Electronic smoking article

Abstract

An electronic smoking article includes a first section containing a liquid supply reservoir including liquid material, a heater operable to heat the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol, and a wick in communication with the liquid material and operable to deliver the liquid material to the heater, and a second section containing a power supply. The first section is connected to the second section at a breakaway connection. The breakaway connection includes a weakened region.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A connector for a section of an electronic device, comprising:
 a major body including a stem and a base, the base including a cylindrical portion of the body, the stem extending from a distal end of the base,   the distal end of the base defining at least one air inlet in fluid communication with an internal area of the major body, wherein sidewalls of a rim of the at least one air inlet are beveled.   
     
     
         3 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the distal end of the base further defines an annular rim along at least a portion of a periphery of the base of the major body, the at least one air inlet penetrating the annular rim. 
     
     
         4 . The connector of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one air inlet enters the distal end of the base at an angle that is about 35 degrees to 50 degrees relative to a longitudinal centerline of the connector, the at least one air inlet being slanted toward an expected direction of air flow through the major body once the connector is attached to the section of the electronic device. 
     
     
         5 . The connector of  claim 4 , wherein the cylindrical portion of the base of the major body defines a cylindrical cavity that encircles the longitudinal centerline of the connector. 
     
     
         6 . The connector of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one air inlet includes two air inlets. 
     
     
         7 . The connector of  claim 6 , wherein the two air inlets are evenly spaced apart along a periphery of the annular rim of the base of the major body. 
     
     
         8 . The connector of  claim 3 , wherein the stem defines threads at a distal end of the stem, the connector being a male threaded connector. 
     
     
         9 . The connector of  claim 4 , wherein the major body includes a weakened region at a location along a longitudinal length of the major body, the weakened region being configured to cause the major body to break along a plane that is about perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the connector if the connector is bent beyond a threshold breaking force. 
     
     
         10 . The connector of  claim 9 , wherein the weakened region includes an annular recess defined by the stem of the connector, the stem further defining a plurality of holes traversing through the annular recess. 
     
     
         11 . An e-vaping device, comprising:
 a first section with a first end;   a second section with a second end;   a connector configured to connect the first end of the first section to the second end of the second section, the connector defining at least one air inlet in fluid communication with an internal area of the connector, wherein sidewalls of a rim of the at least one air inlet are beveled.   
     
     
         12 . The e-vaping device of  claim 11 , wherein the connector includes a stem and a base, the base including a cylindrical portion, the stem extending from a distal end of the base, the distal end of the base defining the at least one air inlet. 
     
     
         13 . The e-vaping device of  claim 12 , wherein the distal end of the base of the connector further defines an annular rim along at least a portion of a periphery of the base of the connector, the at least one air inlet penetrating the annular rim. 
     
     
         14 . The e-vaping device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one air inlet enters the distal end of the base of the connector at an angle that is about 35 degrees to  50  degrees relative to a longitudinal centerline of the connector, the at least one air inlet being slanted toward an expected direction of air flow through the connector. 
     
     
         15 . The e-vaping device of  claim 14 , wherein the cylindrical portion of the base of the connector defines a cylindrical cavity that encircles the longitudinal centerline of the connector. 
     
     
         16 . The e-vaping device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one air inlet of the connector includes two air inlets. 
     
     
         17 . The e-vaping device of  claim 16 , wherein the two air inlets are evenly spaced apart along a periphery of the annular rim of the base of the connector. 
     
     
         18 . The e-vaping device of  claim 13 , wherein the stem of the connector defines threads at a distal end of the stem, the connector being a male threaded connector. 
     
     
         19 . The e-vaping device of  claim 14 , wherein the connector includes a weakened region at a location along a longitudinal length of the connector, the weakened region being configured to cause the connector to break along a plane that is about perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the connector, if the connector is bent beyond a threshold breaking force. 
     
     
         20 . The e-vaping device of  claim 19 , wherein the weakened region of the connector includes an annular recess defined by the stem of the connector, the stem further defining a plurality of holes traversing through the annular recess. 
     
     
         21 . The e-vaping device of  claim 20 , wherein upon breakage of the connector, a portion of the connector remains connected to the first section such that contents of the first section remain substantially intact.