Disposable tank-type electronic cigarettes, manufacturing methods and methods of use

Abstract

To provide an electronic cigarette having a disposable tank.SOLUTION: An electronic cigarette device having a disposable tank is disclosed. The disposable tank includes a sealed liquid chamber, an atomizer element and a tank well. The disposable tank is provided with: a housing having a power source; a disposable tank holding electronic cigarette liquid; and a connection mechanism. The housing has a tank receptacle to which the disposable tank is removably attached. The connection mechanism is part of the disposable tank and the tank receptacle. The connection mechanism firmly and securely connects the disposable tank to the tank receptacle and provides power from the housing to the disposable tank.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of 35 U.S.C. 119e and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 059,095, entitled "Disposable Tank Electronic Cigarette, Methods of Making and Using," filed October 2, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to electronic cigarettes, and more particularly to electronic cigarettes having disposable tanks. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, electronic cigarettes have become popular as an alternative to cigarettes and cigars. An electronic cigarette is a device that contains a nicotine-containing liquid that is vaporized by the electronic cigarette, allowing users to enjoy the sensation of smoking in public and the benefits of nicotine without the other harmful side effects of smoking regular cigarettes or cigars. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Many electronic cigarettes sold today have tanks that users must manually refill. Electronic cigarette liquid, commonly known as e-liquid, contains nicotine and other ingredients, such as flavorings. Manually refilling the tank is tedious and requires users to come into contact with sticky, messy nicotine-containing e-liquid. While e-liquid is not harmful at normal levels of contact, users often use what are known as "open tank" systems, which require frequent manual refills. This manual refilling process consistently leaves residue on users' fingers and in the tank and battery systems that are part of open tank systems.

[0005] In the above-mentioned open tank systems, replacing the atomizer (wick and coil) when it wears out (about once a week) is complicated and requires practice and professional assistance. Furthermore, in the case of open tank systems with a tubular design ("tubular device design"), the tubular device design is not only cumbersome and prone to rolling off the surface on which the system is placed, but also cannot be easily carried in a pocket.

[0006] Many open-tank systems use an industry-standard 510 connection to connect the e-liquid-containing tank to the mouthpiece. The standard 510 connection has drawbacks for attaching the tank to the battery unit. Furthermore, attaching the tank by screwing it onto the rest of the device is not the most efficient method of attachment, and the connection can easily break if, for example, a user sits on the device while it's in their pocket. Furthermore, this connection can lead to e-liquid leakage. This can be extremely troublesome when the e-cigarette is stored in a bag during airplane travel or when the user is carrying the e-cigarette.

[0007] Furthermore, it is difficult to change the flavor of e-liquid in an open tank system. Specifically, because the tank can only hold one flavor of e-liquid at a time, users must own multiple tanks, which are expensive, in order to change flavors. Or, they must discard the old e-liquid, clean the tank, and then refill the tank with e-liquid. In other words, using various flavors of e-liquid in an open tank system is not only costly, but also laborious and time-consuming.

[0008] Some systems use a custom bottle that attaches to the bottom of the battery unit to prevent the user from exposing themselves to e-liquid. While this design makes it easier to change flavors, these systems still require the user to manually change the atomizer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a disposable tank-type electronic cigarette. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a left rear perspective view of an embodiment of a disposable tank-type electronic cigarette. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1 is a left side view showing one embodiment of a disposable tank-type electronic cigarette. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1 is a plan rear view of one embodiment of a disposable tank-type electronic cigarette. [Figure 1E] FIG. 1 is a right side view showing one embodiment of a disposable tank-type electronic cigarette. [Figure 1F] 1 is a right rear perspective view of an embodiment of a disposable tank-type electronic cigarette. FIG. [Figure 1G] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a disposable tank-type electronic cigarette. [Figure 2] An exploded view of a disposable tank e-cigarette. [Figure 3] A detailed view of the disposable tank of a disposable tank e-cigarette. [Figure 4]A detailed view of the bottom of the disposable tank and the tank connection part of the e-cigarette. [Figure 5A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable tank installed in a housing. [Figure 5B] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable tank installed in a housing. [Figure 5C] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable tank installed in a housing. [Figure 6A] FIG. 1 is a side view of a disposable tank installed in a housing. [Figure 6B] FIG. 1 is a side view of a disposable tank installed in a housing. [Figure 6C] FIG. 1 is a side view of a disposable tank installed in a housing. [Figure 7A] 1 is a more detailed view of the disposable tank installed in the housing. [Figure 7B] 1 is a more detailed view of the disposable tank installed in the housing. [Figure 7C] 1 is a more detailed view of the disposable tank installed in the housing. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for inserting a disposable tank into an electronic cigarette. [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for removing a disposable tank from an electronic cigarette. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a mechanism for sealing and unsealing the disposable tank. [Figure 11A] FIG. 10 shows a detailed view of the middle section of the disposable tank. [Figure 11B] FIG. 10 shows the middle section of the disposable tank in more detail. [Figure 11C] FIG. 10 shows the middle section of the disposable tank in more detail. [Figure 11D] FIG. 10 shows the middle section of the disposable tank in more detail. [Figure 11E] FIG. 10 shows the middle section of the disposable tank in more detail. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 shows a more detailed view of the middle part of the disposable tank with the atomizer. [Figure 13]FIG. 10 shows a more detailed view of the middle part of the disposable tank with the atomizer. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 shows the connection between the housing and the disposable tank in more detail. [Figure 15A] Side view of a disposable tank e-cigarette showing airflow. [Figure 15B] Cross section of a disposable tank e-cigarette showing airflow. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing another embodiment of the tank body 210. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 shows the atomizer element in more detail. [Figure 18A] FIG. 1 shows the assembly of the atomizer element, wick and heating portion of the device. [Figure 18B] FIG. 1 shows the assembly of the atomizer element, wick and heating portion of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present disclosure is particularly applicable to electronic cigarette devices with disposable tanks having the designs described below. The present disclosure is described herein. The device, method of manufacture, and method of use of the present invention may have other configurations, methods of operation, and the like that are within the scope of the present disclosure, making the device highly useful. Therefore, it should be understood that the examples described below are merely illustrative of the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0011] E-cigarette devices contain one or more atomizers (e.g., a wick and a heating element) that are integrated into a disposable tank, completely sealing the e-liquid to prevent user contact, a much more effective solution than currently available.

[0012] 1A-1G are a top view, a left rear perspective view, a left side view, a top rear view, a right side view, a right rear perspective view, and a bottom view, respectively, illustrating an embodiment of a disposable tank electronic device 100. The device 100 includes a housing 102 formed of a suitable material, such as plastic or metal. The housing houses the various components of the device 100. The housing is, for example, smaller in size than a deck of cards. A disposable tank 104 is removably attached to the housing. The disposable tank 104 may be formed of the same material as the housing. The disposable tank 104 contains e-liquid (liquid) to be vaporized by the device 100, as described below. The disposable tank 104 is discarded when the e-liquid in the tank 104 is depleted or when a user desires to change the type of e-liquid being vaporized. As described in more detail below, the tank includes an atomizer element. Furthermore, the tank can have a variety of different shapes and configurations. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1G, the tank has a hollow rectangular shape so that it can contain e-liquid and fit within the housing 102.

[0013] The disposable tank 104 is a closed tank system in which the e-liquid is contained in a compartment separate from the housing 102 until the disposable tank 104 is attached to the housing 102 containing the other components of the device 100. A closed tank system means that the e-liquid remains separate from the heating element of the device 100 during transport. Furthermore, once the disposable tank 104 is removed from the housing 102, the disposable tank 104 reseals itself to prevent e-liquid leakage.

[0014] The reservoir 104 includes a mouthpiece 106 that can be positioned at various locations on the reservoir. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1G, the mouthpiece is positioned adjacent to one side of the reservoir. The housing 102 includes a user interface device 108, such as a button, that allows a user to turn the device 100 on or off. Additionally, the user interface device 108 can be activated by being pressed, which activates an atomizer element to vaporize a portion of the e-liquid. The user can then inhale / puff the vaporized e-liquid through the mouthpiece 106. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1G, the user interface device 108 is positioned at the top of the housing, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1E, and 1F, although the user interface device 108 may be positioned elsewhere on the housing.

[0015] In one embodiment, the user interface device 108 is used to turn the device on; for example, pressing the user interface device 108 three times in quick succession turns the device on. Similarly, pressing the user interface device three times turns the device 100 off. After the device is in "on" mode, pressing the user interface device 108 once places the device 100 in "fire" mode. Two metal "posts" on the device are designed to contact a metal coil on the disposable tank when the disposable tank is installed, and in "fire" mode, power is supplied to the metal coil through the "posts." The power supplied to the coil heats an element, vaporizing the e-liquid drawn from the tank. Releasing the user interface device 108 immediately stops the flow of current and vaporization.

[0016] Additionally, the device 100 includes a display screen 110 that displays various data related to the device 100. For example, in one embodiment, the display 110 displays the current wattage of power being applied to the atomizer to vaporize the e-liquid and the remaining battery power in the device 100. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1G, the display 110 is located on one side of the housing, as shown in FIGS. 1E and 1F. However, the display 110 may be located elsewhere on the housing. The housing also includes a set of controls 112, such as buttons, that allow a user to adjust the power level of the device. When activated, the set of controls 112 sends a signal to the device's software, which then adjusts the amount of power delivered to the tank's coil the next time the main button is pressed to ignite the device 100. Each time the up or down button is pressed, a new wattage limit is set. The user can set the wattage level according to personal preference, as each level setting may result in a different flavor experience when using the device 100. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1A to 1G, the set of control units 112 is located on one side of the housing, as shown in Figures 1E and 1F, but the set of control units 112 may also be located in other locations on the housing.

[0017] 2 is an exploded view of the disposable tank-type electronic cigarette 100. As shown, the housing 102 further includes a first outer portion 200, a middle portion 202, and a second outer portion 204, which are assembled together to form the housing 102. The formed housing includes a tank receptacle 209 for the disposable tank. The tank receptacle 209 is located on the opposite side from the display 110 and receives the disposable tank inserted by a user. The disposable tank 104 is held in place by a tank spring on one side and by tank connectors on the bottom and the other side. The tank connectors include metal posts that pass through the tank connector and contact the atomizer coil when the tank is inserted by a user.

[0018] The second outer portion has one or more detents 205 that mate with the first outer portion 200 to assemble the first outer portion 200, the intermediate portion 202, and the second outer portion 204. As shown in FIG. 2 , the assembled housing 102 includes a battery 206 and a circuit board 208. The battery provides power to the device 100. The circuit board includes electronic circuitry and wiring for powering and controlling components such as the atomizer element, the user interface, and the display. The circuit board 208 includes, for example, at least one microprocessor or microcontroller, memory, and software. The software is stored in the memory and executed by the processor to manage the operation of the circuitry within the device 100.

[0019] FIG. 3 shows the disposable tank of the disposable tank-type electronic cigarette in detail. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the disposable tank 104 further includes a tank body 210 having a mouthpiece 106 and containing e-liquid. The disposable tank 104 further includes a middle portion 212, an atomizer element 214 (including a heating element and a wick element, which will be described in detail below), and a tank well portion 216 to which the atomizer element 214 is fixed. The middle portion 212 is formed from silicone. The middle portion 212, the atomizer element 214, and the lower portion 216 are connected to one another. The middle portion 212, the atomizer element 214, and the tank well portion 216 prevent e-liquid from leaking from the tank and also accommodate the atomizer element 214, ensuring that the e-liquid comes into contact with the atomizer element 214 and vaporizes. The e-liquid is released from the disposable tank 104 and vaporized, for example, when the disposable tank 104 is inserted into the housing 102. Additionally, the middle portion 212, atomizer element 214, and tank well portion 216 provide a catch basin for any leaked e-liquid. In some embodiments, the tank 104 (and its components) is pre-assembled, pre-filled with e-liquid, and sealed prior to user use. In one embodiment, the tank body material and atomizer element may be selected with the expectation that a typical user will discard the disposable tank after approximately 24 hours of use.

[0020] The tank body 210 can be made of plastic, polycarbonate, or other materials to safely hold various liquids while preventing the tank from cracking or leaking. The middle portion 212, which seals the atomizer element 214, tank body 210, and tank well portion 216 together, can be made of silicone. The middle portion 212 also has a groove for holding the atomizer element 214.

[0021] Returning to FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 4, the housing 102 further includes one or more metal posts 220 and a bottom 222 to which the metal posts 220 are connected. The housing also includes a metal strip 224 electrically connected to the one or more metal posts 220. The one or more metal posts 220, the bottom 222, and the metal strip 224 are fixed to the housing. The metal strip 224 has an elbow region 225 (biased by a metal spring force away from the wall of the housing 102) that is attached to the housing, and the elbow region connects the housing 102 and the disposable tank 104 in a snap-fit ​​manner when the housing 102 is placed in the housing 102. Note that the elbow region 225 is not shown in FIG. 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the assembled parts 212-216 each include one or more shoulder regions 400. The elbow region 225 is connected to the shoulder region in a snap-fit ​​manner when the disposable tank 104 is placed in the housing.

[0022] 4, the bottom portion 222 has a pair of upper posts 402 (above the bottom portion 222) that contact (and provide electrical energy to) the atomizer element 214 when the disposable tank 104 (including the atomizer element 214) is installed in the housing. Additionally, the bottom portion 222 has a positive terminal 404 and a negative terminal 406 on its bottom surface. The positive and negative terminals are connected to a power source in the housing 102, providing a connection between the power source and the pair of upper posts 402.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2 , the middle (or central) section 202 is formed from plastic or metal and serves as the portion to which various other components of the housing are connected. To facilitate this, the middle section 202 includes an inner rack to which the other internal components are attached. For example, the inner rack holds a power source, such as a battery, a circuit board, and an inductive charging receiver coil. The inductive charging receiver coil allows the power source to be recharged via well-known inductively coupled charging. The display 110 is located inside the device 100. The display is an OLED display screen that indicates the device's current status and various settings customized by the user. The display 110 is viewable through a display lens located on one side of the device. The first outer section 200 and the second outer section 204 are decorative and practical side panels. These outer sections help seal the device 100 from minor exposure to debris and the elements. Furthermore, users can replace these panels with various commercially available panels to suit their preferences.

[0024] The device 100 can be assembled by various methods within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the process of assembling the housing includes the following steps a) to g): a) the inner rack is screwed to the outer frame; b) the circuit board and buttons are inserted into the device and attached to the inner rack; c) the display lens is inserted inside the device, and the display is placed inside the display lens; d) the battery is inserted onto the inner rack and connected to the circuit board; e) the inductive charging coil is attached to the charging circuit and the battery; f) the tank connector with a metal post and the tank spring are screwed to the device frame; g) the metal post is wired to the circuit board for power supply. The process of assembling the disposable tank 104 includes, for example, the following steps a) to c): a) the atomizer element 214 is engaged in a groove formed in the middle portion 212; b) the tank body 210, middle portion 212, and tank well portion 216 are assembled together to form a watertight seal; and c) the tank is permanently sealed along its outer edges by sonic welding. In some embodiments, an absorbent material may be provided at the bottom of the tank well portion 216 to capture excess fluid that accidentally spills out the bottom of the middle portion 212. The absorbent material may be appropriately cut so that its shape does not interfere with the pressure generated within the tank connection when the user attaches the tank to the device.

[0025] FIGS. 5A-5C are perspective views of the disposable tank 104 installed in the housing 102. FIGS. 6A-6C are side views of the disposable tank 104 installed in the housing 102. FIGS. 7A-7C are more detailed views of the disposable tank 104 installed in the housing 103. As shown in FIGS. 5A-6C, the disposable tank is installed in the housing 102. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, one or more metal posts 220, a base 222, and a metal strip 224 are attached and secured to the housing 102. As shown in FIG. 7B, the housing 102 has a shoulder region 700. The shoulder region helps to hold the disposable tank 104 in place. As shown in key portions C and D of FIG. 7C, when the disposable tank 104 is installed in the housing 102, the shoulder region 700 interacts with a portion of the disposable tank 104, and the elbow region 225 of the spring-biased metal strip 224 interacts with one or more shoulder regions 400 of the housing 102. This creates a friction fit to hold the disposable tank 104 in the housing 102. The friction fit is released by the user applying force to remove the disposable tank 104.

[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 for inserting a disposable tank into an e-cigarette device, and FIG. 9 illustrates a method 900 for removing a disposable tank from an e-cigarette device. As shown in FIG. 8 , the method 800 for inserting a disposable tank includes a user obtaining the disposable tank and removing its packaging (802). The user then places the disposable tank into the tank receptacle of the housing (804). For example, the user may hook a corner of the bottom of the tank onto the shoulder region 700, snapping the disposable tank into place. As another example, the user may drop the disposable tank straight onto the tank connector (comprising one or more metal posts 220, a bottom 222, and a metal strip 224 attached to the housing 102) to snap the disposable tank into place. In either case, the disposable tank 104 is held in place by an appropriate level of force from the elbow region 225 and the tank connector. Once the tank is inserted, pressure from the tank connector on the middle section begins to cause e-liquid to flow into the atomizer chamber (806).

[0027] As shown in Figure 9, method 900 includes a user applying a lateral force to the disposable tank away from the housing (902). The application of force (overcoming the force from the elbow region 225 and the tank connection) results in the disposable tank being released (904). Once the disposable tank is released, the intermediate section returns to a neutral position, stopping the drawing of liquid into the chamber and sealing the removed tank (906). The user can discard the tank and replace it with a new disposable tank.

[0028] 10 shows a mechanism for sealing and unsealing the disposable reservoir 104 with the mouthpiece 106. When the disposable reservoir 104 is installed in the housing, the post 1000 on the middle section 212 is pushed up by a raised portion on the bottom 222, causing the liquid in the reservoir to flow down and wet the wick of the atomizer element 214. Similarly, when the reservoir is removed from the housing 102, the post 100 returns to the closed position, sealing the liquid in the reservoir.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 10, the tank well portion 216 includes a storage reservoir / overflow tank 1002. In one embodiment, the storage reservoir 1002, with its bottom left portion positioned directly below the mouthpiece, holds excess e-liquid that is drawn up from the other side of the tank but does not vaporize. This space prevents e-liquid from flowing into other areas of the tank and coming into contact with the user through the air vent. Because the tank is disposable, the tank is designed to hold enough e-liquid for a typical 24-hour period.

[0030] 11A-11E show the disposable tank's middle section 212 in more detail. The middle section 212 includes terminals 406, 408 on its bottom side, a post 1000, and a groove 1002. Before the disposable tank 104 is attached to the housing 102, the tank's components form a positive seal, preventing liquid from flowing out of the upper region of the tank before the disposable tank is inserted into the housing 102. The tank's silicone portion is designed so that, when the tank is attached to the housing, the silicone portion is displaced into the tank by the housing (by the post 1000 pushing against it) enough to initiate liquid flow into the lower region of the tank, including the atomizer element 214. Pressure from the main device against the inserted tank's silicone expands the silicone portion to form a secondary seal at the bottom of the tank, preventing liquid from flowing from the bottom of the tank into the main device.

[0031] The tank can be removed from the housing at any time, for example, when a user wants to replace it with one containing a different flavor of e-liquid. As soon as the tank is removed, the inner silicone portion returns to its previous sealing position and re-seals the e-liquid. As a result, e-liquid will only flow when the tank is fully inserted into the appropriate base unit, and will not flow when the tank is freestanding, such as during tank transportation or after manually removing a partially used tank.

[0032] 12 and 13 show in more detail the middle section 212 of the disposable tank, which includes the atomizer element 214. The atomizer element 214 includes a U-shaped wick element 1200. The atomizer element 214 also includes a heating element 1202. The heating element may be located, for example, in the center of the U-shaped wick element. In one embodiment, the heating element 1202 includes a coil 1204 for vaporizing e-liquid and a first electrode 1206 and a second electrode 1208, respectively, at the ends of the coil. As shown in FIG. 13, when the atomizer element 214 is positioned in the middle section 212, the electrodes 1206 and 1208 are electrically connected to terminals 406 and 408. The terminals 406 and 408 are electrically connected to a power source, and thus the atomizer element 214 is also directly connected to the power source. In one embodiment, the wick element 1200 may be formed from silica, cotton, or a ceramic material. The electrodes (wires) 1206, 1208 and coil 1204 may be formed from nickel-chromium or other conductive metals. In another embodiment, the wick element 1200 and heating element 1202 are both formed from a ceramic material that draws up and heats the e-liquid. Figure 14 shows in detail the connection between the housing 102 and the disposable tank 104 when the disposable tank 104 is attached to the housing 102.

[0033] 15A and 15B are side and cross-sectional views of a disposable tank-style e-cigarette, illustrating airflow. As shown, air enters the device through an air inlet and flows downward, interacting with a wick element 1200 and coil 1204, which vaporizes the e-liquid. The vaporized e-liquid is then inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece 106. The airflow shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B reduces the likelihood of condensation within the device.

[0034] 16 shows another embodiment of the tank body 210. The disposable tank 104 further comprises a tank body 210 that contains e-liquid and has a mouthpiece 106. The disposable tank 104 further comprises a middle portion 212, an atomizer element 213 (including a heating element and a wick element, as described in more detail below), and a tank well portion 216 to which the atomizer element 214 is fixed. The middle portion 212 is formed from silicone. The middle portion 212, the atomizer element 214, and the lower portion 216 are connected to each other. The middle portion 212, the atomizer element 214, and the tank well portion 216 prevent e-liquid from leaking from the tank and also accommodate the atomizer element 213, ensuring that the e-liquid comes into contact with the atomizer element 213 and vaporizes. The e-liquid can be released from the disposable tank 104 and vaporized, for example, when the disposable tank 104 is inserted into the housing 102. Additionally, the middle portion 212, atomizer element 213, and tank well portion 216 provide a catch basin for any leaked e-liquid. In some embodiments, the tank 104 (and its components) is pre-assembled, pre-filled with e-liquid, and sealed prior to user use. In one embodiment, the tank body material and atomizer element may be selected with the expectation that a typical user will discard the disposable tank after approximately 24 hours of use.

[0035] The tank body 210 can be made of plastic, polycarbonate, or other materials to safely hold various liquids while preventing the tank from cracking or leaking. The middle portion 212, which seals the atomizer element 213, the tank body 210, and the tank well portion 216 together, can be made of silicone. The middle portion 212 also has a groove for holding the atomizer element 213.

[0036] 17 and 18A-18B show the assembly of an atomizer unit including a wick element 102 and a coil element 104. As shown in FIG. 15B, the elements form an integrated component that partially guides the liquid to be vaporized and holds the coil 214 adjacent to the heating element 212.

[0037] The foregoing description has been set forth with reference to specific embodiments for purposes of illustration. However, the illustrative description is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to optimally utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments, with various modifications, as may be appropriate for the particular use intended.

[0038] Although reference has been made above to particular embodiments of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications may be made to the above embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, the scope of which may be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A removable tank device for use with an electronic cigarette, comprising: a body having a space for holding a liquid to be vaporized by the electronic cigarette; A heating element; a mechanical connection configured to removably attach the tank device to the electronic cigarette; an electrical connection mechanism configured to connect the heating element to a power source in the electronic cigarette when the tank device is attached to the electronic cigarette; an air inlet on a first side of the tank apparatus; a mouthpiece defining an air outlet in fluid communication with the air inlet; a flow path for air; Equipped with In the flow path, the air flows from the air inlet towards the heating element, then inwardly away from the first side, through the heating element and wick element, and then through the air outlet and the mouthpiece; 10. The device, wherein the tank device further comprises a sealing mechanism configured to seal the liquid within the tank device when the tank device is not attached to the electronic cigarette.

2. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the sealing mechanism is configured to expel the liquid when the tank device is attached to the electronic cigarette.

3. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the sealing mechanism is configured to expel the liquid from the space to an area adjacent to the heating element when the tank device is attached to the electronic cigarette.

4. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the sealing mechanism has an intermediate portion configured to move when the tank device is attached to the electronic cigarette to release the liquid from the space into the region.

5. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the middle portion is made of silicone.

6. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the intermediate portion is configured to expand under pressure to form a secondary seal to prevent the liquid from entering the electronic cigarette.

7. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the sealing mechanism reseals the liquid within the reservoir device when the reservoir device is removed from the electronic cigarette.

8. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wick element is wetted by the liquid, and the wet wick element is heated by the heating element to vaporize the liquid.

9. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating element is a coil.

10. the heating element includes a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on opposite sides of the coil; 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode electrically connect the coil to the power source.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising an airflow mechanism.

12. The device described in claim 1, further comprising an attachment mechanism that engages with an attachment mechanism on the housing of the electronic cigarette.

13. the attachment mechanism is one or more shoulders; 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the one or more shoulders interact with a biasing strip on the housing to retain the tank device in the housing.

14. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the body is formed from a plastic such as polycarbonate.

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