DE102018108186B4 - Device for generating and inhaling smoke - Google Patents

Abstract

E-cigarette for generating and inhaling smoke, comprising - at least two chambers (1), which are each set up and provided for receiving a smoking agent, for example tobacco or a liquid to be vaporized, - at least one means (2) for receiving a smoke produced within the chambers (1), the means (2) being fluidly connected both to the two chambers (1) and to a mouthpiece (3) for inhaling the smoke, characterized in that the means (2) comprises at least one adjustment means (21) for receiving a smoke, with the adjustment means (21) being able to adjust a flow cross section in relation to each chamber (1) and/or in relation to the mouthpiece (3), so that either one of the two smoking means can be selected can be inhaled by a user or both smoke agents can be inhaled at the same time.

Description

The present invention relates to an e-cigarette for generating and inhaling smoke according to the preamble of claim 1.

the CH 580 394 A5 shows a smoking pipe with two adjacent pipe bowls connected by a junction to a common mouthpiece so that two fillings of tobacco can be lit simultaneously, and by means of a valve at the junction air can be drawn through each lit filling in turn to produce a more satisfying smoke and also, if necessary, to obtain an instant comparison between two types of tobacco. For the multiple comparison of tobacco types, a pipe with several pipe bowls can be used, in which more than two pipe bowls are connected by a multiple branch. In another embodiment, two or more heads are mounted in a row along a common stem. The valve may have a rotary or sliding flap and the heads may be fitted with hinged covers.

the US 2016/0 106 936 A1 shows a personal vaporizer having a cartridge configured to receive a plurality of chambers each configured to contain a liquid material, an atomizer configured to vaporize the liquid material, for inhalation by a user, a controller configured to control the nebulizer, and one or more sensors configured to be in electrical communication with the controller, the controller being configured to do so to control the nebulizer to vaporize the liquid material only when an authorization condition is met, the authorization condition being determined according to signals received from the one or more sensors.

Previous e-cigarettes make it possible to inhale only one flavor at a time. This is due, among other things, to the fact that previous e-cigarettes only provide a single holder in order to accommodate only one tank in which the smoking agent, for example a liquid to be evaporated, is arranged.

However, this has the disadvantage that the user is limited to only one taste of the smoking agent. Although the flavor can be changed by separately replacing such a single tank in an e-cigarette already known from the prior art, this is particularly complicated and expensive for the user.

The present invention therefore wants to eliminate the above problem, so that it is an object of the present invention to offer an e-cigarette for generating and inhaling smoke, which makes it possible to taste different tastes in a particularly simple, inexpensive and individual way without a separate To offer replacement of a smoke agent chamber. This object is therefore solved by the subject matter of patent claim 1.

In particular, the e-cigarette proposed here for generating and inhaling smoke has at least two chambers, which are each set up and provided for receiving a smoking agent, for example tobacco, or a liquid to be evaporated.

Furthermore, the e-cigarette comprises at least one means for taking up smoke produced within the chamber, the means being fluidly connected both to the two chambers and to a mouthpiece for inhaling the smoke.

A core element of the present invention is that the means for receiving a smoke comprises at least one adjustment means, with the adjustment means being able to adjust a flow cross section in relation to each chamber and/or in relation to the mouthpiece, so that either one of the two smoking means can be selected from the User inhalable or both smoke agents are inhalable at the same time.

The adjusting means can be a gripping surface, which is present on the mouthpiece or the means, for example.

In this respect, the above-described means for taking in a smoke via the adjusting means described here offers the possibility that different flavors can be inhaled one after the other or at the same time. In this respect, the present e-cigarette offers the possibility of offering the user individual flavors without having to change the smoking agent to change the flavor.

The chambers are preferably arranged in a magazine-like manner around a longitudinal axis of symmetry in the longitudinal direction, that is to say in a direction parallel to the main direction of extension of the e-cigarette. For example, by actuating the setting means, the means for picking up a smoke can be adjusted in this way, but in particular be twisted about the longitudinal direction such that a flow cross section is or becomes completely closed with respect to one, for example fixed chamber, while a flow cross section is completely open with respect to the second chamber. Intermediate positions (at least partially open and/or at least partially closed) are also conceivable. For example, only a smoke agent is inhaled.

As an alternative to this, however, it is conceivable that, for example, the flow cross sections of both chambers are completely open or at least partially open. A mixture of the vapors of both smoking means can therefore arise via the means for absorbing a smoke produced within the chamber, which vapors are inhaled together through one mouthpiece.

In this context, “flow cross section” in relation to each chamber denotes a cross section within a channel system assigned to the chamber or arranged within the chamber, which leads to a mouthpiece of the device.

According to at least one embodiment, the e-cigarette for generating and inhaling smoke comprises at least two chambers, each of which is set up and provided for accommodating a smoking agent, for example tobacco or a liquid to be vaporized. In this case, the e-cigarette also has at least one means for taking up smoke produced within the chambers, with the means being fluidically connected to the two chambers, ie also to a mouthpiece for inhaling the smoke.

According to the invention, the means for absorbing a smoke comprises at least one adjustment means, with the adjustment means being able to adjust a flow cross section in relation to each chamber and/or in relation to the mouthpiece, so that either one of the two smokes can be inhaled by a user or both smokes at the same time are inhalable.

According to at least one embodiment, the two chambers are installed in a particularly portable housing and the two chambers are arranged next to one another in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In this case, each of the chambers is fluidly connected to the mouthpiece by means of a channel system, in particular one that can be at least partially shut off.

In particular, at least one, but preferably each, channel system can be at least partially shut off via the means for taking up smoke that has formed inside the chamber, as a result of which the possibility of choosing flavors for the user, as described above, can be implemented.

For example, the case is a case of an e-cigarette for generating and inhaling smoke. The portable housing specified here is set up and intended to be used by a user, in particular manually. In this respect, the case offered here can differ significantly in its dimensions from a permanently installed case. In other words, all other components, such as a battery or an electronically operated heating system for heating the smoking agent of the e-cigarette, are preferably installed in the housing. Thus, no further element for operating the device for generating and inhaling smoke is arranged outside the housing.

Furthermore, the housing is a self-contained housing which, however, can be reclosed, in particular for refilling the chambers and/or for replacing the chambers.

According to at least one embodiment, the mouthpiece has at least two openings, into each of which a channel system opens, so that the fluid connections, which can preferably be shut off, are created via the openings.

At least one, preferably both openings can be formed in the form of a bore in a side wall of the mouthpiece. For example, the mouthpiece is designed like a hollow cylinder and is open on the top and bottom surfaces, with one side surface having at least one opening.

Additionally or alternatively, a valve device for controlling or regulating a flow cross section of the opening can be arranged in or on at least one opening. For example, such a valve may be in the form of a flapper valve. It is conceivable that a flexible membrane is applied to an inner wall of the mouthpiece or to an outer wall of the mouthpiece, which at least partially opens when inhaling and immediately closes by itself after inhaling or in the event of an incorrect exhalation into the mouthpiece.

Such a valve device is preferably also attached in such a way that it closes automatically when the mouthpiece is rotated about the longitudinal direction to adjust the flow cross section and/or to select a flavor. In this context, it is conceivable that such a valve device can only be used in a single, with respect to the longitudinal direction, predetermined rotational position relative to the housing is opened or is openable.

According to at least one embodiment, the channel systems described above are formed on or in a common cover element, the cover element being detachably mountable on the housing.

Such a cover element can be designed in one piece, so that the cover element is free of screws, rivets or interruptions. For example, the lid member is formed with a plastic material. However, it is also conceivable that the cover element is formed from a metal, preferably an antiseptic metal. In particular, the common cover element can be washable and also reusable.

The cover element can be designed in the form of a screw cap, in particular with a wall thickness of the cover element being designed both in relation to a side surface of the cover element and to a top surface of the cover element such that at least two channels are formed in or on it. Each channel is therefore intended to establish a fluid connection associated with it to a chamber. For example, the number of channels is identical to the number of chambers.

According to at least one embodiment, the cover element has at least one continuous hole in the longitudinal direction, within which the mouthpiece can be placed, so that the mouthpiece protrudes at least partially in the longitudinal direction from the hole in the cover element, in particular with the channel systems opening in a side surface of the hole, so that one hole of the cover element can be brought into at least partial overlap with one opening of the mouthpiece in each case in order to be able to produce at least one continuous fluid connection to each chamber and the mouthpiece.

Preferably, the through hole is formed in a top surface of the lid member. The hole can be arranged centrically to the longitudinal direction.

The cover element is, for example, a screw cap with an internal thread and/or a snap closure. A side surface of the cover element has, for example, a projection which can hook onto a further projection of the housing for releasable closure.

According to at least one embodiment, at least one channel system opens out laterally, ie in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction in the mouthpiece.

It is conceivable that the two chambers in the housing are connected to one another via a connecting device in such a way that the two chambers are designed to be rotatable relative to a housing wall of the housing, in particular rotatable about the longitudinal direction. In this respect, the above-mentioned magazine-like arrangement of the chambers is created around the longitudinal direction.

For example, the chambers are jointly connected to the housing or are connected to one another via a separate connecting device arranged in the housing in such a way that the chambers can be rotated about the longitudinal axis in a turret fashion relative to the housing or together with the housing. For this purpose, the e-cigarette can have a twisting mechanism, which can be actuated via the setting means. For example, it is conceivable in this context that the individual chambers are arranged inside the housing in the form of a revolver drum, which can be rotated about the longitudinal axis relative to a housing wall by means of the rotating mechanism. The individual chambers are then arranged in such a revolver drum.

It is also conceivable that the e-cigarette has a filling level indicator and/or a filling level sensor, which measures the filling level of a chamber in each case. If the filling level of a chamber falls below a minimum level, it is conceivable that a blocking device of the e-cigarette automatically interrupts the fluid connection between the respective chamber and the mouthpiece. This blocking device can be operated electrically via the battery of the e-cigarette. The battery of the e-cigarette can be the sole power source of the e-cigarette. A heater for evaporating or heating the smoking agent is preferably also operated via the battery. For example, the blocking device includes a closing element which moves into the respective fluid line or completely blocks one end of the fluid line.

According to at least one embodiment, the adjustment means is a mechanical adjustment means, for example an adjustment button which, when pressed, causes the mouthpiece to rotate about the longitudinal direction and/or the cover element to rotate in the longitudinal direction. Meanwhile, the mouthpiece and/or the cover element are fixed (generating a relative rotation of both components). A rotation about the lon gitudinal axis of the chambers, which are arranged, for example, in the form of the revolver drum.

For this purpose, the adjusting knob can be connected to a movement mechanism which can produce the above-mentioned rotations or at least one rotation.

According to at least one embodiment, the adjustment means comprises an electric motor, which rotates the mouthpiece in the longitudinal axis and/or rotates the cover element about the longitudinal axis.

For example, the adjusting means can also produce the above-mentioned rotation of the chambers relative to the housing wall of the housing.

According to at least one embodiment, the e-cigarette is designed to be portable, in particular having a maximum extension in the longitudinal direction of at most 15 cm, preferably at most 10 cm, and a maximum width in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of at most 6 cm, preferably of at most 4 cm.

These above dimensions have turned out to be particularly advantageous if the e-cigarette described above is designed to be portable, as already shown.

The present e-cigarette is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment and the associated figures.

• 1 schematische Draufansicht der erfindungsgemäßen E-Zigarette;
• 2 Querschnittsseitenansicht der erfindungsgemäßen E-Zigarette;
• 3 schematische Seitenansicht des Mundstücks der erfindungsgemäßen E-Zigarette; und
• 4 schematisch/ perspektivische Darstellung eines Verschlusselements der erfindungsgemäßen E-Zigarette.

In the 1 until 4 are shown in more detail in each case in schematic/perspective views of individual elements of the invention described here.

• 1 schematic top view of the e-cigarette according to the invention;
• 2 Cross-sectional side view of the e-cigarette according to the invention;
• 3 schematic side view of the mouthpiece of the e-cigarette according to the invention; and
• 4 schematic/perspective representation of a closure element of the e-cigarette according to the invention.

In the figures, components that are the same or have the same effect are each provided with the same reference symbols. The elements shown here are not to be considered as being to scale. Rather, individual elements may be exaggerated for better understanding.

In the 1 1 is a schematic plan view of an e-cigarette 100 for generating and inhaling smoke according to the present invention described herein.

How from the 1 As can be seen, the e-cigarette 100 comprises a plurality of chambers 1 in the plan view, in particular four chambers 1 can be seen in the plan view. The chambers 1 are arranged around a longitudinal direction L in the manner of a magazine

Each of the chambers 1 is set up and provided for accommodating a smoking agent, in particular, for example, a liquid to be evaporated for an e-cigarette.

In addition, a means 2 for taking up smoke produced within the chambers 1 is shown, with the means 2 being fluidically connected both to the two chambers 1 and to a mouthpiece 3 for inhaling the smoke.

The one in the 1 The chambers 1 shown are installed in a portable housing 4, with the two chambers 1 being arranged next to one another in a direction V running transversely to the longitudinal direction L, with each of the chambers 1 being fluidically connected to the Mouthpiece 3 is connected.

In addition, in the 1 recognizable that the mouthpiece 3 has a plurality of openings 31 into each of which a channel system 5 opens, so that the fluid connections are created via the opening 31 .

In addition, the 2 a common cover element 6, wherein the cover element 6 is mounted, in particular screwed, on the housing 4 and the channel systems 5 are preferably completely integrated in or on the cover element 6, in particular in a lateral cover wall of the cover element 6.

For example, the cover element 6 is formed with a plastic material which has been formed by means of an injection molding process, so that the channel systems 5 are formed inside the cover element 6 automatically via such a molding process, for example.

In addition, the cover element 6 has a through hole 61 in the longitudinal direction L, within which the mouthpiece 3 is placed, so that the mouthpiece 3 protrudes in the longitudinal direction L from the hole 61 of the cover element 6 at least partially.

Above this, the channel systems 5 can open out in a side surface 61A of the hole 61, so that a hole 61 in the cover element 6 can be brought into overlapping relationship with an opening 31 in the mouthpiece 3 and at least one continuous fluid connection is established between each chamber 1 and the mouthpiece 3.

However, as in the 2 shown, the channel systems 5 protrude from a base cover 63 in the longitudinal direction L. For this purpose, the channel systems 5 each have a first end, which opens into an opening of a chamber 1 and protrudes in an upward direction, ie in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction L, from the base cover 63 . The base cover 63 therefore has an opening 63A that is completely continuous in the longitudinal direction L for each channel system 5 . These openings 63A are also arranged in a magazine-like manner around the mouthpiece 3 in the base cover 63 .

For example, the base cover 63 together with the duct systems 5 are rotatable in the longitudinal direction L relative to the housing 4 .

The channel systems 5 at least partially protrude from the base cover 63 . Again 2 can also be seen, the openings 31 are arranged in the longitudinal direction L above the base cover 63 .

In the 3 such a mouthpiece 3 is shown in a schematic side view, which shows in particular that these openings 31 are formed on or in a side wall of the mouthpiece 3, which are arranged along the circumferential direction of the side wall of the mouthpiece 3, which is preferably designed in the shape of a cylinder jacket.

the 4 shows a closure element 9, which is preferably detachably attached to a cover element 6. In contrast to 2 Here the cover element 6 is designed in such a way that each of the channel systems 5 runs within the walls of the cover element 6 and is therefore completely installed in the cover element 6 .

For example, a duct system 5 is one, preferably a single, contiguous duct. Once the mouthpiece 3 has been removed from the cover element 6 , when the e-cigarette 100 is not in use, the channel system 5 open to the outside can be closed by means of the closing element 9 .

The invention is not limited by the description of the exemplary embodiment. Rather, the invention includes every new feature and every combination of features, which also includes in particular every combination of the patent claims, even if this feature or this combination itself is not explicitly stated in the patent claims or in the exemplary embodiment.

Reference List

1

chamber

2

Middle

3

mouthpiece

4

Housing

5

canal system

6

cover element

9

closure element

21

adjustment means

31

openings

61

Hole

61A

side face

63

base lid

63A

Openings in the base cover

100

E cigarette

L

longitudinal direction

V

Direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction

Claims (9)

E-cigarette for generating and inhaling smoke, comprising - at least two chambers (1), which are each set up and provided for receiving a smoking agent, for example tobacco or a liquid to be vaporized, - at least one means (2) for receiving a smoke produced within the chambers (1), the means (2) being fluidly connected both to the two chambers (1) and to a mouthpiece (3) for inhaling the smoke, characterized in that the means (2) comprises at least one adjustment means (21) for receiving a smoke, with the adjustment means (21) being able to adjust a flow cross section in relation to each chamber (1) and/or in relation to the mouthpiece (3), so that either one of the two smoking means can be selected can be inhaled by a user or both smoke agents can be inhaled at the same time. E-cigarette (100) after claim 1 , characterized in that the two chambers (1) in one, in particular portable, housing (4) ver and the two chambers (1) are arranged next to one another in a direction (V) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), each of the chambers (1) being fluidically connected to the mouthpiece by means of a channel system (5) which can in particular be at least partially shut off (3) connected. E-cigarette (100) after claim 2 , characterized in that the mouthpiece (3) has at least two openings (31), into each of which a channel system (5) opens, so that the preferably shut-off fluid connections are created via the openings (31). E-cigarette (100) after claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the channel systems (5) are formed in a common cover element (6), the cover element (6) being detachably mountable on the housing (4). E-cigarette (100) after claim 4 , characterized in that the cover element (6) has at least one in the longitudinal direction (L) continuous hole (61), within which the mouthpiece (3) can be placed, so that the mouthpiece (3) in the longitudinal direction (L) out of the hole (61) of the cover element (6) protrudes at least partially, in particular the channel systems (5) opening in a side surface (61A) of the hole (61), so that one hole (61) of the cover element (6) overlaps each other with an opening (31) of the mouthpiece (3) can be brought in order to be able to establish at least one continuous fluid connection between each chamber (1) and the mouthpiece (3). E-cigarette (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims 2 until 5 , characterized in that at least one channel system (5) opens laterally, ie in a direction (V) transverse to the longitudinal direction (L), in the mouthpiece (3). E-cigarette (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting means (21) is a mechanical adjusting means (21), for example an adjusting button, which, by pressing it, causes the mouthpiece (3) to rotate about the longitudinal direction (L) and/or a rotation of the cover element (6) around the longitudinal direction (L). E-cigarette (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting means (21) comprises an electric motor which rotates the mouthpiece (3) about the longitudinal direction (L) and/or rotates the cover element ( 6) generated around the longitudinal direction (L). E-cigarette (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed to be portable, and in particular has a maximum extension in the longitudinal direction (L) of at most 15 cm, preferably at most 10 cm, and a maximum width in one direction (V) transverse to the longitudinal direction (L) of at most 6 cm, preferably at most 4 cm.

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