Electronic cigarette having a flexible and soft configuration

Abstract

Generally described, the present disclosure relates to an electronic cigarette intended to more effectively simulate the feel of a traditional cigarette. In one illustrative embodiment, the electronic cigarette can have a flexible and resilient housing, sufficiently strong to protect internal components and sufficient flexible to provide a more realistic user experience to user's accustomed to the pliability of traditional cigarettes. A paper label may be provided, either affixed to the flexible housing or to a prior art, rigid housing. A plastic coating may be providing of the portion of the paper label intended to be inserted into a user's mouth, so as to prevent degradation of the label while at the same time preserving a realistic feel for those portions of the device not intended to be inserted into the mouth.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic cigarette comprising:
 a housing adapted to contain components of an electronic cigarette device;   wherein the housing is comprised of a flexible and resilient material capable of protecting the components while allowing the housing to flex when handled by a user.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 1  wherein the flexible and resilient material is polycarbonate. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 1  wherein the flexible and resilient material is polystyrene. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 1  wherein the flexible and resilient material is polyvinylchloride. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 1  wherein the housing has an outer diameter in the range of about 7.59 mm to about 7.86 mm. 
     
     
         6 . An electronic cigarette comprising:
 a housing adapted to contain components of an electronic cigarette device;   a label adapted to be placed over at least a portion of an exterior of the housing;   wherein the label is comprised of paper;   a plastic coating positioned over a portion of the label in an area where the label is intended to enter a user's mouth during use.   
     
     
         7 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 6  further comprising an adhesive layer contacting an underside of the label and an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 6  where the plastic coating is comprised of one of polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 7  wherein the label and adhesive layer form a laminate. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 9  wherein the laminate has a thickness in the range of about 0.06 to about 0.15 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 6  wherein the plastic coating has a thickness in the range of about 0.01 to about 0.06 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 6  wherein the housing is rigid. 
     
     
         13 . An electronic cigarette comprising:
 a housing adapted to contain components of an electronic cigarette device;   wherein the housing is comprised of a flexible and resilient material capable of protecting the components while allowing the housing to flex when handled by a user;   a label adapted to be placed over at least a portion of an exterior of the housing;   wherein the label is comprised of paper; and   a plastic coating positioned over a portion of the label in an area where the label is intended to enter a user's mouth during use.   
     
     
         14 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 13  wherein the flexible and resilient material is polycarbonate. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 13  wherein the flexible and resilient material is polystyrene. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 13  wherein the flexible and resilient material is polyvinylchloride. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 13  wherein the housing has an outer diameter in the range of about 7.59 mm to about 7.86 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 13  further comprising an adhesive layer contacting an underside of the label and an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 13  where the plastic coating is comprised of one of polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 18  wherein the label and adhesive layer form a laminate.