Microvaporizers, such as electronic cigarettes (“e-cigarettes”), generally include a mouthpiece, a fluid tank that holds the vaporization fluids (“e juice”), a heating element, and a battery. Some may include other components, such as holes for air intake and air pressure sensor. Microvaporizers are generally activated (“turned on”) by triggering a switch that is connected to an air pressure sensor or by pressing an “on” button on the microvaporizer. Typically, after a microvaporizer is turned on, it does not turn off automatically. It is assumed that the microvaporizer is in use when activated.
A user usually activates the e-cigarette when it is intended to be used. The activation triggers the heating element to start heating and the stored fluid to flow from the tank to the heating element, and produces vapor to be delivered to the user. The commercially available e-cigarettes are typically turned on by pushing a button on the e-cigarette to start the heating element preheating process. A second switch, such as a second button or an airflow switch, is subsequently activated to draw the stored fluid from the tank to the preheated heating element. Because the two steps require separate actions from the user, this two-step process creates a delay between starting the e-cigarette and receiving vapor.
Sometimes, the e-cigarette may be activated unintentionally. If the user accidentally pushes the switch button without noticing, the e-cigarette may continuously draw energy from the battery to power the heating element. The heating element can overheat from not receiving the stored fluid, or can produce undesired vapor using the stored fluid and deplete the stored fluid. The undesired vapor can also cause burning.
It is likely for a user to put an inactivated e-cigarette in his/her pocket to transport the e-cigarette, along with other miscellaneous items. Because of the user's movements, the miscellaneous items can accidently hit the “on” button on the e-cigarette while the user is walking. The user might not notice that the e-cigarette is turned on and continues to walk with the activated e-cigarette in his or her pocket. In the scenario that the heating element does not receive stored fluid from the tank, the user may be burned by the overheated e-cigarette in his or her pocket. In the scenario that the second switch in the e-cigarette is also accidentally activated so that the heating element does receive fluids from the tank and creates vapor, then the user may be burned by the preheated heating element and the vapor produced by the e-cigarette in his or her pocket.