Cleaning tool for tobacco haters, and the like

Abstract

A cleaning tool (1) for tobacco heaters, and the like, comprising a main body (2) and a slider (3), housed within a seat (4) of the main body (2); the slider (3) comprises an operating portion (5) and an extraction portion (6) for the tobacco stick remaining within the heating chamber of the tobacco heater; the extraction portion (6) is opposite the operating portion (5). The slider (3) is slidable, within the seat (4), between an inactive position, in which the extraction portion (6) is completely within the main body (2), and an operating position, in which the extraction portion (6) protrudes from the main body (2), and can, therefore, be used to extract the tobacco stick from the heating chamber of the heater.

Description

[0001] “CLEANING TOOL FOR TOBACCO HEATERS, AND THE LIKE”.

[0002] CAMPO TECNICO DELL’INVENZIONE

[0003] The present invention concerns a cleaning tool for tobacco heaters, and the like.

[0004] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] As is known, tobacco heaters consist of a portable device equipped with a heating chamber, essentially cylindrical in shape, inside which a tobacco stick is inserted. The heating system can be of any type, for example electric resistance or electromagnetic induction.

[0006] The device is controlled to heat the tobacco stick without allowing it to reach combustion point: in this way, the nicotine and tobacco flavors are released, essentially in the form of an aerosol, but the tobacco does not incinerate.

[0007] In traditional cigarettes the temperature exceeds 800°C, while in a heated tobacco cigarette the temperature generally ranges from 250 to 350°C.

[0008] The stick can be heated from the outside in or from the inside out.

[0009] Typically, each manufacturer sells a range of sticks compatible with their device, which differ, for example, in strength and aroma.

[0010] Once the stick has finished heating, it must be completely removed from inside the combustion chamber.

[0011] This is usually done by turning the device upside down so that the stick falls out, or by using fingers or other sharp objects.

[0012] This operation can, however, sometimes be difficult, since some fragments, or residues, of tobacco can inadvertently remain inside the heating chamber.

[0013] Naturally, the presence of these fragments can compromise the correct functioning of the device; in particular, these fragments can remain attached to the heating surfaces, which may thus lose their effectiveness.

[0014] The user must then carefully remove the fragments remaining inside the chamber, with the obvious difficulties due to its small size.

[0015] OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The aim of the present invention is to improve the state of the art in the use of tobacco heaters, and the like. Within such aim, it is an object of the present invention to develop a cleaning tool for tobacco heaters, and the like, which allows the previously mentioned drawbacks to be overcome.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning tool for tobacco heaters, and the like, which permits the entire stick to be effectively removed from the heating chamber, without leaving fragments therein.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning tool for tobacco heaters, and the like, that is easy and practical to use.

[0019] A further object of the present invention is to devise a cleaning tool for tobacco heaters, and the like, which is simple and economical from the manufacturing point of view.

[0020] This aim and these objects are achieved by the cleaning tool for tobacco heaters, and the like, according to the attached claim 1.

[0021] The cleaning tool according to the invention comprises a main body and a slider, housed inside a seat of the main body itself.

[0022] The slider comprises an actuation portion and an extraction portion of the residual tobacco stick inside the heating chamber of the tobacco heater.

[0023] The extraction portion of the tobacco stick is opposite the actuation portion.

[0024] The slider is slidable, inside the seat of the main body, between an inactive position, in which the extraction portion is completely inside the main body, and an operational position, in which the same extraction portion protrudes from the main body, and can, therefore, be used to extract the tobacco stick from the heating chamber of the heater.

[0025] The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The features of the invention will be better understood by any person skilled in the art from the following description and the attached drawings, given as a nonlimiting example, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 is an isometric view of the cleaning tool, according to the invention, with the slider in the inactive position;

[0029] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning tool, with the slider in the operating position;

[0030] Figure 3 is another isometric view of the cleaning tool, with the slider in the inactive position;

[0031] Figure 4 is another isometric view of the cleaning tool, with the slider in the operating position;

[0032] Figure 5 is a partially sectioned, isometric view of the cleaning tool, with the slider in the inactive position;

[0033] Figure 6 is an exploded side view of the cleaning tool;

[0034] Figure 7 is a top view of the main body of the cleaning tool;

[0035] Figure 8 is a top view of the cleaning tool slider;

[0036] Figure 9 is a top view of the cover of the cleaning tool according to the invention.

[0037] EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0038] With reference to the attached Figure 1, the numeral 1 generally designates a cleaning tool for tobacco heaters, and the like, according to the present invention. The cleaning tool 1 comprises a main body 2.

[0039] The tool 1 also comprises a slider 3, housed inside the main body 2.

[0040] The main body 2 has a cylindrical, or substantially cylindrical, shape.

[0041] In more detail, the slider 3 is housed inside a seat 4 of the main body 2.

[0042] Seat 4 is open at both ends (bases) of main body 2.

[0043] The seat 4 is, in other words, made by passing through the main body 2.

[0044] The slider 3 includes an actuation portion 5.

[0045] Furthermore, the slider 3 comprises an extraction portion 6 of the residual tobacco stick inside the heating chamber of the tobacco heater.

[0046] The extraction portion 6 of the slider 3 is opposite the actuation portion 5.

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, the slider 3 is slidable, inside the seat 4 of the main body 2, between an inactive position (Figures 1, 3), in which the extraction portion 6 is not usable or accessible, and an operational position (Figures 2, 4), in which the extraction portion 6 is accessible and can, therefore, be used to extract the tobacco stick from the heating chamber of the heater.

[0048] In more detail, the slider 3 is slidable, inside the seat 4 of the main body 2, between an inactive position (Figures 1, 3), in which the extraction portion 6 is completely inside the main body 2, and an operational position (Figures 2, 4), in which the extraction portion 6 comes out of the main body 2 (and can, therefore, be used to extract the tobacco stick from the heating chamber of the heater).

[0049] As shown, for example, in Figures 5 and 6, the actuation portion 5 and the extraction portion 6 of the slider 3 are joined by an intermediate portion 7.

[0050] The actuating portion 5 has a cylindrical, or substantially cylindrical, shape.

[0051] The extraction portion 6 also has a cylindrical, or substantially cylindrical, shape; the extraction portion 6 has a smaller diameter than that of the actuation portion 5. Furthermore, the extraction portion 6 has its free end 8 (opposite to that connected to the intermediate portion 7), pointed, or substantially pointed.

[0052] As better explained below, the function of this free, pointed end 8 is to facilitate the penetration of the extraction portion 6 into the tobacco stick.

[0053] Furthermore, the extraction portion 6 comprises a helical, or substantially helical, relief 9 which extends from the pointed free end 8 along its lateral surface.

[0054] The helical relief 9 has the function of making the penetration of the extraction portion 6 into the tobacco stick more effective, preventing it from slipping out, and therefore also facilitating the subsequent extraction of the same from the heating chamber.

[0055] The intermediate portion 7 has a quadrangular or square cross-section (preferably square, see Figure 8).

[0056] Preferably, the intermediate portion 7 has a limited axial development compared to that of the actuation portion 5 and the extraction portion 6.

[0057] As clarified below, the intermediate portion 7, thus shaped, has the function of creating, inside the seat 4, an anti-rotation constraint between the slider 3 and the main body 2.

[0058] For this purpose, the seat 4 of the main body 2 comprises a first section 10: in use, the first section 10 faces the part of the slider 3 comprising the actuation portion 5.

[0059] The first section 10 has a quadrangular or square cross-section (preferably square, see Figure 7), configured in such a way as to allow the intermediate portion 7 of the slider 3 to slide.

[0060] Furthermore, seat 4 includes a second section 11, communicating with the aforementioned first section 10.

[0061] In use, the second section 11 faces, in use, towards the part of the slider 3 comprising the extraction portion 6.

[0062] The second section 11 of the seat 4 comprises, in turn, a cylindrical central area 12 (Figure 5), communicating with the first section 10 and open at the end of the main body 2.

[0063] In use, the extraction portion 6 of the slider 3 is inserted into the central area 12.

[0064] In addition, the second section 11 of the seat 4 comprises a peripheral area 13, coaxial / concentric with the central area 12; the peripheral area 13 is also connected with the first section 10 of the seat 4, and is also closed at a bottom surface 14.

[0065] According to another aspect of the invention, the cleaning tool 1 comprises an elastic element 15.

[0066] The elastic element 15 is placed between the main body 2 and the slider 3.

[0067] The elastic element 15 is configured to keep the slider 3 in the inactive position (Figures 1, 3).

[0068] In more detail, the elastic element 15 comprises a helical cylindrical spring 16, inserted inside the peripheral area 13 of the second section 11 of the seat 4.

[0069] The helical cylindrical spring 16 comprises a first end 17.

[0070] The first end 17 is configured to abut the intermediate portion 7 of the slider 3. Furthermore, the helical cylindrical spring 16 includes a second end 18.

[0071] The second end 18 is configured to abut the bottom surface 14 of the peripheral area 13.

[0072] The tool 1 further includes a cover 19.

[0073] The cover 19 comprises a central circular opening 20 (Figure 9), into which, in use, the actuation portion 5 of the slider 3 is inserted. The cover 19 is connected to the main body 2 (for example screwed, or wedged, or glued), and it prevents slider 3 from coming out of its seat 4.

[0074] The method of use of the cleaning tool 1 according to the invention is, in light of what has been described, completely intuitive.

[0075] When the tool 1 is not used (Figures 1, 3, 5), the slider 3 is, as mentioned, in the inactive position, in which the extraction portion 6 is completely inside the main body 2, while the actuation portion 5 comes out of the latter, so that it can be easily pressed manually.

[0076] The elastic element 15, in fact, keeps the slider 3 stably in the aforementioned inactive position.

[0077] When, however, the tool 1 must be used to extract the tobacco stick from the heating chamber of a heater, the user manually presses on the actuation portion 5, overcoming the contrasting action of the elastic element 15, so as to make the extraction portion 6 come out of the seat 4 (Figures 2, 4).

[0078] In this configuration, the extraction portion 6 of the slider 3 can be inserted inside the heating chamber of the heater, so that it penetrates the tobacco stick.

[0079] The user can also, if desired, rotate the tool 1, with respect to the heater, so as to facilitate the penetration of the helical relief 9 of the extraction portion 6 into the tobacco stick.

[0080] At this point, when a sufficiently secure connection has been achieved between the extraction portion 6 and the stick, the user can extract the latter from the heating chamber, and subsequently dispose of it in the correct manner.

[0081] The invention, thus conceived, allows achieving important technical advantages.

[0082] The tool 1 according to the invention allows for the heating chamber of a tobacco heater to be completely cleaned quickly and effectively, without leaving residues of the heated stick.

[0083] When the tool 1 is not in use, the pointed extraction portion 6 is completely inside the main body 2, ensuring maximum safety for the user.

[0084] Tool 1 can be used in an extremely practical and intuitive way, with just a few simple gestures. Furthermore, the instrument 1 according to the invention is extremely simple and economical to manufacture.

[0085] It has thus seen how the invention achieves the proposed objectives.

[0086] The present invention has been described according to preferred embodiments, but equivalent variants can be conceived without departing from the scope of protection offered by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Cleaning tool (1) for tobacco heaters, and the like, characterized in that it comprises a main body (2) and a slider (3), housed inside a seat (4) of said main body (2), said slider (3) comprising an actuation portion (5) and an extraction portion (6) of the residual tobacco stick inside the heating chamber of the tobacco heater, said extraction portion (6) being opposite to said actuation portion (5), said slider (3) being slidable, inside said seat (4), between an inactive position, in which said extraction portion (6) is completely inside said main body (2), and an operating position, in which said extraction portion (6) protrudes from said main body (2), and can, therefore, be used to extract the tobacco stick from the heating chamber of the heater.

2. Cleaning tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein said main body (2) has a cylindrical, or substantially cylindrical, shape and wherein said seat (4) is open at both ends, or bases, of said main body (2).

3. Cleaning tool (1) according to claim 2, wherein said actuation portion (5) and said extraction portion (6) both have a cylindrical, or substantially cylindrical, shape, and wherein said extraction portion (6) has a smaller diameter than that of said actuation portion (5).

4. Cleaning tool (1) according to claim 3, wherein said extraction portion (6) has its free end (8) pointed, or substantially pointed, and it comprises a helical relief (9), which extends from said pointed free end (8) along its lateral surface.

5. Cleaning tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said actuation portion (5) and said extraction portion (6) of said slider (3) are joined by an intermediate portion (7), wherein said intermediate portion (7) has a quadrangular or square section and is configured to create, inside said seat (4), an anti-rotation constraint between said slider (3) and said main body (2).

6. Cleaning tool (1) according to claim 5, wherein said seat (4) comprises a first section (10), facing, in use, the part of said slider (3) comprising said actuation portion (5), having a quadrangular or square cross-section, configured in such a way as to allow the sliding of said intermediate portion (7) of said slider (3).

7. Cleaning tool (1) according to claim 6, wherein said seat (4) comprises a second section (11), communicating with said first section (10), facing, in use, towards the part of said slider (3) comprising said extraction portion (6), said second section (11) comprising, in turn, a cylindrical central area (12), communicating with said first section (10), and open at the end of said main body (2), said extraction portion (6) being inserted in said central area (12).

8. Cleaning tool (1) according to claim 7, wherein said second section (11) of said seat (4) comprises a peripheral area (13) coaxial to said central area (12), communicating with said first section (10), and closed at a bottom surface (14).

9. Cleaning tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an elastic element (15) interposed between said main body (2) and said slider (3), configured to maintain said slider (3) in said inactive position.

10. Cleaning tool (1) according to claim 9 when dependent on claim 8, wherein said elastic element (15) comprises a helical spring (16) inserted inside said peripheral area (13) of said second section (11), said helical cylindrical spring (16) comprising a first end (17) configured to abut said intermediate portion (7) of said slider (3), and a second end (18) configured to abut said bottom surface (14) of said peripheral area (13).

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