E-cigarette personal vaporizer

Abstract

A user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge adapted to be inserted into or attached to a portable, personal storage and carrying case for an e-liquid e-cigarette PV. The combination of cartridge and case forms in normal use a portable, personal device for the storage and carrying of the PV and its re-filling with e-liquid.

1 . A user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge that in use transfers e-liquid from a parent e-liquid reservoir in the cartridge to a separate child e-liquid reservoir in an e-liquid e-cigarette PV, the separate child reservoir, when in use, being connected to, and delivering e-liquid to, an atomizer in the e-cigarette PV. 
     
     
         2 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the volume of the parent reservoir is at least three times greater than the volume of the child reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the cartridge is not re-fellable in normal use and is a closed system. 
     
     
         4 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the cartridge is push-fit insertable and does not require any unscrewing of the e-cigarette PV. 
     
     
         5 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the cartridge includes or interacts with a fluid transfer system adapted to transfer e-liquid from the parent reservoir to the child reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the fluid transfer system, for each activation, such as a pumping stroke, transfers an amount of e-liquid equivalent to a single cigarette. 
     
     
         7 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the cartridge includes a micro-pump to transfer e-liquid from the parent reservoir to the child reservoir. 
     
     
         8 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the cartridge is not part of a cartomiser or other unit that includes an atomizer. 
     
     
         9 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the cartridge engages with an e-liquid filling aperture positioned centrally along the long axis of the daughter reservoir to minimize any off-centre forces that could otherwise compromise e-liquid sealing. 
     
     
         10 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the fluid transfer system linking parent and child reservoirs includes a hollow tube or shaft that passes through a flexible seal that retains any drops of e-liquid. 
     
     
         11 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the fluid transfer system linking parent and child reservoirs includes a fluid trap and absorbent wicking to capture any fluid leakage. 
     
     
         12 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the child reservoir fills by moving relative to the parent reservoir to activate a pump or micro-pump. 
     
     
         13 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the child reservoir fills using a pump activated by being depressed and released. 
     
     
         14 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the child reservoir is in a device that can slide up and down relative to the parent reservoir. 
     
     
         15 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the child reservoir is filled from the parent reservoir until the pressure in the child reservoir equals the pressure in the parent reservoir. 
     
     
         16 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the cartridge is not substantially deformable in normal use. 
     
     
         17 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the cartridge includes an overflow channel that enables excess e-liquid that is pumped from the cartridge but is not stored in the child reservoir to be captured and returned to the parent reservoir. 
     
     
         18 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the cartridge is one of several cartridges that can be selected as desired by the user. 
     
     
         19 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the cartridge includes several compartments, each with a different e-liquid. 
     
     
         20 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the cartridge includes an RFID chip. 
     
     
         21 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the cartridge is removable and replaceable in normal use. 
     
     
         22 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the cartridge is adapted to detect or infer, or permit detection or inference, of the level or quantity of e-liquid in the cartridge to enable a signal to be sent indicating that a replacement cartridge is needed. 
     
     
         23 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 22  in which the signal is sent to a connected smartphone which in turn connects to an e-fulfillment platform. 
     
     
         24 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the parent reservoir contains nicotine equivalent to approximately one hundred cigarettes. 
     
     
         25 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the e-liquid includes nicotine and the PV is not a medicinal device but instead a device that in normal use replaces cigarettes, with the e-liquid being vapourised in the PV and the vapour inhaled to replicate or replace the experience of smoking a cigarette. 
     
     
         26 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the volume of the parent reservoir is no more than approximately 10 mL. 
     
     
         27 . The user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge of  claim 1  in which the volume of the child reservoir is no more than approximately 2 mL. 
     
     
         28 . Method of replenishing e-liquid for an e-liquid personal vapouriser comprising the step of transferring e-liquid from a user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge to a child reservoir that, when in use, is connected to, and delivers e-liquid to, an atomizer in the e-cigarette PV. 
     
     
         29 . Method for sending a signal relating to the status of a user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge for an e-cigarette personal vapouriser, the method including the steps of:
 (a) transferring e-liquid from the user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge to a child reservoir that is connected to, and delivers e-liquid to, an atomizer in the e-cigarette PV;   (b) automatically sending a signal requesting a replacement for that user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge to an e-fulfilment platform, either directly or via a connected smartphone.   
     
     
         30 . A portable personal e-cigarette personal vapourising system, the system including a user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge as defined in  claim 1 .