As reasonably good as current designs are, there is scope for improvement.

In this article I want to focus on what is probably the most critical in terms of e-cig safety - and that concerns the (usually) nicotine containing e-juice.

The proposal is a relatively simple scheme involving some design changes that would not cost much to implement.

The issues addressed are the danger of skin contact with the nicotine in e-juice, and the possibility of a child swallowing a cartridge.

The Design

Involves e-juice being packaged in leak-proof and spill proof containers, achieved with a simple valve that is operated by pushing into a second valve mechanism built into a new atomiser-contained juice compartment. So both the juice bottle and the new atomiser are sealed (there will be no prefilled carts in this scheme). On one of the valves is, in the center, a protrusion such that pushing the juice bottle and atomiser together opens both valves; and this can only happen once the sealed rims are in tight contact. I envisage a simple gravity feed here, no need for pressurised bottles. A simple measure in the juice bottle allows only a certain number of drops to feed into the atomiser.

The valves would be simple, small and low cost devices like those used on refillable cigarette lighters (even many of the 'disposable' ones).

This design scheme solves the primary flaw in current e-cigs, when looked at from the safety angle.

In future articles I will look at improving the juice flow (rate and consistency) with a hybrid heater coil and ultrasonic transducer design, ways to increase the juice capacity and ways to minimise burning with temperature control of the heater coil.

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