Electronic vapor inhaler

Abstract

To provide electronic vapor inhalers, and particularly a cartridge having a flavor-release medium for use with an electronic vapor inhaler, in which the flavor-release medium can be heated to produce a vapor to be inhaled by a user.SOLUTION: A cartridge 26 for an electronic vapor inhaler comprises: an elongate induction-heatable element 28; and a flavor-release medium 30 adhered to a surface 32 of the elongate induction-heatable element 28.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to electronic vaporizers, and more particularly to a flavor emitting medium for use with an electronic vaporizer, where the flavor emitting medium is associated with a cartridge that can be heated to produce vapor for inhalation by a user.

Background Art

[0002] Electronic vaporizers (also known as e-cigarettes, e-cigars, and personal vaporizers), which can be used as alternatives to conventional smoking products such as tobacco, cigars, and pipes, are becoming increasingly popular and widespread. Typically, battery-powered electronic vaporizers heat and atomize a nicotine-containing liquid to produce vapor containing nicotine that can be inhaled by a user. The vapor is inhaled through a mouthpiece to deliver nicotine to the lungs, and the vapor exhaled by the user generally mimics the form of the smoke of conventional smoking products. Inhalation of the vapor produces a physical sensation similar to conventional smoking, but since combustion does not occur, harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide and tar are not produced or inhaled.

[0003] Currently, various electronic vaporizers are available, but they all have drawbacks related to what the present disclosure seeks to overcome.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge for an electronic vaporizer, the cartridge comprising a long induction heatable element, and a flavor emitting medium adhered to the surface of the long induction heatable element, and .

[0005] The cartridge provides a convenient way for the user to fill the electronic vapor inhaler with the flavor emitting medium, thereby reducing the possibility of spillage or waste. Since it is provided in the form of a ready-made cartridge, the integrity, safety, and quality of the flavor emitting medium are also guaranteed. The accurate dosage of the flavor emitting medium is also ensured.

[0006] By arranging the inductively heatable element in proximity to and in contact with at least a portion of the flavor emitting medium, in the presence of an electromagnetic field, the flavor emitting medium is heated rapidly and efficiently, thereby increasing the heating reactivity and reducing the relatively required power. The cartridge has no moving parts, and the heating element is arranged along the cartridge. Since the heating element is renewed every time the cartridge is replaced, it does not wear out and is not affected by the deposition of residues formed by the deposits from the heated flavor emitting medium, and thus there is no performance degradation or flavor or aroma deterioration over time. This is contrasted with existing electronic vapor inhalers having a resistive heating element within the inhaler housing that, for example, wear out or fail after a certain amount of use and are affected by the deposition of residues as the flavor emitting medium is heated. In case of failure, the electronic vapor inhaler may need to be discarded entirely and replaced with a new one.

[0007] The flavor emitting medium may be any material or combination of materials that may be heated to release vapor for inhalation by the user. The flavor emitting medium may be tobacco or a tobacco material, and may be impregnated with a vapor-forming medium such as propylene glycol or glycerol. However, the flavor emitting medium is not limited to tobacco, and any flavor emitting medium may be used.

[0008] The flavor emitting medium may be attached to the outer surface of the elongate inductively heatable element. The flavor emitting medium may include, for example, particulate material attached to the outer surface of the inductively heatable element. Thus, the flavor emitting medium can be attached to the inductively heatable element in a simple manner.

[0009] The elongated inductively heatable element may comprise a rod or wire which may have a solid cross-section.

[0010] The elongated inductively heatable element may alternatively comprise a tube having a wall with an internal wall surface and an external wall surface. The tube may, for example, be cylindrical or elliptical and the wall may be a circumferentially extending wall having an internal and external peripheral wall surface. A flavour releasing medium may be attached to the internal and / or external wall surface. In an arrangement where a flavour releasing medium is attached to both the internal and external wall surfaces of the tubular inductively heatable element, a greater amount of flavours and aromas may be released.

[0011] The tubular inductively heatable element may comprise one or more openings in its wall for allowing air or gas to flow therethrough, for example the tubular inductively heatable element may comprise a tubular mesh or a tubular perforated foil.

[0012] The cartridge may further comprise an insulating layer between the inductively heatable element and the flavour releasing medium, which may usefully slow down the rate at which the flavour releasing medium heats up.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge for an electronic vapor inhaler, the cartridge comprising: an elongated inductively heatable element having a solid cross section; a flavour releasing medium surrounding the elongated inductively heatable element; Equipped with.

[0014] The elongated inductively heatable element may comprise a rod, or it may comprise one or more wires.

[0015] The cartridge may comprise a protective sleeve surrounding the flavour releasing medium. The use of a protective sleeve may be advantageous in arrangements where the flavour releasing medium comprises fibrous material, or is in the form of fine pieces or pellets, or granular material, to hold the flavour releasing medium in place around the elongated inductively heatable element.

[0016] The protective sleeve may comprise a heat insulating material which may also be electrically insulating and non-magnetic. The protective sleeve may comprise a paper overlap.

[0017] The protective sleeve may be tubular and may have an open end. The protective sleeve may, for example, have a circular or elliptical cross-section.

[0018] The elongate inductively heatable element and the tubular protective sleeve may be coaxial.

[0019] The cartridge may further comprise a heat insulating layer between the inductively heatable element and the fragrance emitting medium.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge for an electronic vaporizer, the cartridge comprising a tubular inductively heatable element, a fragrance emitting medium provided only so as to surround the tubular inductively heatable element, and thereby a fragrance emitting medium that does not exist inside the tubular inductively heatable element, comprising.

[0021] The tubular inductively heatable element may comprise one or more openings in its wall surrounded by the fragrance emitting medium to allow air and gas to flow through the wall. For example, the tubular inductively heatable element may comprise a tubular mesh or a tubular perforated foil.

[0022] The cartridge includes a protective sleeve surrounding the fragrance emitting medium.

[0023] The protective sleeve may comprise a heat insulating material which may also be electrically insulating and non-magnetic. The protective sleeve may comprise a paper overlap.

[0024] The protective sleeve may be tubular and may have an open end. The protective sleeve may have, for example, a circular or elliptical cross-section.

[0025] The tubular inductively heatable element and the tubular protective sleeve may be coaxial.

[0026] The cartridge may further comprise a heat insulating layer between the inductively heatable element and the fragrance emitting medium.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a cartridge for an electronic vaporizer is provided, the cartridge comprising a fragrance emitting medium and an inductively heatable material dispersed in the fragrance emitting medium.

[0028] The inductively heatable material may be a particulate material. The particles are individually heated in the presence of an electromagnetic field, and heat is locally transferred from the heated particles to the fragrance emitting medium. Thus, rapid and efficient heating of the fragrance emitting medium is easily achieved.

[0029] The cartridge may comprise a protective sleeve surrounding the dispersed fragrance emitting medium and inductively heatable material.

[0030] The protective sleeve may comprise a thermally insulating material that is also electrically insulating and non-magnetic. The protective sleeve may comprise a paper overlap.

[0031] The protective sleeve may be tubular and may have an open end. The protective sleeve may have, for example, a circular or elliptical cross-section.

[0032] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, a mouthpiece at the proximal end of the housing, a cartridge according to the present disclosure disposed within the housing, an induction heating device arranged to inductively heat the inductively heatable element and thereby heat the fragrance emitting medium An electronic vapor inhaler is provided that includes

[0033] The housing may include a chamber in which the cartridge is removably disposed. The chamber may be thermally isolated from the external environment. The chamber may be installed at any suitable position between the distal end and the proximal end of the housing. In some embodiments, the chamber may be installed at the proximal end. In other embodiments, the chamber may be installed at the distal end and, in the latter case, even if the temperature on the outer surface of the housing slightly increases as the cartridge is heated during operation of the induction heating device, this temperature increase does not occur at the proximal end of the housing where the mouthpiece is installed.

[0034] The induction heating device may include an induction coil. The induction coil may extend around the chamber.

[0035] The housing may include an air inlet through which air can pass and flow into the chamber. A plurality of air inlets may be provided.

[0036] An airflow control mechanism may be provided in the housing to vary the flow through the air inlet or each air inlet and thus through the cartridge. This may enable the user to influence the amount of flavor and aroma released from the heated flavor release medium through the mouthpiece during inhalation.

[0037] The housing may include a conduit for delivering heated air to the mouthpiece. The conduit may include at least one first inlet for ambient air and at least one second inlet for heated air from the chamber. The conduit may be arranged to provide a Venturi effect such that, in use, when ambient air flows through the conduit past at least one second inlet, the heated air is drawn into the conduit from the chamber by the Venturi effect. Using such an apparatus, relatively cold ambient air and relatively warm air from the chamber may be mixed as they flow through the conduit, thereby providing a more gradual release of flavor and aroma as it is inhaled through the mouthpiece. An airflow control mechanism may be provided in the housing to vary the flow through at least one first inlet. The conduit is typically an annular conduit surrounding the chamber. The annular conduit may include a plurality of circumferentially spaced first inlets formed in the housing and a plurality of circumferentially spaced second inlets formed in the peripheral wall of the chamber.

[0038] The electronic vapor inhaler may include one or more temperature sensors for determining the cartridge temperature. Any suitable temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple, resistance temperature detector, thermistor, or infrared sensor, may be used. In one implementation, the (one or more) temperature sensors may determine the cartridge temperature by direct measurement of the cartridge. In another implementation, the (one or more) temperature sensors may be used to indirectly determine the cartridge temperature. For example, the temperature sensor may be used to measure the temperature of the air inlet or the airflow entering the chamber through each air inlet, and then the cartridge temperature may be mathematically determined as a function of the measured air inlet temperature, the characteristics of the cartridge, and the amount of energy supplied by the inductive heating device.

[0039] The electronic vapor inhaler may further include a control device adapted to energize an induction heating device to maintain the cartridge at a substantially constant and predetermined temperature. The control device may be adapted to energize the induction heating device based on the determined temperature, and in this way, a closed-loop feedback control device is created. However, it should be understood that temperature control may be achieved without using a temperature sensor.

[0040] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a housing having a mouthpiece at one end, an induction heating device arranged to inductively heat an inductively heatable element of a cartridge or capsule inserted into the housing to heat a flavor-emitting medium within the cartridge or capsule, a control device arranged to energize the induction heating device to inductively heat the inductively heatable element and thereby heat the flavor-emitting medium, comprising wherein the control device is further arranged to recognize the inserted capsule or cartridge by detecting a characteristic of the inductively heatable element and to control the operation of the induction heating device based on the detected characteristic, an electronic vapor inhaler is provided.

[0041] The inductively heatable element is effectively "read" when the cartridge or capsule is inserted into the housing, thereby providing automatic recognition of the cartridge or capsule.

[0042] The control device may be arranged to control the operation of the induction heating device based on the detected characteristic to provide a desired heating profile. The heating profile may thus be automatically adjusted upon recognition of the cartridge or capsule such that the flavor-emitting medium is heated in an optimal manner to release flavors and aromas.

[0043] The control device may be adapted to detect a change in the electromagnetic field generated by the interaction between the inductively heatable element and the induction heating device while a capsule or cartridge is being inserted into the housing.

[0044] The cartridge may be as defined above. In this case, the detected features, such as changes in the electromagnetic field, may vary for different cartridges, for example, by providing inductively heatable elements of different lengths, thicknesses, or shapes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0045]

Figure 1

Figure 1a

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4a

Figure 4b

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0046] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example only, in relation to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] First, referring to FIG. 1, the electronic vapor inhaler 10 includes an overall elongated housing 12 having a proximal end 14 and a distal end 16. The electronic vapor inhaler 10 includes a mouthpiece 18 at the proximal end 14, through which a user can inhale vapor generated by heating a flavor emitting medium 30. The electronic vapor inhaler 10 includes a control device 20 in the form of, for example, a microprocessor, and a power source 22 in the form of one or more batteries that are, for example, inductively rechargeable capable.

[0048] The housing 12 includes a chamber 24 into which a cartridge 26 can be removably inserted. The chamber 24 is located adjacent to the mouthpiece 18 at the proximal end 16 of the housing 12, although this is not strictly essential and may be located at any suitable position between the proximal end 14 and the distal end 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the chamber 24 is formed within the housing 12 and is accessed by removing a cover 25 integrally formed with the mouthpiece 18 from the proximal end 14 of the housing 12. In an alternative embodiment, the chamber 24 itself may be formed as a removable component and may be accessed by removing the component from the housing 12. In either case, the cartridge 26 is easily insertable into or removable from the chamber 24.

[0049] For clarity, the cartridge 26 shown separately in FIG. 2 includes an elongate rod-shaped inductively heatable element 28, which is typically, but not limited to, circular in cross-section. The cartridge 26 further includes a flavor release medium 30, which is attached, for example as a coating, to the surface 32 of the inductively heatable element 28. The flavor release medium 30 is a granular or particulate material that may be treated or processed to be attachable to the inductively heatable element 28. The flavor release medium 30 typically contains a tobacco or tobacco material that may be impregnated with a vapor-forming medium such as propylene glycol or glycerol so that it may be heated to produce a vapor for inhalation by the user through the mouthpiece 18 of the electronic vaporizer 10. When tobacco or a tobacco material is used, the electronic vaporizer 10 may be used as an e-cigarette. However, as already explained herein, materials other than tobacco may be used.

[0050] The inductively heatable element 28 is in close contact with the flavor release medium 30 because the flavor release medium 30 is attached to the inductively heatable element 28. As a result, when the inductively heatable element 28 is heated in the presence of an electromagnetic field, the flavor release medium 30 is heated rapidly and uniformly.

[0051] Referring again to FIG. 1, the electronic vaporizer 10 includes an induction heating device 34 having an induction coil 36 that can be excited by a power source 22. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, when the induction coil 36 is excited, an eddy current is generated in the inductively heatable element 28, creating an electromagnetic field that raises the temperature of the inductively heatable element 28. Heat is then transferred from the inductively heatable element 28 to the flavor release medium 30, for example by conduction, radiation, and convection.

[0052] The operation of the induction heating device 34 is typically controlled by the control device 20 to maintain the flavor release medium 30 at a temperature that is optimal for the release of flavors and aromas.

[0053] Although not shown in FIG. 1, the electronic vaporizer 10 may include a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside the chamber 24, in which case the control device 20 is arranged to control the operation of the induction heating device 34 based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. However, as already explained herein, other devices for determining the temperature inside the chamber 24 are possible.

[0054] If a user desires to use the electronic vaporizer 10 to inhale vapor, the user may need to gain access to the chamber 24, for example, by first removing the cover 25 from the proximal end 14 of the housing 12 (e.g., by twisting it off). The user then installs a pre-made cartridge 26 into the chamber 24. The pre-made cartridge 26 is typically supplied in a separately purchasable pack. Thus, filling the chamber 24 with the cartridge 26 is a very simple procedure for the user.

[0055] The user then closes the chamber 24, for example, by reattaching the cover 25 to the proximal end 14 of the housing 12 (e.g., by screwing it onto the housing 12).

[0056] The electronic vaporizer 10 is then switched on by the user attempting to use it, whereby the induction coil 36 is energized and, as described above, the induction heatable element 28 and the flavor emitting medium 30 are heated without the flavor emitting medium 30 being combusted.

[0057] When the user places their mouth on the mouthpiece 18 and inhales, ambient air is drawn into the chamber 24 through the air inlet 38 as indicated by arrow 40. The air flows through the granular or particulate flavor emitting medium 30 in the chamber 24 and is heated. The heated air with the appropriate aroma and flavor exits the chamber 24. The heated air then flows through the mouthpiece 18 and, in so doing, is cooled and condensed to form vapor or aerosol that may be inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece 18 as indicated by arrow 42. The control device 20 may include a temperature selector that allows the user to select a desired vapor inhalation temperature in order to select a desired user experience, since the optimal inhalation temperature may be a matter of personal choice.

[0058] It is understood that the induction coil 36 may be energized as needed to maintain a predetermined, for example, substantially constant temperature inside the chamber 24 while inhaling and as air flows into and through the chamber 24. This ensures that the temperature of the vapor inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece 18 is optimized, for example, becomes substantially constant. However, the control device 20 may be arranged to control the induction heating device 34 such that the induction coil 36 is energized so that the temperature inside the chamber 24 drops between inhalation cycles and rises just before or at the start of the next inhalation cycle in order to maintain the flavor emitting medium 30.

[0059] When the flavor and aroma of the vapor supplied to the mouthpiece 18 reach a level considered unacceptable to the user, the chamber 24 may be accessed, for example, by removing the cover 25 from the proximal end 14 of the housing 12. Then, the used cartridge 26 is removed and discarded, and a new cartridge 26 may be installed in the chamber 24 before the cover 25 is reinstalled as described above to prepare the electronic vapor inhaler 10 for use.

[0060] It is understood that the contents of the cartridge 26, particularly the components of the fragrance release medium, may vary, and that the operation of the induction heating device 34 may need to be varied, ideally, to optimize the release of fragrance and aroma from the fragrance release medium. For example, for the contents of a particular cartridge 26, a heating profile with a relatively slow heating rate may be preferred, while for the contents of another cartridge 26, a heating profile with a relatively fast heating rate may be preferred. To accommodate this, in one embodiment, the control device 20 is arranged to recognize the inserted cartridge 26 by detecting the characteristics of the inductively heatable element 28 and to control the operation of the induction heating device 34 to provide a desired heating profile, for example, based on the detected characteristics. In one possible implementation, when the cartridge 26 is inserted into the chamber 24, the control device 20 detects a change in the electromagnetic field generated by the interaction between the inductively heatable element 28 and the induction coil 36. In practice, various electromagnetic signatures may be provided for the various cartridges 26 by providing one or more inductively heatable elements 28 of various lengths, thicknesses, or shapes.

[0061] Figure 1a shows an alternative embodiment of a portion of the electronic vaporizer 110. The electronic vaporizer 110 shares many common features with the electronic vaporizer 10 shown in Figure 1, and accordingly corresponding features are denoted by corresponding reference numerals.

[0062] The electronic vaporizer 110 has an annular conduit 112 that surrounds the chamber 24. The annular conduit 112 is formed between the peripheral wall of the housing 12 in which the induction coil 36 is embedded and the peripheral wall 114 of the chamber 24. The annular conduit 112 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced first inlets 116 formed at the distal end of the annular conduit 112 within the housing 12 to allow ambient air to flow into the annular conduit 112. The annular conduit 112 also includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced second inlets 118 formed within the peripheral wall 114 of the chamber 24 to allow heated air to flow from the chamber 24 into the annular conduit 112. The second inlets 118 are formed within the peripheral wall 114 at approximately the midpoint between the distal and proximal ends of the annular conduit 112, although of course other locations are also fully practicable and within the scope of the present disclosure. Circumferentially spaced passages 120, 122 may also be provided within the housing 12 to direct a portion of the ambient air from the first inlets 116 along the passage 124 into the chamber 24.

[0063] While being inhaled through the mouthpiece 18, ambient air is drawn into the annular conduit 112 through circumferentially spaced first inlets 116, as indicated by arrow 140. The ambient air flows along the annular conduit 112 from the distal end towards the proximal end and towards the mouthpiece 18, as indicated by arrow 142. When air flows into the peripheral wall 114 through the circumferentially spaced second inlets 118, a Venturi effect occurs. This causes ambient air to be drawn into the chamber 24 through passages 120, 122, 124, as indicated by the dotted arrows, and to be sucked out of the chamber 24 through the second inlets 118. As can be understood, the air entering the chamber through passages 120, 122, 124 is heated as it flows through the granular or particulate flavor release medium 30 in the chamber 24, and accordingly, heated air having an appropriate aroma and flavor is sucked out of the chamber 24 through the second inlets 118. The heated air mixes with the ambient air flowing in the annular conduit 112, which tends to reduce the temperature of the heated air to a more acceptable level. Then, the heated air is further cooled and condenses to form a vapor or aerosol that can be inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece 18, as indicated by arrow 42.

[0064] Alternative cartridges may be used with the electronic vapor inhalers 10, 110, or other suitably configured electronic vapor inhalers described hereinafter.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 3, a cartridge 44 is shown that includes a tubular (which may be cylindrical) inductively heatable element 46. The tubular inductively heatable element 46 has a wall 48 with inner and outer wall surfaces 50, 52, and the flavor release medium 54 is attached to both the inner wall surface 50 and the outer wall surface 52. In other embodiments, the flavor release medium 54 is attached to only one of the inner wall surface 50 and the outer wall surface 52.

[0066] Figures 4a and 4b show a cartridge 56 that is similar to the cartridge 44 of FIG. 3, with corresponding components being identified using corresponding reference numerals. Within the cartridge 56 of FIGS. 4a and 4b, a tubular inductively heatable element 46 (which is cylindrical in the illustrated embodiment) includes perforations 58 such that air can flow through a wall 48 between an inner wall surface 50 and an outer wall surface 52.

[0067] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a cartridge 60 comprising an elongate rod-shaped inductively heatable element 62, which is typically circular in cross-section, although not limited thereto. The cartridge 60 further comprises a fragrance release medium 64 surrounding the inductively heatable element 62. For example, a heat-insulating, electrically insulating, and non-magnetic protective sleeve 66 in the form of a paper overlap with an open end surrounds the fragrance release medium 64 and may advantageously hold it in a predetermined position, particularly when the fragrance release medium 64 contains fine fragments or particles of material. In other embodiments, the fragrance release medium 64 may comprise woven fibers, which may be sufficient to hold the fibrous fragrance release medium 64 in a predetermined position around the inductively heatable element 62 without the need for a protective sleeve 66.

[0068] FIG. 6 shows a cartridge 68 comprising a tubular (which may be cylindrical) inductively heatable element 70. The tubular inductively heatable element 70 comprises a wall 72 having inner and outer wall surfaces 74, 76, and a fragrance release medium 78 is provided only around the outer wall surface 76 to surround the tubular inductively heatable element 70. Thus, there is no fragrance release medium 78 within an interior 80 of the tubular inductively heatable element 70.

[0069] For example, a heat-insulating, electrically insulating, and non-magnetic protective sleeve 82 in the form of a paper overlap with open ends surrounds the fragrance-emitting medium 78 and, in particular, may advantageously be held in place, especially when the fragrance-emitting medium 78 contains fine fragments or particles of material. In other embodiments, the fragrance-emitting medium 78 may comprise woven fibers, which may be sufficient to hold the fibrous fragrance-emitting medium 78 in place around the inductively heatable element 70 without the need for a protective sleeve 82.

[0070] In a variant implementation of the cartridge 68 (not shown), the tubular inductively heatable element 70 includes perforations such that air can flow through the wall 72 between the inner wall surface 74 and the outer wall surface 76.

[0071] Referring now to FIG. 7, a cartridge 84 is shown comprising a fragrance-emitting medium 86 in the form of fine fragments or pellets, particles, flakes, or fibers. In the illustrated embodiment, a paper overlap is provided to function as a protective sleeve 88, but as described for the above embodiments, the protective sleeve may be omitted if, for example, the fragrance-emitting medium 86 includes woven fibers that allow it to retain its shape without the support structure provided by the protective sleeve 88.

[0072] The cartridge 84 further comprises an inductively heatable material 90 in the form of particles of material that are individually inductively heated in the presence of an electromagnetic field. The particles of inductively heatable material 90 are typically, but not limited to, uniformly dispersed in the fragrance-emitting medium.

[0073] In the foregoing paragraphs, although exemplary embodiments have been described, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments. Each feature disclosed in this specification, including the claims and the drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0074] The cartridges 26, 44, 56, 60, 68, 84 have been described for use with the electronic vaporizers 10, 110, but it is understood that they may be used with electronic vaporizers having alternative configurations.

[0075] Although not shown, either of the electronic vaporizers 10, 110 may be provided with an airflow control mechanism to enable a user to control the airflow flowing through the inlets 38, 116. For example, the airflow control mechanism may include means for changing the size of the openings of the inlets 38, 116 to restrict the flow of air into the inlets 38, 116.

[0076] In any of the foregoing embodiments, it may be desirable to provide a heat insulating material between the inductively heatable element and the flavor emitting medium to reduce the rate of heat transfer to the flavor emitting medium.

[0077] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the terms "comprise", "comprising", etc. in the specification and claims are to be construed in an inclusive sense, i.e., in the sense of "including, but not limited to", as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense.

[0078] Any combination of all possible variations of the above features is included in the present invention, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly inconsistent with the context.

[0079] Further embodiments are described as Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 43 below. Embodiment 1 A cartridge for an electronic vaporizer, the cartridge comprising: a long induction heatable element; and a flavor release medium attached to the surface of the long induction heatable element. Embodiment 2 The cartridge according to embodiment 1, wherein the flavor release medium is attached to the outer surface of the long induction heatable element. Embodiment 3 The cartridge according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the long induction heatable element comprises a rod or wire having a solid cross-section. Embodiment 4 The cartridge according to embodiment 1, wherein the long induction heatable element comprises a tube having a wall with an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface. Embodiment 5 The cartridge according to embodiment 4, wherein the flavor release medium is attached to the inner wall surface. Embodiment 6 The cartridge according to embodiment 4 or 5, wherein the flavor release medium is attached to the outer wall surface. Embodiment 7 The cartridge according to any one of embodiments 4 to 6, wherein the tubular induction heatable element comprises one or more openings in the wall for allowing air to flow therethrough. Embodiment 8 The cartridge according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, further comprising a heat insulating layer between the induction heatable element and the flavor release medium. Embodiment 9 A cartridge for an electronic vaporizer, the cartridge comprising: a long induction heatable element having a solid cross-section; and a flavor release medium surrounding the long induction heatable element. Embodiment 10 The cartridge according to embodiment 9, wherein the long induction heatable element comprises a rod or wire. Embodiment 11 The cartridge according to embodiment 9 or 10, comprising a protective sleeve surrounding the fragrance release medium. Embodiment 12 The cartridge according to embodiment 11, wherein the protective sleeve comprises a heat insulating material that is also electrically insulating and non-magnetic. Embodiment 13 The cartridge according to embodiment 11 or 12, wherein the protective sleeve is tubular and has an open end. Embodiment 14 The cartridge according to embodiment 13, wherein the long induction heatable element and the tubular protective sleeve are coaxial. Embodiment 15 The cartridge according to any one of embodiments 9 to 14, further comprising a heat insulating layer between the induction heatable element and the fragrance release medium. Embodiment 16 A cartridge for an electronic vapor inhaler, the cartridge comprising a tubular induction heatable element, and a fragrance release medium provided only so as to surround the tubular induction heatable element, whereby there is a fragrance release medium that does not exist inside the tubular induction heatable element. Embodiment 17 The cartridge according to embodiment 16, wherein the tubular induction heatable element comprises one or more openings in its wall surrounded by the fragrance release medium to allow air to flow through the wall. Embodiment 18 The cartridge according to embodiment 16 or 17, comprising a protective sleeve surrounding the fragrance release medium. Embodiment 19 The cartridge according to embodiment 18, wherein the protective sleeve comprises a heat insulating material that is also electrically insulating and non-magnetic. Embodiment 20 The cartridge according to embodiment 18 or 19, wherein the protective sleeve is tubular and has an open end. Embodiment 21 The cartridge according to embodiment 20 or 17, wherein the tubular inductively heatable element and the tubular protective sleeve are coaxial. Embodiment 22 The cartridge according to any one of embodiments 16 to 21, further comprising a heat insulating layer between the inductively heatable element and the fragrance emitting medium. Embodiment 23 A cartridge for an electronic vapor inhaler, the cartridge comprising a fragrance emitting medium and an inductively heatable material dispersed in the fragrance emitting medium. Embodiment 24 The cartridge according to embodiment 23, wherein the inductively heatable material is a particulate material. Embodiment 25 The cartridge according to embodiment 23 or 24, the cartridge comprising a protective sleeve surrounding the fragrance emitting medium and an inductively heatable material dispersed within the protective sleeve. Embodiment 26 The cartridge according to embodiment 25, wherein the protective sleeve comprises a heat insulating material that is electrically insulating and non-magnetic. Embodiment 27 The cartridge according to embodiment 25 or 26, wherein the protective sleeve is tubular and has an open end cartridge. Embodiment 28 An electronic vapor inhaler, a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, a mouthpiece at the proximal end of the housing, a cartridge according to any one of embodiments 1 to 27 disposed within the housing, and an induction heating device arranged to inductively heat the inductively heatable element and thereby heat the fragrance emitting medium. Embodiment 29 The electronic vapor inhaler according to embodiment 28, wherein the induction heating device comprises an induction coil. Embodiment 30 The electronic vapor inhaler according to embodiment 28 or 29, wherein the housing includes a chamber in which the cartridge is disposed. Embodiment 31 The electronic vapor inhaler according to any one of embodiments 28 to 30, further comprising a control device adapted to energize the induction heating device to substantially maintain the cartridge at a predetermined temperature. Embodiment 32 The electronic vapor inhaler according to embodiment 31, further comprising a temperature sensor for determining the cartridge temperature, wherein the control device is adapted to energize the induction heating device based on the determined temperature. Embodiment 33 The housing includes a conduit for delivering heated heat to the mouthpiece, the conduit including at least one first inlet for ambient air and at least one second inlet for heated air from the chamber, the conduit being arranged to provide a Venturi effect, whereby during use, when ambient air flows through the conduit such that it passes through the at least one second inlet, the heated air is drawn into the conduit from the chamber by the Venturi effect. The electronic vapor inhaler according to any one of embodiments 30 to 32. Embodiment 34 The electronic vapor inhaler according to embodiment 33, wherein the conduit is an annular conduit surrounding the chamber. Embodiment 35 The electronic vapor inhaler according to embodiment 34, wherein the annular conduit includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced first inlets formed in the housing and a plurality of circumferentially spaced second inlets formed in the peripheral wall of the chamber. Embodiment 36 An electronic vapor inhaler, A housing having a mouthpiece at one end, An induction heating device arranged to inductively heat an induction heatable element of a cartridge or capsule inserted into the housing to heat a flavor emitting medium in the cartridge or capsule. A control device arranged to excite the induction heating device to inductively heat the induction heatable element and thereby heat the flavor release medium. The control device is further arranged to recognize an inserted capsule or cartridge by detecting characteristics of the induction heatable element and to control the operation of the induction heating device based on the detected characteristics, an electronic vapor inhaler. Embodiment 37 The control device is arranged to control the operation of the induction heating device to provide a predetermined heating profile. The electronic vapor inhaler according to embodiment 36, wherein the control device is arranged to control the operation of the induction heating device. Embodiment 38 The control device is arranged to detect a change in an electromagnetic field generated by an interaction between the induction heatable element and the induction heating device while a capsule or cartridge is being inserted into the housing, the electronic vapor inhaler according to embodiment 36 or 37. Embodiment 39 The induction heating device comprises an induction coil, the electronic vapor inhaler according to any one of embodiments 36 to 38. Embodiment 40 The housing includes a chamber in which the cartridge is disposed, the electronic vapor inhaler according to any one of embodiments 36 to 39. Embodiment 41 The cartridge is as defined in any one of embodiments 1 to 27, the electronic vapor inhaler according to any one of embodiments 36 to 40. Embodiment 42 A cartridge for an electronic vapor inhaler that is substantially as described in embodiments 1 to 41 and / or as shown in any one or more of the accompanying drawings. Embodiment 43 An electronic vapor inhaler that is substantially as described in embodiments 1 to 42 and / or as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 1a of the accompanying drawings.

Claims

1. A housing including a chamber configured to receive a cartridge having an inductively heatable element and a flavor emitting medium, An induction coil extending around the chamber, A control device configured to read the insertion of the cartridge based on a change in an electromagnetic field generated by an interaction between the inductively heatable element and the induction coil while the cartridge is inserted into the chamber, and to energize the induction coil to inductively heat the inductively heatable element when the insertion of the cartridge is read, thereby heating the flavor emitting medium according to a predetermined heating profile, A cartridge having a long, solid cross-section inductively heatable element and a flavor emitting medium surrounding the long inductively heatable element, The cartridge has a protective sleeve surrounding the flavor emitting medium, and the protective sleeve has a paper overlap, an electronic vapor inhaler.

2. The electronic vapor inhaler according to claim 1, The housing is a long housing having a proximal end and a distal end, and the chamber is disposed at the proximal end of the housing, an electronic vapor inhaler.

3. The electronic vapor inhaler according to claim 2, The induction coil is wound around the chamber such that it has two spaced-apart ends, one end disposed closer to the proximal end of the housing than the distal end of the housing and the other end disposed closer to the distal end of the housing than the proximal end of the housing, an electronic vapor inhaler.

4. The electronic vapor inhaler according to claim 3, During the insertion of the cartridge, the inductively heatable element is gradually surrounded by the induction coil such that initially only a part of the inductively heatable element is disposed between the two ends of the induction coil and finally the whole of the inductively heatable element is disposed between the two ends of the induction coil, an electronic vapor inhaler.

5. In the electronic vapor inhaler according to claim 3 or 4, When the cartridge is inserted into the chamber, the whole of the inductively heatable element is disposed between the two ends of the induction coil within the chamber, an electronic vapor inhaler.

6. In the electronic vapor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The housing includes one or more air inlets through which air can flow into the chamber, an electronic vapor inhaler.

7. In the electronic vapor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The control device further Determines the temperature of the cartridge, And is configured to energize the induction coil based on the determined temperature of the cartridge, an electronic vapor inhaler.

8. In the electronic vapor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The control device is further configured to energize the induction coil so as to maintain the cartridge at a substantially constant predetermined temperature, an electronic vapor inhaler.

9. In the electronic vapor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The protective sleeve is tubular and has open ends at both ends, an electronic vapor inhaler.

10. In the electronic vapor inhaler according to claim 9, The elongate inductively heatable element and the tubular protective sleeve are coaxial, an electronic vapor inhaler.

11. In the electronic vapor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the inductively heatable element is solid and has a constant cross-section in the lateral direction, an electronic vapor inhaler.

12. In the electronic vapor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the flavor release medium contains tobacco or tobacco material, an electronic vapor inhaler.

13. In the electronic vapor inhaler according to claim 12, the tobacco or the tobacco material is impregnated with a vapor-forming medium, an electronic vapor inhaler.

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