E-Cigarette Rechargeable Battery Charging Case

Abstract

This invention relates to an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case comprising: a base comprising a first recess for receiving an e-cigarette rechargeable battery, a cover covering said first recess when in closed position and making said first recess accessible when in open position, a flexible hinge linking said cover to said base, a first extension of said hinge being fastened to cover structure, and a second extension of said hinge being fastened to base structure, wherein said second hinge extension: cooperates with at least an aligning part of base structure, so as to align said base and said hinge with respect to each other, and is tightened between tightening parts of said base structure, so as to maintain aligned said base and said hinge with respect to each other, over time, despite successive openings and closings of said cover.

Claims

1. E-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case comprising: a base (1) comprising a first recess (17) for receiving an e-cigarette rechargeable battery (46), a cover (3), covering said first recess (17) when in closed position, making said first recess (17) accessible when in open position, a flexible hinge (2) linking said cover (3) to said base (1), a first extension (51) of said hinge (2) being fastened to cover (3) structure, a second extension (52) of said hinge (2) being fastened to base (1) structure, wherein said second hinge extension (52): cooperates with at least an aligning part (14) of base (1) structure, so as to align said base (1) and said hinge (2) with respect to each other, and is tightened between tightening parts (45, 15) of said base (1) structure, so as to maintain aligned said base (1) and said hinge (2) with respect to each other, over time, despite successive openings and closings of said cover (3).

2. E-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to claim 1, wherein: said second hinge extension (52): is centered around one or more first parts (14) of base (1) structure, so as to align said base (1) and said hinge (2) with respect to each other.

3. E-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to claim 1, wherein: said second hinge extension (52): is tightly clamped between at least a second part (45) and at least a third part (15) of said base (1) structure, so as to maintain aligned said base (1) and said hinge (2) with respect to each other, over time, despite successive openings and closings of said cover (3).

4. E-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to claim 1, wherein said second hinge extension (52) does not extend over said first recess (16), preferably extends over less than one quarter of width (w2) of charging case.

5. E-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to claim 1, wherein at least some tightening parts (45, 15) are at a more proximal position with respect to said second hinge extension (52) than said aligning part(s) (14).

6. E-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to claim 1, wherein: main material of said flexible hinge (2) is: more flexible than main material of cover (3) structure, and more flexible than main material of base (1) structure.

7. E-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to claim 1, wherein said cover (3) comprises two cover shells (31, 32) fitted into each other and sandwiching said first hinge extension (51) in between.

8. E-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to claim 1, wherein said first recess (17) comprises at least an electrical connection (41) implemented so as to recharge said rechargeable battery (47).

9. E-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to claim 1, wherein: said base (1) comprises, successively, from said cover (3): an inlay (11) comprising said first recess (17), said aligning part(s) (14) and at least one (45) of said tightening parts of said base (1) structure, a support (12) comprising at least another (15) of said tightening parts of said base (1) structure, an external base shell (13), visible from outside charging case, covering said aligning parts (14) and said tightening parts (45, 15) of said base (1) structure.

10. E-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to claim 9, wherein: said base inlay (11) is made of hard plastic and/or said base support (12) is made of hard plastic and/or said external base shell (13) is at least partly metallic, preferably made of aluminum and/or said cover (3) structure is made of hard plastic and fabric.

11. E-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to claim 1, wherein: said aligning part(s) (14) comprise: one or more centering pins (14) and/or said base (1) comprises: one or more channels fitting around said centering pins (14).

12. E-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to claim 1, wherein said tightening parts (45, 15) comprise one or more surfaces facing each other, and sandwiching said second hinge extension (52).

13. E-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to claim 1, wherein said hinge (2) comprises one or more holes (22) respectively fitting around said one or more aligning parts (14).

14. E-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to claim 1, wherein said hinge (2) is essentially made of fabric.

15. E-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to claim 13, wherein said hinge (2) is essentially made of a double layer fabric having two fabric layers and a fabric fold (23), said fabric fold (23) being at a more distal position than said holes (22) in said second hinge extension (52), said two layers being jointly superposed in said second hinge extension (52).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a bottom perspective view of an example of the internal layer of the base of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention.

[0063] FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of an example of the intermediate layer of the base of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention.

[0064] FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of an example of the external layer of the base of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of an example of the internal layer of the base of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention.

[0066] FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of an example of the external layer of the base of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention.

[0067] FIG. 6 shows a side sectional view of an example of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention, more specifically focusing on the cover and on the hinge of this e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case.

[0068] FIG. 7 shows a side sectional view of an example of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention, more specifically focusing on the internal layer of the base of this e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case.

[0069] FIG. 8 shows a side sectional view of an example of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention, more specifically focusing on the intermediate layer of the base of this e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case.

[0070] FIGS. 6-7-8 show one and the same example of e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention, but these figures respectively more specifically focus on different specific parts of this e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0071] FIG. 1 shows a bottom perspective view of an example of the internal layer of the base of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention.

[0072] A base 1 comprises an internal layer 11 which is made of a monobloc piece of molded plastic, and more specifically of a monobloc piece of molded hard plastic. This internal layer 11 comprises 3 different recesses, which are a third main recess 16, and a second secondary recess 18, and a first main recess 17. Main recesses 16 and 17 are separated by a hollow 40. Main recess 17 has electrical connection 41 located at one of its extremities and implemented so as to recharge the rechargeable battery. Second secondary recess 18 for receiving an e-cigarette refill pod has a smaller volume than first recess 17.

[0073] This internal layer 11 is called inlay 11. This internal layer 11 comprises aligning pins 14 around which are centered holes 22 of a double layer fabric 21 making the hinge 2 linking this base 1 to its cover 3 not visible on FIG. 1, thereby aligning internal layer 11 of base 1 with double layer fabric 21 of hinge 2. Holes 22 belong to second hinge extension 52. There are at least 3 aligning pins 14 in a row, and preferably at least 5 aligning pins 14 in a row. Alignment is made more precise this way. Holes 22 of second hinge extension 52 are centered around between 3 to 5 aligning pins so as to align base 1 and hinge 2 with respect to each other.

[0074] FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of an example of the intermediate layer of the base of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention.

[0075] The inlay 11 is covered by a support 12. Support 12 may be a monobloc piece of molded hard plastic. Inlay 11 and support 12 can be fixed with respect to each other by one or more clips (or screws) 19, here 4 clips (or screws) 19, part of the clip 19 being located on inlay 11 and part of the clip 19 being located on support 12. Support 12 presents an opening 42 so that part of inlay 11 is still visible once covered by support 12.

[0076] FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of an example of the external layer of the base of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention.

[0077] This external layer 13 is an external base shell 13 made of aluminum which covers support 12 so that once this external base shell 13 is installed, neither inlay 11 nor support 12 can be visible from outside the e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case. Only double layer fabric 21 of hinge 2 is still visible from a bottom view.

[0078] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of an example of the internal layer of the base of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention.

[0079] The limited extent of second hinge extension 52 width w1 (horizontally on FIG. 4) with respect to global width w2 is clearly visible. Here, on FIG. 4, it may be seen that w1/w2 is about 14%. In general, w1/w2 is comprised between about 5% and 25%. Precise alignment of hinge 2 with respect to base 1 can be seen by the 5 holes 22 in double layer fabric 21 of hinge 2 centered around the 5 alignments pins 14 of inlay 11 of base 1.

[0080] FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of an example of the external layer of the base of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention.

[0081] This external layer 13 is an external base shell 13 made of aluminum which covers support 12 so that once this external base shell 13 is installed, neither inlay 11 nor support 12 can be visible from outside the e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case. Only double layer fabric 21 of hinge 2 is still visible from a bottom view.

[0082] FIGS. 6-7-8 show one and the same example of e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention, but these figures respectively more specifically focus on different specific parts of this e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case.

[0083] Base 1 comprises, successively, from cover 3: an inlay 11 comprising first recess 17, aligning pins 14 and one tightening part 45 of base 1 structure, a support 12 comprising another tightening part 15 of base 1 structure, an external base shell 13, visible from outside charging case, covering aligning pins 14 and tightening parts 45 and 15 of base 1 structure.

[0084] Base inlay 11 is made of hard plastic, base support 12 is made of hard plastic, external base shell 13 is made of aluminum, or is at least externally covered by an aluminum layer, cover 3 structure is made of hard plastic.

[0085] FIG. 6 shows a side sectional view of an example of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention, more specifically focusing on the cover and on the hinge of this e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case.

[0086] Cover 3 can open and close e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case by moving with respect to base 1 relative to hinge 2.

[0087] Cover 3 comprises two cover shells 31 and 32 fitted into each other and sandwiching first hinge extension 51 in between. More specifically, the two layers 24 and 25 of first hinge extension 51 of the double layer fabric 21 are separately sandwiched between cover shells 31 and 32. 51. End 26 of layer 25 is sandwiched between internal cover shell 31 and external cover shell 32.

[0088] Layer 25 extends over first recess 17, preferably over whole width w2 of charging case, whereas layer 24 does not extend over second recess 16, preferably extending over less than one quarter of width w2 of charging case. Layer 25 has width w3. Here w3/w2 is about 18%, whereas w1/w2 is about 14%. Preferably, w3/w2 is larger than w1/w2. Indeed, second hinge extension 52, whose width is w1, does not extend over second recess 16, and preferably extends over less than one quarter of width w2 of charging case.

[0089] Hinge 2 comprises holes 22 respectively fitting around the aligning pins 14 belonging to inlay 11 of base 1. The number of pins 14 may vary from 3 to 10, preferably 4 to 6. Hinge 2 is essentially made of fabric, and preferably completely made of fabric. More specifically, hinge 2 is essentially made of a double layer fabric 21 having two fabric layers and a fabric fold 23. This fabric fold 23 is at a more distal position than the holes 22 in second hinge extension 52. These two fabric layers are jointly superposed in second hinge extension 52.

[0090] FIG. 7 shows a side sectional view of an example of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention, more specifically focusing on the internal layer of the base of this e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case.

[0091] Aligning pins 14 each present a protruding part around which is centered around a corresponding hole 22 of hinge 2. Aligning pins 14 may be pieces separate from inlay 11 and fit into corresponding hollows of inlay 11.

[0092] Second hinge extension 52 is tightly clamped between a second part 45 and a third part 15 of base 1 structure, so as to maintain aligned base 1 and hinge 2 with respect to each other, over time, despite successive openings and closings of cover 3.

[0093] Some tightening parts 45 and 15 are at a more proximal position with respect to second hinge extension 52 than said aligning pins 14. There may also be, some supplementary tightening parts which are located at a more distal position with respect to second hinge extension 52 than said aligning pins 14.

[0094] The e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case also comprises a charging battery 46 which is located in second recess 16 and which is structured and disposed so as to charge an e-cigarette rechargeable battery 47, and which is itself rechargeable by electric power external to charging case, said charging case having a USB port to connect charging battery 46 to electric power external to charging case.

[0095] Second recess 16 may contain a battery 46 which can be externally recharged via a USB port which can be connected to an external power supply. First recess 17 may contain an e-cigarette rechargeable battery 47 which can be recharged by the battery 46 of the charging case.

[0096] A protruding rib 44 of second recess 16 of inlay 11 is in contact with internal face of support 12, so as to improve stability of the whole structure.

[0097] FIG. 8 shows a side sectional view of an example of an e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case according to the invention, more specifically focusing on the intermediate layer of the base of this e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case.

[0098] One or more channels in tightening part 15 which is indeed a clamping part 15, fit around the centering pins 14. The tightening parts 45 and 15 comprise one or more surfaces facing each other and sandwiching second hinge extension 52. Either at least some or all of these surfaces are flat, and/or preferably at least some or all of these surfaces are corrugated to better clamp double layer fabric 21 between clamping parts 45 and 15.

[0099] Main material of flexible hinge 2 is more flexible than main material of cover 3 structure, preferably at least 3 times more flexible as measured in shore hardness, preferably at least 10 times more flexible as measured in shore hardness, and more flexible than main material of base 1 structure, preferably at least 3 times more flexible as measured in shore hardness, preferably at least 10 times more flexible as measured in shore hardness.

[0100] Support 12 can be clipped on inlay 11, by the clipping of cooperating parts, respectively clipping part 40 of inlay 11 with clipping part 43 of support 12, so as to improve stability of the whole structure.

[0101] The e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case also comprises: [0102] a first indicator reflecting whether the rechargeable charging battery 46 is charging or not, preferably reflecting a charging level of this rechargeable charging battery 46, this first indicator being preferably a first led light, [0103] and/or a second indicator reflecting whether said e-cigarette rechargeable battery 47 is charging or not, preferably reflecting a charging level of this e-cigarette rechargeable battery 47, this second indicator being preferably a second led light.

[0104] The e-cigarette rechargeable battery charging case also comprises a magnetic fixture located on a side opposite to hinge 2, a first part of this magnetic fixture belonging to cover 3, a second part of this magnetic fixture belonging to base 1.

[0105] The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, many variations are possible within the scope of the invention.