SMOKING DEVICE WITH MAIN UNIT HAVING A REMOVABLE COVER ELEMENT

Abstract

A holder for an elongate aerosol-generating device defining a longitudinal axis is provided, including: a cover and defining a docking space to accommodate the device, the cover being moveable between a covering position, in which the cover covers at least a portion of the docking space, and a non-covering position, and when the cover is in the covering position, a first portion of the cover defines a first curve, and when the cover is in the non-covering position, the first portion of the cover defines a second curve, a radius of curvature of the second curve being greater than a radius of curvature of the first curve, and when the device is accommodated in the docking space and the cover is in the covering position, the device is enclosed by the holder so as to be completely surrounded by the holder and the first curve curves around the longitudinal axis.

Claims

1-22. (canceled)

23. A holder for an elongate aerosol-generating device defining a longitudinal axis, the holder comprising: a cover and defining a docking space configured to accommodate the aerosol-generating device, wherein the cover is moveable between a covering position, in which the cover covers at least a portion of the docking space, and a non-covering position, wherein, when the cover is in the covering position, a first portion of the cover defines a first curve, and when the cover is in the non-covering position, the first portion of the cover defines a second curve, a radius of curvature of the second curve being greater than a radius of curvature of the first curve, and wherein, when the elongate aerosol-generating device is accommodated in the docking space and the cover is in the covering position, the elongate aerosol-generating device is enclosed by the holder so as to be completely surrounded by the holder and the first curve curves around the longitudinal axis of the elongate aerosol-generating device.

24. The holder according to claim 23, wherein the cover is moveable to a position in which the cover is substantially planar and has a length, a height, and a thickness, and wherein the thickness is less than 10% of the length, or less than 10% of the height, or less than 10% of the length and less than 10% of the height.

25. The holder according to claim 23, wherein the elongate aerosol-generating device has a length, and when the elongate aerosol-generating device is accommodated in the docking space and the cover is in the non-covering position, at least 80% of the length of the elongate aerosol-generating device is exposed.

26. The holder according to claim 23, wherein the cover comprises a first attachment portion and the holder comprises a first side wall having a first attachment portion, and wherein the first attachment portion of the cover is attachable to, and detachable from, the first attachment portion of the first side wall.

27. The holder according to claim 26, wherein the cover further comprises a second attachment portion and the holder comprises a second side wall having a second attachment portion, and wherein the second attachment portion of the cover is attachable to, and detachable from, the second attachment portion of the second side wall.

28. The holder according to claim 26, wherein the cover further comprises a first attachment point, a second attachment point, or both a first attachment point and a second attachment point, comprising a magnetic attachment member, the magnetic attachment member comprising a magnet or a magnetic material configured to magnetically latch a portion of the cover to a portion of the housing.

29. The holder according to claim 26, wherein the cover further comprises a first attachment point, a second attachment point, or both a first attachment point and a second attachment point, comprising a mechanical attachment member, the mechanical attachment member comprising a deformable protrusion configured to engage with a protrusion receiving slot to mechanically latch a portion of the cover to a portion of the housing, or the mechanical attachment member comprising a protrusion receiving slot configured to engage with a deformable protrusion to mechanically latch a portion of the cover to a portion of the housing.

30. The holder according to claim 23, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of stiffening elements.

31. The holder according to claim 30, wherein the cover further comprises a first layer and a second layer, and the plurality of stiffening elements are sandwiched between the first layer and the second layer.

32. The holder according to claim 30, wherein the plurality of stiffening elements are a plurality of elongate stiffening elements.

33. The holder according to claim 32, wherein the plurality of elongate stiffening elements are substantially parallel to each other.

34. The holder according to claim 33, wherein, when the elongate aerosol-generating device is accommodated in the docking space, the elongate aerosol-generating device and the plurality of elongate stiffening elements are substantially parallel.

35. The holder according to claim 30, wherein each stiffening element extends along at least 80% of a height of the cover.

36. The holder according to claim 31, wherein the first layer or the second layer or both the first layer and the second layer comprise a textile material.

37. The holder according to claim 23, further comprising a first wall and a second wall opposing the first wall, wherein the docking space is defined between the first wall and the second wall.

38. The holder according to claim 37, wherein the first wall is spaced from, and fixed relative to, the second wall.

39. The holder according to claim 37, wherein the docking space is configured to accommodate a longitudinal dimension of the elongate aerosol-generating device between the first wall and the second wall.

40. The holder according to claim 37, wherein the docking space is further defined by a rear wall extending between the first wall and the second wall.

41. The holder according to claim 23, further comprising a power supply configured to supply power to the elongate aerosol-generating device when the elongate aerosol-generating device is accommodated in the docking space.

42. The holder according to claim 23, wherein the elongate aerosol-generating device is configured to be accommodated in the docking space by relative movement of the elongate aerosol-generating device and the docking space, by a user, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate aerosol-generating device.

43. The holder according to claim 23, wherein the cover comprises a holding means for holding an accessory.

44. The holder according to claim 43, wherein the holding means comprises a strip of elastic material.

Description

[0087] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0088] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cover;

[0089] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration an aerosol-generating device, an aerosol-generating article, and a holder without a cover;

[0090] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the holder shown in FIG. 2 with the cover shown in FIG. 1 in a non-covering position;

[0091] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the holder shown in FIG. 2 with the cover shown in FIG. 1 in a non-covering position;

[0092] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the holder shown in FIG. 2 with the cover shown in FIG. 1 in a covering position; and

[0093] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the holder shown in FIG. 2 with the cover shown in FIG. 1 in a covering position;

[0094] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the holder shown in FIG. 4 with the cover in the covering position, in which a holding means of the cover is holding an accessory;

[0095] FIG. 8 is a schematic end view of a cover according to a further specific embodiment, showing protruding elements; and

[0096] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of a further specific embodiment of a holder, incorporating the cover as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0097] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cover. The cover 100 comprises a first attachment portion 102 located towards a first side of the cover and a second attachment portion 104 located towards a second side of the cover.

[0098] The first attachment portion 102 comprises an elongate magnet 103. The elongate magnet 104 extends along substantially the entire height of the cover 100. The first attachment portion 102 also comprises a magnetic protruding element 106. The protruding element protrudes in the direction of the thickness of the cover 100.

[0099] The second attachment portion 104 comprises a stiffener 108. The second attachment portion 104 comprises four magnets 110, 112, 114, 116. The four magnets 110, 112, 114, 116 are in contact with, and spaced evenly along, the stiffener 108.

[0100] The cover comprises a plurality of stiffening elements 118. The stiffening elements are preferably formed from a suitable polymer material such as polycarbonate (PC). The plurality of stiffening elements 118 are elongate. The longest dimension of each elongate stiffening element extends along substantially the entire height of the cover 100. The plurality of elongate stiffening elements 118 are substantially parallel to each other.

[0101] The cover 100 comprises a first layer and a second layer. Since FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the cover 100, the first layer and the second layer cannot be seen in FIG. 1. Both the first layer and the second layer are formed from a textile material. The first attachment portion 102, the second attachment portion 104, and the plurality of stiffening elements 118 are sandwiched between the first layer and the second layer.

[0102] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration an aerosol-generating device, an aerosol-generating article, and a holder without a cover.

[0103] The holder 201 comprises a housing 202 that is approximately the same size and shape as a conventional packet of cigarettes. The housing 202 locates and retains a Li-ion battery 203. This battery 203 may be termed a primary power source or primary battery. The primary battery 203 is electrically connected to a charging port 213 to allow the primary battery 203 to be recharged from an external power supply such as mains power. The holder 201 defines a docking space 205 defined between a first wall 206 and an opposing second wall 207 that is both spaced from and fixed relative to the first wall 206. The docking space is further defined by a rear wall 208. The docking space 205 is elongate and has a longitudinal axis extending between the first wall 206 and the second wall 207. The first wall 206, second wall 207, and rear wall 208 are portions of the housing 202. First and second electrical contacts 217, 218 face into the docking space 205. The first and second electrical contacts are electrically connected to the primary battery 203. The holder further comprises electric circuitry such as at least one microprocessor to control the charging and the discharging of the primary battery 203.

[0104] The aerosol-generating device 220 has an elongate housing 222 that is substantially cylindrical having a proximal end 223, a distal end 224, and a body 225 extending between the proximal end 223 and the distal end 224. The length of the device 220 is slightly less than the length of the longitudinal dimension of the docking space 205. First and second device contacts 227, 228 are located by the distal end 224 and face away from the distal end. The first and second device contacts are electrically connected to a device battery 226 to allow for recharging of the device battery 226. The device battery 226, which may be termed a secondary power source or secondary battery, may be any suitable battery, for example a Li-ion battery or a lithium iron phosphate battery.

[0105] A substrate-receiving cavity 221 is defined in a proximal portion of the device 220 for receiving an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The cavity 221 is substantially cylindrical and has an opening defined in the proximal end of the device. Heating elements positioned around internal walls 229 of the substrate-receiving cavity 221 are electrically connected to the device battery 226 and act to heat the cavity. In alternate embodiments, heating elements may be defined on a heating member such as a pin or a blade that is located within the cavity for insertion into an aerosol-generating article. In other embodiments, induction coils may be located around the walls 229 of the cavity 221 to inductively heat a susceptor within the cavity 221 or within an aerosol-generating article inserted into the cavity.

[0106] Electronics, including a microprocessor, are included in the aerosol-generating device for controlling charging of the device battery 226 and operation of the heating means.

[0107] The aerosol-generating article 230 is a cylindrical article comprising a plurality of components, including an aerosol-forming substrate 231 and a mouthpiece filter 232, assembled within a cigarette paper 233. The article 230 has a distal end 234 and a proximal end 235 or mouth end located downstream of the distal end 234. The aerosol-forming substrate 231 is preferably in the form of a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material and is located at or near to the distal end 234 of the article 230. Further components such as aerosol-cooling elements, flavouring elements and spacing elements may be positioned between the aerosol-forming substrate 231 and the mouthpiece filter 232 within the article 230.

[0108] The aerosol-generating device 220 may be accommodated in the docking space of the holder 210 by aligning the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device 220 with the longitudinal axis of the docking space 205 (with the proximal end 223 of the aerosol-generating device 220 adjacent the first wall 206 and the distal end 224 of the aerosol-generating device 220 adjacent the second wall 207). The aerosol-generating device may then be moved into engagement by a translational movement, that is a movement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device 220, into the docking space 205. The proximal end 223 of the aerosol-generating device 220 engages with the first wall 206 and the distal end of the aerosol-generating device 224 engages with the second wall 207. The first and second contacts 217, 218 align with, and make electrical contact with, the first and second device contacts 227, 228. The aerosol-generating device may be held in engagement by an interference, or frictional, engagement. Alternatively, mechanical latching means may be automatically or manually operated to retain the aerosol-generating device in engagement with the holder. In other embodiments, magnetic latching means may be used to retain the aerosol-generating device in engagement with the holder.

[0109] Charging of the device battery may be effected automatically on engagement between the aerosol-generating device 220 and the holder 201. Alternatively, charging may require manual actuation, for example by operating a button.

[0110] The aerosol-generating device 220 may be removed from engagement with the holder 201 by gripping an exposed portion of the aerosol-generating device and moving the aerosol-generating device out of the docking space with a transverse movement.

[0111] Once the device battery 226 has been charged, the aerosol-generating device may be used for consumption of a consumable aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device is removed from docking space 205 and the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the substrate-receiving cavity 221. The heater of the device 220 is then actuated and the aerosol-forming substrate 231 of the article 230 is heated to a temperature sufficient to generating an inhalable aerosol. By drawing on the proximal end 235 of the article 230, a user is able to inhale the aerosol into their mouth and lungs. Once the article has been consumed, it can be removed from the device 220, and the aerosol-generating device 220 can be accommodated in the docking space 205 of the holder 201 for protection or for recharging of the device battery 226.

[0112] In some embodiments, data may be transferred between the aerosol-generating device and the holder. The data may be transferred using the same contacts that are used for charging 217, 218, 227, 228. Alternatively, separate data contacts may be provided. Data transfer between the holder 201 and the aerosol-generating device 220 may be achieved wirelessly, for example by Bluetooth connection.

[0113] In one example, the first and second charging contacts 217, 218 may be in the form of concentric rings. The device charging contacts 227, 228 may be corresponding concentric rings, or may be point contacts configured to align with the respective concentric rings. The advantage of this configuration is that the aerosol-generating device may be engaged with the holder in any radial orientation, and the holder may still be able to charge the device.

[0114] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the holder shown in FIG. 2 with the cover shown in FIG. 1 in a non-covering position.

[0115] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the holder shown in FIG. 2 with the cover shown in FIG. 1 in a non-covering position.

[0116] Compared with FIG. 2, FIG. 4 show the holder 201 after being rotated by 180 degrees. Thus, FIG. 4 shows an opposite side of the holder 201 to that shown in FIG. 2.

[0117] In FIG. 4, the cover is in a non-covering position. In the non-covering position shown in FIG. 4, the magnets 110, 112, 114, 116 of the second attachment portion 104 of the cover 100 are in contact with a second side wall of the housing 202, and the second side wall comprises a magnetic material. Thus, the magnetic attraction between the magnets 110, 112, 114, 116 and the magnetic material attaches the second attachment portion 104 to the second side wall of the housing 202.

[0118] As can be seen in FIG. 4, a first side wall of the housing 202 comprises a first attachment portion having a groove 251. The magnetic protruding element 106 of the cover 100 is configured to be received in the groove 251 when the cover 100 is in the covering position. The groove 251 comprises a corresponding magnetic element.

[0119] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the holder shown in FIG. 2 with the cover shown in FIG. 1 in a covering position.

[0120] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the holder shown in FIG. 2 with the cover shown in FIG. 1 in a covering position.

[0121] When the cover is in the covering position shown in FIG. 6, a first portion 150 of the cover 100 defines a first curve having a radius of curvature. When the cover is in the non-covering position shown in FIG. 4, the first portion 150 of the cover 100 defines a second curve having a radius of curvature. As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 6, the radius of curvature of the second curve is greater than the radius of curvature of the first curve.

[0122] To move the cover from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 6, a user has simply curved the cover 100 around an outer portion of the first wall 206 and an outer portion of the second wall 207. The magnetic protruding element 106 has then been received in the groove 251.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 6, when the cover is in the covering position, the magnetic protruding element 106 contacts the corresponding magnetic element of the groove 251. Thus, magnetic attraction between the magnetic protruding element 106 and the corresponding magnetic element of the groove 251 attaches the first attachment portion 102 of the cover 100 to the first attachment portion of the first side wall of the housing 202.

[0124] In the example shown in FIG. 6, when the cover 100 is in the covering position and the aerosol-generating device 220 is accommodated in the docking space 205, the device is enclosed by the housing 202 and the cover 100. As such, the device 220 is enclosed by the holder 201, and is protected from the external environment.

[0125] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the cover 100 comprises a holding means 152 configured to hold an accessory. The holding means 152 comprises a strip of elastic material. The strip of elastic material extends along a height of the cover 100. The strip of elastic material comprises a first end and a second end, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end and the second end. The first end and the second end of the strip of elastic material are attached to a face of the cover. In this example, the first end and the second end are stitched to the textile material of the first layer of the cover 100. The intermediate portion is not attached to the face of the cover.

[0126] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the holder shown in FIG. 6 with the cover in the covering position, in which a holding means of the cover is holding an accessory.

[0127] For the holding means 152 to hold the accessory 700, a user has pulled on the intermediate portion of the strip, such that the strip stretches to form a space between the intermediate portion of the strip and the face of the cover. The accessory may be, for example, a container of consumable, such as a packet of heated aerosol-generating articles. Then, the user has inserted the accessory 700 into this space between the strip and the face of the cover 100. The user has then released the intermediate portion of the strip. After the user releases the intermediate portion of the strip, tension in the strip acts to hold the accessory 700 between the strip and the face of the cover 100.

[0128] The specific embodiment described above uses magnetic latching means to retain the cover in the covering position. In other embodiments other latching means may be used, for example mechanical latching means or a combination of mechanical latching means and magnetic latching means. FIG. 8 is a schematic end view illustration of a cover 1100 that employs a mechanical latching means.

[0129] The cover 1100 is shown in an end view such that the thickness and height of the cover 1100 can be seen. Three resilient protruding elements 1106, 1107, 1108 are defined extending from a first side 1101 of the cover 1100. The protruding elements are formed from a resilient material such as a polymeric material, for example a silicone material. Each of the three elements 1106, 1107, 1108 defines a lip 1116, 1117, 1118 that is easily and resiliently deformable.

[0130] A holder 1201 that interacts with the cover 1100 is illustrated in FIG. 9. Features of FIG. 9 are the same as those described in relation to the holder of FIG. 4, except for the following. A first side wall of the housing 1202 comprises a first attachment portion defining three slots or sockets 1206, 1207, 1208. Each of the three slots or sockets 1206, 1207, 1208 aligns with a corresponding protruding element 1106, 1107, 1108 when the cover 1101 is moved to the covering position. Pressure applied to the cover presses each of the protruding elements 1106, 1107, 1108 into its corresponding slot or socket 1206, 1207, 1208. The lip 1116, 1117, 1118 of each protruding element deforms on entering its slot or socket and recovers shape within its slot or socket to mechanically retain the cover in the covering position.