DE102018010239B4 - Device for generating and inhaling smoke using tanks arranged one above the other - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (100) for generating and inhaling smoke, in particular an e-cigarette for generating and inhaling smoke, comprising at least two chambers (1), each of which is designed and intended for a smoking agent, for example tobacco or a liquid to be vaporized , - at least one means (2) for absorbing a smoke created within the chambers (1), the means (2) being fluidly connected both to the two chambers (1) and to a mouthpiece (3) for inhaling the smoke are, characterized in that the means (2) for receiving a smoke comprises at least one adjusting means (21), wherein by means of the adjusting means (21) a flow cross section with respect to each chamber (1) and/or with respect to the mouthpiece (3) is adjustable, so that either one of the two smoking agents can be inhaled by a user or both smoking agents can be inhaled at the same time, the two chambers (1) being arranged one above the other in a longitudinal direction (L), and each of the chambers (1) being arranged by means of a , in particular at least partially lockable, channel system (5) are fluidically connected or connectable to the mouthpiece (3), the mouthpiece having at least two openings into which a channel system each opens, so that the preferably lockable fluid connections are created via the openings, and further where at least one opening in the form of a bore is formed in a side wall of the mouthpiece, and further wherein the mouthpiece is designed like a hollow cylinder and is open on the top and bottom surfaces, with one side surface having at least one opening.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for generating and inhaling smoke, in particular an e-cigarette for generating and inhaling smoke by means of tanks arranged one above the other according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Previous devices for generating and inhaling smoke, including previous e-cigarettes, make it possible to inhale only one flavor at a time. This is due, among other things, to the fact that previous e-cigarettes only provide a single holder in order to accommodate only one tank in which the smoking agent, for example a liquid to be evaporated, is arranged.

However, this has the disadvantage that the user is limited to just one taste of the smoking substance. Although the flavor can be changed by separately replacing such a single tank in an e-cigarette already known from the prior art, this is particularly complex and expensive for the user.

The CH 580 394 A5 shows a smoking pipe with two adjacent pipe bowls connected by a branch to a common mouthpiece so that two fillings of tobacco can be ignited at the same time, and by means of a valve at the junction air can be drawn through each ignited filling in succession to produce a more satisfactory smoke and also, if necessary, to obtain an instant comparison between two types of tobacco. For multiple comparisons of tobacco types, a pipe with several pipe bowls can be used, in which more than two pipe bowls are connected by a multiple branch. In another embodiment, two or more heads are mounted in a row along a common stem. The valve may have a rotary or sliding flap, and the heads may have hinged covers.

The present invention therefore aims to eliminate the above problem, so that it is an object of the present invention to offer a device for generating and inhaling smoke, in particular an e-cigarette for generating and inhaling smoke, which makes it possible to do so in a particularly simple, cost-effective manner and to offer different flavors in an individual way without having to replace a smoking chamber separately. This task is therefore solved by the subject matter of patent claim 1.

In particular, the device according to the invention for generating and inhaling smoke, in particular the e-cigarette proposed here for generating and inhaling smoke, has at least two chambers, each of which is set up and intended to contain a smoking agent, for example tobacco, or one absorb evaporating liquid.

Furthermore, the device comprises at least one means for absorbing smoke created within the chamber, the means being fluidly connected both to the two chambers and to a mouthpiece for inhaling the smoke.

A core element of the present invention is that the means for receiving a smoke comprises at least one adjusting means, wherein by means of the adjusting means a flow cross section can be adjusted in relation to each chamber and/or in relation to the mouthpiece, so that either one of the two smoking means can be selected from the User can inhale or both smoking substances can be inhaled at the same time.

The adjustment means can be a gripping surface, which is present, for example, on the mouthpiece or the means.

In this respect, the above-described means for absorbing a smoke via the adjusting means described here offers the possibility that different flavors can be inhaled one after the other or at the same time. In this respect, the present device for generating and inhaling smoke offers the possibility of offering the user individual flavors without having to change the smoking agent to change the flavor.

For example, by actuating the adjustment means, the means for receiving a smoke can be adjusted in such a way, but in particular rotated about the longitudinal direction, that a flow cross section is or becomes completely closed in relation to a, for example, fixed, chamber, while a flow cross section in Reference to the second chamber is completely open. Intermediate positions (at least partially open and/or at least partially closed) are also conceivable. For example, only one smoking substance is inhaled.

Alternatively, however, it is conceivable that, for example, the flow cross sections of both chambers are completely open or at least partially open. About the means for absorbing smoke generated within the chamber can Therefore, a mixture of the vapors of both smoking substances is created, which are inhaled together through one mouthpiece.

In this case, “flow cross-section” refers to a cross-section in relation to each chamber within a channel system assigned to the chamber or arranged within the chamber, which leads to a mouthpiece of the device.

According to at least one embodiment, the device for generating and inhaling smoke, in particular an e-cigarette for generating and inhaling smoke, comprises at least two chambers, each of which is set up and intended to contain a smoking agent, for example tobacco or a liquid to be vaporized , to record. The device also has at least one means for absorbing smoke created within the chambers, the means being fluidly connected to the two chambers, i.e. also to a mouthpiece for inhaling the smoke.

According to the invention, the means for receiving a smoke comprises at least one adjusting means, wherein by means of the adjusting means a flow cross section can be adjusted with respect to each chamber and/or with respect to the mouthpiece, so that either one of the two smoking agents can be inhaled by a user or both smoking agents can be inhaled at the same time can be inhaled.The two chambers are arranged one above the other in a longitudinal direction and each of the chambers is fluidically connected or connectable to the mouthpiece by means of a channel system, in particular at least partially lockable.

According to at least one embodiment, the two chambers are installed in a, in particular portable, housing. In particular, at least one, but preferably each, channel system can be at least partially blocked off via the means for absorbing smoke generated within the chamber, whereby the choice of flavors described above can be realized for the user.

For example, the housing is a housing of an e-cigarette for generating and inhaling smoke. The portable housing specified here is designed and intended to be used by a user, in particular manually. In this respect, the dimensions of the housing offered here can differ significantly from a permanently installed housing. In other words, all other components, such as a battery or an electronically operated heating system for heating the smoking agent of the device, are preferably installed in the housing. Thus, no further element for operating the device for generating and inhaling smoke is arranged outside the housing.

Furthermore, the housing is a self-contained housing, which, however, can be reclosed, in particular for refilling the chambers and/or for replacing the chambers.

According to at least one embodiment, the mouthpiece has at least two openings, into which a channel system each opens, so that fluid connections, which can preferably be shut off, are created via the openings.

At least one, preferably both openings can be designed in the form of a bore in a side wall of the mouthpiece. For example, the mouthpiece is designed like a hollow cylinder and is open on the top and bottom surfaces, with one side surface having at least one opening.

Additionally or alternatively, a valve device for controlling or regulating a flow cross section of the opening can be arranged in or on at least one opening. For example, such a valve can be designed in the form of a flap valve. For this purpose, it is conceivable that a flexible membrane is applied to an inner wall of the mouthpiece or to an outer wall of the mouthpiece, which opens at least partially when inhaling and immediately closes itself after inhaling or in the event of incorrect exhalation into the mouthpiece.

Preferably, such a valve device is also attached in such a way that when the mouthpiece is rotated about the longitudinal direction to adjust the flow cross section and/or to select a flavor, it closes itself. In this context, it is conceivable that such a valve device is or can only be opened in a single rotational position relative to the housing, which is predetermined with respect to the longitudinal direction.

According to at least one embodiment, the channel systems described above are formed on or in a common cover element, wherein the cover element can be releasably mounted on the housing.

Such a cover element can be formed in one piece, so that the cover element is free of screws, rivets or interruptions. For example, the lid element is with an art fabric material formed. However, it is also conceivable that the cover element is formed with a metal, preferably an antiseptic metal. In particular, the common cover element can be washable and also reusable.

The lid element can be designed in the form of a screw lid, in particular wherein a wall thickness of the lid element is designed both in relation to a side surface of the lid element and to a top surface of the lid element such that at least two channels are formed in or on it. Each channel is therefore intended to establish a respective fluid connection to a chamber. For example, the number of channels is identical to the number of chambers.

According to at least one embodiment, the cover element has at least one hole that is continuous in the longitudinal direction, within which the mouthpiece can be placed, so that the mouthpiece at least partially protrudes in the longitudinal direction from the hole in the cover element, in particular wherein the channel systems open into a side surface of the hole, so that in each case a hole in the cover element can be brought into at least partial overlap with an opening in the mouthpiece in order to be able to establish at least one continuous fluid connection to each chamber and the mouthpiece.

Preferably, the through hole is formed in a top surface of the cover element. The hole may be located centrally to the longitudinal direction.

The cover element is, for example, a screw closure with an internal thread and/or a snap closure. A side surface of the cover element has, for example, a projection which can hook onto another projection of the housing for releasable closure.

According to at least one embodiment, at least one channel system opens laterally, that is to say in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, into the mouthpiece.

It is conceivable that the two chambers in the housing are connected to one another via a connecting device in such a way that the two chambers are designed to be rotatable relative to a housing wall of the housing, in particular rotatable about the longitudinal direction. In this respect, the above-mentioned magazine-like arrangement of the chambers around the longitudinal direction is created.

The device can have a twisting mechanism which can be actuated via the adjusting means. It is also conceivable that the device has a fill level indicator and/or a fill level sensor system, which measures a fill level in each chamber. If the filling level of a chamber falls below a minimum level, it is conceivable that a blocking device of the device automatically interrupts the fluid connection between the respective chamber and the mouthpiece. This locking device can be operated electrically via the device's battery. The device's battery may be the device's sole power source. A heater for evaporating or heating the smoking agent is preferably also operated via the battery. For example, the locking device comprises a closure element which moves into the respective fluid line or completely blocks one end of the fluid line.

According to at least one embodiment, the adjustment means is a mechanical adjustment means, for example an adjustment button, which, when pressed, produces a rotation of the mouthpiece about the longitudinal direction and/or a rotation of the lid element in the longitudinal direction. Meanwhile, the mouthpiece and/or the cover element remain stationary (creating a relative rotation of both components). The adjustment means can also be used to generate a rotation about the longitudinal axis of the chambers, which are arranged, for example, in the form of the revolver drum.

For this purpose, the adjustment knob can be connected to a movement mechanism which can generate the above-mentioned rotations or at least one rotation.

According to at least one embodiment, the adjustment means comprises an electric motor which generates a rotation of the mouthpiece in the longitudinal axis and/or a rotation of the lid element about the longitudinal axis.

For example, the adjustment means can also produce the above-mentioned rotation of the chambers relative to the housing wall of the housing.

According to at least one embodiment, the device is designed to be portable, in particular having a maximum extension in the longitudinal direction of at most 15 cm, preferably at most 10 cm, and a maximum width in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of at most 6 cm, preferably at most 4 cm.

These dimensions above have proven to be particularly advantageous when the above The device described is, as already shown, designed to be portable.

The device present here is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment and the associated figures.

• 1 schematische Draufansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
• 2 Querschnittsseitenansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

In the 1 until 2 are shown in more detail in schematic/perspective views of individual elements of the invention described here.

• 1 schematic top view of the device according to the invention;
• 2 Cross-sectional side view of the device according to the invention;

In the figures, components that are the same or have the same effect are each provided with the same reference numerals. The elements shown here should not be considered to scale. Rather, individual elements may be shown in exaggerated sizes for better understanding.

In the 1 is shown in a schematic top view of a device 100 according to the invention described here for generating and inhaling smoke, i.e. an e-cigarette presented here for generating and inhaling smoke.

Like from the 1 can be recognized, the device 100 includes, in plan view, several chambers 1, which are each arranged one above the other in the longitudinal direction L (see also 2 ).

Each of the chambers 1 is designed and intended to accommodate a smoking agent, in particular, for example, a liquid to be vaporized for an e-cigarette.

In addition, a means 2 for absorbing smoke created within the chambers 1 is shown, the means 2 being fluidly connected both to the two chambers 1 and to a mouthpiece 3 for inhaling the smoke.

The ones in the 1 Chambers 1 shown are installed in a portable housing 4, each of the chambers 1 being fluidly connected to the mouthpiece 3 by means of a channel system 5, in particular at least partially lockable.

In addition, in the 1 It can be seen that the mouthpiece 3 has several openings 31 into which a channel system 5 opens, so that the fluid connections are created via the opening 31.

In addition, the shows 2 a common cover element 6, wherein the cover element 6 is mounted, in particular screwed, onto the housing 4 and the channel systems 5 are preferably completely integrated in or on the cover element 6, in particular in a side cover wall of the cover element 6.

For example, the cover element 6 is formed with a plastic material which was formed by means of an injection molding process, so that the channel systems 5 within the cover element 6 are formed automatically via such a casting process, for example.

In addition, the cover element 6 has a through hole 61 in the longitudinal direction L, within which the mouthpiece 3 is placed, so that the mouthpiece 3 at least partially protrudes in the longitudinal direction L from the hole 61 of the cover element 6.

In addition, the channel systems 5 can open into a side surface 61A of the hole 61, so that a hole 61 of the cover element 6 can be brought into overlap with an opening 31 of the mouthpiece 3 and at least a continuous fluid connection is established between each chamber 1 and the mouthpiece 3.

However, as in the 2 shown, the channel systems 5 protrude from a base cover 63 in the longitudinal direction L. For this purpose, the channel systems 5 each have a first end, which each opens into an opening of a chamber 1 and protrudes from the base cover 63 in an upward direction, that is to say in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The base cover 63 therefore has an opening 63A that is completely continuous in the longitudinal direction L for each channel system 5. These openings 63A are arranged like a magazine around the mouthpiece 3 in the base cover 63.

For example, the base cover 63 together with the channel systems 5 are rotatable relative to the housing 4 in the longitudinal direction L.

The channel systems 5 protrude at least partially from the base cover 63. Again 2 can also be removed, the openings 31 are arranged in the longitudinal direction L above the base cover 63. The channel systems 5 are in the 2 each drawn as continuous individual channels.

The invention is not limited to the description of the exemplary embodiment. Rather, the invention encompasses any new feature and any combination of features, whatever in particular includes every combination of the patent claims, even if this feature or this combination itself is not explicitly stated in the patent claims or in the exemplary embodiment.

Reference symbol list

1

chamber

2

Medium

3

Mouthpiece

4

Housing

5

Canal system

6

Lid element

9

Closure element

21

Adjustment means

31

openings

61

Hole

61A

side surface

63

Base lid

63A

Openings in the base cover

100

contraption

L

longitudinal direction

v

Direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction

Claims (7)

Device (100) for generating and inhaling smoke, in particular an e-cigarette for generating and inhaling smoke, comprising - at least two chambers (1), each of which is designed and intended for a smoking agent, for example tobacco or a liquid to be vaporized , - at least one means (2) for absorbing a smoke created within the chambers (1), the means (2) being fluidly connected both to the two chambers (1) and to a mouthpiece (3) for inhaling the smoke are, characterized in that the means (2) for receiving a smoke comprises at least one adjusting means (21), wherein by means of the adjusting means (21) a flow cross section is determined in relation to each chamber (1) and/or in relation to the mouthpiece (3 ) is adjustable so that either one of the two smoking agents can be inhaled by a user or both smoking agents can be inhaled at the same time, the two chambers (1) being arranged one above the other in a longitudinal direction (L), and each of the chambers (1) being arranged by means of a, in particular at least partially lockable, channel system (5) is fluidically connected or connectable to the mouthpiece (3), the mouthpiece having at least two openings into which a channel system each opens, so that the preferably lockable fluid connections are created via the openings, and further wherein at least one opening is formed in the form of a bore in a side wall of the mouthpiece, and further wherein the mouthpiece is designed like a hollow cylinder and is open on the top and bottom surfaces, with one side surface having at least one opening. Device (100) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the channel systems (5) are formed in a common cover element (6), the cover element (6) being releasably mountable on the housing (4). Device (100) after Claim 2 , characterized in that the cover element (6) has at least one hole (61) which is continuous in the longitudinal direction (L), within which the mouthpiece (3) can be placed, so that the mouthpiece (3) comes out of the hole in the longitudinal direction (L). (61) of the cover element (6) at least partially protrudes, in particular wherein the channel systems (5) open into a side surface (61A) of the hole (61), so that each hole (61) of the cover element (6) overlaps with one opening (31) of the mouthpiece (3) can be brought in order to be able to establish at least one continuous fluid connection between each chamber (1) and the mouthpiece (3). Device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one channel system (5) opens into the mouthpiece (3) laterally, that is to say in a direction (V) transverse to the longitudinal direction (L). Device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting means (21) is a mechanical adjusting means (21), for example an adjusting button, which, when pressed, causes the mouthpiece (3) to rotate about the longitudinal direction (L ) and / or a rotation of the cover element (6) about the longitudinal direction (L). Device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting means (21) comprises an electric motor which rotates the mouthpiece (3) about the longitudinal direction (L) and/or rotates the cover element (6). around the longitudinal direction (L). Device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed to be portable and in particular has a maximum extension in the longitudinal direction (L) of at most 15 cm, preferably at most 10 cm, and a maximum width in one direction (V ) transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) of at most 6 cm, preferably at most 4 cm.

Images