E-CIGARETTE PERSONAL VAPORIZER
A re-fillable and re-chargeable e-cigarette PV in which the PV includes a tip that includes (a) an e-liquid filling aperture or nozzle that is designed to engage an e-liquid transfer mechanism, the aperture or nozzle being centrally positioned along the long axis of the PV, the aperture or nozzle being connected to an e-liquid storage chamber in the PV; (b) one or more vapour outlets distributed around the e-liquid filling aperture; and in which the or each vapour outlet is connected by a passage to a vapour chamber including a vaporising element, and the vapour chamber is sealed from the e-liquid storage chamber.
1 . A re-fillable and re-chargeable e-cigarette PV in which the PV includes a tip that includes (a) an e-liquid filling aperture or nozzle that is designed to engage an e-liquid transfer mechanism, the aperture or nozzle being centrally positioned along the long axis of the PV, the aperture or nozzle being connected to an e-liquid storage chamber in the PV; (b) one or more vapour outlets distributed around the e-liquid filling aperture; and in which the or each vapour outlet is connected by a passage to a vapour chamber including a vaporising element, and the vapour chamber is sealed from the e-liquid storage chamber.
2 . The e-cigarette PV of claim 1 in which the PV has an e-liquid leak suppression feature in which an e-liquid filling aperture or nozzle in the PV is adapted to align, when inserted into a re-filling unit, with a hollow tube that is part of a fluid transfer system in the re-filling unit, and the aperture or nozzle includes a flexible seal through which the tube is inserted or passes, the seal ensuring that any drips of e-liquid are retained within the PV when the PV is withdrawn from or removed from the re-filling unit.
3 . The e-cigarette PV of claim 1 in which the PV is adapted to slot into or engage with a case that re-fills and re-charges the PV, without the need to dis-assemble or puncture the PV, maintaining the PV whole and intact.
4 . The e-cigarette PV of claim 1 in which the passage that connects a vapour outlet to the vapour chamber is lined with material that can absorb e-liquid droplets.
5 . The e-cigarette PV of claim 1 in which the tip of the PV includes a fluid trap and material that can absorb e-liquid droplets to capture any fluid leakage.
6 . The e-cigarette PV of claim 1 in which the vapour passage is not a straight through path from the vapour chamber but instead includes at least one turn.
7 . The e-cigarette PV of claim 1 in which a hollow tube or shaft extends up from the central axis of a hollow compartment into which the PV is inserted.
8 . The e-cigarette PV of claim 1 in which the PV re-fills using a fluid transfer system in which the PV moves relative to a pump.
9 . The e-cigarette PV of claim 8 in which the PV re-fills using a pump activated by depressing and releasing the entire, complete PV whilst the PV whilst it is held in a holder, the PV sliding up and down within the holder.
10 . The e-cigarette PV of claim 1 in which the PV is re-filled by a mechanical camming caused by the top of the PV being pressed or cammed downwards when it is closed inside a carrying case, the camming action depressing the PV so that it completes a downstroke of the pumping action.
11 . The e-cigarette PV of claim 1 in which the PV is filled by a motor moving the PV up and down in relation to a pump, or the pump in relation to the PV.
12 . The e-cigarette PV of claim 1 in which the PV is adapted to slot or engage with a case that includes a hinged compartment that the PV is slotted into, mouthpiece end downwards, and which guides an aperture of the PV into contact with a pump nozzle that fills a reservoir in the PV with e-liquid until the pressure in the reservoir equals the pressure in an e-liquid cartridge in the case.
13 . The e-cigarette PV of claim 1 in which the PV is adapted to slot or engage with a case that automatically re-fills and re-charges the e-cigarette PV, the case including a hinged compartment that the PV is slotted into, mouthpiece end downwards, and which, whenever the hinged compartment is closed, cams the PV downwards to prime or activate a pump nozzle that will deliver e-liquid from a cartridge into a reservoir in the PV until the pressure in the reservoir equals the pressure in an e-liquid cartridge in the case.
14 . The e-cigarette PV of claim 1 in which the case automatically re-fills an e-cigarette PV via an e-liquid nozzle at the centre of the mouthpiece end of the PV from a user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge in the case, the case including a micro-pump designed to slot into an aperture in the cartridge.
15 . The e-cigarette PV of claim 1 in which a nozzle or aperture in the PV engages with a micro-pump formed in a user-replaceable e-liquid cartridge.
16 . The e-cigarette PV of claim 1 in which the e-liquid includes nicotine and the PV is not a medicinal device but instead a device that in normal use replaces cigarettes, with the e-liquid being vapourised in the PV and the vapour inhaled to replicate or replace the experience of smoking a cigarette.