Electronic Cigarette Vaporiser with Compressible Wick

Abstract

A vaporiser for an electronic cigarette has a fluid transfer element and a heater. The fluid transfer element is compressible and configured to transfer a portion of liquid from a liquid store to the heater. The contact surface of the fluid transfer element is configured to move relative to the heater such that when the contact surface of the fluid transfer element is compressed liquid is releasable from the fluid transfer element and adsorbable on the heater.

1 . A vaporizer for an electronic cigarette, the vaporizer comprising a fluid transfer element and a heater;
 wherein the fluid transfer element is compressible and configured to transfer a portion of liquid from a liquid store to the heater, and wherein contact surfaces of the fluid transfer element and the heater are configured to move relative to each other such that when the contact surface of the fluid transfer element is compressed, liquid is releasable from the contact surface of the fluid transfer element and adsorbable from the contact surface of the fluid transfer element onto the heater.   
     
     
         2 . The vaporizer of  claim 1 , further comprising a compressing element, arranged to move from a first position separated from the contact surface of the fluid transfer element to a second position closer to the contact surface of the fluid transfer element. 
     
     
         3 . The vaporizer of  claim 2 , wherein the heater is arranged on the compressing element such that the heater moves relative to the contact surface of the fluid transfer element and is pressed against the contact surface of the fluid transfer element when the compressing element is in the second position, whereby a portion of liquid is released from the fluid transfer element and adsorbed on the heater; and
 wherein the heater is arranged to vaporise an adsorbed portion of liquid when the compressing element has moved from the second position to the first position.   
     
     
         4 . The vaporizer of  claim 2 , wherein the heater is located proximal to the contact surface of the fluid transfer element;
 wherein the compressing element is configured to move the contact surface of the fluid transfer element relative to the heater as the compressing element moves between the first position and the second position, and   wherein the compressing element in the second position is configured to compress the contact surface of the fluid transfer element such that liquid is released from the contact surface of the fluid transfer element; and   wherein the heater is arranged to vaporise an adsorbed portion of liquid when the compressing element is in the first position.   
     
     
         5 . The vaporizer of  claim 4 , wherein a fluidic bridge is created between the contact surface of the fluid transfer element and the heater when the compressing element is in the second position, whereby a portion of liquid releasable from the fluid transfer element is adsorbable on the heater in the second position. 
     
     
         6 . The vaporizer of  claim 4 , wherein the compressing element in the second position is configured to compress the contact surface of the fluid transfer element and create a distance between the contact surface of the fluid transfer element and the heater; and
 wherein the compressing element in the first position is released from the contact surface of the fluid transfer element such that the contact surface of the fluid transfer element contacts the heater in the first position and transfers liquid.   
     
     
         7 . The vaporizer of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid transfer element comprises a compressible wick. 
     
     
         8 . The vaporizer of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid transfer element further comprises a mesh disposed on a surface of the wick toward the heater, wherein the mesh and the wick are compressed when the compressing element presses against the contact surface of the fluid transfer element, such that in use a portion of liquid in the wick passes through the mesh. 
     
     
         9 . The vaporizer of claim wherein the mesh is hydrophobic. 
     
     
         10 . The vaporizer of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid transfer element further comprises a liquid buffer arranged to transport liquid from a liquid store to the wick by capillary action. 
     
     
         11 . The vaporizer of  claim 10 , wherein the liquid buffer comprises a plurality of plates arranged to extend from the wick toward a liquid store, with channels arranged between the plurality of plates such that in use liquid is drawn from a liquid store to the wick by capillary action. 
     
     
         12 . The vaporizer of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid transfer element has a piercing member extending therefrom so as to pierce a cartridge comprising the liquid store and transport liquid from the cartridge toward the wick through the piercing member. 
     
     
         13 . The vaporizer of  claim 1 , wherein the heater comprises a ceramic structure and a printed or embedded heating track connected to the ceramic structure;
 wherein the ceramic structure comprises a non-porous ceramic with a porous ceramic arranged on a first surface thereof; and   wherein the heating track is arranged on a second surface of the non-porous ceramic.   
     
     
         14 . A cartridge for an electronic cigarette, the cartridge comprising the vaporizer of  claim 1 , and further comprising a liquid store. 
     
     
         15 . A method of operating the vaporizer of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 compressing the contact surface of the fluid transfer element such that liquid is released from the contact surface of the fluid transfer element;   establishing a fluidic bridge between the released liquid from the contact surface of the fluid transfer element and the heater such that a portion of the released liquid is adsorbed onto the heater; and   heating the adsorbed liquid by the heater to generate a vapour when the fluidic bridge is broken.