Disposable electronic-cigarette cartridge and respective production method
Disposable electronic-cigarette cartridge; the electronic-cigarette cartridge having: a hygroscopic plug; a liquid substance which impregnates the hygroscopic plug and is vaporized in use; and a surface covering, which is located on the outside of the hygroscopic plug, completely covers the hygroscopic plug itself, is impermeable to liquids, and is permeable to gas.
1. A disposable electronic-cigarette cartridge ( 3 );
the disposable cartridge ( 3 ) comprising:
a hygroscopic pad ( 6 );
a liquid substance which impregnates the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ) and is vapourized in use;
a surface covering ( 7 ) which is located on the outside of the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ), completely covers the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ), is impermeable to liquid, and is permeable to gas; and
a moisture sensor ( 11 ) fitted to the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ) to determine the liquid substance content of the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ).
2. A disposable cartridge ( 3 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the surface covering ( 7 ) is impermeable to liquid to prevent the liquid substance from leaking in the liquid state from the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ), and is permeable to gas to allow the liquid substance to flow out in the vapour state from the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ).
3. A disposable cartridge ( 3 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the surface covering ( 7 ) adheres directly to an outer surface of the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ).
4. A disposable cartridge ( 3 ) according to claim 1 , and comprising a liner which encloses the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ) and supports the surface covering ( 7 ).
5. A disposable cartridge ( 3 ) according to claim 1 , and comprising an electric heating resistor ( 8 ) fitted to the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ).
6. A disposable cartridge ( 3 ) according to claim 5 , wherein the electric heating resistor ( 8 ) rests on the surface covering ( 7 ) of the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ).
7. A disposable cartridge ( 3 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the moisture sensor ( 11 ) is a capacitive type.
8. A disposable cartridge ( 3 ) according to claim 7 , wherein the moisture sensor ( 11 ) comprises:
a first conducting element ( 12 ) applied to an outer surface of the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ) and connected to a first terminal ( 13 ); and
a second conducting element ( 14 ) which is applied to an outer surface of the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ), is electrically insulated from the first conducting element ( 12 ), is located close to the first conducting element ( 12 ), and is connected to a second terminal ( 15 ).
9. A disposable cartridge ( 3 ) according to claim 8 , wherein each conducting element ( 12 ; 14 ) is comb-shaped, and has a number of teeth which penetrate, without contacting, between the teeth of the other conducting element ( 14 ; 12 ).
10. A disposable cartridge ( 3 ) according to claim 8 , wherein the capacitance measured between the two terminals ( 13 , 15 ) depends on the amount of liquid substance inside the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ), and increases alongside an increase in the amount of liquid substance inside the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ).
11. A method of producing a disposable electronic-cigarette cartridge ( 3 ); the method comprising the steps of:
preparing a hygroscopic pad ( 6 );
impregnating the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ) with a liquid substance which is vapourized in use;
applying to the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ) a surface covering ( 7 ) which is located on the outside of the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ), completely covers the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ), is impermeable to liquid, and is permeable to gas;
wherein the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ) is impregnated with the liquid substance after the surface covering ( 7 ) is applied, and using a needle which locally penetrates the hygroscopic pad ( 6 ).