DE102019204931A1 - Electric cigarette system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric cigarette system (1) with a base device (2) which has a refillable tank (4) and a refill container (3) which has a container volume (19) for storing a liquid. Simplified handling when refilling liquid into the tank (4) is achieved in that the base device (2) and the refill container (3) have mutually complementary interfaces (13, 18) which have a base opening (14) in the base device (2). and align a container opening (20) of the refill container (3) with each other when the refill container (3) is attached to the base device (2). The invention further relates to such a refill container (3) and such a base device (2).

Description

The present invention relates to an electric cigarette system with a base device and a refill container for refilling a tank of the base device. The invention also relates to such a refill container and such a basic device.

Electronic cigarettes are gaining popularity and are seen as potential successors to classic cigarettes. The principle of electronic cigarettes is based on drawing a liquid, also known as liquid, usually containing nicotine, from a tank and vaporizing it using a vaporizer. The steam thus generated is then made available for consumption, usually via a mouthpiece. In addition to the tank and the vaporizer, electronic cigarettes of this kind include electronics, which usually include a rechargeable energy source and a control unit.

Most of the known electronic cigarettes can be divided into so-called open systems and closed systems.

In the case of the open systems, the tank of the electronic cigarette can be refilled and generally has an opening through which a liquid is introduced into the tank for refilling. The tank is usually attached to an evaporator head which, in addition to the tank, has the evaporator and the mouthpiece and is attached to a base unit which has the electronics.

In the case of the closed system, the tank is part of a disposable capsule which, in addition to the pre-filled, non-refillable tank, has the evaporator. In the case of closed electronic cigarettes, also called pod or capsule cigarettes, the capsule, which is thus to be used once, is removably attached to a base unit, the base unit comprising the electronics.

The closed systems have the advantage that they are easy to handle, as the capsules are disposed of after the liquid in the tank has been used up. However, this results in an environmental balance that needs improvement. In addition, due to the use of the capsules intended for one-time use, the remaining components provided therein, in particular the evaporator, are also disposed of after the liquid present in the capsule has been used up. As a result, the other components, that is to say in particular also the evaporator, are generally manufactured and / or assembled inexpensively in order to provide the capsules at reduced costs. This leads to a corresponding loss of quality in electronic cigarettes of the closed type, for example in terms of the development of vapor and taste. If the other components are manufactured to a high quality, this leads to increased costs for the capsules intended to be thrown away.

With the open systems there is the advantage that due to the intended use of the components for a longer duration and repeated use, they can be designed with a correspondingly higher quality, so that electronic cigarettes of the open systems usually have an increased quality of the provided vapor and / or the Allow setting different properties of the steam. Refilling the tank, however, requires a corresponding skill on the part of the consumer and thus on the one hand leads to a reduction in comfort and on the other hand to the fact that when refilling the liquid to be refilled cannot be introduced into the tank of the electronic cigarette in a targeted manner. There are therefore losses of the liquid when refilling and / or the liquid can reach other components outside the tank and possibly damage them.

The present invention is therefore concerned with the object of specifying an improved or at least different embodiment for an electronic cigarette system, which is characterized in particular by increased comfort and, at the same time, higher quality. According to the invention, this object is achieved by the subjects of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the general idea of an electric cigarette system with a base device comprising a tank for a liquid, from which the liquid is drawn and fed to an evaporator to generate vapor, and a refill container for refilling the tank with liquid to provide, wherein complementary interfaces are provided on the base device and on the refill container, which result in a predetermined alignment of the refill container with the base device. The mutually complementary interfaces thus make it possible to attach the refill container to the base device in a simplified manner for refilling the tank and to refill the tank. This leads to a considerable simplification of the handling of the electronic cigarette system, in particular a considerable simplification of the handling when refilling the tank. In addition, the components of the basic device can be designed as reusable components, so that they are of higher quality, in particular with higher procurement and / or manufacturing costs can be provided. As a result, increased comfort for the consumer as well as increased quality, in particular in terms of steam generation and / or flavor development, can be provided at reduced overall costs.

In accordance with the concept of the invention, the electric cigarette system, hereinafter also referred to as the cigarette system for short, has the basic device and the refill container. The basic device has the refillable tank and an electric vaporizer. When the cigarette system is in operation, the vaporizer draws liquid from the tank and generates steam therefrom, the steam being made available to a consumer for smoking or inhalation. For this purpose, the base device can have a mouthpiece. The basic device is therefore part of an electronic cigarette or forms the electronic cigarette. The refill container is separate from the base device, so it can be completely removed from the base device and is provided for refilling the tank. The refill container has a volume, hereinafter referred to as the container volume, which is used to store the liquid to be refilled into the tank. According to the invention, the base device and the refill container have mutually complementary interfaces, via which the refill container is aligned in a predetermined manner when it is attached to the base device. The interface of the base device, also referred to below as the base interface, has a base opening which is or can be fluidically connected to the tank. The interface of the refill container, also referred to below as the container interface, has a container opening which is or can be fluidically connected to the container volume. The complementary design of the interfaces is such that the refill container and the base device assume a predetermined position relative to one another when the refill container is attached to the base device, also referred to below as the dock position. In the docking position, the container opening is aligned with the base opening. Furthermore, the refill container is designed in such a way that, in the docking position, an action of force in a release direction moves the cigarette system into a release position. In the release position, the container opening and the base opening are fluidically connected to one another, so that the container volume for refilling the tank with the fluid is fluidically connected to the tank.

The term electronic cigarette system also includes systems for targeted smoking cessation.

Embodiments are preferred in which the respective interface is provided on the outside of the associated component of the system. This means that it is preferred if the container interface is / is provided on an outside of the refill container and / or the base interface is / is provided on an outside of the base device.

It is also conceivable that at least one of the interfaces, in particular the base interface, during normal operation of the base device, in which the base device generates steam and provides it to the consumer, is covered with a cover that can be removed accordingly to cover the associated interface, in particular the base interface to refill the tank with the refill container. Such a covering of the basic interface can take place with the aid of a mouthpiece of the basic device, via which steam for smoking / inhalation is dispensed in normal operation. This leads in particular to a more compact construction of the basic device and / or prevents a fluid from inadvertently entering the tank or at least reduces the corresponding risk.

In principle, the tank can be arranged permanently on or in the base device. The tank can also be detachable from the base device. In the latter case, the tank can be part of an exchangeable, reusable evaporator group, which has the evaporator in addition to the tank. Thus, different evaporators can be used in the same basic device in order to provide the consumer with a greater variety of consumption options.

The basic interface is advantageously at least partially formed on the tank. This means that at least a part of the base interface, in particular at least the base opening, is one of the tank.

If the tank is detachable from the base device, the base interface is expediently designed as an interface of the tank, that is to say in particular a tank interface. Accordingly, the tank can be detached from the base device for filling, possibly with the evaporator group, and attached again to the base device after filling with the refill container.

In addition to the evaporator, the basic device can also include an energy source, in particular a rechargeable accumulator, and / or a control unit for controlling the evaporator. The base device can also have an electrical charging connection for charging the energy source. As mentioned, the basic device can thus form the electronic cigarette.

The base device can also be designed in such a way that it connects to the evaporator generated steam is mixed with air to then output the steam mixed with air. As mentioned, the output takes place preferably via a mouthpiece, which is advantageously also part of the basic device. In particular, a chimney-like channel, hereinafter also referred to as chimney, can be arranged between the evaporator and the mouthpiece. The chimney can also be part of the evaporator group described.

In principle, even in the release position, due to the fluidic connection between the container opening and the base opening and thus between the container volume and the tank, liquid can flow from the container volume, in particular due to gravity, into the tank.

In preferred embodiments, the refill container is designed in such a way that, in the release position, the action of force on the refill container moves the cigarette system into a refill position. In the refill position, the liquid stored in the refill container is actively fed into the tank. This can be done in particular by sucking in the liquid. In the refilling position, the container volume is advantageously reduced by the action of force, so that the liquid stored in the container volume is conveyed out of the container opening and into the base opening and thus reaches the tank. To refill the liquid into the tank from the refill container, a first force action is provided to release the base opening and the container opening and a further force action is provided for actively conveying the liquid into the tank, in particular to reduce the container volume. This makes it possible to first ensure a predetermined alignment between the container opening and the base opening, then to open the openings and then, in the refill position, to introduce the liquid from the container volume into the tank in a targeted manner. The respective force action represents a haptic feedback for the consumer, so that the handling of the cigarette system is considerably simplified and more comfortable.

The alignment of the base opening relative to the container opening advantageously corresponds to an aligned arrangement of the openings with respect to one another, in particular a centering of the container opening relative to the base opening. This enables easy attachment of the refill container to the base device. In addition, the adjustment of the cigarette system into the release position and / or into the refill position can be implemented in a simplified manner.

It goes without saying that the adjustment of the cigarette system into the respective position is reversible. In particular, after the tank has been filled with liquid from the refill container, the system can be moved into the docking position and the refill container can then be removed from the base device, in particular from the tank, in order to then resume normal operation of the base device.

Preferred variants provide a vent opening in the base device, in particular the tank, which is separate from the base opening, in order to vent the tank when the liquid is refilled into the tank. Advantageously, at least in the refilling position, preferably already in the release position, the vent opening is connected to the environment for venting the tank.

In principle, the refill container can be designed in such a way that any force acting on the container moves the cigarette system into the release position. This can be realized, for example, in that the container volume of the refill container is limited by a flexible and / or deformable wall, in particular in the manner of a bag.

Embodiments are preferred in which the refill container is designed in such a way that, in the release position, an action of force in a predetermined refill direction moves the cigarette system into the refill position, that is, in particular, reduces the container volume. This reduces the risk of inadvertent leakage of liquid from the refill container and, moreover, leads to simplified handling of the cigarette system, in particular of the refill container.

It is particularly preferred here if the release direction and the refill direction run parallel. This means that to move the cigarette system into the release position and into the refill position, the consumer applies a force or forces which run parallel to one another. It is particularly preferred here if the release direction and the refill direction correspond to one another. This means that a force acting in the same direction by the consumer of the cigarette system first moves it into the release position, preferably with haptic feedback, and then into the refill position. This leads to a considerably simplified handling of the system for refilling the tank with the refill container. The haptic feedback can be implemented by a mechanical stop of the refill container on the base device.

It is also preferred if, in order to attach the refill container to the base device, in particular to reach the docking position, a movement of the refill container relative to the base device is provided, which is directed in the same direction as the release direction. Also this leads to a considerably simplified handling of the cigarette system, in particular the attachment of the refill container to the base device. When the docking position is reached, haptic feedback can be provided, in particular by means of a mechanical stop of the refill container on the base device.

In principle, the base interface and the container interface can interact as desired in order to achieve the docking position when the refill container is attached to the base device. This is advantageously achieved in that the movement of the refill container relative to the base device is guided when the refill container is attached to the base device. Such a guide can in particular be implemented by a magnetic interaction between the base device and the refill container.

Advantageous embodiments provide for a form-fitting interaction between the base interface and the container interface. The alignment of the base opening and the container opening is thus implemented by means of geometric contours of the base interface and the container interface. The cigarette system can thus be implemented in a simplified and cost-effective manner. In addition, the cigarette system thus has an arrangement of the interfaces that is visually and / or haptically perceptible to the consumer, so that the handling of the cigarette system is again simplified.

It is also preferred if the interfaces also interact in a form-fitting manner when the system is adjusted between the docking position and the release position and / or between the release position and the refill position.

The refill container is advantageously designed in such a way that when the refill container is separated from the base device, i.e. in particular before reaching the release position, a flow path for the liquid runs exclusively within the refill container, i.e. the liquid cannot flow out of the refill container. The same can also apply after the refill container has been removed from the base device, in particular when the cigarette system is moved from the release position to the docking position. The refill container is therefore preferably closed outside the release position and the refill position. This prevents the externally accessible parts of the refill container from being contaminated by the liquid, which sometimes contains a lot of nicotine, and thus from unwanted oral or dermal ingestion of harmful amounts of nicotine by the user and / or other persons, or at least reducing the corresponding risk.

Embodiments prove to be advantageous in which the refill container has a closure which closes the container opening. The basic device, in particular the basic interface, also has a tool for opening the closure. The tool and the closure are aligned with one another in the docking position of the cigarette system in such a way that the tool at least partially opens the closure when the cigarette system is moved into the release position and thus releases the container opening. Consequently, the container opening is closed before the refill container is attached to the base device and before the release position is reached, so that liquid stored in the container volume cannot unintentionally or at least with difficulty get out of the refill container. The base opening is only released when the release position is reached, that is to say the base opening is fluidically connected to the container opening. This leads in particular to the fact that when the tank is refilled, the liquid flows exclusively or at least essentially into the tank. In particular, the closure in the configuration described above leads to or at least contributes to the limitation of the flow path within the refill container.

The closure can be designed as desired. Think of a valve or a flap in particular.

The closure is advantageously designed as a membrane which closes the container opening and which is opened with the aid of the tool, which can be designed, for example, as a piercing tool. Thus, the closure and the opening can be implemented inexpensively and easily.

The closure can be designed in such a way that it automatically closes the container opening again when the refill container is removed from the base device, in particular already when the cigarette system is moved from the release position into the docking position. This is particularly the case when the refill container has such a large volume that it can be used to refill the tank several times.

The base interface and the container interface preferably form a plug connection at least in the release position and / or in the refill position, in particular already in the dock position.

A simplified handling of the cigarette system can be achieved in that the container interface with a protruding Shoulder, hereinafter also referred to as the container shoulder, is provided, which engages with a correspondingly protruding shoulder of the base device, in particular the base interface, at least in the refill position, preferably already when the refill container is attached to the base device and thus to reach the dock position. The at least one base shoulder and the at least one container shoulder therefore interlock. The plug connection can thus be implemented. The interlocking of the shoulder preferably leads to the alignment of the base opening with the container opening and to a predetermined relative positioning of the refill container on the base device. Consequently, the handling of the cigarette system is also considerably simplified. Embodiments are preferred here in which at least one of the shoulders, preferably the respective shoulder, protrudes along the release direction and / or the refill direction. This leads to the refill container being stably positioned on the base device relative to the base device even when the cigarette system is moved into the release position and / or into the refill position.

The respective shoulder is expediently spaced from the associated opening, in particular transversely to the direction in which it protrudes. This means that the at least one container shoulder is spaced apart from the container opening. Analogously to this, the respective base shoulder is advantageously spaced apart from the base opening.

Embodiments are preferred in which the refill container has a container housing that delimits the container volume. The container housing is therefore dimensionally stable, in particular rigid. This simplifies the handling of the refill container and thus the cigarette system. The container volume is expediently reduced in this case by means of a component of the refill container, which likewise limits the container volume and is shifted into it in order to reduce it.

Embodiments are particularly preferred in which the refill container has a piston which delimits the container volume and is arranged displaceably in the volume to reduce the container volume, i.e. to adjust the cigarette system to the refill position, i.e. penetrates into the container volume in order to reduce it. It is preferred here if the refill container has the container housing and such a piston. This leads to a considerable simplification of the handling of the refill container and the cigarette system. In addition, the refill container can thus be produced simply and inexpensively.

The piston does not necessarily have a round cross section. Oval and angular cross-sections are also conceivable. If the refill container also has the container housing, this is designed in accordance with the cross section of the piston in such a way that the piston can be displaced into the housing in order to reduce the container volume.

It is preferred if the piston is secured to the refill container in such a way that the piston only moves when a predetermined minimum force is exceeded and is otherwise fixed. This prevents the container volume from being unintentionally reduced and liquid from the container volume from inadvertently flowing out of the refill container. The piston can be secured in particular by a form fit and / or force fit, for example with the aid of barbs and the like. In particular, the securing is implemented in the manner of locking the piston in the respective position of the piston, so that the piston remains in its current position when the minimum force is not reached. Thus, the refilled amount of liquid can be dosed in a simplified manner. It is also possible to fill the tank several times with the liquid from the refill container.

Embodiments have proven to be advantageous in which the piston at least partially forms the container interface. The refill container can thus be produced in a simplified and inexpensive manner. In addition, this simplifies the handling of the refill container and consequently of the cigarette system. It is preferred here if the piston has the container opening. The piston advantageously also has at least one of the container shoulders, in particular the respective container shoulder. It is advantageous if the container shoulder slides on an inner side of the container housing when the piston is adjusted to reduce the container volume. The adjustment of the piston takes place here preferably through a relative force between the piston and the base interface.

The base device is preferably designed in such a way that when the refill container is separated from the base device, i.e. in particular before the release position is reached, a flow path of the liquid runs exclusively within the base device, in particular within the tank and the evaporator, i.e. the liquid does not run out the base device can flow. The base device is therefore preferably closed outside the release position and the refill position. The same applies preferably after the refill container has been removed from the base device, in particular already when the cigarette system is moved from the release position to the docking position. Thus it prevents it if the externally accessible parts of the basic device are contaminated by the liquid, which sometimes contains a lot of nicotine, and thus to an unwanted oral or dermal ingestion of harmful amounts of nicotine by the user and / or other persons, or the corresponding risk is at least reduced.

Advantageous embodiments provide a valve on the base device which closes the base opening. The cigarette system, in particular the interfaces, are also designed in such a way that the valve releases the base opening when the cigarette system is moved into the release position. For this purpose, a corresponding opener, in particular in the form of a web, can be provided on the container interface. The valve prevents any liquid still in the tank from accidentally flowing out of the tank. In particular, the valve in the embodiment described above leads to or at least contributes to the limitation of the flow path within the refill container.

It is also preferred if the vent opening, in particular by the valve closing the base opening, is closed and is released by an interaction of the interfaces when the cigarette system is moved into the release position.

The closing of the base opening with the aid of the valve is advantageously reversible, such that the valve closes the base opening when the refill container is removed from the base device, in particular when the system is moved from the release position to the docking position. The same applies preferably to the ventilation opening. For this purpose, the valve can be resiliently arranged in the base device, in particular on the base interface. Furthermore, a magnetic closure of the base opening and / or the ventilation opening is also conceivable.

The cigarette system advantageously has a sealing device which, at least in the refilling position, preferably already in the release position, seals a flow path of the liquid running through the base opening and the container opening to the outside. The liquid can therefore flow exclusively or at least substantially from the container volume into the tank.

The sealing device can be implemented, for example, by at least one ring seal, in particular have at least one ring seal.

Embodiments are preferred in which the refill container has a container nozzle which borders the container opening and which is advantageously part of the container interface. In addition, the base device has a base connector which borders the base opening and which is expediently part of the base interface. The container connector and the base connector engage in one another, at least in the refill position of the cigarette system. The plug connection can thus be implemented. The interlocking of the nozzles leads to the fact that the liquid flows exclusively or at least substantially from the container volume into the tank. In this way, other sealing measures, in particular sealing rings and the like, can be dispensed with. In addition, the interlocking of the nozzles leads to a stable relative arrangement of the interfaces to one another.

It is preferred here if the nozzles already interlock in the release position, particularly preferably in the docking position. It is particularly advantageous if the nozzles are brought into engagement when the refill container is attached to the base device. In addition to the targeted introduction of the liquid into the tank, the nozzles thus lead to the orientation of the base opening relative to the container opening.

Embodiments are advantageous in which the nozzles have mutually complementary outer surfaces such that they rest against one another when the nozzles are in the interlocking state. This leads to a sealing of the flow path between the container volume and the tank in the area of the nozzle and furthermore defines a relative setting of the container interface relative to the base interface that is haptically perceptible to the consumer. Handling is therefore considerably simplified for the consumer. In addition, a precise alignment of the base opening to the container opening is possible.

It is advantageous here if the mutually interacting outer surfaces of the nozzles change along the direction of the spacing between the nozzles. This leads to an improvement in the sealing effect achieved by the interaction of the lateral surfaces. In particular, the container nozzle can have an inner lateral surface of the container nozzle, which increases in the distance direction from the base nozzle, especially in the docking position, whereas an outer lateral surface of the base nozzle, hereinafter also referred to as the base nozzle outer lateral surface, decreases in the direction of the distance from the container nozzle. Of course, a reverse configuration of the lateral surfaces is also possible. This means that the container nozzle can have a container nozzle outer jacket surface, which decreases in the direction of the distance to the base nozzle, whereas a base nozzle Inner circumferential surface of the base nozzle enlarged in the distance direction.

It goes without saying that the refill container of the cigarette system as such also belongs to the scope of this invention, as does the use of the refill container in the cigarette system for refilling the tank.

It is also understood that the basic device of the cigarette system, in particular with the basic interface, also belongs as such to the scope of this invention.

Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures on the basis of the drawings.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, with the same reference symbols referring to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

• 1 einen Schnitt durch eine Basiseinrichtung eines elektrischen Zigarettensystems,
• 2 einen Schnitt durch einen Nachfüllbehälter des Zigarettensystems,
• 3-5 jeweils einen Schnitt durch das Zigarettensystem in unterschiedlichen Stellungen.

It show each schematically

• 1 a section through a basic device of an electric cigarette system,
• 2 a section through a refill container of the cigarette system,
• 3-5 each a section through the cigarette system in different positions.

An electric cigarette system 1 as exemplified in the 1 to 5 shown has an in 1 Basic facility shown 2 as well as one in 2 refill container shown 3 on. The refill container 3 is from the base facility 2 separately and is used to refill a liquid not shown in the figures in a tank 4th the basic setup 2 at the base facility 2 attached and after refilling with the liquid from the base device 2 away. The figures each show a section through the electric cigarette system 1 , hereinafter also referred to as the cigarette system for short 1 called, in the same cutting plane.

The basic facility 2 instructs the tank 4th with a tank volume 39 into which the liquid with the refill container 3 is refilled. The basic facility 2 also has an evaporator 5 on that in an operation of the base facility 2 Liquid from the tank volume 39 of the tank 4th relates. The evaporator is used for this 5 in the example shown with the tank volume 39 fluidically connected. The evaporator 5 generates vapor with the liquid, which is then made available to a consumer for consumption, that is to say in particular for smoking and / or inhaling. The basic facility 2 is at least part of an electronic cigarette 43 . The basic facility 2 in the example shown also has a mouthpiece that is only indicated 6th on which the consumer consumes the steam. The mouthpiece 6th is detachable on the base device 2 appropriate. The basic facility 2 can, as in 1 shown, also an electrical energy source 7th and a control unit 8th have, which the electrical supply and control, in particular the evaporator 5 , serve and in 1 are only shown symbolically and together. In the 3 to 5 is the basic setup 2 without energy source 7th and control unit 8th as well as the associated chamber 12 is shown.

The basic facility 2 can also have a fireplace 9 have the one with the evaporator 5 generated steam to the mouthpiece 6th leads. The evaporator 5 is therefore between the chimney in the example shown 9 and the tank 4th arranged. The basic facility 2 has a housing 10 in the example shown two by a partition 11 separate chambers 12 having, the energy source 7th and the control unit 8th in one of the chambers 12 and the tank 4th , the evaporator 5 as well as the fireplace 9 in the other chamber 12 are included. The chamber 12 in which the tank 4th is arranged is through the removable mouthpiece 6th closed so this chamber 12 and thus the tank 4th by removing the mouthpiece 6th be released like this in the 3 to 5 is shown. In the example shown, the basic device forms 2 thus the electric cigarette 43 .

One interface 13 the basic setup 2 , hereafter basic interface 13 called, one points to the tank 4th or the tank volume 39 connected opening 14th , hereinafter base opening 14th called, on. Via the base opening 14th the basic interface 13 the tank is refilled 4th with liquid, for this purpose the refill container 3 is used. The base opening 14th can, as shown, from a nozzle 15th the basic interface 13 be outlined, the following as the base nozzle 15th referred to as. The basic facility 2 , especially the basic interface 13 , can also be the base opening 14th closing or blocking valve 16 have, in the example shown inside the tank 4th is arranged. In the example shown is the basic interface 13 directly on the tank 4th arranged, in particular formed. In particular, the base nozzle is 15th one piece and of the same material with the tank 4th educated. The nozzle stands 15th on that of tank volume 39 facing away, in this case also the mouthpiece 6th facing, side of the tank 4th from the tank 4th from. The basic interface 13 can also have a vent 17th have which from the base opening 14th separately and in the example shown also to the base opening 14th is spaced. In the example shown, the vent 17th also from the valve 16 locked. On the of the control unit 8th and the energy source 7th facing away from the base housing 10 a circumferential shoulder 30th , hereinafter also the base shoulder 30th called, on where the mouthpiece 6th strikes when put on and which to the base opening 14th or to the base nozzle 15th is spaced. In particular is the base opening 14th , especially the base nozzle 15th , with respect to the base shoulder 30th arranged in the middle.

In the example shown is the tank 4th , together with the evaporator 5 and the fireplace 9 undetachable in the basic housing 10 arranged. However, configurations are also conceivable in which the tank 4th , especially together with the vaporizer 5 , also together with the fireplace 9 , in the basic housing 10 is arranged interchangeably and by another tank 4th which in turn is the base opening 14th has, is replaced.

The refill container 3 assigns one to the base interface 13 complementary interface 18th , hereinafter container interface 18th called, on. The refill container 3 also has a volume 19th , hereinafter also container volume 19th called, which serves to store the liquid that is in the tank 4th is refilled. The container interface 18th has one with the container volume 19th fluidically connected opening 20th , hereinafter also container opening 20th called on what to refill the liquid in the tank 4th Liquid from the container volume 19th flows. The container opening 20th can, as in 2 shown by a clasp 21st , which in the example shown as a membrane 22nd is designed to be closed. The container interface 18th can also have a nozzle 23 , hereinafter also container nozzle 23 called, have the container opening 20th bordered and on that of the container volume 19th remote side protrudes. The container interface 18th can also have a bridge 24 have, which in the example shown is centered in the container nozzle 23 is arranged. At the jetty 24 can, as in the example shown, the closure 21st , especially the membrane 22nd , adjoin. In these cases the closure can 21st , especially the membrane 22nd , be designed in a timely manner. The refill container 3 can be a solid or rigid housing 25th have, hereinafter referred to as the container housing 25th referred to as. The container housing limits it 25th the container volume 19th . The refill container 3 can also have a piston 26th have, which is the container volume 19th also limited and, preferably on one of the container volumes 19th facing inside 27 of the container housing 25th , is displaceable in such a way that by displacement of the piston 26th into the container housing 25th into the container volume 19th is reduced. The container housing 25th is therefore open on one side, the open side of the container housing 25th through the piston 26th is closed so that the piston 26th together with the container housing 25th the container volume 19th limited. The piston 26th can the container interface 18th exhibit. The container interface 18th , in the example shown the piston 26th , also has a protruding shoulder 28 on which to the container opening 20th is spaced. In the example shown is the container shoulder 28 closed all round. It is also conceivable to have several container shoulders that are spaced apart from one another 28 to be provided which are circumferentially spaced from one another. The container shoulder 28 lies with her from the container opening 20th facing away on the inside 27 of the container housing 25th and can thus along the container housing 25th moved to the container volume 19th to zoom out. This creates between the shoulder 28 and the inside 27 of the container housing 25th a sealing sealing surface 29 which is the container volume 19th to the outside, a flow of fluid between the shoulder 28 and the container housing 25th thus prevented or at least reduced. The container opening 20th as well as the container nozzle 23 can be centered in the piston 26th be arranged, whereas the shoulder 28 outside of the piston 26th from the piston 26th stands out.

To refill the liquid in the tank volume 39 of the tank 4th will, as in the 3 to 5 shown, the refill container 3 at the base facility 2 appropriate. For this purpose, the mouthpiece is first used in the examples shown 6th removed to the base interface 13 with the base opening 14th accessible from the outside.

The container neck 23 can be an inner surface 31 , hereinafter also the inner surface of the container 31 called, which differ in from the container volume 19th away direction enlarged (see 2 ). The base nozzle 15th can be an outer surface 32 , hereinafter also the base outer lateral surface 32 called, which differ in from the tank volume 39 away from the direction (see 1 ).

The basic interface 13 and the container interface 18th are designed to be complementary to one another. The complementary formation of the interfaces 13 , 18th to each other is such that the cigarette system 1 when attaching the refill container 3 at the base facility 2 one in 3 shown Dock position 33 occupies, in which an interaction of the interfaces 13 , 18th leads to the base opening 14th relative to the container opening 20th aligned, is advantageously centered. This is where the interfaces work 13 , 18th form fit with each other and already form in the docking position 33 a plug connection. The base nozzle penetrates for this purpose 15th in the container nozzle 23 inside. In addition, the container shoulders stand 28 and the base shoulder 30th engaged, this being done in the example shown by grasping the base shoulder externally 30th with the container shoulder 28 is realized. In the dock position 33 the lock closes 21st the container opening 20th and / or the valve 16 the base opening 14th , such that the container volume 19th and the tank volume 39 are fluidically separated from each other. The refill container 3 is used to reach the docking position 33 in a touchdown direction 34 to the base facility 2 attached, especially to the base facility 2 put on. In the dock position 33 are also the refill container 3 and the base facility 2 across the nozzle 15th , 23 and / or shoulders 28 , 30th aligned and fixed relative to one another, so can transverse to the nozzle 15th , 23 and / or shoulders 28 , 30th can no longer be moved completely freely relative to one another.

Then takes place accordingly 4th a relative force between the refill container 3 and the base facility 2 in a release direction 35 who have favourited the cigarette system 1 in a release position 36 adjusted. The release direction runs here 35 along, in particular parallel, to the placement direction 34 , corresponds in particular to the placement direction 34 , such that by the relative movement of the refill container 3 to the basic setup 2 in the same direction first the dock position 33 and then the release position 36 can be achieved. In the release position 36 is the base nozzle 15th so far into the container nozzle 23 penetrated that one the container volume 19th facing or by the tank volume 39 facing away from the front 37 (please refer 1 ) of the base connector 15th the shutter 21st , especially the membrane 22nd , opens or pierces to the container opening 20th to release or open. The base nozzle 15th is also a tool 44 to open the shutter 21st . In addition, the bridge works 24 with one from the valve 16 along the base nozzle 15th protruding and in the base connection 15th arranged bolts 38 together to adjust the valve and the base opening 14th to release, so that a fluidic connection between the container volume 19th and the tank volume 39 is made. This also opens the vent 17th Approved. The base outer lateral surface lies here 32 on the inner surface of the container 31 and thus seals a flow path 40 the liquid from the container volume 19th into the tank volume 39 through the container opening 20th and the base opening 14th fluidically to the outside. The adjacent outer surfaces 31 , 32 thus form a sealing device 45 . In the release position 36 can also use the base shoulder 30th on the face of the piston 26th issue. Alternatively or in addition, the fireplace 9 on the face of the piston 26th issue.

If there is a further force on the refill container 3 , especially between the refill container 3 and the base facility 2 , in a refill direction 41 occurs as in 5 shown, a displacement of the piston 26th into the container housing 25th , such that the container volume 19th continuously reduced in size and the liquid out of the container volume 19th into the tank volume 39 is promoted.

The refill direction 41 can be along the release direction 35 , especially parallel to the release direction 35 run, so that when a force is applied along the same direction the cigarette system 1 first in the dock position 33 , then in the release position 36 and then to the refill position 42 is adjusted. A user or consumer receives it both when reaching the dock position 33 as well as when the release position is reached 36 haptic feedback through the corresponding stops on the refill container 3 , especially the container interface 18th , at the base facility 2 , especially the basic interface 13 .

Is the tank 4th filled with the liquid, the refill container 3 , especially in the reverse order, that is initially from the refill position 42 in the release position 36 and then from the release position 36 into the dock position 34 adjusted and, from the basic device 2 removed to normal operation of the base facility 2 to allow. In the example shown, the mouthpiece is expediently first again 6th on the basic housing 10 appropriate. This is preferably done when adjusting the cigarette system 1 from the release position 36 into the dock position 34 a closing of the base opening 14th , preferably also the vent opening 17th , with the valve 16 .

The refill container 3 can after refilling the liquid in the tank 4th disposed of if there is no more liquid in the refill container 3 is located. Alternatively, the refill can 3 also be refillable with the liquid.

Alternatively, the volume 19th of the refill container 3 be chosen so large and store so much liquid that the tank 4th the basic setup 2 can be filled several times, preferably at least two or three times, in particular at least five times, for example up to five times. This allows the refill container 3 be used several times before it is disposed of and / or recycled, which significantly reduces environmental pollution.

Especially when the refill container 3 for multiple filling of the tank 4th is provided, the closure 21st , especially the membrane 22nd , be self-locking, such that the lock 21st the container opening 20th when removing the refill 3 from the base facility 2 , especially ready when adjusting from the release position 36 into the dock position 33 , locked again.

Claims (16)

Electric cigarette system (1), - With a base device (2) which has a tank (4) that can be refilled with a liquid and an electric vaporizer (5) which draws liquid from the tank (4) during operation and generates steam therefrom which is made available to a consumer, - wherein the base device (2) has a base interface (13) with a base opening (14) which is fluidically connected or connectable to the tank (4), - With a refill container (3) separate from the basic device (2) for filling the tank (4) with liquid, which has a container volume (19) for storing the liquid, - wherein the refill container (3) has a container interface (18) with a container opening (20) which is or can be fluidly connected to the container volume (19), - wherein the base interface (13) and container interface (18) are designed to be complementary to one another in such a way that the refill container (3) and the base device (2) have a predetermined docking position (33) relative to one another when the refill container (3) is attached to the base device (2) in which the container opening (20) is aligned with the base opening (14), - The refill container (3) being designed such that in the docking position (3) a force in a release direction (35) moves the cigarette system (1) into a release position (36) in which the container opening (20) also communicates fluidically with the Base opening (14) is connected in such a way that the container volume (19) for refilling the tank (4) is fluidically connected to the tank (4). Cigarette system Claim 1 , characterized in that the refill container (3) is designed such that in the release position (36) a force on the refill container (3) moves the cigarette system (1) into a refill position (42) in which the force acts on the container volume (19 ) and the liquid thus promotes out of the container opening (20) and into the base opening (14). Cigarette system Claim 2 , characterized in that the refill container (3) is designed such that in the release position (36) a force in a refill direction (41) moves the cigarette system (1) into the refill position (42). Cigarette system Claim 3 , characterized in that the release direction (35) and the refill direction (41) run parallel, in particular correspond to one another. Cigarette system according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that the base interface (13) and the container interface (18) interact in a form-fitting manner at least when the refill container (3) is attached to the base device (2). Cigarette system according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in - that the refill container (3) has a closure (21), in particular a membrane (22), which closes the container opening (20), - that the base interface (13) has a tool (44), - that the tool (44) and the closure (21) in the docking position (33) are aligned with one another in such a way that the tool (44) at least partially opens the closure (21) and the container opening (20) when it is moved into the release position (36) thus releases. Cigarette system according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th , characterized in that - the container interface (18) has at least one container shoulder (28) spaced apart from the container opening (20) and protruding, - That the at least one container shoulder (28) and the at least one base shoulder (30) interlock at least in the refilling position (42). Cigarette system according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th , characterized in that the refill container (3) has a container housing (25) delimiting the container volume (19). Cigarette system according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that the refill container (3) has a piston (26) which delimits the container volume (19) and is arranged to be displaceable into the container volume (19) to reduce the container volume (19). Cigarette system Claim 9 , characterized in that the piston (26) the At least partially forms the container interface (18) and has the container opening (20). Cigarette system according to one of the Claims 1 to 10 , characterized in that the base device (2) has a valve (16) closing the base opening (14) and the cigarette system (2) is designed in such a way that the valve (16) is in the release position (36) when the cigarette system (1) is adjusted ) releases the base opening (14). Cigarette system according to one of the Claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that the cigarette system (1) has a sealing device (45) which, at least in the refill position (42), seals a flow path (40) of the liquid running through the base opening (14) and through the container opening (20) to the outside. Cigarette system according to one of the Claims 1 to 12 , characterized in that the refill container (3) has a container nozzle (23) which borders the container opening (20) and the base device (2) has a base nozzle (15) which borders the base opening (14) and which interlock at least in the refill position (42) . Cigarette system Claim 12 Characterized in that - the container neck (23) has a container neck inner surface (31) which increases in the distance direction to the base piece (15) and the base piece (15) has a base socket-outer lateral surface (32) extending in the direction of spacing reduced in size to the container nozzle (23), the base nozzle outer jacket surface (32) resting against the container nozzle inner jacket surface (31) at least in the refilling position (42), or that the container nozzle (23) has a container nozzle outer jacket surface which extends in the spacing direction reduced in size to the base connector (15), and the base connector (15) has a base connector inner jacket surface which increases in the direction of distance to the container connector (23), the container connector outer jacket surface resting on the base inner jacket surface at least in the refilling position (42). Refill container (3) of a cigarette system (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 14th . Basic device (2) of a cigarette system (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 14th .

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