Vaporizer for smoking articles

Abstract

An electronic cigarette comprising a vaporizer having a first portion, which is provided with a resistor and a connector electrically connected to the resistor and a support comprising insulating material; and a second portion, which is provided with an additional electrical connector and a base element comprising an insulating material on which the further electrical connector is mounted; the support and the base element are different one with respect to the other; the connectors are connected together by means of a male-female coupling so as to keep together the first and the second portion and establishing a continuous connection.

1 ) A vaporizer for a smoking article ( 2 ), which is electrically powered and comprises a reusable main body ( 3 ) and a cartridge ( 4 ) containing a vaporizable substance; the vaporizer ( 1 ) comprises at least one electrical resistor ( 5 ), which is designed to generate heat, at least one first electrical connector ( 6 ), which is designed to come into contact with at least one second electrical connector ( 7 ) of the main body, and at least one electrical connection ( 8 ) to supply the electrical resistor ( 5 ) with power;
 the vaporizer ( 1 ) being characterized in that it has a first portion ( 9 ), which comprises the electrical connection ( 8 ), the electrical resistor ( 5 ), at least one third electrical connector ( 10 ), which is electrically connected to the electrical connection ( 8 ), and a support ( 11 ) comprising a material that is substantially electrically non-conductive, on which the third electrical connector ( 10 ) is arranged; and a second portion ( 12 ), which comprises the first electrical connector ( 6 ), a fourth electrical connector ( 13 ), which is electrically connected to the first electrical connector ( 6 ), and a base element ( 14 ) comprising a material that is substantially electrically non-conductive, on which the first and the fourth connectors ( 6 ,  13 ) are arranged; said support ( 11 ) and said base element ( 14 ) being distinct from one another; the third and the fourth electrical connectors ( 10 ,  13 ) being connected to one another by means of a male-female coupling, so as to keep the first and the second portions ( 9 ,  12 ) together and to have a continuity in the electrical connection from the first electrical connector ( 6 ) to the electrical resistor ( 5 ).   
     
     
         2 ) A vaporizer according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrical connection ( 8 ) is at least partially covered by a material that is substantially electrically insulating. 
     
     
         3 ) A vaporizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrical connection ( 8 ) is at least partially embedded in the support ( 11 ); said third electrical connector ( 10 ) projecting from the support ( 11 ). 
     
     
         4 ) A vaporizer according to  claim 1  and comprising a fibrous material ( 15 ) (e.g. cotton or glass fibre), which is arranged so as to extend in the area of the electrical resistor ( 5 ). 
     
     
         5 ) A vaporizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the support ( 11 ) has a first segment ( 16 ), where the third electrical connector ( 11 ) and the electrical connection ( 8 ) are arranged; a seat ( 17 ) (a depression), where the electrical resistor ( 5 ) is arranged (housed); and a second segment ( 18 ), which is arranged on the opposite side of the seat ( 17 ) relative to the first segment ( 16 ); in particular, the first segment ( 16 ) extending from the third electrical connector ( 10 ) to the electrical resistor ( 5 ). 
     
     
         6 ) A vaporizer according to  claim 5  and comprising a covering element ( 24 ), which is mounted in the area of the seat ( 17 ), so as to at least partially cover the seat ( 17 ) and partially define two side openings ( 25 ); in particular, the fibrous material ( 15 ) extending through the side openings ( 25 ). 
     
     
         7 ) A vaporizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the support ( 11 ) comprises a bearing element ( 26 ), where the electrical connection ( 8 ) is at least partially housed and on which the third electrical connector ( 10 ) is arranged, and a tubular element ( 27 ), which is designed to allow the passage of gas and is mounted (in an interlocking manner) on the bearing element ( 26 ). 
     
     
         8 ) A vaporizer according to  claim 1 , and comprising at least two first electrical connectors ( 6 ) (each designed to be coupled to a respective second electrical connector ( 7 ) of the main body), at least two third electrical connectors ( 10 ), at least two fourth connectors ( 13 ) (each coupled to a respective third connector), and at least two electrical connections ( 8 ) (each electrically connected to a respective third connector ( 10 ) and to a respective end of the resistor). 
     
     
         9 ) A cartridge for a smoking article, which is electrically powered and comprises a reusable main body ( 3 ) and the cartridge ( 4 ); the cartridge ( 4 ) contains a substance to be vaporized and comprises a vaporizer ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 ) A cartridge according to  claim 9  and comprising an absorbent material ( 30 ) wetted with the vaporizable substance. 
     
     
         11 ) A smoking article, which is electrically powered and comprises a reusable main body ( 3 ) and a cartridge ( 4 ) according to  claim 9 . 
     
     
         12 ) A smoking article, which is electrically powered and comprises a reusable main body ( 3 ), a cartridge ( 4 ) containing a vaporizable substance and a vaporizer ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 .