ELECTRONIC-CIGARETTE FILTER
An electronic-cigarette filter including a tube housing a vaporizing device, wherein walls of the tube are substantially fluid impermeable. The electronic-cigarette filter includes a fluid permeable matrix disposed adjacent to an exterior of the tube and is in fluid communication with the vaporizing device. The electronic-cigarette filter includes a vaporizing liquid disposed throughout the matrix. The electronic-cigarette filter includes a substantially flexible outer housing enveloping the matrix and the tube. The electronic-cigarette filter includes a sealing member consisting essentially of a substantially fluid impermeable material that is shaped and sized to prevent direct fluid communication between the matrix and the hole of the mouthpiece.
1 . An electronic-cigarette filter, comprising:
a) a tube housing a vaporizing device, wherein walls of the tube are substantially fluid impermeable, and wherein the tube includes a first open end and a second open end each distal from the other;
b) a fluid permeable matrix disposed adjacent to an exterior of the tube and in fluid communication with the vaporizing device through a region of the tube spaced from the second open end of the tube;
c) a vaporizing liquid disposed throughout the matrix;
d) a substantially flexible outer housing enveloping the matrix and the tube, the outer housing having a first end including a coupling structure and a second end, distal from the first end, the second end including a mouthpiece having a hole therethrough in fluid communication with the vaporizing device; and
e) a sealing member adjacent the second open end of the tube, the sealing member consisting essentially of a substantially fluid impermeable material that is shaped and sized to prevent direct fluid communication between the matrix and the hole of the mouthpiece.
2 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the matrix encircles the tube.
3 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece is selectably removably coupled to the outer housing.
4 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is a nipple extending between the hole of the mouthpiece and the second open end of the tube.
5 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member forms a conduit between the hole of the mouthpiece and the tube.
6 . The filter of claim 4 , wherein the nipple is fixedly coupled to the mouthpiece and seats into the second open end of the tube when the mouthpiece is coupled to the flexible outer housing.
7 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is annular and encircles the tube.
8 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the matrix is a hollow cylinder.
9 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the coupling structure of the first end of the outer housing includes both a physical coupling structure and an electrical coupling structure, each configured to couple to corresponding components of an electronic-cigarette battery housing.
10 . The filter of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is highly elastic.
11 . An electronic-cigarette filter, comprising:
a) a tube housing a vaporizing device, including a first open end and a second open end each distal from the other;
b) a fluid permeable matrix disposed adjacent to an exterior of the tube and in fluid communication with the vaporizing device through a region of the tube spaced from the second open end of the tube;
c) a vaporizing liquid disposed throughout the matrix;
d) a substantially flexible outer housing enveloping the matrix and the tube, the outer housing having a first end and a second end, distal from the first end, the second end including a mouthpiece having a hole therethrough in fluid communication with the vaporizing device; and
e) a sealing member adjacent the second open end of the tube, the sealing member consisting essentially of a substantially fluid impermeable material that is shaped and sized to prevent direct fluid communication between the matrix and the hole of the mouthpiece.
12 . The filter of claim 11 , wherein the matrix is a hollow cylinder that encircles the tube.
13 . The filter of claim 12 , wherein walls of the tube are substantially fluid impermeable.
14 . The filter of claim 13 , wherein the sealing member is annular and encircles the tube.
15 . The filter of claim 14 , wherein the sealing member is flush with the second open end of the tube and is spaced from an interior wall of the mouthpiece.
16 . The filter of claim 13 , wherein the sealing member forms a conduit between the hole of the mouthpiece and the tube.
17 . The filter of claim 13 , wherein the sealing member is a nipple extending between the hole of the mouthpiece and the second open end of the tube.
18 . The filter of claim 17 , wherein the nipple is fixedly coupled to the mouthpiece and seats into the second open end of the tube when the mouthpiece is coupled to the flexible outer housing.
19 . An electronic-cigarette filter, comprising:
a) a tube housing a vaporizing device, wherein walls of the tube are substantially fluid impermeable, and wherein the tube includes a first open end and a second open end each distal from the other;
b) a fluid permeable matrix shaped as a hollow cylinder disposed adjacent to an exterior of the tube, encircling the same, and in fluid communication with the vaporizing device through a region of the tube spaced from the second open end of the tube;
c) a vaporizing liquid disposed throughout the matrix;
d) a substantially flexible outer housing enveloping the matrix and the tube, the outer housing having a first end including a coupling structure and a second end, distal from the first end, the second end including a mouthpiece having a hole therethrough in fluid communication with the vaporizing device; and
e) a sealing member adjacent the second open end of the tube, the sealing member consisting essentially of a substantially fluid impermeable material that is shaped and sized to prevent direct fluid communication between the matrix and the hole of the mouthpiece.
20 . The filter of claim 19 , wherein the sealing member is selected from the group of sealing members consisting of an annular plug and a seating nipple.