Abstract
A smoking device includes a heating chamber for heating a tobacco consumable and a storage portion for storing the tobacco consumable. The storage portion is resealable. In some embodiments, the smoking device is elongate and the storage portion includes a resealable closure situated at or toward an end of the device. Also provided is a smoking kit including the smoking device and a tobacco consumable.
Claims
1. A smoking device comprising a heating chamber for heating a tobacco consumable and a storage portion for storing the tobacco consumable, wherein the storage portion is resealable.
2. The smoking device according to claim 1, wherein the smoking device is elongate and the storage portion comprises a resealable closure situated at or toward an end of the device.
3. The smoking device according to claim 1, wherein the storage portion comprises a separator operable to partition the storage portion into at least first and second storage portions, at least one of the first and second storage portions comprising a resealable closure.
4. The smoking device according to claim 3, wherein the separator is moveable.
5. The smoking device according to claim 4, wherein the storage portion is elongate and the separator is moveable in a longitudinal direction of the storage portion to alter a volume of the at least first and second storage portions.
6. The smoking device according to claim 3, wherein both of the at least first and second storage portions comprise a resealable closure, the resealable closure of the first storage portion being at or toward a first end of the device and the resealable closure of the second storage portion being at or toward a second end of the device.
7. The smoking device according to claim 2, wherein the resealable closure is rotatably connected to the storage portion such that the resealable closure has an open position and a closed position.
8. The smoking device according to claim 7, to further comprising a seal associated with the resealable closure and operable to seal the storage portion when the resealable closure is in the closed position.
9. The smoking device according to claim 1, wherein the heating chamber comprises an opening and a closure associated therewith.
10. The smoking device according to claim 9, wherein the smoking device is elongate and the storage portion comprises a resealable closure situated at or toward an end of the device, and the opening of the heating chamber is situated at or toward the same end of the device as the resealable closure of the storage portion.
11. The smoking device according to claim 1, wherein the storage portion is detachable from the smoking device.
12. The smoking device according to claim 1, wherein a capacity of the storage portion is the same or greater than a capacity of the heating chamber.
13. The smoking device according to claim 1, wherein further comprising a transfer mechanism to transfer, in use, the tobacco consumable from the storage portion to the heating chamber.
14. The smoking device according to claim 13, wherein the transfer mechanism transfers, in use, the tobacco consumable from the storage portion to the heating chamber upon measurement of a predetermined parameter associated with the smoking device.
15. A smoking kit comprising the smoking device according to claim 1 and a tobacco consumable.
16. The smoking device according to claim 6, wherein the heating chamber comprises an opening and a closure associated therewith, and the opening of the heating chamber is situated at or toward the first end of the device.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a smoking device according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a smoking device according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, having a separator in the storage portion.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a smoking device according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, having a separator in the storage portion and a storage portion that is detachable from the smoking device.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a number of cross-sectional views of a smoking device according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, depicting different stages in the transfer of tobacco consumable from the storage portion of the smoking device to the heating chamber by a transfer mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, there is provided a smoking device 102 according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention having a heating chamber 104 and a storage portion 106. The smoking device 102 is elongate and has a longitudinal direction, having a longitudinal axis along its length. The smoking device 102 has a first end 108 and a second end 110. The storage portion 106 is elongate and has a longitudinal direction, having a longitudinal axis along its length. The storage portion 106 has a resealable closure 112 at the first end 108 of the smoking device 102. The resealable closure 112 of FIG. 1 is a hinged lid. The resealable closure 112 has a seal of resilient rubber material (not shown). In FIG. 1, the resealable closure 112 is in the closed position and seals the storage portion 106 in an airtight manner. The capacity of the storage portion 106 is greater than that of the heating chamber 104.
[0025] The heating chamber 104 of the smoking device 102 has an opening 114 and a closure 116 associated therewith. The opening 114 and closure 116 associated therewith are situated at the first end 108 of the smoking device 102. The opening 114 and closure 116 associated therewith are at the same end 108 of the smoking device 102 as the resealable closure 112 of the storage portion 106. The closure 116 associated with the opening 114 is a hinged lid. In FIG. 1, the closure 116 is in the closed position.
[0026] The smoking device 102 comprises a mouthpiece 118 positioned at the second end 110 of the smoking device 102 and connected to heating chamber 104 via a vapour passageway 120. In use, a user inhales through the mouthpiece 118 activating a heater (not shown) to draw vapour, generated in the chamber 104 through the mouthpiece 118 for inhalation.
[0027] The smoking device 102 has a heater (not shown) associated with the heating chamber 104 and configured to heat tobacco consumable held in the chamber 104. The heater is preferably configured to heat the tobacco consumable in the heating chamber 104 to a temperature sufficient to release vapour but is restricted from exceeding a temperature at which the tobacco consumable burns. In FIG. 1 the heating chamber 104 is formed of heating plates (not shown), substantially surrounding the chamber 104 on all sides other than the side interfacing with the vapour passageway 120. This arrangement allows for heating of a large proportion of the surface area of the chamber 104, facilitating a constant uniform heating and thus aiding in maintaining the controlled temperature in the chamber 104 necessary to heat the tobacco consumable contained therein to a specific temperature without burning. It will be appreciated that the chamber 104 may be heated using alternate heating methods, for example, the chamber 104 may be formed from a conductive shell which is heated to provide the required uniform heating. In FIG. 1, the heater (not shown) is an electric heater powered by a battery 122 disposed in another portion of the device 102. The heater may be actuated by a user implemented heating button (not shown) or by other trigger mechanisms, such as a flow sensor actuated by a user inhaling at the mouthpiece 1 18 of the smoking device 102. When the heater is actuated, the temperature of the heating plates (not shown) rises to a level sufficient to heat the tobacco consumable within the chamber 104 to a level whereby it releases vapour without burning. Upon inhalation at the mouthpiece 118, ambient air enters the device 102 through an air inlet 124 and air inlet passageway 126 and closure 116 into the heating chamber 104. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that there may be multiple air inlets 124 and air passageways 126 in different configurations depending on the overall configuration of the smoking device 102. It will further be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that air may also be drawn into the smoking device 102 and flow directly into and through the heating chamber 104 through the closure 116, such that air inlets and air inlet passageways are optional features of the smoking device 102. The ambient air mixes the vapour generated from the tobacco consumable in the heating chamber 104 and this mixture travels out of the chamber 104 along the vapour passageway 120 for inhalation by the user through the mouthpiece 118. The vapour exiting the device 102 via the mouthpiece 118 is therefore a combination of vapour generator in heating of the tobacco consumable, mixed with ambient air introduced into the device 102 through the air inlet 124.
[0028] In FIG. 1, the battery 122 of the smoking device 102 is rechargeable via a charging port 128 situated at the first end 108 of the smoking device 102. It will be appreciated that the charging port 128 may be situated at other positions on the exterior of the smoking device 102. The overall control of the smoking device 102 is facilitated by the control circuity 130. It will be appreciated that the control circuitry may be positioned in the device in any suitable configuration to facilitate the overall control of the device 102.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a smoking device 202 according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, having a separator 101 partitioning the storage portion 106 into a first storage portion 105 and a second storage portion 107. The smoking device 202 of FIG. 2 has been adapted with respect to the device 102 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the first storage portion 105 and the second storage portion 107 may have the same volume and thus, the same storage capacity. It will however be appreciated by a skilled person that the volume and thus, the storage capacity of the first storage portion 105 and the second storage portion 107 may differ when the separator 101 is placed at a different position along the longitudinal direction of the storage portion 106. The separator 101 is moveable in the longitudinal direction of the storage portion 106 to alter the volume of the first storage portion 105 and second storage portion 107. The separator 101 has a handle 103 accessible from the exterior of the smoking device 202 to enable the user to easily move the separator 103 in the longitudinal direction of the storage portion 106.
[0030] The first storage portion 105 has a resealable closure 111 at the first end 108 of the smoking device 202 and the second storage portion 107 has a resealable closure 113 at the second end 110 of the device 202. The resealable closures 111 and 113 are hinged lids. The resealable closures 111 and 113 have a seal of resilient rubber material (not shown). In FIG. 2, the resealable closures 111 and 113 are each in the closed position, respectively sealing the first storage portion 105 and the second storage portion 107 in an airtight manner. The resealable closure 111 of the first storage portion 105 is at the same end 108 of the smoking device 202 as the opening 114 and closure 116 associated therewith of the heating chamber 104.
[0031] It will be appreciated that the operation of the smoking device of FIG. 2 is as described above in relation to FIG. 1. It will be further appreciated that where the reference numerals in FIG. 2 are the same as those in FIG. 1, the reference numerals refer to the same features of the smoking device.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, there is provided a smoking device 302 according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, having a detachable storage portion 106′. The smoking device 302 of FIG. 3 is adapted from the smoking devices 102 and 202 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The detachable storage portion 106′ is shown in the detached position and is detachable and reattachable to the modified smoking device 302′ via a connecting mechanism 109. In FIG. 3, the connecting mechanism is a pair of magnets, each of the detachable storage portion 106′ and modified smoking device 302′ comprising a magnet thereon. It will be appreciated that the connecting mechanism 109 may also be other fastenings such as latches, clasps, and hook-and-eye closures.
[0033] It will be appreciated that the operation of the smoking device of FIG. 3 is as described above in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be further appreciated that where the reference numerals in FIG. 3 are the same as those used in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reference numerals refer to the same features of the smoking device.
[0034] In FIGS. 1 to 3, it will be appreciated that tobacco consumable may be transferred from the storage portion 106 in FIG. 1 and either of the first storage portion and second storage portions in FIGS. 2 and 3 to the heating chamber 104 by the user, using the resealable closures 112 of the storage portion 106, the resealable closure 111 of the first storage portion 105 or the resealable closure 113 of the second storage portion 107 and the opening 114 and closure 116 associated therewith of the heating chamber 104.
[0035] Alternatively, the tobacco consumable may comprise a transfer mechanism to transfer, in use, tobacco consumable from the storage portion of the smoking device to the heating chamber. FIG. 4 depicts a smoking device 402 according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, having a transfer mechanism that facilitates the transfer of tobacco consumable from the storage portion 106 to the heating chamber 104. FIG. 4 shows the smoking device 402 at different stages I to IX of the transfer of tobacco consumable. The smoking device 402 of FIG. 4 has been adapted with respect to the smoking devices 102, 202, 302 of FIGS. 1 to 3 and depicts a simplified version of those smoking devices 102, 202, 302. In FIG. 4, features of the smoking device 402, for example the electric circuitry, vapour passageway, battery, resealable closures, opening of the heating chamber and air inlets are not shown for ease of interpretation and understanding of FIG. 4 in relation to the transfer of tobacco consumable. It will be appreciated that these features and indeed, all of those discussed in relation to FIGS. 1 to 3, may be present in the smoking device depicted in FIG. 4.
[0036] It will be appreciated that there are a variety of different transfer mechanisms that may be employed to transfer tobacco consumable from the storage portion of the smoking device to the heating chamber. In FIG. 4, the transfer mechanism is a mechanical network of moveable components, the moveable components being flat panels. As depicted in stage I of FIG. 4, the mechanical framework of moveable components is actuated by the user pressing a trigger. In FIG. 4, this trigger is a button 132. Upon activation of the mechanical framework of moveable components and as shown in stage II, panel a and panel b move position within the smoking device 402. Panel a slides vertically upwards in the device 402 and panel b slides laterally across the device 402. The movement of panel a creates an opening in the heating chamber 104 to the exterior and the movement of panel b sections off a portion of tobacco consumable in the storage portion, the portion corresponding to the capacity of the heating chamber. At stage III, any used tobacco consumable in the heating chamber 104 is emptied from the chamber 104 via the opening created in the heating chamber 104 by panel a. This is facilitated by the panel c, which moves laterally across the device 402 from its position separating the storage portion and the heating chamber towards the opening created by panel a in the heating chamber 104. As shown in stage IV, panel a then slides vertically downwards and returns to its original position such that the heating chamber 104 does not have an opening and is not open to the exterior. The panel c also moves back laterally across the device to its original position providing separation of the storage portion and the heating chamber. At stage V, the same panel c then slides vertically upwards to allow transfer of the tobacco consumable from the storage portion 106 of the smoking device 402 to the heating chamber 104. It will be appreciated that in its original position, panel c seals the storage portion when the resealable closure of the storage portion is in the closed position and furthermore, is resealable, such that upon return of panel c to its original position, the panel seals the storage portion when the resealable closure of the storage portion is in the closed position. The transfer of tobacco consumable from the storage portion 106 to the heating chamber 104 is shown at stage VI, in which panel d moves laterally across the device towards the heating chamber 104 and pushes a portion of tobacco consumable, the portion corresponding to the capacity of the heating chamber 104, from the storage portion 106 of the device 402 to the heating chamber 104. It will be appreciated that in its original position, panel d may function as a resealable closure of the storage portion being situated toward the first end of the smoking device. Stage VII demonstrates that both panel d and panel c return to their original positions, panel d moving laterally across the device 402 and panel c sliding vertically downwards to once again provide separation of the storage portion 106 of the smoking device 402 and the heating chamber 104. At stage VIII, it can be seen that panel b returns to its original position in the smoking device 402 through lateral movement across the device 402. It will be appreciated that a bias mechanism 134, shown in FIG. 4 as a spring, continually exerts a pressure on the tobacco consumable in the storage portion. Upon movement of panel b to its original position, the bias mechanism 134 propels tobacco consumable into the unoccupied volume of the storage portion 106. It will further be appreciated that other bias mechanisms may be used to achieve the same function in the smoking device. Examples of alternative bias mechanisms include a system comprising a pressing plate for exerting pressure on the tobacco consumable in the storage portion, the pressing plate coupled to a guide and a threaded rod driven by a motor. Stage IX of FIG. 4 shows the mechanical network of component of the smoking device 402 in their original configuration.
[0037] It will be appreciated that the operation of the smoking device of FIG. 4 is as described above in relation to FIGS. 1 to 3. It will be further appreciated that where the reference numerals in FIG. 4 are the same as those used in FIGS. 1 to 3, the reference numerals refer to the same features of the smoking device.
[0038] Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and document are incorporated herein by reference.
[0039] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
[0040] Each feature disclosed in the specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0041] This invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
