is defined in the atomizing frame 302. The first through hole 303 communicates with and is coaxial with the atomizing passage 30 and the first gap 20.

At least three air inlet holes 21 are defined in the cigarette rod wall 2, the first gap 20 is formed between the atomizer 3 and the battery 4 along an axial direction, and the first gap 20 cooperate with the at least three air inlet holes, the first through hole 303, the atomizing passage 30, and the breather pipe 10 to form the airflow loop. Particularly, in this embodiment, the first gap 20 is formed between the atomizing frame 302 and the battery 4 along an axial direction, and a width of first gap 20 is 0.3-10 mm, which facilitates air entering from the air inlet holes 21 and flowing upward.

The air inlet holes can be defined in any position of the cigarette rod wall 2. Specifically, the air inlet holes 21 can be defined in a portion of the cigarette rod wall 2 corresponding to the first gap 20, so that air can enter from the air inlet hole 21, pass through the airflow loop formed by the first gap 20, the first through hole 303, the atomizing passage 30, the interspaces of the heating wires, and the breather pipe 10 in order, and then flow upward to reach the cigarette holder 1. Correspondingly, the at least one indicator light can be fixedly mounted at a position of the cigarette rod wall 2 that is close to the air inlet hole 21, or embedded in the air inlet hole 21 with a gap formed therebetween. On these conditions, the air enters into the cigarette rod through the gap between the indicator light and the air inlet hole 21. The at least one indicator light can also be mounted in the first gap 20, for example, by mounting a light base in the first gap 20 for fixing the indicator light. When the indicator light is lighted on, the emitted light will pass through the air inlet hole 21 defined in the portion of the cigarette rod wall 2 corresponding to the first gap 20, and a user can determine the position of the air inlet hole 21 according to the light emitted by the indicator light.

In the disposable electronic cigarette shown in the figures, the battery 4 and the atomizer 3 are sleeved by the cigarette rod wall 2, and a small gap is formed between the battery 4 and the cigarette rod wall 2. Because air may flow in the small gap, the air inlet holes 21 can also be defined in a portion of the cigarette rod wall 2 corresponding to the small gap between the battery 4 and the cigarette rod wall 2. On this condition, preferably, the at least one indicator light is embedded into the cigarette rod wall 2, that is, the at least one indicator light may be embedded in a position of the cigarette rod 2 that is adjacent to the air inlet holes 21, or be embedded into one of the air inlet holes 21 spacedly and partially contact an inner surface of the air inlet hole 21. After the air enters the air inlet hole 21, it will pass through the gap between the battery 4 and the cigarette rod wall, and then successively flow through the first gap 20, the first through hole 303, the atomizing passage 30, the interspaces or gaps of the heating wires 31, and the breather pipe 10, and finally reach the cigarette holder 1, thereby forming the airflow loop. In use, the indicator light embedded in the cigarette rod wall 2 or spacedly embedded into one of the air inlet holes 21 is supplied with power by the battery 4 and lights, so that users can exactly locate the position of the air inlet hole 21 according to the light emitted by the indicator light, and adjust the amount of airflow. To keep a smooth airflow, in this embodiment, the gap between the battery 4 and the cigarette rod wall 2 is configured to be a second gap (not shown) that is wider than a gap formed between a battery and a cigarette rod wall in the prior art, and specifically, a width of the second gap is 0.08-9 mm.

The air inlet holes 21 can be defined wherever in the cigarette rod wall 2. In this embodiment, three air inlet holes 21 are defined in a portion of the cigarette rod wall 2 corresponding to the middle of the first gap 20. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, in this embodiment, the three air inlet holes 21 are equidistantly defined in positions of the cigarette rod wall 2 arranged in a same radial direction. Thus, air can enter from the air inlet holes 21, successively flow through the first gap 20, the first through hole 303, the atomizing passage 30, the interspaces or gaps among the heating wires 31, and the breather pipe 10, and finally reach the cigarette holder 1, thereby forming the airflow loop. Understandably, the air inlet holes 21 can also be defined in a portion of the cigarette rod wall 2 corresponding to the second gap 120, or any other position, as long as the air inlet holes 21 are defined in the cigarette rod wall 2 and communicate with the first gap 20.

To indicate the position of the air inlet holes 21 more conveniently, the air inlet holes 21 in the invention can be arranged to form a warning pattern with a predetermined shape on the cigarette rod wall 2. For example, several (such as five or more) air inlet holes 21 can form a snakelike or spiral-like warning pattern,

It should be understood that, the at least three air inlet holes can be equidistantly defined or not. The air inlet holes 21 can be defined in positions of the cigarette rod wall 2 that are equidistant and in a same radial direction, so that the several air inlet holes 21 can be annularly defined in a circumference of the cigarette rod wall 2, thereby making the appearance of the disposable electronic cigarette be beautiful. The air inlet holes 21 can also be defined in positions of the cigarette rod wall 2 that are equidistant and in a same axial direction, that is, the air inlet holes 21 are collinear. Furthermore, some of the air inlet holes 21 can be defined in the portion of the cigarette rod wall 2 corresponding to the first gap 20, and the others of the air inlet holes 21 can be defined in the portion of the cigarette rod wall 2 corresponding to the second gap.

The air inlet holes 21 can be shaped as any one of circle, polygon, kidney and ellipse, or any other irregular shapes.

In the invention, the total area of openings of all the air inlet holes 21 formed on a lateral side of the cigarette rod wall 2 is 0.2-8 mm2. If the total area is less than 0.2 mm2, the airflow may be too weak, and the smoke flow may be too small, which may adversely affect the smoking taste; while if the total area is larger than 8 mm2, the airflow may be too large, the smoke flow may be too large, and smoke may straightly run into the user's mouth and make the user feel uncomfortable.

Additionally, in the disposable electronic cigarette of the invention, at least one layer of sticker can be attached on an outer surface of the cigarette rod wall 2 to insulate heat, so as to protect the user from getting burned by heat generated by the heating wires 31 and passing through the cigarette rod wall 2 during use, as well as to protect the cigarette rod wall 2. Second through holes (not shown) corresponding to the air inlet holes 21 and at least one third through hole corresponding to the indicator light are defined in the sticker. The second through holes are configured to keep outside air entering the air inlet holes 21 smoothly, and the third through hole are configured to keep the indicator light emitting normally. Specifically, the shape and size of the second through hole can be similar to the air inlet holes 21. When the indicator light is mounted in the first gap 20 and/or embedded in the air inlet hole 21, the second through hole and the third through hole are integrated (i.e., defined in a same position of the sticker 22). When the indicator light is embedded in the portion the cigarette rod wall 2 adjacent to the air inlet holes 21, the second and third through holes are defined in portions of the sticker 22 corresponding to the indicator light and the air inlet holes 21, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 1, in a first embodiment of the invention, the air inlet holes 21 areshaped as circle, the number of which is three, and the air inlet holes 21 are defined in positions of the cigarette rod wall 2 that are equidistant and in a same axial direction, corresponding to the first gap 20. In this embodiment, the indicator light (not shown) is mounted in the first gap 20, and the number of the indicator light is one. When using the disposable electronic cigarette, the indicator light is lighted on and emits light out via the air inlet holes 21 to indicate the positions of the air inlet holes 21 and the state of the electronic cigarette.

Referring to FIG. 4, in a second embodiment of the invention, the air inlet holes are shaped as circle, and the number of which is seven. The air inlet holes 21 are defined equidistantly in the cigarette rod wall 2, and are arranged in a row of snake to form a snakelike pattern. In this embodiment, the indicator light is embedded into the air inlet hole 21, with gaps for air entering. As shown in FIG. 5, a method for connecting the at least one indicator light with the air inlet hole 21 of the electronic cigarette in FIG. 4 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the indicator light is shaped as ellipse, with the longer axis thereof being equal to the diameter of the air inlet hole 21. Thus, the indicator light is ensured to be relatively fixed in the air inlet hole 21, and at the same time, the gap between the indicator light 210 and the air inlet hole 21 can facilitate the air inflow. In this embodiment, the number of the indicator light 210 can be equal to or less than the air inlet hole 21.

Referring to FIG. 6, in a third embodiment, the air inlet hole 21 is shaped as circle, and the number of which is four. Three of the air inlet holes 21 are equidistantly defined in a same radial direction of the cigarette rod wall 2, and the rest one air inlet hole 21 is defined coaxially with one of the above-mentioned three air inlet holes 21. At least one indicator light 210 is embedded in the cigarette rod wall 2 and is adjacent to the air inlet holes 21. In this embodiment, the number of the indicator light 210 is one, and a shape of which as circle; and understandably, the number and shape of the indicator light shall not be limited to the embodiment.

The above-mentioned three embodiments are just for description, and the specific numbers, shapes, and location relations of the air inlet holes 21 and the indicator light will not be limited to what is mentioned.

In the invention, at least three air inlet holes 21 are defined in the cigarette rod wall 2, and at least one indicator light is mounted to indicate the positions of the air inlet holes 21. During smoking, users can adjust the air inlet amount to keep the airflow being smooth, thereby improving the smoking taste, and meanwhile the users' individuating demands can be met.

While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention, and those various changes and equivalents shall fall into the protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A disposable electronic cigarette comprising a cigarette holder (1) and a cigarette rod, the cigarette holder (1) defining an air outlet hole, wherein, at least three air inlet holes (21) are defined in a cigarette rod wall (2) of the cigarette rod, the air inlet holes (21) and the air outlet hole cooperatively form an airflow loop, and at least one indicator light corresponding to the air inlet holes is mounted on the cigarette rod to indicate positions of the air inlet holes and/or operation states of the electronic cigarette.

2. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein, the indicator light is embedded in at least one of the air inlet holes (21), with a gap formed therebetween, and partially contacts an inner surface of the air inlet hole; or the indicator light is mounted at a position of the cigarette rod wall (2) that is adjacent to the air inlet holes (21); or the indicator light is embedded in a position of the cigarette rod wall (2) corresponding to positions of the air inlet holes(21).

3. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the air inlet holes (21) are arranged to form a warning pattern.

4. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 3, wherein the warning pattern is snakelike or spiral.

5. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the air inlet holes (21) are shaped as any one of circle, polygon, kidney, and ellipse.

6. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 2, wherein the disposable electronic cigarette further comprises a battery (4) and an atomizer (3) including heating wires (31), which are both mounted in the cigarette rod; and the cigarette rod wall of the cigarette rod (2) sleeves the atomizer (3) and the battery (4), with a first gap (20) formed between the atomizer (3) and the battery (4) along an axial direction.

7. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 6, wherein the at least three air inlet holes (21) communicate with the first gap (20).

8. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 7, wherein the atomizer (3) comprises an atomizing passage (30) formed along an axial direction of the cigarette rod wall (2) and communicating with the first gap (20), and an end of the atomizer (3) that is away from the battery (4) communicates with the cigarette holder (1).

9. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 8, wherein a breather pipe (10) that is coaxial with the atomizing passage (30) is mounted between the cigarette holder and the atomizer (3), and the breather pipe (10) communicates with the air inlet holes (21) and the atomizing passage (30) respectively.

10. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 3, wherein the indicator light is electrically connected with the battery (2), and is supplied with power by the battery (2).

11. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 10, wherein the at least three air inlet holes (21) are defined in a circumference of the cigarette rod wall (2) corresponding to the first gap (20).

12. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 11, wherein the indicator light is mounted in the first gap (20).

13. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 12, wherein a second gap (120) is formed between the rod wall (2) and the battery (4).

14. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 13, wherein the at least three air inlet holes (21) are defined in positions of the cigarette rod wall (2) corresponding to the second gap (120).

15. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the at least three air inlet holes (21) are equidistantly defined in positions of the cigarette rod wall (2) arranged in a same radial direction.

16. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the at least three air inlet holes (21) are equidistantly defined in positions of the cigarette rod wall (2) arranged in a same axial direction.

17. The disposable electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein at least one layer of sticker (22) is attached on an outer surface of the cigarette rod wall (2), and a second through hole corresponding to the air inlet holes (21) and third through hole corresponding to the indicator light are defined in the sticker (22).

Patent History
Publication number: 20140311506
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 27, 2013
Publication Date: Oct 23, 2014
Inventor: Qiuming Liu (Shenzhen)
Application Number: 13/929,342
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Tobacco Users' Appliance (131/329)
International Classification: A24F 47/00 (20060101);