Inhalation device

Abstract

An inhalation device (46) has: a body (48) having a recess (52) for receiving a consumable; a displaceable cover, the displaceable cover having an opening (26); a slidable spring carrier (14) for covering the recess (52) and carrying the spring (16); and a base (10) provided on the body (48) and having a rail (34) receiving a first arm portion (28) of the spring (16); the rail (34) has a locking portion (40) adapted to lock the spring (16) in a position in which the spring carrier (14) covers the recess (52) and, when displaced, is adapted to move the spring carrier (14) in a position covering the recess (52) in order to disengage the spring (16) from the locking portion (40) and to move the spring carrier (14) in a position exposing the recess (52) in order to disengage the spring (16) from the locking portion (40) in order to disengage the spring (16) from the locking portion (40). The spring (16) and the locking part (40) are connected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inhalation device, such as a device for heating a consumable like a tobacco stick. Background Art

[0002] Many types of inhalation devices or aerosol-generating devices are known and are continuously replacing traditional cigarettes. Such devices typically have a body having a recess for receiving a consumable, such as a stick having an aerosol-generating substance, which may include tobacco. It is generally desirable to cover the recess before and after use.

[0003] In this context, for example, KR 102355185 B1 relates to a device as described above, which has a slidable cover for covering the recess, the recess being adapted to receive a consumable. Further, somewhat similar devices are known from EP 2 727 619 B1 and EP 2 531 053 B1. Summary of the Invention

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an inhalation device of the above type having a particularly user-friendly mechanism for opening and closing the recess.

[0005] This is achieved by the inhalation device described in claim 1 and claim 15.

[0006] Accordingly, the device has a body and a slidable spring carrier, the body having a recess for receiving a consumable, the slidable spring carrier for covering the recess and carrying a spring. Further, a displaceable cover having an opening is provided, and a base is provided on the body of the cover, the base having a track for receiving a first arm of the above spring. The track further has a locking portion adapted to lock the spring in a position where the spring carrier covers the recess, and when displaced, the cover is adapted to move the spring carrier when in the position of covering the recess so as to disengage the spring from the locking portion, and further adapted to move the spring carrier when in the position of exposing the recess so as to engage the spring with the locking portion.

[0007] This essentially allows the cover to move in the same direction when closing and opening the recess, similar to the operation of a push-button pen, i.e., the actuator moves in the same direction to alternately expose and retract the nib. For the inhalation device described herein, this makes it easy for the user to operate because, as described above, the repeated movement of the cover in the same direction alternately opens and closes the recess. This is essentially achieved by starting from a position where the spring carrier covers the recess and its spring is locked in the locking portion of the track, disengaging the spring from the locking portion, thereby moving the spring carrier to the position of exposing the recess.

[0008] Further, the cover member is then also moved to a position where its opening is aligned with the recess to allow insertion of a consumable, such as a heatable rod. After inhaling and removing the consumable, the displacement of the cover member in the same direction in which it was moved to expose the recess will cause the spring provided on the spring carrier to engage with the locking portion, such that the spring carrier will cover the recess. As will be described in detail below, a novel mechanism can be effectively provided such that, in terms of cost, the user experience is also good.

[0009] Preferred embodiments are described in the additional claims.

[0010] The spring carrier is preferably biased to a position where the recess is exposed, and when in the position covering the recess, the spring carrier preferably interacts with the cover member that moves the spring carrier so as to disengage the spring from the locking portion. Since the spring carrier is biased, the spring carrier will then automatically move to the position where the recess is exposed.

[0011] In particular, the appearance of the device can be improved, and when in use, if the cover member is biased to a position where it is at least partially flush with the body, a seamless device can be advantageously provided.

[0012] In order to guide the cover member during the above-mentioned movement of the cover member, it is beneficial to provide the cover member with a covering portion and a frame portion. The covering portion will typically cover the recess, and the frame portion will be used to guide the movement.

[0013] In particular, it has been proven beneficial to guide the cover member, especially the frame portion of the cover member, through the base.

[0014] Since the spring is provided with a first arm portion received in a track in any case, the spring can effectively be provided with a second arm portion that biases the spring carrier.

[0015] In order to provide an overall good appearance of the device, during the movement of the respective components, the spring carrier preferably also has a spring cover member that particularly covers the spring.

[0016] Regarding suitable materials for the respective components, it is currently preferred and will provide beneficial properties for the components when the cover member (especially its covering portion) and the spring are made of metal.

[0017] In contrast, one or more of the frame portion, the spring cover member, the spring carrier, and the base can effectively be made of plastic.

[0018] Although different mechanisms are generally also possible, advantages of the mechanism capable of causing the above-mentioned movement of the respective components are provided when the cover member and the spring carrier can move in the same direction.

[0019] Although the recess and the cover member covering the recess can generally be provided at any position of the entire device, a well-designed device is provided when the body is elongated and the cover member is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. In other words, the body typically has two surface regions perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, which are much smaller than the remaining four surface regions, typically parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the cover member preferably covers the recess, which is provided on one of the described smaller surface regions and typically extends substantially along the longitudinal axis.

[0020] Regarding the detailed design of the spring, it is currently preferred and allows for efficient production of the spring when its first arm portion and second arm portion are located on opposite sides of the helical portion of the spring.

[0021] As detailed above, the inhalation device described herein allows the displacement of the spring carrier by the cover member when the cover member is in the position covering the recess and the displacement of the spring carrier by the cover member when the cover member is in the position exposing the recess to be in the same direction. This provides a pleasant user experience.

[0022] Finally, when the amount of displacement for exposing the recess by the cover member is the same as the amount of displacement for covering the recess, the user experience is further improved. In other words, the user will easily get used to the advantageously same amount of displacement for both exposing and covering the recess. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the basic parts of the inhalation device is shown,

[0025] Figure 2 showing Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of the part shown,

[0026] Figures 3 to 8 The operation of exposing and covering the recess of the device is shown in a top view including its details, and

[0027] Figures 9 to 14 The overall device during the operation shown is shown in a top view and a side view. Figures 3 to 8 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As

[0028] shown, the mechanism of the device for opening and closing its recess (in Figure 1 shown, Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 11 and Figure 12As can be seen in [description], it has a base 10 which has an opening 12 that at least substantially coincides with the recess of the device for receiving the consumable, as described below. A spring carrier 14 which carries the spring 16 and is capable of covering the opening 12 of the base 10 can slide on the Figure 2 substantially horizontal direction on the base 10. Additionally, a cover member 18 is provided to cover the spring 16.

[0029] Furthermore, a cover member 20 having a covering portion 22 and a frame portion 24 is also provided to be slidable relative to the base 10. As can be seen in the drawings, the cover member 20 has an opening 26 which, in use, substantially aligns with the opening 12 of the base 10. As in Figure 1 and Figure 2 both can also be seen, the spring 16 is typically a helical spring which has a helical portion 30, a first arm portion 28, and a second arm portion 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the first arm portion 28 is generally U-shaped and has an end which is substantially bent 90° from the plane of the U-shape so as to interact with a track 34 provided on the base 10, as detailed below. The second arm portion 32 also interacts with a suitable structure on the base 10 so as to bias the spring carrier to the position exposing the recess and the opening 12 of the base 10.

[0030] The spring carrier 14 has a pin 36 which, in the assembled state, is received in the center of the helical portion 30 of the spring 16. Further, a leg 56 of the spring 16 which connects the first arm portion 28 to the helical portion 30 via a U-shape is received in a groove between blocks formed on the spring carrier 14. The spring cover member 18 is generally flat, and the base 10 and the cover member including the covering portion 22 of the cover member and the frame portion 24 of the cover member are generally oval in top view, having rounded ends and a generally straight portion between the ends. The frame portion 24 of the cover member 20 is reinforced by longitudinal strips 38 which Figure 2 in the illustrated orientation extend substantially horizontally and are substantially parallel to the sides of the cover member 20. The side walls of the frame portion 24 and the reinforcing strips 38 can advantageously cooperate with a suitable structure (such as a wall 54) provided on the base so as to guide the cover member 20 to open and close the recess during movement. The spring carrier 14 is also suitably guided by the base 10.

[0031] The operation of the mechanism for opening and closing the recess of the device will be explained by starting from the Figure 2 and Figure 3 closed state as shown in both. In this state, the first arm portion 28 of the spring engages a locking portion 40 of a track 34 provided on the base 10. As Figure 4 shown, moving the cover member 20 to the left will also cause the spring carrier 14 to move slightly to the left near the end of the movement of the cover member, because inFigure 1 and Figure 2 the inner surface of the cover member represented by 42 in Figure 2 will abut against the opposite surface 44 of the spring carrier 14, such that the cover member 20 will, after said abutment, move the spring carrier 14 (including the spring 16 thereon) sufficiently to the left (as Figure 4 shown), such that the first arm portion 28 of the spring 16 will disengage from the locking portion 40 (as indicated by the arrow A). Generally, as Figure 5 additionally indicated by the arrow C in Figure 5 , the upper portion of the track 34 has an upper portion that is slightly inclined towards the outside of the device (i.e., when viewed from left to right in Figures 3 to 8 Figures 3 to 8 , towards the upper portion in these figures). As will be described in detail below, the lower portion of the track 34 is inclined in the same manner and leads to the locking portion 40, where the first arm portion 28 is located in the Figure 3 state shown.

[0032] As can be seen in Figure 3 and Figure 4 Figure 4 , the second arm portion 32 engages suitable structures on the base 10 in order to bias the spring carrier towards the Figures 3 to 8 right side in Figures 3 to 8 . As can be seen in Figure 5 Figure 5 , once the first arm portion 28 is unlocked, the pre-tension in the second arm portion 32 will push the spring carrier 14 to the right, and thus, the spring 16 will relax. Then the cover member 20 will preferably also be moved to the Figure 5 position shown in Figure 5 , such that it is substantially flush with the body of the device.

[0033] As can be seen particularly in Figure 6 Figure 6 , in the state of the exposed recess, the inner surface 42 of the cover member 20 described above and the opposite surface 44 of the spring carrier 14 have contacted in this state. Starting from this position, exposing the recess and moving the cover member 20 to the left as Figure 6 shown in Figure 6 will cause the spring carrier 14 to move to the left again due to the above-mentioned abutment, in order to cover the recess and move the first arm portion 28 of the spring to the locking portion 40 on the lower portion of the track 34 according to the drawing now (as indicated by the arrow B), in order to lock the spring 16 and hold the spring carrier 14 in the position covering the recess (as Figure 7 shown in Figure 7 ). Finally, as Figure 8 shown in Figure 8 , the cover member 20 can then be moved again to the position corresponding to the Figure 5 and Figure 3 Figure 3 positions. In summary, the locking / unlocking of the spring with the track helps to position the spring carrier in order to cover or expose the recess and allows the spring carrier to move between these positions.

[0034] The remaining drawings substantially illustrate the above operation of the entire device 46. It should be particularly understood that the body 48 of the device is generally elongate, with its longitudinal axis in the vertical direction at the lower part of Figures 9 to 14 As can be seen from the upper part of each of the drawings showing the top view, the top and bottom surfaces are much smaller than the side surfaces, and one of these side surfaces can be seen in the lower part of Figures 9 to 14 In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 20 is further designed with an extension 50 that extends from the originally substantially flat bottom of the cover 20 towards the body 48 to provide a stop for the cover 20 to move to the right according to the drawing, and to indicate to the user that the cover can only move to the left according to the drawing.

[0035] As can be seen in each of the lower parts of Figures 9 to 14 the cover 20 has a height along the longitudinal axis that is much smaller than the height of the device 46. In particular, on the side opposite to the extension 50 (the right side in the drawing), the cover 20 forms approximately half of the rounded edge at the upper side of the device 46. On the side of the extension 50, the extension forms the entire curve at this edge. Generally, the device 46 has the appearance of a rectangular cuboid with rounded edges to provide a pleasant feel during operation, and according to the lower part of Figures 9 to 14 it has much smaller upper and lower side surfaces. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the side facing the observer in the lower part of Figures 9 to 14 is slightly larger than the right and left side surfaces according to the drawing. In the non-displaced position of the cover 20 as shown in Figure 9 、 Figure 11 、 Figure 12 and Figure 14 the cover 20 is substantially flush with the entire body 48 of the device to provide a seamless appearance. As can be further seen from Figure 10 and Figure 13 the movement of the cover 20 when opening and closing the recess 52 (particularly as shown in Figure 11 and Figure 12 ) is in the same direction and the amount of movement of the cover is the same when opening and closing the recess 52. Finally, in the illustrated embodiment, the recess 52 is eccentrically positioned in the left-right direction of Figures 9 to 14 and is approximately centered in the up-down direction at the top part of these drawings. In this direction, the recess covers about 30% to 50% of the cover and covers about 25% to 35% of the cover in the left-right direction of these drawings.

Claims

1. An inhalation device (46) comprising: a body (48) having a recess (52) for receiving a consumable, a displaceable lid (20) having an opening (26), a slidable spring carrier (14) for covering the recess (52) and carrying a spring (16), and a base (10) provided on the body (48) and having a track (34) for receiving a first arm portion (28) of the spring (16), the track (34) having a locking portion (40) adapted to lock the spring (16) in a position where the spring carrier (14) covers the recess (52), when displaced, the lid (20) is adapted to: move the spring carrier (14) when in a position covering the recess (52) so as to disengage the spring (16) from the locking portion (40), and move the spring carrier (14) when in a position exposing the recess (52) so as to engage the spring (16) with the locking portion (40).

2. The inhalation device (46) according to claim 1, wherein, The spring carrier (14) is biased to a position exposing the recess (52).

3. The inhalation device (46) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The lid (20) is biased to a position at least partially flush with the body (48).

4. An inhalation device (46) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The lid (20) has a covering portion (22) and a frame portion (24).

5. The inhalation device (46) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, The lid (20), in particular the frame portion (24), is guided by the base (10).

6. An inhalation device (46) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The spring (16) has a second arm portion (32) biasing the spring carrier (14).

7. The inhalation device (46) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, The spring carrier (14) has a spring cover (18).

8. The inhalation device (46) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, The lid (20), in particular the covering portion (22) of the lid and / or the spring (16), is made of metal.

9. The inhalation device (46) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one of the frame portion (24), the spring cover (18), the spring carrier (14), and the base (10) is made of plastic.

10. The inhalation device (46) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, The lid (20) and the spring carrier (14) are movable in the same direction.

11. The inhalation device (46) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, The body (48) is elongate and the lid (20) is displaceable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body (48).

12. The inhalation device (46) according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein, The first arm portion and the second arm portion are on opposite sides of a helical portion (30) of the spring (16).

13. The inhalation device (46) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, The displacement of the lid (20) for moving the spring carrier (14) when the lid is in a position covering the recess (52) is in the same direction as the displacement of the lid (20) for moving the spring carrier (14) when the lid is in a position exposing the recess (52).

14. An inhalation device (46) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The amount of displacement of the lid (20) for moving the spring carrier (14) when the lid is in a position covering the recess (52) is the same as the amount of displacement of the lid (20) for moving the spring carrier (14) when the lid is in a position exposing the recess (52).

15. An inhalation device (46), preferably as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein, Repeated displacement of an outer lid in the same direction alternately exposes and covers the recess (52), which is adapted to receive a consumable, by means of an inner lid preferably constituted by the spring carrier (14).

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