Electronic nicotine delivery apparatus

Abstract

An electronic nicotine delivery apparatus 10 comprises a main body 12 and a delivery arrangement 14. The main body is configured to be gripped in one hand by a user and comprises electric battery 26,

Description

The present invention relates to electronic nicotine delivery apparatus and in particular but not exclusively personal electronic nicotine delivery apparatus comprising a main body and a delivery arrangement. Background Art An electronic cigarette is a battery powered vaporiser which is operative to provide a flavour and feel similar to tobacco smoking. An electronic cigarette typically comprises a reservoir or tank, a heating element, a mouthpiece and power and control apparatus. The power and control apparatus comprises a battery which is electrically coupled to the heating element to thereby operate the heating element. The reservoir or tank contains e-liquid which typically comprises a mixture of propylene glycol, glycerine, water, nicotine and flavourings. During use, e-liquid is drawn onto the heating element and the heating element is operative to vaporise the drawn e-liquid. The mouthpiece is in fluid communication with the vaporised e-liquid whereby a user draws vaporised e-liquid through the mouthpiece. Electronic cigarettes are either of open form or closed form. Open form electronic cigarettes are structured to allow the user to refill the reservoir with e-liquid and / or to replace the heating element. Closed form electronic cigarettes are structured such that users are unable to replace the heating element per se or to refill the reservoir with e-liquid. Instead, a closed form electronic cigarette is either disposable or structured for replacement of the reservoir. When a disposable closed form electronic cigarette has been exhausted of e-liquid, the disposable closed form electronic cigarette is discarded and replaced with a fresh disposable closed form electronic cigarette. When a closed form electronic cigarette having a replaceable reservoir has been exhausted of e-liquid, the reservoir is removed from the electronic cigarette and replaced with a fresh e-liquid containing reservoir. In many closed form electronic cigarettes having a replaceable reservoir, the reservoir and the heating element are unitary whereby the heating element is replaced when the reservoir is replaced. The reservoir may also be unitary with the mouthpiece whereby the mouthpiece is replaced when the reservoir is replaced. The reservoir, the heating element and perhaps also the mouthpiece may thus be constituted as one unit, which is often called a pod, and which is removably attached to a main body of the electronic cigarette, the main body containing the power and control apparatus. A closed form electronic cigarette having a replaceable reservoir is often called a pod system or a pod kit. Closed form electronic cigarettes which operate in dependence on an automatic switch may be allowed in certain controlled environments, such as prisons. An automatic switch operates when the user drags on the mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette to electrically power the heating element. Such electronic cigarettes are considered safe for use in controlled environments. On the other hand, closed form electronic cigarettes which lack an automatic switch and are operated in dependence on a manual switch are considered a risk and therefore disallowed. However, a person in a controlled environment may adapt a closed form electronic cigarette having an automatic switch to heat and thereby consume illegal drugs or to raise a fire. This can be done by breaking the electronic cigarette, for example by breaking the pod of a pod system, to expose the heating element and using the exposed heating element to heat and consume an illegal drug or raise a fire. Alternatively, this may be done by removing the pod from the main body of a pod system, breaking the pod, removing the heating element from the broken pod, and reconnecting the removed heating element to electrical contacts in the main body. The thus reconnected and exposed heating element may then be used to heat and consume an illegal drug or to raise a fire. The present invention has been devised to address the aforementioned problems. It is therefore an object for the present invention to provide improved electronic nicotine delivery apparatus. It is a further object for the present invention to provide improved electronic nicotine delivery apparatus comprising a main body, and a delivery arrangement or tank. Statement of Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an electronic nicotine delivery apparatus comprising: a main body configured to be gripped in one hand by a user and comprising an electric battery, electrical contacts, and an air pressure sensor; a delivery arrangement comprising a mouthpiece, a reservoir holding e-liquid, and an electrically operated heating element in fluid communication with e-liquid from the reservoir, the heating element electrically connected to the electrical contacts, the mouthpiece defining a first opening in fluid communication with the heating element; and an airway between the first opening and a second opening defined by an exterior of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus, the air pressure sensor in the airway, the first and second openings relatively disposed on the exterior of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus such that a user draws air from the first opening only of the first and second openings when the mouthpiece is received in the user’s mouth, wherein the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is configured to electrically connect the electric battery to the electrical contacts in dependence on the air pressure sensor sensing change in pressure in the airway caused by the user drawing air through the airway from the first opening and whereby the heating element is operative to vaporise e-liquid, and wherein the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is structured such that there is no airway through which air can be drawn past the air pressure sensor when a user’s mouth draws on an opening defined by the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus after the delivery arrangement has been broken or removed from the main body. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus comprises a main body and a delivery arrangement. The main body is configured to be gripped in one hand by a user when in use and comprises an electric battery, electrical contacts, and an air pressure sensor. The delivery arrangement comprises a mouthpiece, a reservoir holding e-liquid and an electrically operated heating element in fluid communication with e-liquid from the reservoir. The heating element is electrically connected to the electrical contacts of the main body. The mouthpiece defines a first opening in fluid communication with the heating element. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is of closed form whereby the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is not structured for replacement of the heating element per se or for refilling of the reservoir with e-liquid. Instead, the delivery arrangement is removed and replaced with a fresh delivery arrangement to replenish e-liquid or replace the heating element. Alternatively, and where the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is disposable, the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is disposed of in favour of a replacement electronic nicotine delivery apparatus. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus further comprises an airway between the first opening and a second opening defined by an exterior of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus. In addition, the air pressure sensor of the main body is in the airway. The first and second openings are located relative to each other on the exterior of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus such that a user draws air from the first opening only of the first and second openings when the mouthpiece is received in the user’s mouth. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is configured to electrically connect the electric battery to the electrical contacts in dependence on the air pressure sensor sensing change in pressure in the airway caused by the user drawing air through the airway from the first opening whereby the heating element is operative to vaporise e-liquid. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus thus has an automatic switch. In use, the user may grip the main body in one hand and raise the thus gripped electronic nicotine delivery apparatus to his or her mouth whereby the mouthpiece and its first opening are received in his or her mouth. The second opening is located relative to the first opening such that the second opening is not received in or obstructed by the user’s mouth. When the user draws on the first opening with his or her mouth, air may therefore be drawn into the airway by way of the second opening. The resulting pressure change, and more specifically pressure drop, in the airway at the pressure sensor is sensed by the pressure sensor. The electric battery is electrically connected to the electrical contacts in dependence on the sensed pressure change. In view of the heating element now being electrically connected to the electrical contacts, electric power is provided from the electric battery to the heating element whereby the heating element vaporises e-liquid by heating. The vaporised e-liquid is then drawn into the user’s mouth in view of the first opening being in fluid communication with the heating element. Furthermore, the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is structured such that there is no airway through which air can be drawn past the air pressure sensor when a user’s mouth draws on an opening defined by the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus after the delivery arrangement has been broken or removed from the main body. As discussed above, in known electronic nicotine delivery apparatus having a replaceable delivery arrangement, the delivery arrangement can be removed from the main body, the delivery arrangement broken, the heating element removed from the broken delivery arrangement, and the removed heating element reconnected to the electrical contacts in the main body. The user can then draw air through an airway between the reconnected but now exposed heating element and the second opening in the main body, the pressure sensor being in the airway between the heating element and the second opening. The second opening in known electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is often in a base of the main body. The air drawn through the airway causes a pressure change which is sensed by the pressure sensor whereby the electric battery is electrically connected to the heating element and an illegal drug in contact with the heating element can be heated and consumed. Alternatively, the heating element can be used to set fire to combustible material which is then used to raise a fire. In known disposable electronic nicotine delivery apparatus, the delivery arrangement can often be broken. Typically, a part of the delivery arrangement, which includes the mouthpiece, protruding beyond the main body is broken from the rest of the delivery arrangement whereby the rest of the delivery arrangement remains attached to the main body. Breaking the delivery arrangement in this way can expose the heating element to allow illegal drugs or other combustible material to be brought into contact with the heating element. As discussed above for known electronic nicotine delivery apparatus having a replaceable delivery arrangement, the user can then draw air through an airway between the now exposed heating element and the second opening in the main body, the pressure sensor being in the airway between the heating element and the second opening. The air drawn through the airway causes a pressure change which is sensed by the pressure sensor whereby the electric battery is electrically connected to the heating element and an illegal drug in contact with the heating element can be heated and consumed. Alternatively, the heating element can be used to set fire to other combustible material which is then used to raise a fire. In contrast, the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus of the present invention is structured such that there is no airway through which air can be drawn past the air pressure sensor when a user’s mouth draws on an opening defined by the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus after the delivery arrangement has been broken or removed from the main body. The second opening may be located at or towards an end of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus at which the delivery arrangement is located. More specifically, the second opening may be defined at least in part by the delivery arrangement. Unlike known electronic nicotine delivery apparatus, the second opening is not defined solely by the main body, such as in a base of the main body. If the delivery arrangement is broken, as discussed above for the known disposable electronic nicotine delivery apparatus, first and second openings newly defined by the remaining part of the delivery arrangement may be relatively located such that if a user tries to draw air through one of the newly defined first and second openings he or she either obstructs or draws air through the other of the newly defined first and second openings. There may therefore be no airway through which air is drawn past the pressure sensor whereby the pressure sensor does not sense a change in pressure and the heating element remains electrically disconnected from the electric battery. If the delivery arrangement is removed and broken, and the heating element is then removed from the broken delivery arrangement and reconnected to the electrical contacts in the main body, the main body may define an opening which provides access to the heating element. There may therefore be only one newly defined opening to the interior of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus. If a user places the newly defined opening in his or her mouth there may be no second opening whereby no air can be drawn by the user though an airway past the pressure sensor and heating element. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus of the present invention may lack an opening, which is defined by the exterior of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus, to the airway further to the first and second openings and before the delivery arrangement has been broken or removed from the main body. As described above, the second opening may be located at or towards an end of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus at which the delivery arrangement is located. The main body may define a base at a first end and the mouthpiece may extend beyond a second opposite end of the main body, the main body grippable in one hand between the first and second ends. The delivery arrangement may therefore be located towards the second end of the main body. Furthermore, at least a part of the delivery arrangement may be received in the main body whereby the mouthpiece extends beyond the second end of the main body. As described above, the second opening may be defined at least in part by the delivery arrangement. In an embodiment, the second opening may be wholly defined by the delivery arrangement. More specifically, the second opening may be defined at a location on the delivery arrangement spaced apart from the first opening and which is not received in or obstructed by the user’s mouth when the user draws on the mouthpiece. The second opening may, for example, be located on a surface of the delivery arrangement and perhaps on a surface of the mouthpiece which faces laterally of a longitudinal axis of the main body extending through the first and second ends of the main body and when the first opening is defined in a surface of the mouthpiece facing in the direction of the longitudinal axis. By way of further example, the second opening may, for example, be located on a shoulder of the delivery arrangement adjacent to the main body. Although this embodiment may be electronic nicotine delivery apparatus having a replaceable delivery arrangement, this embodiment may be more advantageous for disposable electronic nicotine delivery apparatus than the further embodiment described below. A first part of the airway may extend from the second opening to the pressure sensor. A second part of the airway may extend from the first opening to the pressure sensor. The second part of the airway may be defined along its length from the first opening to adjacent the pressure sensor wholly by the delivery arrangement. The first part of the airway may be defined along its length from the second opening to adjacent the pressure sensor wholly by the delivery arrangement. In a further embodiment, the second opening may be defined in part by the delivery arrangement and in part by the main body. The second opening may therefore be wholly defined by the delivery arrangement and the main body. The main body may define a blind bore which extends from a bore opening at the second end of the main body, the delivery arrangement received in the blind bore. Furthermore, the mouthpiece of the delivery arrangement may extend beyond the second end of the main body. The further embodiment may be more advantageous for electronic nicotine delivery apparatus having a replaceable delivery arrangement than the previous embodiment. For example, the further embodiment may be more advantageous in respect of at least one of ease of modification of known electronic nicotine delivery apparatus and cost. Nevertheless, electronic nicotine delivery apparatus having a replaceable delivery arrangement may be according to the previous embodiment. The present embodiment of electronic nicotine delivery apparatus may therefore be configured for removal of the delivery arrangement from main body. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus may be configured for slidable reception of the delivery arrangement in the blind bore of the main body. The blind bore and an external surface of the delivery arrangement may be shaped and / or dimensioned such that the second opening is a gap between the distal end of the main body at the opening to the blind bore and the external surface of the delivery arrangement adjacent the distal end. The gap may extend at least part way around a circumference of the opening to the blind bore. More specifically, the gap may extend substantially all the way around the circumference of the opening to the blind bore. The main body may be configured such that there is substantially no airway between the pressure sensor and the exterior of the main body outside the opening to the blind bore. The airway from the second opening may be defined along at least part of its length on a first side of the airway by a wall of the main body defining the blind bore and extending from the second opening, and on a second opposing side of the airway by the external surface of the delivery arrangement. Where the pressure sensor is located at a base of the blind bore, as described further below, the airway as defined by the wall of the main body and the opposing external surface of the delivery arrangement may extend from the second opening to a base of the delivery arrangement, the base of the delivery arrangement adjacent the base of the blind bore when the delivery arrangement is received in the blind bore. When air is drawn by the user from the first opening in the mouthpiece, air enters the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus through the gap (which constitutes the second opening) and is drawn through the airway defined between the wall of the main body and the external surface of the delivery arrangement and towards the pressure sensor of the main body. The electrical contacts may be on a surface of the blind bore. Furthermore, the pressure sensor or a pressure sensor opening in fluid communication with the pressure sensor may be on a surface of the blind bore. More specifically, at least one of the electrical contacts and the pressure sensor (or the pressure sensor opening) may on a surface of the base of the blind bore. Where the pressure sensor or the pressure sensor opening is on a surface of the blind bore, at least one of the surface of the blind bore and the opposing external surface of the delivery arrangement may define at least one guide structure which protrudes into the airway and which is configured to guide air towards the pressure sensor or pressure sensor opening. The at least one guide structure may be defined on the surface of the blind bore. Alternatively or in addition, the at least one guide structure may extend into a part of the airway between the base of the blind bore and the base of the delivery arrangement. Where the blind bore is cylindrical, the at least one structure may comprise first and second projections extending up from the base of the blind bore. The first and second projections may be arcuate across the base. In addition, the first and second projections may be disposed relative to each other such that they define a closed path around the pressure sensor or the pressure sensor opening, the path closed with exception of first and second air gaps between respective opposing ends of the first and second projections, the first air gap on a first side of the pressure sensor or pressure sensor opening, and the second air gap on second opposite side of the pressure sensor or pressure sensor opening. Drawn air may thus be guided around the outside of the first and second projections and guided through the first and second air gaps and over the pressure sensor or pressure sensor opening inside the first and second projections. The delivery arrangement may be unitary with the main body whereby the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is disposable electronic nicotine delivery apparatus. The delivery arrangement may be formed apart from the main body and the delivery arrangement and main body bonded to each other whereby the delivery arrangement is unitary with the main body. Alternatively, a body of the delivery arrangement and the main body may be integrally formed whereby the delivery arrangement is unitary with the main body. Alternatively, the delivery arrangement is removably attached to the main body whereby the delivery arrangement is replaceable, for example when e-liquid needs replenished or when the heating element needs to be replaced. The main body may comprise a housing. The housing may be cylindrical in form. A cross-section through the housing may be oval with one axis of symmetry. Alternatively the housing may have the general form of a rectangular cuboid. The housing may be elongate. The housing may comprise a user control, such as an on-off switch. The housing may comprise at least one display which is operative, for example, to provide visual indication when the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is switched on, and perhaps of battery level and / or power level. The delivery arrangement may define a vaporisation chamber. The vaporisation chamber may contain the heating element. The delivery arrangement may further comprise a wicking arrangement. The wicking arrangement may be configured and disposed to draw e-liquid from the reservoir onto the heating element. The main body may further comprise electronic circuitry to control operation of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus in accordance with processes described herein. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided electronic nicotine delivery apparatus comprising: a main body configured to be gripped in one hand by a user and comprising an electric battery, electrical contacts, and an air pressure sensor; a delivery arrangement comprising a mouthpiece, a reservoir holding e-liquid and an electrically operated heating element in fluid communication with e-liquid from the reservoir, the heating element electrically connected to the electrical contacts, the mouthpiece defining a first opening in fluid communication with the heating element; and an airway between the first opening and a second opening defined by an exterior of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus, the air pressure sensor in the airway, the first and second openings relatively disposed on the exterior of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus such that a user draws air from the first opening only of the first and second openings when the mouthpiece is received in the user’s mouth, wherein the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is configured to electrically connect the electric battery to the electrical contacts in dependence on the air pressure sensor sensing change in pressure in the airway caused by the user drawing air through the airway from the first opening whereby the heating element is operative to vaporise e-liquid. The second opening may be defined in part by the delivery arrangement and in part by the main body. The second opening may therefore be wholly defined by the delivery arrangement and the main body. The main body may define a blind bore which extends from a bore opening at the second end of the main body, the delivery arrangement received in the blind bore. Furthermore, the mouthpiece of the delivery arrangement may extend beyond the second end of the main body. The blind bore and an external surface of the delivery arrangement may be shaped and / or dimensioned such that the second opening is a gap between the distal end of the main body at the opening to the blind bore and the external surface of the delivery arrangement adjacent the distal end. The gap may extend at least part way around a circumference of the opening to the blind bore. More specifically, the gap may extend substantially all the way around the circumference of the opening to the blind bore. The main body may be configured such that there is substantially no airway between the pressure sensor and the exterior of the main body outside the opening to the blind bore. The airway from the second opening may be defined along at least part of its length on a first side of the airway by a wall of the main body defining the blind bore and extending from the second opening, and on a second opposing side of the airway by the external surface of the delivery arrangement. Where the pressure sensor is located at a base of the blind bore, as described further above, the airway as defined by the wall of the main body and the opposing external surface of the delivery arrangement may extend from the second opening to a base of the delivery arrangement, the base of the delivery arrangement adjacent the base of the blind bore when the delivery arrangement is received in the blind bore. Further embodiments of the further aspect of the present invention may comprise one or more features of the first aspect of the present invention. Brief Description of Drawings Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following specific description, which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1A is a view from the front of a first embodiment of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus; Figure 1B is a view from the side of the embodiment of Figure 1 A; Figure 1C is a perspective view from the front and side of the embodiment of Figure 1A when the delivery arrangement is received in the chamber of the main body; Figure 1D is a sectional view of the first embodiment through line A-A in Figure 1B; Figure 1E is a more detailed sectional view of the first embodiment when the delivery arrangement is received in the chamber of the main body; Figure 1F shows the chamber of the main body of the first embodiment; Figure 2A is a schematic view from the side of a second embodiment of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus; and Figure 2B is a schematic view of the second embodiment of Figure 2A when the exposed part of the delivery arrangement has been broken off. Description of Embodiments A first embodiment of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus 10 is shown in Figures 1A to 1F. Figure 1A is a view from the front of the first embodiment and Figure 1B is a view from the side of the first embodiment. The first embodiment 10 comprises an elongated main body 12 and a delivery arrangement 14. The main body 12 is configured to be gripped in one hand by a user when the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus 10 is in use. The first embodiment of electronic nicotine delivery apparatus 10 is of closed form whereby the first embodiment is not structured for refilling with e-liquid. Instead, the closed form first embodiment is structured for replacement of the e-liquid containing delivery arrangement 14. Figures 1A and 1B show the delivery arrangement 14 apart from the main body 12 when a used delivery arrangement has been removed from the main body or before a replacement delivery arrangement is received in the main body. Figure 1C shows the first embodiment 10 in ready to operate condition when a delivery arrangement 14 is received in the main body 12. Referring now to Figure 1D, the delivery arrangement 14 comprises a mouthpiece 16, a reservoir 18 holding e-liquid and an electrically operated heating element 20 in fluid communication with e-liquid from the reservoir. The mouthpiece 16 defines a first opening 22 in fluid communication with the heating element 20 by way of an airflow chimney 24 (which constitutes part of an airway). The main body 12 comprises an electric battery 26, two electrical contact pins 28 (which constitute electrical contacts), a pressure sensor 30, and a switch 32 for turning on and turning off the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus 10. The electric battery 26 is contained in the lower part of the main body 12. The upper part of the main body 12 defines a chamber 32 which has the form of a blind bore which is open at the end of the main body furthest from the part of the main body containing the electric battery 26 and closed at its other end by a chamber base. The two electrical contact pins 28 protrude up from the chamber base and an air sensor opening is defined in the chamber base. The air sensor opening is in fluid communication with the pressure sensor 30 whereby the pressure sensor senses the pressure of air at the air sensor opening. Otherwise, the first embodiment of electronic nicotine delivery apparatus 10 comprises electronic circuitry to control operation of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus 10 as described herein. When the first embodiment of electronic nicotine delivery apparatus 10 is to be brought into use, the delivery arrangement 14 is slidably received in the chamber 32 of the main body 12 until it is fully received in the chamber as shown in Figure 1C. The delivery arrangement 14 is retained in its fully received disposition by protrusions 34 on a side surface of the delivery arrangement. The protrusions 34 are received in corresponding recesses 36 defined in the wall of the main body defining the chamber 32 to thereby present resistance to removal of the delivery arrangement 14 from the chamber 32. When the delivery arrangement 14 is fully received in the chamber 32, the two electrical contact pins 28 are in contact with the electrical terminals of the heating element 20 whereby electrical current may pass through the heating element by way of the two electrical contact pins. Figure 1E shows a more detailed sectional view of the first embodiment 10 when the delivery arrangement 14 is received in the chamber of the main body 12. As can be seen from Figure 1E, there is a small gap 38 between the wall of the main body which defines the chamber 32 and the adjacent external surface of the delivery arrangement 14. The small gap 38 extends into the chamber 32 from a second opening defined between the distal end of the wall at the opening to the chamber and the adjacent external surface of the delivery arrangement 14. The small gap 38 extends from the second opening to the chamber base. The small gap 38 constitutes part of the airway. Turning now to Figure 1F, which shows the chamber 32 of the main body 12, the two electrical contact pins 28 and the air sensor opening 40 can be seen in the chamber base. Further to this, first 42 and second 44 arcuate walls extend up from the chamber base. The first and second arcuate walls 42, 44 describe a near complete oval which encircles the two electrical contact pins 28 and the air sensor opening 40 but is spaced apart from the wall of the main body which defines the chamber 32. A first pair of adjacent and opposing ends of the first and second arcuate walls 42, 44 define therebetween a first air gap on a first side of the air sensor opening 40 and a second pair of adjacent and opposing ends of the first and second arcuate walls 42, 44 define therebetween a second air gap on a second side of the air sensor opening. The first and second air gaps thus define an air path between them which passes over the air sensor opening 40. Space between the chamber base inside the first and second arcuate walls 42, 44 and a lower end of the delivery arrangement 14 is in fluid communication with the airflow chimney 24. When a user places the mouthpiece 16 in his or her mouth and draws air through the first opening 22 in the mouthpiece, air is drawn into the small gap 38 through the second opening and travels down through the small gap, as shown by the arrows 46 in Figure 1F, until it reaches the first and second arcuate walls 42, 44. The first and second arcuate walls 42, 44 guide the drawn air over the air sensor opening 40 with the drawn air then passing the heating element 20 before passing up through the airflow chimney 24. A drag by the user on the mouthpiece 16 causes an air pressure drop over the air sensor opening 40 which is sensed by the pressure sensor 30. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus 10 is operative in dependence on the sensed air pressure drop to electrically connect the hitherto unconnected electric battery 26 to the electrical contact pins 28 whereby current passes from the electric battery through the heating element 20 to thereby cause the heating element to heat and vaporise e-liquid drawn from the reservoir 18. The vaporised e-liquid is drawn into the user’s mouth by way of the airflow chimney 24 and first opening 22. If the delivery arrangement 14 is removed from the chamber 32 and a heating element, such as the heating element 20 from the removed delivery arrangement, is attached to the electrical contact pins 28, a user cannot readily create a flow of air over the air sensor opening 40 which causes a pressure drop sufficient to connect the unconnected electric battery 26 to the electrical contact pins 28. For example, no air flow is created if the user places his or her mouth over the open end of the chamber and draws breath. The user is therefore unable to use the heating element to heat and consume an illegal drug or to start a fire. A side view of a second embodiment of electronic nicotine delivery apparatus 60 is shown in schematic form in Figure 2A. The second embodiment of electronic nicotine delivery apparatus 60 is of the same form and function as the first embodiment 10 described above except as will now be described. In common with the first embodiment 10, the second embodiment 60 is of closed form whereby the second embodiment is not structured for refilling with e-liquid. Instead, the second embodiment 60 is disposable whereby the second embodiment 60 is disposed of when e-liquid has been consumed and is replaced with a fresh second embodiment. The delivery arrangement 14 of the second embodiment 60 is therefore integral with the main body 12 whereby the delivery arrangement is not removable from the main body. Although Figure 2A shows a small gap between the wall of the main body surrounding the delivery arrangement, in practice there is no such air gap. The second embodiment 60 therefore lacks the second opening and airway of the first embodiment 10. Instead, an airway bore 62 is defined wholly by the delivery arrangement 14. The airway bore 62 extends from a second opening 64 defined at an external surface of a shoulder of the mouthpiece 16 near the upper end of the main body 12. The second opening 64 is located such that it is not obstructed or drawn on when a user draws on the first opening 22. The airway bore 62 extends from the second opening 64 down through the delivery arrangement 14 to the lower end of the delivery arrangement where the airway opens to space between the base of the chamber and the lower end of the delivery arrangement. The space between the base of the chamber 32 and the lower end of the delivery arrangement 14 is structured in a similar fashion to the corresponding space of the first embodiment 10 to guide flow of air over the opening to the pressure sensor. When a user drags on the mouthpiece 16 of the second embodiment 60, air is drawn in through the second opening 64, passes through the airway bore 62 and is guided over the opening to the pressure sensor whereby a drop in pressure is sensed and the electric battery is electrically connected to the heating element to vaporise e liquid. If a user attempts to use the second embodiment 60 for fire raising or illegal drug use by breaking the delivery arrangement 14, an attempt to break the delivery arrangement is likely to result in breaking off of the exposed part of the delivery arrangement. The second embodiment 60 with the remaining non-exposed part of 5 the delivery arrangement 14 after breaking off of the exposed part is shown in Figure 2B. The user cannot readily create a flow of air over the air sensor opening which causes a pressure drop sufficient to connect the unconnected electric battery to the electrical contact pins. For example, no air flow is created if the user places his or her mouth over the broken end of the second embodiment 60 and draws breath. io The user is therefore unable to use the heating element in the remaining part of the delivery arrangement 14 to heat and consume an illegal drug or to start a fire.

Claims

1. An electronic nicotine delivery apparatus comprising:a main body configured to be gripped in one hand by a user and comprising an electric battery, electrical contacts, and an air pressure sensor;a delivery arrangement comprising a mouthpiece, a reservoir holding e-liquid, and an electrically operated heating element in fluid communication with e-liquid from the reservoir, the heating element electrically connected to the electrical contacts, the mouthpiece defining a first opening in fluid communication with the heating element; andan airway between the first opening and a second opening defined by an exterior of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus, the air pressure sensor in the airway, the first and second openings relatively disposed on the exterior of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus such that a user draws air from the first opening only of the first and second openings when the mouthpiece is received in the user’s mouth,wherein the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is configured to electrically connect the electric battery to the electrical contacts in dependence on the air pressure sensor sensing change in pressure in the airway caused by the user drawing air through the airway from the first opening and whereby the heating element is operative to vaporise e-liquid, andwherein the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is structured such that there is no airway through which air can be drawn past the air pressure sensor when a user’s mouth draws on an opening defined by the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus after the delivery arrangement has been broken or removed from the main body.

2. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is of closed form whereby the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is not structured for refilling of the reservoir with e-liquid or for replacement of the heating element without replacement of the delivery arrangement.

3. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, in which the second opening is located towards an end of the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus at which the delivery arrangement is located.

4. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to claim 3, in which the second opening is defined at least in part by the delivery arrangement.

5. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims lacking a further opening to the airway further to the first and second openings and when the delivery arrangement has not been broken or removed from the main body.

6. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the main body defines a base at a first end of the main body, the mouthpiece extends beyond a second end of the main body opposite the first end, the main body is grippable in one hand between the first and second ends, and a part of the delivery arrangement is in the main body.

7. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to claim 6, in which the second opening is wholly defined by the delivery arrangement.

8. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to claim 7, in which the second opening is defined at a location on the delivery arrangement spaced apart from the first opening and which is not received in or obstructed by the user’s mouth when the user draws on the mouthpiece.

9. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to claim 8, in which the second opening is defined in a surface of the delivery arrangement which faces laterally of a longitudinal axis of the main body extending through the first and second ends of the main body and the first opening is defined in a surface of the mouthpiece which faces in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

10. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, in which a first part of the airway extends from the second opening to the pressure sensor, a second part of the airway extends from the first opening to the pressure sensor, the second part defined along its length from the first opening to adjacent the pressure sensor wholly by the delivery arrangement, and the first part of the airway defined along its length from the second opening to adjacent the pressure sensor wholly by the delivery arrangement.

11. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to claim 6, in which the second opening is defined in part by the delivery arrangement and in part by the main body whereby the second opening is wholly defined by the delivery arrangement and the main body.

12. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to claim 11, in which the main body defines a blind bore which extends from a bore opening at the second end of the main body, and the delivery arrangement is received in the blind bore.

13. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to claim 12, in which the blind bore and an external surface of the delivery arrangement are shaped and / or dimensioned such that the second opening is a gap between the bore opening and the external surface of the delivery arrangement.

14. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to claim 13, in which the gap extends substantially all around the circumference of the bore opening.

15. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, in which the airway from the second opening is defined on a first side of the airway and along at least part of its length by a wall of the main body defining the blind bore and extending from the second opening, and on a second opposing side of the airway by an external surface of the delivery arrangement.

16. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to claim 15, in which the pressure sensor is located at a base of the blind bore, the airway as defined by the30 07 24wall of the main body and the opposing external surface of the delivery arrangement extends from the second opening to a base of the delivery arrangement, the base of the delivery arrangement adjacent the base of the blind bore when the delivery arrangement is received in the blind bore.

17. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to claim 16, in which the electrical contacts are on a surface of the base of the blind bore, and the pressure sensor or a pressure sensor opening in fluid communication with the pressure sensor is on the surface of the base of the blind bore.

18. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to claim 17, in which at least one of the wall of the main body and the opposing external surface of the delivery arrangement defines a guide structure which protrudes into the airway and which is configured to guide air towards the pressure sensor or pressure sensor opening.

19. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to claim 18, in which the guide structure is defined on the surface of the base of the blind bore, the guide structure extending into a part of the airway between the base of the blind bore and the base of the delivery arrangement.

20. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to claim 19, in which the blind bore is substantially cylindrical, the guide structure comprises first and second projections extending up from the base of the blind bore, the first and second projections arcuate across the base of the blind bore, the first and second projections disposed relative to each other such that they define a closed path around the pressure sensor or the pressure sensor opening, the closed path closed with exception of first and second air gaps between respective opposing ends of the first and second projections, the first air gap on a first side of the pressure sensor or pressure sensor opening, and the second air gap on a second opposite side of the pressure sensor or pressure sensor opening.

21. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the delivery arrangement is unitary with the main body whereby the electronic nicotine delivery apparatus is disposable electronic nicotine delivery apparatus.

22. The electronic nicotine delivery apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, in which the delivery arrangement is removably attached to the main body whereby the delivery arrangement is replaceable.30 07 24

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