One-way valve for atomizer section in electronic cigarettes

Abstract

A cartomizer section of an electronic cigarette can be connected to a battery section of the electronic cigarette. The cartomizer section comprises a liquid reservoir operable to store liquid material and a one-way valve. The one-way valve is operable to seal an end of the cartomizer section which is in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir. The one-way valve is configured to allow one directional air flow towards a user's mouth during a draw on the electronic cigarette so as to prevent back flow of vapor produced during operation of the electronic cigarette towards the battery section.

1 . A cartomizer section of an electronic cigarette which can be connected to a battery section of the electronic cigarette, the cartomizer section comprising:
 a liquid reservoir operable to store liquid material; and   a one-way valve, the one-way valve operable to seal an end of the cartomizer section in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir wherein the one-way valve is configured to allow one directional air flow towards a user's mouth during a draw on the electronic cigarette so as to prevent back flow of vapor produced during operation of the electronic cigarette towards the battery section.   
     
     
         2 . The cartomizer section of  claim 1 , wherein the one-way valve includes an elongated portion which has a valve face at an end thereof, wherein the valve face includes a slit having a flap on each respective side of the slit, the flaps operable to form a seal against air and liquid stored in the liquid reservoir wherein when a user inhales the flaps separate thereby forming an air pathway in the direction of the user's mouth. 
     
     
         3 . The cartomizer section of  claim 1 , wherein the one-way valve is made of rubber or silicone. 
     
     
         4 . The cartomizer section of  claim 1 , wherein the one-way valve is formed of an elastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The cartomizer section of  claim 1 , wherein each flap includes a rigid lip along the slit of the valve face. 
     
     
         6 . The cartomizer section of  claim 1 , further comprising a post in a center space of the cartomizer section wherein the post protrudes in an axial direction of the cartomizer section towards a mouth end insert thereof, wherein the one-way valve is disposed on the post such that the valve face is disposed on top of a distal end of the post or extends slightly beyond the distal end of the post. 
     
     
         7 . The cartomizer section of  claim 1 , further comprising a heater operable to heat liquid drawn theretoward to form a vapor in an air channel of the cartomizer section, the heater axially spaced from the valve face of the one-way valve. 
     
     
         8 . The cartomizer section of  claim 1 , wherein the valve face is flat, contoured, or protruding. 
     
     
         9 . An electronic cigarette comprising a cartomizer section and a battery section, the cartomizer section including:
 a liquid reservoir operable to store liquid material; and   a one-way valve, the one-way valve operable to seal an end of the cartomizer section in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir wherein the one-way valve is configured to allow one directional air flow towards a user's mouth during a draw on the electronic cigarette so as to prevent back flow of vapor produced by the electronic cigarette towards the battery section thereof.   
     
     
         10 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 9 , wherein the one-way valve includes an elongated portion which has a valve face at an end thereof, wherein the valve face includes a slit having a flap on each respective side of the slit, the flaps operable to form a seal against air and liquid stored in the liquid reservoir wherein when a user inhales the flaps separate thereby forming an air pathway in the direction of the user's mouth. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 9 , wherein the one-way valve is made of rubber or silicone. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 9 , wherein the one-way valve is formed of an elastic material. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 9 , wherein each flap includes a rigid lip along the slit of the valve face. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 9 , wherein the cartomizer section further comprises a post in a center space of the cartomizer section wherein the post protrudes in an axial direction of the cartomizer section towards a mouth end insert thereof, wherein the one-way valve is disposed on the post such that the valve face is disposed on top of a distal end of the post or extends slightly beyond the distal end of the post. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 9 , wherein the cartomizer section further comprises a heater operable to heat liquid drawn theretoward to form a vapor in an air channel of the cartomizer section, the heater axially spaced from the valve face of the one-way valve. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 9 , wherein the valve face is flat, contoured, or protruding. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 9 , wherein the battery section comprises a battery operable to power a heater of the cartomizer section. 
     
     
         18 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 17 , wherein the battery section further comprises control circuitry and an airflow sensor, the air flow sensor operable to initiate the supply of power from the battery to the heater when the air flow sensor senses air flow through the electronic cigarette. 
     
     
         19 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 9 , wherein the cartomizer section is disposable and the battery section is reusable. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 9 , wherein the cartomizer section and the battery section are an integral piece wherein the electronic cigarette is disposable.