An aerosol generating system comprising a housing and an inhalation device and a method of removing the inhalation device from the housing

Abstract

An aerosol generating system (10) includes a housing (12) and an inhalation device (14) housed within the housing (12). The housing (12) has a body (16) and a flap (18) movable relative to the body (16). The inhalation device (14) and the flap (18) have a combination of at least one magnet and at least one ferrite element (22, 28). When the flap (18) moves relative to the body (16), the at least one magnet and the at least one ferrite element cooperate to move the inhalation device (14) relative to the body (16). The flap (18) has at least one sliding pin (26) slidable relative to the body (16), and at least one magnet or ferrite element (28) is disposed on the body. A method for removing at least one suction device (14) from a housing (12) having a body (16) and a flip cover (18) movable relative to the body (16), the method comprising the steps of: partially removing the suction device (14) from the housing (12) by means of cooperation between at least one magnet disposed on the suction device (14) and at least one ferrite element (22, 28) disposed on the flip cover (18) and the housing (16) thereby moving the suction device (14) relative to the housing (16), wherein the flip cover (18) has at least one sliding pin (26) slidable relative to the housing (16), and at least one magnet or ferrite element (28) is disposed on the housing (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generation system comprising a housing and an inhalation device, and also to a method for removing the inhalation device from the housing.

[0002] In recent years, inhalation devices such as electronic cigarettes have become popular as alternatives to conventional smoking products. In this context, inhalation devices are typically housed in a casing, which may also contain one or more cartridges or similar components with an aerosol-generating matrix.

[0003] In addition, the housing can function as a charger to power the inhaler. Users generally find it convenient if the inhaler can be easily removed from the housing. Background Technology

[0004] WO 2020 / 83850 A1 relates to a housing for an aerosol generating apparatus having a retainer for receiving a portion of the aerosol generating apparatus, wherein the retainer may include a magnet for securing the aerosol generating apparatus within the retainer.

[0005] EP 3 344 315 A1 discloses an aerosol generation system with a rectangular housing in which a side door can be opened to allow removal of an inhalation device, and a permanent magnet can be provided to form a lifting device to cause the inhalation device to rise and leave the housing. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Based on the above, there is still a need to provide an aerosol generation system that is both easy to manufacture and easy to use.

[0007] This is achieved through an aerosol generation system as described below.

[0008] Typically, a housing for accommodating an inhalation device has a body and a flip cover movable relative to the body. The inhalation device and the flip cover have a combination of at least one magnet and at least one ferrite element, which cooperate to move the inhalation device relative to the body when the flip cover moves relative to the body. In this context, the flip cover has at least one sliding pin slidable relative to the body, and at least one magnet or ferrite element is disposed on the body.

[0009] In use, the flip cover can be considered as the top portion of the housing and is specifically adapted to close and allow opening of the smallest surface of the housing, which is generally cuboid in shape. The second smallest surface can be considered as the side surfaces, and the largest surfaces can be considered as the front and rear surfaces. The flip cover can be relatively easily manufactured to slide at least relative to the body via the aforementioned sliding pin, and the flip cover can engage with complementary elements on the suction device via magnetic or ferrite elements disposed on the sliding pin to move the suction device relative to the body of the housing in a manner that makes it easier for the user to grip the suction device. Simultaneously, when the flip cover is typically disposed on the smallest surface of the housing, the housing can remain compact, and maintain a compact size even when the flip cover is open. Furthermore, any wall thickness between the magnetic or ferrite elements on the sliding pin and / or the suction device can be manufactured small enough to allow the desired interaction to elevate the suction device relative to the housing.

[0010] Furthermore, which is even more beneficial to the user, the inhalation device can be almost completely housed within the cavity of the housing. In this way, the inhalation device is fully protected when not in use, and can be easily put into a ready-to-use state by means of the interaction between one or more magnets and one or more ferrite elements.

[0011] It has been further confirmed that the inhalation device is generally elongated, especially roughly cylindrical, and particularly cylindrical.

[0012] In this case, it is particularly advantageous to arrange multiple magnetic or ferrite elements completely around the suction device at specific locations along the length of the suction device. Additionally or alternatively, the magnetic or ferrite elements can be arranged in a ring, annular, or circular shape to extend completely around the suction device. In this way, the desired interaction with one or more magnetic or ferrite elements on the sliding pin can be ensured, regardless of the rotational position of the suction device about its longitudinal axis. This is particularly advantageous because the position of any magnetic or ferrite element can be invisible from the outside of the suction device. Furthermore, the features described in this paragraph are advantageous for the reasons mentioned herein and are unrelated to any other features described herein, and the features described in this paragraph can be provided unrelatedly to those on any aerosol generating system having a housing and suction device held by a combination of one or more magnetic and ferrite elements.

[0013] In order to make the aerosol generation system particularly easy to use while keeping the size of the aerosol generation system particularly compact (even when the housing is open), it is preferable that the flip cover can not only slide relative to the body by means of the described sliding pin, but also pivot relative to the body.

[0014] In particular, the sliding pin can also be used as a pivot axis, so that the flip cover can additionally pivot about at least one sliding pin and the structure can remain simple.

[0015] When the housing has at least one groove for accommodating at least one sliding pin, the interaction between the flip cover and the housing becomes simple and efficient, and at the same time easy to manufacture.

[0016] As described above, in a preferred embodiment, the flap is disposed on the smallest side surface of the body, which can be regarded as the top surface, unlike side doors or similar structures known in the prior art.

[0017] In this context, the flip cover does not necessarily cover only the smallest side surface, but may also extend adjacent to a second smallest side surface of the body (i.e., a side surface that is typically different from the front or rear surface). In particular, the sliding pin of the flip cover may be provided in a portion of the flip cover extending along such a side surface.

[0018] The method of removing the inhalation device from the housing corresponds substantially to the structure of the inhalation device described above and means moving the inhalation device relative to the housing or partially removing the inhalation device from the housing by means of the cooperation of at least one magnet and at least one ferrite element as described above. Preferred embodiments of the method described herein correspond to preferred embodiments of the aerosol generation system, and it should be noted that any features mentioned only for the system can be fully applied to the method, and vice versa. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The invention will now be described with reference to exemplary embodiments and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 An aerosol generation system according to the invention is shown in the first closed state of the housing;

[0021] Figure 2 An aerosol generation system according to the invention is shown in the second open state of the housing;

[0022] Figure 3 A view from one side of the aerosol generation system shows... Figure 1 Aerosol generation system in a certain state,

[0023] Figure 4 A view from one side of the aerosol generation system shows... Figure 2 Aerosol generation systems in the state of, and

[0024] Figure 5 It shows that it is in Figure 1 Alternative embodiments of the state. Detailed Implementation

[0025] from Figure 1 As can be seen, the aerosol generation system 10 generally has a housing 12 and an inhalation device 14, the housing having a body 16 and a flip cover 18. The inhalation device 14 is generally elongated and can be accommodated almost entirely within the cavity 20 of the housing 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 20 extends almost entirely to the bottom of the housing 12, and... Figure 1 The flip cover 18 is shown in the closed state, with the inhalation device 14 protruding only a few millimeters (if any) from the cavity. Figure 1 Further indications are given that the inhalation device 14 includes a magnet or ferrite element 22 on one side and in the upper portion thereof, which is particularly adjacent to the flip cover 18, as will be described in more detail below.

[0026] It can also be done by... Figure 1 and Figure 3 As can be seen from the combination, the outer shell 12 is generally a cuboid, in which the front and rear faces are the largest surfaces, with the front face pointing towards... Figure 1 The observer. Especially from... Figure 3 It can be seen that the side surface is the second largest surface of the cuboid, and the flip cover 18 is basically set on the smallest surface of the cuboid. For example... Figure 1 As shown, at the bottom of the casing, this small surface can be formed to be slightly inclined to one side. Specifically, although... Figure 1 Not shown, but this tilt can be applied not only to the bottom of the housing, but also to the top of the housing formed by the flip cover 18.

[0027] As shown in these figures, in the depicted embodiment, the flap not only covers the top of the outer casing 12 of the body 16, but also extends a short distance along the front and rear surfaces (see Figure 1). Figure 3 Furthermore, it extends significantly longer along the lateral surfaces, for example, 10% to 30% of the flip cover. Additionally, to provide a comfortable "feel" for the user, some edges, or preferably all edges, between the surfaces are rounded. Furthermore, the smallest and second smallest surfaces, i.e., the top and bottom surfaces, as well as the side surfaces as a whole, can be rounded, which can be seen from... Figure 3 The top and bottom surfaces are visible.

[0028] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As indicated by the dotted lines, in the illustrated embodiment, each side of the housing 12 has a groove 24, in which the sliding pin 26 of the flip cover 18, provided on each side, can slide. In the illustrated embodiment, each groove extends substantially parallel to the largest and second largest surfaces of the housing 12 and parallel to the longitudinal extension of the suction device 14. Furthermore, this can be compared... Figure 3 and Figure 4 It can be seen that the flip cover 18 can also pivot relative to the body 16 on each side around the sliding pin 26.

[0029] It can also be done by... Figure 1 and Figure 2 In combination, it can be seen that when the flip cover 18 slides upward, the magnet or ferrite element 28 provided on the pin 26 engages with the corresponding magnet or element 22 on the suction device 14 to lift the suction device from the body 16 of the housing 12. In this way, the user can easily hold the suction device 14. However, the flip cover can be configured to extend a longer distance along the side surface to allow the suction device to be moved out of the cavity 20 to allow holding the suction device, and the flip cover 18 is additionally pivotable (e.g., Figure 4 The fact shown makes the entire system compact even when it is in the open state.

[0030] Alternatively, you can... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen, the flip cover is formed symmetrically about the vertical axis relative to the sliding pin 26, and the groove 24 is provided on the body 16. However, the suction device 14 is positioned asymmetrically, particularly off-center, so that the suction device is positioned particularly close to the side surface, where the sliding pin 26 with the magnet or ferrite element 28 is present and can advantageously interact with the magnet or ferrite element 22 provided on the suction device. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the suction device is only provided in the right half of the housing 12. Additionally, it can be seen from... Figure 3 As can be seen, the shell can be basically symmetrical when viewed from the side surface.

[0031] like Figure 5 This indicates that the magnet or ferrite element 22 can be positioned at the same location along the length of the suction device, completely surrounding the suction device 14, to ensure the described lifting action is independent of the rotational orientation of the suction device 14. Specifically, Figure 5 A ring-shaped magnet or ferrite element 22 is shown. Additionally, the entire sliding pin 26 (i.e., the portion protruding from the flip cover and / or accommodated in the recess 24) or its main portion may be constituted by a magnet or ferrite element 28.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation system (10), comprising: The housing (12) and the suction device (14) are housed within the housing (12), the housing (12) having a body (16) and a flip cover (18) movable relative to the body (16), wherein the suction device (14) and the flip cover (18) have a combination of at least one magnet and at least one ferrite element (22, 28), wherein when the flip cover (18) moves relative to the body (16), the at least one magnet and the at least one ferrite element cooperate to move the suction device (14) relative to the body (16), and wherein the flip cover (18) has at least one sliding pin (26) slidable relative to the body (16), and at least one magnet or ferrite element (28) is disposed on the body.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The inhalation device (14) can be substantially completely contained within the cavity of the housing (12).

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The inhalation device (14) is elongated.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein, The inhalation device (14) is cylindrical.

5. The system as described in claim 3, wherein, Multiple magnets or ferrite elements (22) or a single ring magnet or ferrite element (22) are arranged to completely surround the suction device (14) at specific locations along the length of the suction device.

6. The system according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The flip cover (18) is further pivotable relative to the body (16).

7. The system of claim 6, wherein, The flip cover (18) is pivotable about at least one sliding pin (26).

8. The system according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The housing (12) has at least one groove (24) for receiving at least one sliding pin (26).

9. The system according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The flip cover (18) is located on the smallest side surface of the body (16).

10. The system according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The flap (18) extends adjacent to at least one second smaller side surface of the body (16).

11. A method for removing at least one inhalation device (14) from a housing (12) having a body (16) and a flip cover (18) movable relative to the body (16), the method comprising the steps of: When the flip cover (18) moves relative to the body (16), the suction device (14) is partially removed from the housing (12) by the cooperation of at least one magnet and at least one ferrite element (22, 28) provided on the suction device (14) and the flip cover (18), which causes the suction device (14) to move relative to the body (16), wherein the flip cover (18) has at least one sliding pin (26) which is slidable relative to the body (16), and at least one magnet or ferrite element (28) is provided on the body.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The flip cover (18) further pivots relative to the body (16).

13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein, The flip cover (18) pivots about at least one sliding pin (26) which slides relative to the body (16).

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