Inhalation devices

Abstract

The inhalation device (46) has a body (48) with a recess (52) for receiving a consumable product, a displaceable cover having an opening (26), a slidable spring carrier (14) for covering the recess (52) and supporting a spring (16), and a base (10) provided on the body (48) and having a track (34) for accommodating 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), and the cover, when displaced, is adapted to move the spring carrier (14) to disengage the spring (16) from the locking portion (40) when in a position covering the recess (52), and to move the spring carrier (14) to engage the spring (16) with the locking portion (40) when in a position exposing the recess (52).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to inhalation devices, such as devices for heating consumables such as tobacco sticks. [Background technology]

[0002] Several types of inhalation or aerosol-generating devices are known and continue to replace traditional cigarettes. Such devices typically have a body with a recess for receiving a consumable product, such as a stick, having an aerosol-generating substance, which may include tobacco. Before and after use, it is generally desirable to cover the recess.

[0003] In this regard, for example, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 102355185B1 relates to a device as described above, which has a slidable cover for covering a recess adapted to receive a consumable product. Furthermore, somewhat similar devices are known from European Patent Applications Nos. 2727619B1 and 2531053B1. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The object underlying the present invention is to provide an inhalation device of the above mentioned type which has a particularly user-friendly mechanism for opening and closing the recess. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This is achieved by the inhalation device according to claims 1 and 15.

[0006] The device thus comprises a body with a recess for receiving the consumable product and a slidable spring carrier for covering the recess and supporting the spring. A displaceable cover having an opening is further provided, and a base having a track for accommodating a first arm of the spring is provided on the body of the cover. The track further comprises a locking portion adapted to lock the spring in a position where the spring carrier covers the recess, and the cover, when displaced, is further adapted to move the spring carrier to disengage the spring from the locking portion when in the position covering the recess and to move the spring carrier to engage with the locking portion when in the position exposing the recess.

[0007] This essentially allows the cover to move in one and the same direction to both open and close the recess, similar to the operation of a click pen, i.e., movement of the actuator in one and the same direction alternately exposes and retracts the tip of the pen. This provides for easy operation by the user with respect to the inhalation devices described herein, as repeated movement of the cover in one and the same direction alternately opens and closes the recess, as described. This is essentially achieved by starting from a position in which the spring carrier covers the recess and its spring is locked within a locking portion of the track, disengaging the spring from the locking portion and moving the spring carrier to a position that exposes the recess.

[0008] Furthermore, the cover then moves to a position where the opening in the cover is aligned with the recess to allow for the insertion of a consumable item, such as a heatable stick. After the consumable item has been aspirated and dispensed, displacement of the cover in the same direction when moved to expose the recess causes a spring provided on the spring carrier to engage with a locking portion, so that the spring carrier covers the recess. As will be described in more detail below, a novel mechanism can be provided efficiently, resulting in a good user experience, also in terms of cost.

[0009] Preferred embodiments are set forth in the further claims.

[0010] The spring carrier is preferably biased to a position exposing the recess, and the recess advantageously interacts with a cover that moves the spring carrier when in a position covering the recess to disengage the spring from the locking portion. Because the spring carrier is biased, it then automatically moves to a position exposing the recess.

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

[0012] To guide the cover during the above-mentioned movements, it is advantageous to provide the cover with a cover portion and a frame portion, the cover portion typically covering the recess and the frame portion being used to guide the movements.

[0013] In particular, it has proven advantageous to guide the cover, and in particular the frame part thereof, by the base.

[0014] In either case, the spring comprises a first arm portion housed within the track, so that the spring is effectively provided with a second arm portion that biases the spring carrier.

[0015] In order to provide an overall aesthetic look for the device and during the movement of the various components, the spring carrier preferably has a spring cover which covers, among other things, the spring.

[0016] With regard to suitable materials for the various components, it is presently preferred if the cover, particularly the cover portion thereof and the spring, are made of metal, as this would provide beneficial properties to the components mentioned above.

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

[0018] Although different mechanisms are generally possible, it provides an advantage with respect to the mechanism that allows the above-mentioned movements of the various components if the cover and the spring carrier are movable along the same direction.

[0019] The recess and the cover covering the recess can generally be provided anywhere on the device as a whole, but if the body is elongated, it provides a well-designed device, with the cover being displaceable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. In other words, the body typically has two surface areas perpendicular to its longitudinal axis that are significantly smaller than the rest, and typically has four surface areas parallel to the longitudinal axis, with the cover preferably being provided on one of the smaller surface areas described, typically covering a recess that extends substantially along the longitudinal axis.

[0020] With regard to the detailed design of the spring, it is presently preferred when its first and second arm portions are on opposite sides of the helical portion of the spring, allowing for efficient manufacture of the spring.

[0021] As detailed above, the inhalation devices described herein allow the displacement of the cover to move the spring carrier when in the recess-covering position to be in the same direction as the displacement of the cover to move the spring carrier when in the recess-exposing position, which provides a comfortable user experience.

[0022] Finally, the user experience is further improved if the displacement of the cover to expose and cover the recess is the same amount - in other words, the user will easily get used to the advantageously same amount of displacement both to expose and to cover the recess.

[0023] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the essential parts of an inhalation device. [Figure 2] 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the component shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3-8] 10 shows a top view with details of the operations for exposing and covering the recesses of the device. [Figure 9-14] 9 shows a top view and a side view of the entire device shown in FIGS. 3-8 during operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the mechanism of the device for opening and closing the recess of the device has a base 10 with an opening 12 that at least substantially coincides with the recess of the device for receiving a consumable product, as will be described below, as seen in Figs. 5, 6, 11 and 12. A spring carrier 14 that carries a spring 16 and can cover the opening 12 of the base 10 is slidable on the base 10 in an essentially horizontal direction in Fig. 2. Moreover, a cover 18 is provided to cover the spring 16.

[0026] Additionally, a cover 20 having a cover portion 22 and a frame portion 24 is also slidably mounted relative to the base 10. As can be seen in the drawings, the cover 20 has an opening 26 which, in use, is essentially aligned with the opening 12 in the base 10. As can also be seen in both FIGS. 1 and 2, the spring 16 is typically a helical spring having 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 essentially U-shaped with an end bent essentially 90° out of the plane of the U to interact with a track 34 provided on the base 10, as described in more detail below. The second arm portion 32 also interacts with appropriate structure on the base 10 to bias the spring carrier into a position that exposes the recess in the base 10 as well as the opening 12.

[0027] In the assembled state, the spring carrier 14 has a pin 36 that is received in the center of the spiral portion 30 of the spring 16. Furthermore, the leg 56 of the spring 16, which connects the first arm portion 28 to the spiral portion 30 via a U, is received in a groove between blocks formed on the spring carrier 14. The spring cover 18 is essentially flat, and the cover, including the base 10 and its cover portion 22 and frame portion 24, is essentially oval in top view with rounded ends and essentially straight portions between the ends. The frame portion 24 of the cover 20 extends essentially horizontally in the orientation shown in FIG. 2 and is reinforced by longitudinal strips 38 that extend essentially parallel to the sides of the cover 20. The side walls of the frame portion 24 and the reinforcement strips 38 can advantageously cooperate with appropriate structure provided on the base, such as walls 54, to guide the cover 20 during movement to open and close the recess. The spring carrier 14 is also appropriately guided by the base 10.

[0028] The operation of the mechanism for opening and closing the recess of the device will be described starting from the closed state, as shown in both Figures 2 and 3. In this state, the first arm portion 28 of the spring engages the locking portion 40 of the track 34 provided on the base 10. Moving the cover 20 to the left, as shown in Figure 4, also moves the spring carrier 14 somewhat to the left toward the end of its travel, as the inner surface of the cover, designated 42 in Figures 1 and 2, abuts the opposing surface 44 of the spring carrier 14. After this abutment, the cover 20 then moves the spring carrier 14, including the spring 16 thereon, sufficiently to the left, as shown in Figure 4, such that the first arm portion 28 of the spring 16 disengages from the locking portion 40, as shown by arrow A. Generally, as additionally shown by arrow C in Figure 5, the track 34 has a slightly sloped top toward the outside of the device, i.e., toward the top of Figures 3-8, as viewed from left to right in these figures. As will be explained in more detail below, the lower portion of track 34 is similarly sloped and leads to locking portion 40 where first arm portion 28 is positioned as shown in FIG.

[0029] As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, second arm portion 32 engages suitable structure on base 10 to bias spring carrier 14 toward the right in Figures 3-8. As can be seen in Figure 5, as soon as first arm portion 28 is unlocked, the bias of second arm portion 32 pushes spring carrier 14 to the right, thereby relaxing spring 16. Cover 20 is then moved, preferably also with a suitable bias, to the position shown in Figure 5, essentially flush with the body of the device.

[0030] As can be seen particularly in FIG. 6 , in the state where the recess is exposed, the aforementioned inner surface 42 of the cover 20 and the opposing surface 44 of the spring carrier 14 are already in contact in this state. Starting from this position, exposing the recess, moving the cover 20 to the left, as shown in FIG. 6 , again moves the spring carrier 14 to the left, due to the aforementioned contact, to cover the recess, and the first arm portion 28 of the spring in the track 34, now according to the illustration, moves its lower part to the locking portion 40, as shown by arrow B, in order to lock the spring 16 and hold the spring carrier 14 in a position covering the recess, as shown in FIG. 7 . Finally, as shown in FIG. 8 , the cover 20 can then be moved again to a position corresponding to the positions of FIGS. 5 and 3 . In summary, the locking / unlocking of the spring by the track contributes to positioning the spring carrier to cover or expose the recess and allows the spring carrier to move between these positions.

[0031] The remaining figures essentially illustrate the above-described operation for the entire device 46. It will be particularly appreciated that its body 48 is essentially elongated, with a longitudinal axis extending vertically in the lower part of FIGS. 9-14. As can be seen from the top of each of the above figures, which show top views, the top and bottom surfaces are substantially smaller than the sides, one of which can be seen in the lower part of FIGS. 9-14. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 20 is further designed with an extension 50 extending from the essentially flat bottom of the cover 20 toward the body 48 to provide a stop for movement of the cover 20 to the right according to the figures, and to indicate to the user that the cover can only be moved to the left according to the figures.

[0032] As can be seen from the bottom of each of Figures 9-14, the cover 20 has a height along the longitudinal axis that is significantly smaller than the height of the device 46. In particular, on the side opposite the extension 50 (the right side of the figures), the cover 20 occupies approximately half of the rounded edge of this upper side of the device 46. On the side of the extension 50, the extension completes the curve at this edge. In general, the device 46 has rounded edges to provide a comfortable feel when handled, and, according to the bottom of Figures 9-14, has the appearance of a rectangular parallelepiped with significantly smaller upper and lower surfaces. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the side facing the viewer in the bottom of Figures 9-14 is somewhat larger than the right and left sides of the figures. In the undisplaced position of the cover 20 as shown in Figures 9, 11, 12, and 14, the cover 20 is essentially flush with the entire body 48 of the device, providing a seamless appearance. 10 and 13, it can be seen that the movement of cover 20 to open and close recess 52, particularly as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, is in the same direction and has the same amount to both open and close recess 52. Finally, in the illustrated embodiment, recess 52 is eccentrically located to the left and right of FIGS. 9-14, and is approximately centered vertically at the top of these figures. In this orientation, the recess covers approximately 30-50% of the cover, and approximately 25-35% to the left and right of these figures.

Claims

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

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

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

4. An inhalation device (46) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover (20) comprises a cover portion (22) and a frame portion (24).

5. Inhalation device (46) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover (20), in particular the frame part (24), is guided by the base (10).

6. An inhalation device (46) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the spring (16) has a second arm portion (32) that biases the spring carrier (14).

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

8. Inhalation device (46) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (20), in particular the cover part (22) thereof, and / or the spring (16) are made of metal.

9. An inhalation device (46) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, 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. Inhalation device (46) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (20) and the spring carrier (14) are movable along the same direction.

11. An inhalation device (46) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the body (48) is elongated and the cover (20) is displaceable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body (48).

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

13. An inhalation device (46) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the displacement of the cover (20) for moving the spring carrier (14) when it is in a position covering the recess (52) is in the same direction as the displacement of the cover (20) for moving the spring carrier (14) when it is in a position exposing the recess (52).

14. An inhalation device (46) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the displacement of the cover (20) to move the spring carrier (14) when it is in a position covering the recess (52) is the same amount as the displacement of the cover (20) to move the spring carrier (14) when it is in a position exposing the recess (52).

15. An inhalation device (46) preferably as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein by repeatedly displacing the outer cover in the same direction, the recess (52) adapted to receive the consumable product is alternately exposed and covered by an inner cover preferably constituted by said spring carrier (14).

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