Disposable cartridge for use in an electronic nicotine delivery system
A novel disposable cartridge for use in an electronic nicotine delivery system having an electric heater includes a reservoir containing a nicotine-containing liquid, a port in liquid communication with the reservoir, a liquid barrier disposed proximate the port to prevent undesired leakage of the nicotine-containing liquid from the reservoir, and a durable, elongate wick arranged and configured to be slideable in the port and to contact the nicotine-containing liquid in the reservoir.
1. An electronic nicotine delivery system comprising:
(a) a housing, the housing having at least one air inlet and providing a receptacle for securing a disposable cartridge;
(b) an electric heater contained within the housing; and
(c) the disposable cartridge is configured to be securely locked into the receptacle, the disposable cartridge comprising:
(i) a reservoir containing a nicotine-containing liquid;
(ii) a port in liquid communication with the reservoir; and
(iii) a liquid barrier disposed proximate the port to prevent undesired leakage of the nicotine-containing liquid from the reservoir; and
(iv) a durable, elongate wick, slidably fitted in the port, adjacent the barrier;
wherein during the locking of the disposable cartridge into the receptacle, the durable elongate wick slides further into the reservoir to rupture the barrier to provide a liquid conduit from the reservoir to the electric heater.
2. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 1 , further comprising an open mouthpiece disposed distal the port and at least one outlet conduit operatively connected to the mouthpiece and extending to a location proximate the port.
3. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid barrier is disposed about one end of the durable, elongate wick.
4. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 1 , wherein the durable, elongate wick is slidable into the electric heater in the electronic nicotine delivery system.
5. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 1 , wherein the durable, elongate wick has substantially non-porous support and a capillary structure on an outer surface thereof.
6. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 1 , wherein the durable, elongate wick has substantially non-porous tubular support and a capillary structure on an outer surface thereof.
7. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 1 , wherein, when assembled, the housing, the electric heater, and disposable cartridge cooperate to form a vaporization chamber within the housing proximate the electric heater, wherein the electric heater vaporizes nicotine-containing liquid transported from the reservoir by the durable, elongate wick in the vaporization chamber.