Embedded Electrodes

Abstract

A capsule for an electronic cigarette having a first end configured to engage with an electronic cigarette device; a second end having a vapor outlet; a liquid store configured to contain a liquid to be vaporized; a vaporizer housing arranged to house at least a part of a heating element and a part of a fluid transfer element arranged to deliver liquid from the liquid store to the heating element, the heating element being configured to vaporize the received liquid and generate a vapor; a seal arranged to hold the vaporizer housing; a holder arranged to attach to the seal; a main gas flow channel extending between the vaporizer housing and the vapor outlet; and a pair of electrodes at least partially embedded within the structure of the holder and arranged to provide an electrical connection between the first end of the capsule and an electronic cigarette device.

1 . A capsule for an electronic cigarette, the capsule having a first end configured to engage with an electronic cigarette device and a second end having a vapor outlet, the capsule further comprising:
 a liquid store configured to contain a liquid to be vaporized;   a vaporizer housing arranged to house at least a part of a heating element and a part of a fluid transfer element, wherein the fluid transfer element is arranged to deliver liquid from the liquid store to the heating element, the heating element being configured to vaporize the received liquid and generate a vapor;   a seal arranged to hold the vaporizer housing;   a holder arranged to attach to the seal;   a main gas flow channel extending between the vaporizer housing and the vapor outlet to allow the generated vapor to flow from the vaporizer housing to the vapor outlet; and   a pair of electrodes, wherein the pair of electrodes are at least partially embedded within a structure of the holder, and wherein the pair of electrodes are arranged to provide an electrical connection between the first end of the capsule and an electronic cigarette device.   
     
     
         2 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the main gas flow channel extends from the holder, through the seal, to the vaporizer housing. 
     
     
         3 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises a plurality of channels located within an internal surface of the holder. 
     
     
         4 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein an interface is formed between an internal surface of the seal and an internal surface of the holder. 
     
     
         5 . The capsule according to  claim 4 , wherein the heating element comprises first and second lead wires, and wherein the first and second lead wires are located at the interface between the seal and the holder. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule according to  claim 5 , wherein the first and second lead wires of the heating element are compressed between the seal and the holder at the interface. 
     
     
         7 . The capsule according to  claim 4 , wherein each electrode of the pair of electrodes comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the first ends of each electrode are located at the interface between the seal and the holder. 
     
     
         8 . The capsule according to  claim 7 , wherein a first end of the heating element and a first end of a first electrode of the pair of electrodes are located at a first point on the interface between the seal and the holder. 
     
     
         9 . The capsule according to  claim 8 , wherein a second end of the heating element and a first end of a second electrode of the pair of electrodes are located at a second point on the interface between the seal and the holder. 
     
     
         10 . The capsule according to  claim 7 , wherein second ends of each electrode of the pair of electrodes are held within a main body of the holder. 
     
     
         11 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein each electrode of the pair of electrodes has a substantially rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         12 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises a pair of apertures and a portion of each electrode of the pair of electrodes is arranged to extend across each aperture, respectively. 
     
     
         13 . The capsule according to  claim 12 , further comprising a pair of cover portions, each cover portion located within each aperture of the pair of apertures, respectively, and arranged to substantially cover the portion of each electrode of the pair of electrodes which extends through each aperture, respectively. 
     
     
         14 . A capsule for an electronic cigarette, the capsule having a first end configured to engage with an electronic cigarette device and a second end having a vapor outlet, the capsule further comprising:
 a liquid store configured to contain a liquid to be vaporized;   a vaporizer housing arranged to house at least a part of a heating element and a part of a fluid transfer element, wherein the fluid transfer element is arranged to deliver liquid from the liquid store to the heating element, the heating element being configured to vaporize the received liquid and generate a vapor;   a seal arranged to hold the vaporizer housing;   a holder arranged to attach to the seal;   a main gas flow channel extending between the vaporizer housing and the vapor outlet to allow the generated vapor to flow from the vaporizer housing to the vapor outlet;   a pair of electrodes; wherein the electrodes are arranged to provide an electrical connection between the first end of the capsule and an electronic cigarette device; and   an interface formed between an internal surface of the seal and an internal surface of the holder and wherein the heating element and the electrodes are in contact with each other at the interface.   
     
     
         15 . An electronic cigarette comprising a main body and the capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a power supply unit, electrical circuitry, and a capsule seating configured to connect with the capsule. 
     
     
         16 . An electronic cigarette comprising a main body and the capsule according to  claim 14 , wherein the main body comprises a power supply unit, electrical circuitry, and a capsule seating configured to connect with the capsule.