EP3560357A1 - Holder for electrically operated smoking article - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding device for electrically operated smoking articles, in particular e-cigarettes, with at least one base (3), and arranged on the base (3) and separated by at least one web (4) receiving compartments (5) for the relevant smoking article and / or for individual parts of the smoking article, such as an evaporator head (1), a liquid container (2) or a mouthpiece. According to the invention, the base (3), including a peripheral peripheral wall (6) for the upwardly open and accessible receiving compartments (5), is designed as a one-piece molded part (3, 6).

Description

The invention relates to a holding device for electrically operated smoking articles, in particular e-cigarettes, with at least one base, and arranged on the base and separated by at least one web receiving compartments for the relevant smoking article and / or items of the smoking article, such as an evaporator head, a liquid container or mouthpiece.

Electrically powered smoking articles and in particular e-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular. This is partly due to the ease of use, which in particular makes an additional lighter dispensable. On the other hand, not only the respectively inhaled nicotine content can be controlled via the liquid converted into smoke, but also very different flavors can be realized. Previous and conventional cigarettes have such variability in taste and nicotine content.

E-cigarettes are composed of an accumulator and in particular lithium-ion accumulator, an evaporator head and finally a liquid container or tank and a mouthpiece. By means of the accumulator, the evaporator head soaked with the liquid is heated, so that the liquid evaporates. About the mouthpiece, the steam can now be inhaled or smoked.

In such an e-cigarette usually the mouthpiece, the tank or liquid container for the actual smoke liquid or the so-called "liquid" and finally the evaporator head are designed as removable components. Due to the removability of the evaporator head can be cleaned as an example and can replace the individual liquid container or the associated tank can be bought ready or filled yourself. These various items of the smoking article or the e-cigarette must be combined with each other for the intended use. This is usually done by realized at this point connectors. However, a successful assembly requires that the individual parts are completely present.

For this reason, in the generic state of the art according to the WO 2017/079453 A1 already described solutions that work with a portable receptacle for the e-cigarette and accessories in question. The portable receptacle is composed essentially of a shell and a contrast movable sliding drawer. The drawer has a base and storage compartments for the individual parts of the smoking article. Consequently, the individual items are accessible only after opening the drawer. This may be acceptable for portable solutions, but is often viewed as disturbing and not really comfortable by consumers. In another similar solution according to the US 2014/0041655 A1 In turn, a portable box or cassette for each smoking article is realized. Also in this case, the box must first be opened to seize the individual parts of the smoking article.

In addition to the sometimes complex accessibility of such boxes is to be considered that their volume provided for the individual parts of the smoking article is naturally limited. However, advanced users of e-cigarettes, in particular, want a storage system that accommodates their various preferences. Such a recording system should be suitable, for example, a variety of to accommodate different liquid containers or mouthpieces to combine them with either one or more existing e-cigarettes. The previous and portable solutions do not allow such extensive stocking.

In addition, retaining devices are described in the prior art, which are each set up and designed individually for holding the associated e-cigarette. An example of this is in the US 2016/0213062 A1 described. Here, different and swiveling holders for e-cigarettes are shown, among other things, which are similar to cell phone holders suitable for installation in similar locations.

Another solution describes the utility model DE 20 2011 102 583 U1 , Here, a holder for electric cigarettes is provided, in which the holder allows the filing of the cigarettes in question in a horizontal position. For this purpose, two identical mounting plates are glued to the bottom plates. In this way, only a rolling away of the respective e-cigarette is prevented. A convincing solution for a variable recording system with large capacity and easily accessible functionality is not beschreib.

The invention is based on the technical problem of providing such a holding device for electrically operated smoking articles and, in particular, e-cigarettes, which stores the individual stored individual parts of the smoking article in an easily accessible manner and opens up the possibility of being able to react variably to different numbers of smoking articles.

To solve this technical problem, a generic holding device in the invention is characterized in that the base is formed including at least one circumferential wall for the upwardly open and accessible receiving compartments as a one-piece molding.

In the context of the invention, in addition to the obligatory base with a total circumferential and therefore predominantly closed peripheral wall is first worked. Within this peripheral wall, the individual and upwardly open and accessible to the top storage compartments can be defined. That is, the receiving compartments are directly accessible, without having to open any lid, drawers must be pulled out, etc. In addition, the one-piece design of the base including at least the peripheral circumferential wall ensures cost-effective production and variable adaptation to the respective desired storage compartments in size and Number.

In fact, in most cases the procedure is that the at least one web is designed as a plug-in lamella engaging in plug-in receptacles in the peripheral wall. The plug-in blade can be designed arcuate in cross-section. In addition, it has proven to be beneficial in this context, if the peripheral wall is designed arcuate at least in some areas in supervision.

The arc shape of the portion of the peripheral wall and the arc shape of the plug-in blade are generally adapted to each other. In this way, at least one generally approximately circular trained receiving compartment can be defined. This approximately circular trained receiving compartment is advantageous to the size and expression of each herein adapted item of the smoking article adapted. This may be the evaporator head, the liquid container or the mouthpiece or other items that are also designed cylindrical due to the mostly cylindrical nature of the subject smoking article and logically need a receptacle with approximately circular design for proper support. By designed as plug-in receptacles in the peripheral wall plug-in webs formed a large variability is already achieved.

In another embodiment of the invention, the procedure is such that the peripheral wall and the at least one web are designed in one piece. In this case, the base, the peripheral wall and the one or more webs are formed as a total one-piece component. This component can be produced particularly inexpensively. In addition, the invention makes use of the fact that the individual parts of e-cigarettes or smoking articles are usually standardized and accordingly a variability of the individual receiving compartments is not absolutely necessary. Rather, it is sufficient to define different receiving compartments for the items. This can also be done in the context of the alternative embodiment in that the peripheral wall and the at least one web including the base are designed in one piece.

The one-piece design succeeds in the invention particularly simple and inexpensive in that the one-piece molded part is formed as a plastic molding. Basically, so-called wood / plastic moldings can be realized in this context. In this case, a mixture is ultimately extruded on wood chips and plastic granules similar to plastic moldings alone. In general, however, the one-piece molded part can also be designed as a metal injection-molded part. Likewise, of course Configurations conceivable such that the base including at least the peripheral peripheral wall forms an integral piece of wood, which is combined with plastic webs, metal bars, etc.

The base is usually additionally equipped with a foot supporting the base. This can be done in favor of a simple and inexpensive production so that the foot, the base, the at least one circumferential wall and the one or more webs are integrally formed. In addition, in this context and in this embodiment, the procedure is usually that the webs and the base are parallel to each other. In this connection, openings in the webs in connection with the base ensure that the respective receiving compartments are defined in this way. The webs, the base and the foot can be arranged parallel to each other.

According to a proposal of the invention with particular importance, the peripheral wall is equipped with connection openings for receiving connecting means and for coupling a plurality of bases with associated peripheral walls to each other. The connecting means may be spigot. The plug-in pins are adapted in terms of their geometry to the connection openings formed as a journal receptacles. In this way, different bases with associated circumferential wall can be placed wall to wall.

The respective peripheral walls with the connection openings form together taken pin receptacles for the spigot. As soon as the plug-in pins are inserted into the pin receptacles, the individual bases are releasably coupled together with the associated peripheral walls. In this way, a plug-in expandable Storage system made available from a plurality of bases and associated peripheral walls, which the prior art has not even been delivered rudimentary.

The base as such may optionally be formed as a continuous horizontal plate with openings. Through the openings u. U. emerging liquid, saliva, etc. are discharged. Mostly no extensions of the items are included. However, it is additionally possible that the base is inclined in each case at least in the region of the receiving compartments with respect to a horizontal. The inclination relative to the horizontal opens up the possibility that each resting on the base item of the smoking article is held in an inclined position in the associated receptacle and thereby not only easily accessible, but for example, with regard to each applicable liquid container an additional identification and a simple For example, the flavor allows reading. Alternatively or additionally, the base can also be stepped in the area of the receiving compartments. Of course, combinations of the variants described above are possible.

According to another proposal of the invention with independent meaning a connected to the base holding arm is provided. With the help of the support arm, the base including the circumferential wall can be mounted in virtually any location and aligned accordingly. Here have particularly and advantageous installations in the interior of a motor vehicle proved favorable. For this purpose, the support arm is pivotally connected to the base. In most cases, the support arm has two joints, in order to provide a total of three-dimensional adjustment of the base including the circumferential wall together with the storage compartments available.

The support arm may be equipped with conventional means for coupling and for mounting, for example, in the interior of a motor vehicle. Thus, it is conceivable that the holding arm is equipped at the end with, for example, a suction cup in order to enable attachment of the holding device according to the invention to a pane, in particular a windshield of a motor vehicle. However, according to an advantageous embodiment, the holding arm is equipped with a plug-in pin. With the help of the spigot of the support arm can be set inside the motor vehicle, for example, be plugged into a cigarette lighter, which is not (more) naturally required when using e-cigarettes. The design of the support arm with two joints for a three-dimensional adjustment is usually designed so that in this regard is worked with two ball joints. Of course, other types of joints are conceivable. Also a so-called gooseneck as a holding arm is encompassed by the invention.

As a result, a holding device for electrically powered smoking articles is provided, which enables the immediate access to storage of the individual parts of the smoking article. Due to the variable possibility for expanding the holding device, a plurality of, for example, liquid containers or mouthpieces can also be stored by an operator in this way. The upwardly open and accessible upwards interpretation of the receiving compartments and their advantageous oblique arrangement in this area allows easy handling and identification. Here are the main benefits.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Haltevorrichtung für elektrisch betriebene Rauchartikel in einer ersten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 2

den Gegenstand nach Fig. 1 in abgewandelter Ausgestaltung teilweise im Schnitt und in Aufsicht,

Fig. 3A-C

eine weiter abgewandelte Ausführungsform,

Fig. 4A-C

ein viertes unabhängiges Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 5

die prinzipielle Möglichkeit zur wahlweisen Erweiterung der erfindungsgemäßen Haltevorrichtung und

Fig. 6

eine mit einem Haltearm ausgerüstete Haltevorrichtung entsprechend den zuvor dargestellten Ausführungsbeispielen.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

Fig. 1

a holding device according to the invention for electrically operated smoking articles in a first embodiment,

Fig. 2

the object after Fig. 1 in a modified embodiment partly in section and in supervision,

Fig. 3A-C

a further modified embodiment,

Fig. 4A-C

a fourth independent embodiment,

Fig. 5

the basic possibility for optional extension of the holding device according to the invention and

Fig. 6

a equipped with a holding arm holding device according to the embodiments previously illustrated.

In the figures, a holding device for electrically operated smoking articles, according to the embodiment of e-cigarettes is shown. The holding device serves to receive and hold or stockpile items of the relevant article of smoking, for example, an evaporator head 1, a liquid container 2 or a mouthpiece not expressly shown and optionally further items. For this purpose, the holding device has at least one base 3. In addition, a plurality of arranged on the base 3 and separated by at least one web 4 receiving compartments 5 for the said items realized, in this case the one or more evaporator heads 1, the one or more Liquid container 2, etc.

Essential to the invention is now the fact that the base 3 is formed including at least one circumferential wall 6 for the receiving compartments 5 as a one-piece molded part 3, 6. The receiving compartments 5 are open overall upwards and also accessible upwards, directly. That is, according to the invention intentionally on any closures, a lid, etc. omitted. Rather, the upwardly open and accessible receiving compartments 5 allow immediate access to the items, namely the individual evaporator heads 1 and liquid container 2. In addition, the items in question by this measure are not only easily accessible, but can also be distinguished from each other. For example, this attachment and design enables the individual liquid containers 2 with different taste directions to be easily distinguished from one another.

According to the embodiment in the Fig. 1 the at least one web 4 is formed as engaging plug-in receptacles 7 in the peripheral wall 6 plug-in blade. One recognizes by means of the Fig. 1 in that the plug-in lamella 4 is arc-shaped in cross-section. In addition, the realized in this embodiment and circumferential peripheral wall 6 at least in partial areas in plan also designed arcuate.

In this way, define the arc shape of the portion of the peripheral wall 6 and the arc shape of the plug-in blade or the web 4 at least a total of approximately circularly shaped receptacle 5 and are adapted to each other accordingly. This approximately circular shaped receiving compartment 5 is exemplary in the Fig. 1 indicated indicated and adjusted by its expression and size to the typically cylindrically shaped items of the smoking article. In fact, both the evaporator head 1 and the one or more Liquid container 2 according to the embodiment, each designed cylindrical and can be found in this way in the correspondingly adapted and approximately circular shaped receiving compartment 5 place.

Due to the possibility of the respective plug-in blade or the web 4 in different and in the Fig. 1 can be placed selectively in the peripheral wall 6 to recognize plug-in receptacles 7, can store in the respective receiving compartment 5 also different sized items that may even have a total of oval or elliptical cross-sectional configuration. As a result, the item in question of the smoking article is properly held by the holding device presented and stored. In addition, this is a simple adaptation to different sizes and designs of items possible.

In another variant, as in the FIGS. 2 to 4 is shown in principle, the peripheral wall 6 and the at least one web 4 may also be designed in one piece. In this case, the one-piece molding 3, 6 in addition to the base 3 and the at least one peripheral circumferential wall 6 additionally comprises the one or more webs 4, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 4 can be seen. This molded part 3, 4, 6 may be formed as the previously described molding 3, 6 as a whole as a plastic molding. In principle, other one-piece variants are conceivable, for example as a metal injection molded part. Likewise, hybrid forms such that it works with a wood-plastic composite as a one-piece molding.

By manufacturing mostly by injection molding, overall low production costs are observed. In the variant according to the embodiment in the Fig. 2 is additionally a base 3 bearing foot 8 intended. Here, the design is further made such that the base 8, the base 3, the peripheral peripheral wall 6 and the one or more webs 4 are integrally formed and in this case form a one-piece molding 3, 4, 6, 8. Of course this is not restrictive. The molding in question 3, 4, 6, 8 can be made comparable as before.

In the embodiment of the Figures 2 and 3A-C the webs 4 and the base 3 are mostly parallel to each other. As a result, openings 9 are required, which must be formed in the webs 4 and define the respective receiving compartments 5 in conjunction with the base 3. In the example after the Fig. 2 the webs in question 4, the base 3 and the foot 8 are arranged parallel to each other. This gives the holding device in cross-section as shown in the Fig. 2 a shape in the manner of a lying U-profile or epsilon profile.

Based on Figures 3A-C . 4A-C , and 5 it can be seen that the peripheral wall 6 can be equipped with connecting openings 10 for receiving connecting means 11. In this way, several bases 3 with associated peripheral walls 6 can be coupled together, as shown in the Fig. 5 is shown. As a result, the holding device according to the invention can be modularly expanded and adapted to the respective needs.

The connecting means 11 are in each case plug-in pins 11. The plug-in pins 11 are adapted according to the exemplary embodiment with respect to their geometry to the connecting apertures 10 designed as pin receptacles 10 at the edge of the peripheral wall 6. In fact, the design in the exemplary embodiment is such that in each case two adjoining and to be connected peripheral walls 6 with corresponding and each other open pin receptacles or connection openings 10 are equipped. In this way, a combined pin receptacle 10 is provided for the plug-in pin 11 insertable therein, so that the plurality of bases 3 with associated peripheral walls 6 as in Fig. 5 shown in the manner of a plug-in system can be releasably coupled together.

The base 3 is according to the embodiment in the Fig. 1 and 2 formed as a total continuous horizontal plate. In addition, the base 3 optionally has openings 12, which are best in the Fig. 2 recognize and serve to accommodate extensions on the individual parts of the smoking article or can serve. In the embodiment of the Figures 3A-C the base 3 is inclined at least in the region of the respective receiving compartments 5 with respect to a horizontal H, as a local angle α indicates. The angle α of the inclination of the base 3 in the region of the receiving compartments 5 with respect to the horizontal H also indicated there is, according to the exemplary embodiment, approximately 20 °. Of course, other inclination angles in the range of 10 ° to 30 ° are not restrictive conceivable and are encompassed by the invention.

In this way, in the receiving compartments 5 in the embodiment of the Figures 3A-C There accommodated liquid container 2 is placed and stocked using the holding device according to the invention, for example, an applied print with regard to the flavor difficult to read by an operator. In addition, the inclination of the liquid container 2 facilitates in this embodiment, their removal and placement in the respective inclined receiving compartments fifth

In the variant of the Figures 4A-C can be seen a further modification of the base 3. For in this case, the base 3 is designed graduated in the area of the respective receiving compartments 5. By grading any extensions to the items, specifically placed in the receptacle 5 evaporator head 1, can be easily absorbed and placed within the receiving compartment 5 and taking into account the graduated design of the base 3.

Another variant with independent meaning is in the Fig. 6 shown. Here comes in principle the holding device according to the embodiment in the Fig. 1 for use, so that reference can be made to the statements there. In this embodiment, a securing arm 17 for the liquid container 2 on the base 3 can be seen. In addition, this variant is equipped with a support arm 13, 14, 15, 16 connected to the base 3. Of course, the question holding arm 13, 14, 15, 16 with the other bases 3 in the embodiments of the FIGS. 2 to 4A-C or even in the combined variant of the Fig. 5 be used.

It can be seen that the holding arm 13, 14, 15, 16 is pivotally connected to the base 3. For this purpose, the holding arm 13, 14, 15, 16 has two joints 14, 15 which in total provides for a three-dimensional adjustment of the base 3 including peripheral peripheral wall 6 and consequently the individual parts of the smoking article recorded herein and can also provide. In the exemplary embodiment, the two joints 14, 15 are not limited to ball joints 14, 15, which are coupled to one another via a connecting rod 13.

In addition, one recognizes at the base 3 opposite the other end of the support arm 13, 14, 15, 16 nor a plug pin 16. Using the spigot 16 of the support arm 13, 14, 15, 16 and consequently the holding device as a whole particularly advantageous in a cigarette lighter be anchored inside a motor vehicle. Instead of the spigot 16 can be used here with other means of connection, for example with a suction cup, a clamp etc. In any case, the spigot 16 in the example ensures that the holding device can be mounted in total, for example, inside a motor vehicle. An anchoring inside a cigarette lighter socket has proven to be particularly advantageous here. Of course, other mounting options are conceivable and are encompassed by the invention.

Claims (15)

Holding device for electrically operated smoking articles, in particular e-cigarettes, with at least one base (3), and arranged on the base (3) and separated by at least one web (4) receiving compartments (5) for the smoking article and / or for Individual parts of the smoking article, such as a vaporizer head (1), a liquid container (2) or a mouthpiece, characterized in that the base (3) including a peripheral peripheral wall (6) for the upwardly open and accessible receiving compartments (5) as a one-piece molding (3, 6) is formed. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one web (4) as in plug-in receptacles (7) in the peripheral wall (6) engaging plug-in blade is formed. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the plug-in blade is designed arcuately in cross section. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the peripheral wall (6) is arc-shaped at least in partial areas in plan view. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the arc shape of the partial region of the peripheral wall (6) and the arc shape of the plug-in blade for defining at least one overall approximately circularly shaped receiving compartment (5) are adapted to each other. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the peripheral wall (6) and the at least one web (4) are designed in one piece. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in addition a base (3) carrying the foot (8) is provided. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the foot (8), the base (3), the at least one circumferential peripheral wall (6) and the one or more webs (4) as an integral molding (3, 4, 6 , 8) are formed, Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the webs (4) and the base (3) parallel to each other, said openings (9) in the webs (4) in connection with the base (3) the respective receiving compartments (5) define. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the webs (4), the base (3) and the foot (8) are arranged parallel to each other. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the peripheral wall (6) with connecting openings (10) for receiving connecting means (11) and for coupling a plurality of bases (3) with associated peripheral walls (6) is equipped to each other. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the connecting means (11) are designed as plug-in pins (11) which are adapted in terms of their geometry to the connection openings (10) designed as pin receptacles (10). Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the base (3) is formed as a continuous horizontal plate, optionally with openings (12). Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the base (3) at least in the region of the receiving compartments (5) relative to a horizontal (H) is inclined. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the base (3) in the region of the receiving compartments (5) is stepped.

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