Fluid Transfer Component for an Electronic Cigarette

Abstract

A fluid transfer component is configured to establish a fluidic connection between a liquid store and a heater in an electronic cigarette. The fluid transfer component includes a liquid uptake member configured to connect with a housing of the liquid store, a chamber configured to receive liquid from the liquid store by the liquid uptake member, and a fluid transfer element including a compressible wick configured to transport liquid from the chamber to the proximity of the heater by capillary action and a flexible contact surface configured to deform in the axial direction of the fluid transfer component, wherein the flexible contact surface is configured to release liquid from the compressible wick for transfer to the heater when the fluid transfer element is compressed.

1 . A fluid transfer component for an electronic cigarette, the fluid transfer component being configured to establish a fluidic connection between a liquid store and a heater in an electronic cigarette, wherein the fluid transfer component comprises:
 a liquid uptake member configured to connect with a housing of the liquid store;   a chamber configured to receive liquid from the liquid store by the liquid uptake member; and   a fluid transfer element comprising a compressible wick configured to transport liquid from the chamber to a proximity of the heater by capillary action and a flexible contact surface configured to deform in an axial direction of the fluid transfer component, wherein the flexible contact surface is configured to release liquid from the compressible wick for transfer to the heater when the fluid transfer element is compressed.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid transfer component of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid transfer component is releasably connectable to the liquid store by the liquid uptake member. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid transfer component of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid uptake member is an elongated tube extending from the chamber and provided with a tip configured to be received in the liquid store such that liquid can enter the elongated tube at the tip for transfer to the chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid transfer component of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid uptake member is arranged to form a friction fit with an opening in the liquid store. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid transfer component of  claim 3 , wherein the tip comprises a pointed end of the elongated tube arranged to pierce a housing of the liquid store. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid transfer component of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid transfer element further comprises a mesh arranged on a surface of the compressible wick such that the mesh forms the flexible contact surface, and wherein the mesh is arranged to allow liquid to pass there-through when a compression is applied to the compressible wick. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid transfer component of  claim 6 , wherein the mesh is hydrophobic. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid transfer component of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid transfer component is removably attachable to the electronic cigarette. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid transfer component of  claim 1 , fluidically coupled to a liquid store of a cartridge by the liquid uptake member. 
     
     
         10 . An electronic cigarette for use with the fluid transfer component of  claim 1 , the electronic cigarette comprising a wick compressor and a heater;
 wherein the wick compressor is arranged to move relative to the fluid transfer element from a first position separated from the fluid transfer element to a second position pressing against the flexible contact surface of the fluid transfer element to compress the compressible wick such that liquid is releasable from the compressible wick and adsorbable on the heater.   
     
     
         11 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 10 , wherein the heater is arranged on the wick compressor such that the heater is pressed against the flexible contact surface of the fluid transfer element when the wick compressor moves from the first position to the second position and a portion of liquid releasable from the compressible wick is adsorbable on the heater; and
 wherein the heater is arranged to vaporise an adsorbed portion of liquid when the wick compressor has moved from the second position to the first position.   
     
     
         12 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 10 , wherein the heater is proximal to but separated from the fluid transfer element and the wick compressor, and arranged such that when the wick compressor is pressed against the flexible contact surface of the fluid transfer element when moving from the first position to the second position a portion of liquid releasable from the compressible wick is adsorbable on the heater; and
 wherein the heater is arranged to vaporise an adsorbed portion of liquid when the wick compressor has moved from the second position to the first position.   
     
     
         13 . A method of operating the electronic cigarette of  claim 10 , the method comprising:
 moving the wick compressor to press against the flexible contact surface of the fluid transfer element such that liquid is released from the fluid transfer element;   establishing a fluidic bridge between the released liquid 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.