TW201630794A - A storage box for an electronic smoking device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage box (10) for an electronic smoking device (1) and a sales unit (20) comprising the storage box (10), at least one electronic smoking device (1) and at least one cap (3) for a mouthpiece (2) of the electronic smoking device (1), wherein the storage box (10) comprises at least one first receptacle (14) for the electronic smoking device (1), and a second receptacle (15) for the at least one cap (3).

Description

Storage box for electronic smoking device

The invention relates to a storage box for an electronic smoking device

Electronic smoking devices, such as electronic cigarettes, have become well known products. In general, an electronic smoking device, such as an electronic cigarette, has a nozzle disposed at one end of its outer casing. Typically, the housing contains an electrical power source such as a rechargeable battery, an electronically operable atomizer, and control electronics including a suction sensor. When the sensor detects that a user inhales with the nozzle, the control electronics activates the atomizer, which atomizes a liquid to create vapors that are inhaled by the user. Alternatively or additionally, a manual actuator can be used to manually turn on an atomizer that supplies operating power to generate an aerosol. The manual actuator can be, for example, a button or a switch.

The natural interaction between the user and an electronic smoking device is to smoke with the device, and the user's mouth will contact the nozzle. However, when the electronic smoking device is not in use, the nozzle becomes unhygienic.

In one aspect of the invention, a storage case for an electronic smoking device is provided, comprising a receiving portion having an open end operable to receive an electronic smoking device Receiving, or receiving, an electronic smoking device inserted into the receiving portion in an insertion direction, wherein the receiving portion includes a first container and a second container, the first container is adapted to receive an electronic smoking device, and the receiving portion The second container is adapted to receive at least one cap for a nozzle of an electronic smoking device that can be stored in the first container.

In another aspect of the present invention, a vending unit is provided, comprising a storage case for the electronic smoking device described above, wherein at least one electronic smoking device is housed in the first container and used for the At least one cap of a nozzle of the electronic smoking device is housed in the second container.

An advantage of the storage case according to the present invention is that the caps of the nozzles for the electronic smoking device that can be stored in the first container can be stored in the second container of the storage case such that the caps The nozzle is readily available and can be placed in the smoking device to avoid contamination of the nozzle when the electronic smoking device is not in use, such as in the storage case.

Even if the nozzle is covered by saliva, it will not be contaminated by dust or dust when the nozzle is inside the cap.

The features, the features and the advantages of the present invention, as well as the manner in which they are described, will be more apparent from the description of the accompanying drawings.

1‧‧‧Electronic smoking device

2‧‧‧ nozzle

3‧‧‧ Cap

4‧‧‧ openings

10‧‧‧Storage box

11‧‧‧Acceptance Department

12‧‧‧ open end

13‧‧‧ Cover

14‧‧‧First container

15‧‧‧Second container

16, 17‧‧‧ insertion opening

20‧‧‧Sale unit

110

111‧‧‧Acceptance Department

112‧‧‧Open end

113‧‧‧ Cover

113a‧‧‧ actuation section

113b‧‧‧ covered part

118‧‧‧Spring elements

210‧‧‧Storage box

211‧‧‧Acceptance Department

211a‧‧‧ side

212‧‧‧Open end

213‧‧‧ Cover

213a‧‧‧ actuation section

213b‧‧‧ covered part

218‧‧‧Spring elements

219‧‧‧Spring elements

310‧‧‧Storage box

311‧‧‧Acceptance Department

312‧‧‧Open end

313‧‧‧ Cover

318‧‧‧Spring elements

A‧‧‧ vertical axis

Di‧‧‧inner diameter

D1‧‧‧ outside diameter

D2‧‧‧ inside diameter

D‧‧‧OD

Di‧‧‧Down

I‧‧‧Intrusion direction

L‧‧‧Intrusion direction

C‧‧‧Closed position

O‧‧‧Open location

P‧‧‧ intermediate position

In the figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same elements in each of the views: 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electronic smoking device having a cover (cap), and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a storage case for an electronic smoking device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a view of FIG. A schematic cross-sectional view of a storage case, FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a storage case according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic cross-sectional views of a storage case according to another embodiment of the present invention, And Figures 7 through 9 are schematic cross-sectional views of another storage case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings in a more detailed manner and in an exemplary manner. The described embodiments are merely possible configurations, however, the individual features may be provided independently of one another or may be omitted from the drawings, unless stated to the contrary.

1 shows a schematic perspective view of an electronic smoking device 1, such as an electronic cigarette having a nozzle 2. The nozzle 2 is shown as an insertion cap 3 which protects the nozzle 2 from contamination, such as dust and/or dust particles. In this case, the nozzle 2 of the electronic smoking device 1 has a cylindrical shape having a fixed outer diameter d1. In order to be able to place the cap 3 on the suction nozzle 2, the cap 3 has an opening 4 for receiving the suction nozzle 2, wherein the inner diameter d2 of the opening 4 substantially corresponds to the outer diameter d1 of the suction nozzle 2, so that the suction nozzle 2 can be Inserted into the opening 4, and the cap 3 can borrow It is held in position on the suction nozzle 2 by the friction fit. As shown in FIG. 1, in this example, in order to accommodate the electronic smoking device 1, the outer diameter D of the cap 3 is larger than the outer diameter d1 of the suction nozzle 2.

When the nozzle 2 is inserted into the opening 4 of the cap 3, the diameters d1, d2, D extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the electronic smoking device 1, and the central axis of the cap 3 is aligned with the longitudinal axis A.

Although the nozzle 2 is shown to have a fixed outer diameter d1 as shown in the example of Fig. 1, it should be understood that the nozzle 2 formed by the variable outer diameter d1 may be provided in other electronic smoking devices. In the example of these devices, a cap 3 having an opening 4 formed to be substantially complementary to the outer shape of the nozzle 2 can be provided. Alternatively, the cap 3 can be provided with a fixed inner diameter d2, wherein the inner diameter corresponds to the largest diameter of the portion of the nozzle 2 covered by the cap 3.

Figure 2 illustrates a first embodiment of a storage case 10 for an electronic smoking device in accordance with the present invention.

The storage case 10 includes a receiving portion 11 having an open end 12. The storage case 10 also includes a cover 13 that is adapted to rotate to cover the open end 12 of the case. Cover 13 is optionally provided and may be omitted in some embodiments.

The receiving portion 11 includes three first containers 14 and one second container 15, each of the first containers 14 being adapted to receive an electronic smoking device 1, and the second container 15 is adapted to accommodate one or more A cap 3 for covering the nozzle 2 of the electronic smoking device 1 that can be stored in any of the first containers 14 is provided.

The first and second containers 14, 15 extend into the receiving portion 11 of the storage case in an insertion direction I, wherein the electronic smoking device 1 and the caps 3 are insertable into the first and second containers One of the 14 and 15 individual. Each of the first and second containers 14, 15 has an insertion opening 16, 17 which is provided on the open end 12 of the storage case 10. Preferably, the first and/or second containers 14, 15 are separated from each other by a wall formed by the receiving portion 11. Thus, as a preferred embodiment, the first and/or second containers 14, 15 are formed as a tube or conduit that includes a stop or a closed end in the insertion direction I. In this embodiment, the first and/or the second containers 14, 15 are preferably formed as blind holes.

The lid 13 will at least cover the insertion opening 17 of the second container 15 in its closed position. Therefore, contamination of the caps 3 disposed in the second container 15 can be avoided.

Alternatively or additionally, the lid 13 may cover the insertion opening 16 of the first container 14 in its closed position in order to prevent dust and/or dust particles from being absorbed by the nozzle 2 of the electronic smoking device 1 stored in the storage case 10. Pollution.

Each of the first containers 14 is preferably shaped to be substantially complementary to an electronic smoking device 1 that can be stored in each of the first containers 14. However, in order to provide for easy removal of the electronic smoking device 1 from the first container 14, the depth in the insertion direction I of the first container 14 is preferably smaller than that of the electronic smoking device 1 that can be stored in the first container 14. Length L.

An inner diameter Di of the second container 15 is configured to exceed the inner diameter di of the first container such that at least one cap 3 can be placed into the second container 15, preferably with its central axis extending parallel to the insertion direction L. .

When placed in the second container 15, the opening 4 of the cap 3 preferably faces in the insertion direction I such that the opening 4 in the cap 3 opens in the direction of the insertion opening 17 of the second container 15. This means that when the cap 3 is contained in the second container 15, the nozzle 2 of the electronic smoking device 1 can be inserted into the opening 4 of the cap 3 within the second container 15. By the cap 3 being attached to the electronic smoking device 1 with a friction fit, the cap 3 can then be removed from the second container 15, and when the electronic smoking device 1 is withdrawn from the second container 15, the cap 3 It can be removed from the second container 15.

Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the illustrated embodiment of Figure 2 in use.

As shown in FIG. 3, the storage case 10 is shown having three first containers 14 and one second container 15. Each of the first and second containers 14, 15 extends along the insertion direction I and the opening face is for the insertion direction I. The first and second containers 14, 15 are substantially formed as hollow cylinders having fixed inner diameters di, Di. The inner diameter di of the first containers 14 is smaller than the inner diameter Di of the second container 15.

In Figure 3, two first containers 14 are shown with each container containing an electronic smoking device 1. The nozzles 2 of the electronic smoking device 1 protrude outside the individual first containers 14 and face the insertion direction I, so that the electronic smoking devices 1 can be easily used by the users of the electronic smoking devices 1 Grasp.

The cap 3 is disposed on the suction nozzle 2 of one of the electronic smoking devices 1 to prevent dust and/or dust particles from contaminating the suction nozzle 2. A plurality of caps 3 are disposed in the second container 15. The caps 3 are stacked along the insertion direction I such that the openings 4 of the caps 3 face the insertion direction I. When the caps 3 are opened in the insertion direction I, the suction nozzles 2 of the electronic smoking device 1 can easily protrude into the openings 4 of the uppermost caps 3 of the stacked caps 3. When the suction nozzle 2 is inserted into the opening 4, the electronic smoking device 1 and the cap 3 are connected to each other by friction fit, so that the cap 3 connected to the suction nozzle 2 can be taken out from the second container 15.

Alternatively, the first containers 14 are sized such that the electronic smoking device 1 can be fully inserted into one of the first containers 14. In order to be able to insert the cap 3 connected to the suction nozzle 2 into the first container 14, the insertion opening 16 of the first container 14 facing the insertion direction I may have an inner diameter equal to the inner diameter Di of the second container 15. Thus, in this case, the open end is preferably formed to be substantially complementary to the cap 3. In the insertion direction I behind the insertion opening 16, the second container 15 preferably comprises an inner diameter di which is smaller than the inner diameter Di of the second container 15.

If the storage case 10 is filled with the electronic smoking device 1 and the cap 3, the storage case 10 filled with the electronic smoking device 1 and the cap 3 can be regarded as a vending unit 20.

When the vending unit 20 is sold, if the caps 3 are placed in the second container 15, the user of the electronic smoking device 1 can use the electronic smoking device 1, and can use the electronic user when the user runs out or suspends When the smoking device 1 is attached, the cap 3 is placed on the suction nozzle 2 of the electronic smoking device 1. When selling units When the 20 caps are sold, if the caps 3 are placed on the nozzles 2, the user can determine that the nozzles 2 of the individual electronic smoking device 1 remain uncontaminated by dust and/or dust particles until the user moves. The electronic smoking device 1 is used in addition to the cap 3. The cap 3 removed by the user can be stored in the second container 15, at least until the user puts the cap 3 back on the nozzle 2.

4 illustrates another illustrative embodiment of a storage case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional side view of the storage case 110. The receiving portion 111 of the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 4 substantially corresponds to the accepting portion 11 of the above-described exemplary embodiment. However, the storage case 110 of the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 4 includes a cover 113 which is different from the cover 13 of the foregoing exemplary embodiment.

In contrast to the previous embodiment, the cover 13 is secured to the receiving portion 11 at the edge of the open end 12 of the storage case 10 and covers the first and second containers 14, 15 when the cover 113 is in a closed position, implemented therein In the example, the cover 113 is fixed to the side of the open end 12 adjacent to the second container 15 and at a distance from the first containers 14. An axis about which the cover 113 rotates substantially extends perpendicularly to the axis about which the cover 13 rotates.

In this embodiment, the cover 113 is movably coupled to the receiving portion 111 and is movable from its closed position to its open position against an elastic force. In order to provide this spring force, the storage case 110 includes a spring element 118 that interconnects the receiving portion 111 and the cover 113. The spring element 118 is preferably used to generate the spring force such that the spring force movable cover 113 enters its closed position or holds the lid 113 in the closed position. Therefore, the spring element 118 can also be referred to as a closing spring.

When the lid 113 is in its open position, the second container 15 is permeable to the open end 112 of the receiving portion 111. At least one or all of the first containers 14 are communicable through the open end 112 when the lid 113 is in its closed position to cover the second container 15. The cover 113 prevents the caps 3 stored in the second container 15 from being unnecessarily contaminated, but the nozzles 2 of the electronic smoking device 1 stored in the first containers 14 can be covered by the cap 3 and can be used at any time. Was obtained.

The cover 118 preferably includes an actuating portion 113a that can be used to move the cover 113 out of its closed position and toward its open position. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the actuation portion 113a will protrude from the receiving portion 111 at least when the cover 113 is in its closed position. In particular, the cover 113 may be formed as a plate from which a portion of the plate protrudes from the receiving portion 111 to form the actuating portion. The spring member 118 contacts the cover 113 between the actuation portion 113a and the cover portion 113b of the cover 113, and the cover portion 113b covers at least the insertion portion 117 of the second container 15 when the cover 118 is in its closed position.

5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of a storage case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the receiving portion of the storage case substantially corresponds to the receiving portion of the previous embodiment.

The storage case 210 of the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 includes a cover 213, and the actuation portion 213a of the cover 213 extends substantially parallel to the insertion direction I and is disposed in the receiving portion 211 extending parallel to the insertion direction I. One side 211a. In order to move the covering portion 213b from its closed position C to the open position O, the actuating portion 213a slides into the insertion direction I. When the actuating portion 213a is moved in the insertion direction I, the spring member 218 is deformed such that the spring member 218 generates an elastic force that deflects the cover 213 toward the closed position C.

The cover 213 as shown in Figures 5 and 6 covers only the second container 15 in its closed position C. However, if the cover 213 is a little longer than the insertion direction I and away from the cover portion 213b in the closed position C, the cover portion 213b additionally covers at least one or even the first containers 14 when in its closed position C. It is all the first containers 14.

In order to provide that the cover portion 213b securely closes the second container 15 to at least the closed position C, the cover 213 can include another spring element 219 for rotating the cover portion 213b onto the actuation portion 213a and rotating to The open end 212 of the receiving portion 211 is disposed so that the cover 213 is not configured to be in its closed position C.

The cover portion 213b may include a plurality of cover sheets that are hingedly connected to each other. A hinge can be used to push the plates onto the open end 212 to prevent the cover 213 from being in its closed position C. Due to the hinged connection of the plates, when the actuating portion 213a is moved from the closed position C toward the open position O, the covering portion 213b may not be fully lifted. Instead of the hinge connection, when the cover portion 213b is moved perpendicular to the insertion direction I and along the open end 212, the actuation portion 213a moves in the insertion direction I. Thus, the cover 213 can include more than one closed position, wherein the cover 213 covers the second container 15 in its first closed position and at its second level The closed position covers the first and second containers 14, 15. The first closed position can be used as the intermediate position because the cover portion 213b is disposed between the open position O and its closed position C in the first closed position.

Furthermore, the at least one first container 14 is communicable in the first closed position, which corresponds to a first open position of the cover 213.

Figures 7 through 9 illustrate another illustrative embodiment of a storage case in accordance with the present invention.

The cover 313 of the storage case 310 of the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 7-9 is slidable along the open end 312 of the receiving portion 311. The open end 312 extends substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction I, and the cover 313 is slidable perpendicular to the insertion direction I. However, in the illustrated embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 through 9, the open end 312 is curved such that the cover 313 slides perpendicular to the insertion direction I and into the insertion direction I to prevent the cover 313 from moving out of its closed position C toward the open position O. .

Figure 7 shows the lid 313 in its closed position C, in which position the lid 313 closes the open end 312 and all of the first and second containers. In Figure 8, the cover 313 is moved out of its closed position C into its intermediate position P, at which all of the first containers 14 are communicable. Cover 313 can include a plurality of intermediate positions P in which one or more of the first containers are communicable. However, at all intermediate positions P, the second container 15 is still covered by the cover 313. Therefore, the intermediate positions P can be used as the second open position, the third open position, etc., or the second closed position, the third closed position, and the like.

In Figure 9, the cover 313 does not cover the first and second containers 14, 15, and is therefore disposed in its open position O.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered to be illustrative embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Various modifications and equal configurations within.

The storage case of any of the embodiments can be used to fill an electronic smoking device and a cap, which are sold separately from the storage case. Alternatively, a vending unit may be provided in accordance with the present invention, the vending unit comprising a storage case for an electronic smoking device in accordance with the present invention, at least one electronic smoking device being housed in at least one first container, and At least one cap is for a nozzle of the electronic smoking device, the cap is received in the second container and the opening faces the insertion direction, or the cap is placed on the nozzle. Preferably, the vending unit according to the present invention comprises a plurality of caps, the number of the caps being equivalent to the number of the first containers, the caps being disposed in the second container and/or disposed in the electronic smoking devices Each of the nozzles is disposed in a different one of the first containers.

According to all embodiments, the cover covers at least the insertion portion in its closed position. In particular, the cover portion can be configured to be substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction and contact the open end when the cover is in its closed position.

1‧‧‧Electronic smoking device

2‧‧‧ nozzle

3‧‧‧ Cap

4‧‧‧ openings

10‧‧‧Storage box

11‧‧‧Acceptance Department

14‧‧‧First container

15‧‧‧Second container

20‧‧‧Sale unit

I‧‧‧Intrusion direction

Di‧‧‧inner diameter

Di‧‧‧Down

Claims (15)

A storage case (10) for an electronic smoking device, comprising a receiving portion (11) having an open end (12) operable to receive an insertion Direction (I) is inserted into an electronic smoking device (1) of the receiving portion (11), wherein the receiving portion (11) comprises a first container and a second container (14, 15), the first container (14) Suitable for accommodating an electronic smoking device (1), and the second container (15) is adapted to receive at least one cap (3) for storage in the first container (14) A nozzle (2) of an electronic smoking device (1). The storage case (210) of claim 1, wherein the storage case (210) comprises a cover (213) movable between an open position (O) and a closed position (C) Wherein, when the cover (213) is in its closed position (C), it will at least cover an insertion opening (17) of the second container (15). The storage case (310) of claim 2, wherein an opening (16) of the first container (14) is covered when the cover (313) is in its closed position (C). The storage case (310) of claim 2 or 3, wherein the cover (313) is movable between an open position (O) and a closed position (C) via an intermediate position (P), and Covering the second container (15) when the cover (313) is in its intermediate position (P), and when the cover The first and second containers (14, 15) are covered by (313) in its closed position (C). The storage case (310) of claim 4, wherein the cover (313) is configured to communicate with the first container (14) when the cover (313) is in its intermediate position (P). The storage case (310) of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the cover (313) is configured to pass the open end (312) when the cover (313) is in its open position (O) And communicating with the second container (15). The storage case (210) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the cover (213) is movably attached to the receiving portion (211) and biased toward its closed position by an elastic force (C) . The storage case (210) of claim 7, wherein the storage case (210) includes a spring element (218) that urges the cover (213) into its open position (O) from its position Close position (C). The storage case (110) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the cover (113) comprises an actuating portion (113a) and a covering portion (113b), wherein the cover (113) is closed when it is closed At the position (C), the covering portion (113b) is at least close to the second container (15). A storage case (210) according to claim 9, wherein the actuating portion (213a) extends along a side surface (211a) of the receiving portion (211) and along the insertion direction (I). The storage case (10) of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the inner diameter (Di) of the second container (15) exceeds the inner diameter (di) of the first container (14). The storage case (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the receiving portion (11) comprises a plurality of first containers (14) and only one first container (15). A vending unit (20), comprising: a storage case (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one electronic smoking device (1) is housed in the first container (14) At least one cap (3) for a nozzle (2) for the electronic smoking device (1) is housed in the second container (15). The vending unit (20) of claim 13, wherein the depth of the second container (15) in the insertion direction (I) is adapted to accommodate the number of the caps (3), The number of caps is equivalent to the number of first containers (14). The vending unit (20) of claim 13 or 14, wherein the vending unit (20) comprises a plurality of caps (3), the number of the caps being equivalent to the number of the first containers (14), The cap (3) is disposed in the second container (15) and/or disposed in the electronic cigarettes On the nozzles (2) of the device (1), each of the nozzles (2) is disposed in a different one of the first containers (14).