Electrically heated cigarette smoking system

A stand for an electrically heated cigarette smoking device can removably support an electrically heated cigarette smoking device, which includes a rechargeable power supply. The stand is configured to fit in a receptacle, such as a receptacle in a vehicle. Charging electronics controls charging of the rechargeable power supply when the electrically heated cigarette smoking device is supported by the stand, and the electrically heated cigarette smoking device or stand is electrically connected to the external power supply.

BACKGROUND

Commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses an electrical smoking;system that includes an electrically heated cigarette smoking device. An electrical smoking system, such as that disclosed in the '594 patent, can provide sensations of smoking that closely resemble those experienced during smoking of a conventional cigarette, but without certain disadvantages. Other exemplary electrically heated cigarette smoking systems are disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,269,327; 5,878,752; 5,954,979; 5,967,148; and 6,349,728, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

SUMMARY

A stand for an electrically heated cigarette smoking device is provided. A preferred embodiment of the stand is adapted to support an electrically heated cigarette smoking device including a rechargeable power supply, and a charger for the electrically heated cigarette smoking device.

In another preferred embodiment, the stand provides electrical connection to a power source that provides power to the electrically heated smoking device. Charging electronics in the electrically heated cigarette smoking device, or in the stand, control charging of the rechargeable power supply.

In another preferred embodiment, the stand provides charging capabilities for an electrically heated cigarette smoking device.

The stand can include fasteners to allow the stand to be removably or permanently fastened to a surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the stand is configured to fit in a cup holder of a vehicle. In such embodiment, the power source for the electrically heated cigarette smoking device can be a power source in the vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, the stand includes an opening configured to receive an electrically heated cigarette smoking device. Accordingly, the device can be stored on the stand when not held by a user.

In a preferred embodiment, the stand operates on direct current (DC). Accordingly, a rechargeable DC power supply of the electrically heated cigarette smoking device can be recharged by electrically connecting the stand to a DC power source.

In another preferred embodiment, the stand includes inductive charging electronics operable to convert DC supplied to the stand by a DC power source to alternating current (AC), and convert the AC back to DC, to recharge the power supply of the electrically heated cigarette smoking device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A stand useful for storing an electrically heated cigarette smoking device is provided. The stand can be used in various vehicles including automobiles, trucks, buses, and the like.

FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate an exemplary electrically heated cigarette smoking device10that can be used with preferred embodiments of the stand. The electrically heated smoking device10is disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. D443,717, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The electrically heated cigarette smoking device10includes an internal power supply. The power supply can include one or more batteries and/or capacitors. An opening12is sized to allow for the insertion of an electrically heated cigarette into the electrically heated cigarette smoking device10. The electrically heated cigarette is heated by a heater inside the electrically heated cigarette smoking device. The electrically heated cigarette smoking device10also includes electrical contacts14on opposed sides. The electrical contacts14provide electrical contact to a charger for the electrically heated cigarette smoking device, as described below.

The electrically heated cigarette is smoked in a similar manner as a traditional cigarette. However, the heater heats the cigarette without lighting or continuous smoldering of the cigarette. These and other characteristics of electrically heated cigarette smoking systems make them attractive for use in confined spaces.

The electrically heated cigarette smoking device10can be used with various chargers, such as those illustrated inFIGS. 3-11, as well as with other chargers.FIGS. 3-5illustrate an embodiment of a charger20disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. D455,397 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The charger20includes pairs of opposed electrical contacts22positioned to contact the electrical contacts14of the electrically heated cigarette smoking device10when supported on the charger20in an upstanding position. The charger20also includes a socket24adapted to receive a plug of an electrical conductor to provide electrical connection of the electrically heated cigarette smoking device10supported on the charger20to an external power source.

The charger20has a bottom support surface26, which is shaped to rest on a support surface. The charger20also includes surfaces28and29, which are shaped to support the electrically heated cigarette smoking device10.

The electrically heated cigarette smoking device10can include an internal power supply, and charging electronics operable to control charging of the power supply by an external power source when the electrically heated cigarette smoking device10is supported on the charger20.

FIGS. 6 and 7illustrate another embodiment of a charger120disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. D439,219, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The charger120includes electrical contacts22for contacting the electrical contacts14of the electrically heated cigarette smoking device10when supported on the charger120, and an electrical conductor30for connecting the charger120to an external power source. The charger120has a bottom surface26, which can support the electrically heated cigarette smoking device10on a surface, and an inner surface28for supporting the electrically heated cigarette smoking device10.

FIG. 8illustrates another embodiment of a charger220disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. D445,760, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The charger220includes electrical contacts22for contacting the electrical contacts14of the electrically heated cigarette smoking device10when supported on the charger10, and an electrical conductor30for connecting the charger220to an external power source. The charger220has an inner surface28for supporting the electrically heated cigarette smoking device10.

FIGS. 9-11illustrate another embodiment of a charger320disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. D467,868, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The charger320includes electrical contacts22for contacting the electrical contacts14of the electrically heated cigarette smoking device10when supported on the charger320, and a socket24for receiving a connector of an electrical conductor to connect the charger320to an external power source.

FIGS. 12 and 13illustrate a preferred embodiment of a stand40. The stand40includes an outer surface42and a surface46defining an opening44. The opening44is configured to receive an electrically heated cigarette smoking device48, such as the electrically heated smoking device10described above, as well as other electrically heated cigarette smoking devices having different constructions, and a charger49, such as the charger20,120,220or320, as described above, or other chargers having different constructions. The charger49preferably supports the electrically heated cigarette smoking device48in an upright orientation when the electrically heated cigarette smoking device48and the charger49are stored on the stand40.

The opening44can have various shapes and sizes to enable the charger49, which can have various configurations, to fit in the opening44. For example, the opening44can be rectangular as depicted inFIG. 12. Alternatively, the opening44can have various other shapes, such as round, square, oval, or the like, to receive a like-shaped charger.

The outer surface42of the stand40preferably is configured to mate with a receptacle50defined in a body52. The body52can be a console or other portion of an automobile, truck, bus, or other vehicle, for example. The receptacle50is preferably a vehicle cup holder designed to receive a cup, can, or other beverage container.

Accordingly, the stand40preferably can have various shapes and sizes that allow it to mate with different shaped and sized receptacles50. As depicted inFIG. 12, the outer surface42of the stand40can be cylindrical shaped to mate with a cylindrical car cup holder, for example.

The outer surface42of the stand40preferably includes a peripheral edge56. The peripheral edge56can be angled outwardly as shown, or alternatively can have other configurations, such as that of a rim. The stand40can have a suitable height relative to the depth of the receptacle50, such that a portion of the peripheral edge56contacts the surface58of the body52when the stand40is placed in the receptacle50. In this position, the peripheral edge56can be grasped by a user to remove the stand40from the receptacle50.

An electrical conductor60is connected to the charger49to electrically connect the internal power supply62of the electrically heated cigarette smoking device10to an external power source. The power supply62is connected to charging electronics64via wiring66. The electrical conductor60preferably is adapted to mate with a socket68of the charger49, such as the socket24depicted inFIG. 4. The electrical conductor60preferably includes an adapter plug70constructed to removably mate with a socket of an external power source. For example, the external power source can be a battery powered electrical cigarette lighter of a vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, the charger49and the electrically heated cigarette smoking device48operate on direct current (DC). The stand40can be constructed to operate with DC power sources, such as vehicle batteries, that supply various voltages, such as 6, 9, 12 or 24 volt power sources.

In another preferred embodiment, the charger49includes inductive charging electronics and associated electrical elements that can convert DC from a DC power source to alternating current (AC), and convert the AC back to DC to charge the power supply62of the electrically heated cigarette smoking device48. For example, an inductive field can be generated in the charger49by passing current through a coil. A matching coil can be provided in the charger49to produce AC. A diode and other suitable electronics can be provided in the charger49convert the AC to DC to charge the internal power supply62.

FIG. 14shows another preferred embodiment of the stand40including one or more fasteners72for engaging mating fasteners74on the surface58of the body52, to allow attachment of the stand40to the surface58. The surface58can be a surface in a vehicle, for example. The fasteners72,74can be any suitable fasteners, such as hook and loop-type fasteners (VELCRO™) or the like, to allow the stand40to be removably attached to the surface58. Alternatively, the fasteners72can include a magnetic material to removably attach the stand40to a metal surface. The stand40can include fasteners for permanent attachment to the surface58. Such permanent fasteners can include, screws, bolts, clips, or the like. The stand40can alternatively be secured to the surface using an adhesive material.

Another preferred embodiment of the stand140is shown inFIG. 15. The stand140includes a base80provided on a surface82. The base80is preferably L-shaped or the like, to support an electrically heated cigarette smoking device, preferably upright, when not being held by a user. Charging electronics are preferably provided in the base80. The base80also includes electrical contacts22, such as two opposed pairs of electrical contacts as shown inFIGS. 5 and 7, which mate with electrical contacts of the electrically heated cigarette smoking device (such as electrical contacts14shown inFIG. 1) when supported on the stand140. An electrical conductor60is also provided on the stand140.

The stand140can include one or more fasteners (as described above) to allow removable or permanent attachment of the stand140to a surface.

As described above, the internal power supply of the electrically heated cigarette smoking device can be charged by supplying DC current directly from an external power source to the power supply, or alternatively the stand140can include inductive charging electronics for converting DC to AC and vice versa.

Another preferred embodiment of the stand240is shown inFIG. 16. In this embodiment, charging electronics are provided in the stand240. The stand240preferably includes electrical contacts22, which mate with contacts provided on the electrically heated cigarette smoking device.

The stand240can include one or more fasteners (as described above) to allow removable or permanent attachment of the stand240to a surface.

As described above, the internal power supply of the electrically heated cigarette smoking device can be charged by supplying DC current directly from an external power source to the power supply, or alternatively the stand240can include inductive charging electronics for converting DC to AC and vice versa.

Accordingly, preferred embodiments of the stand are suitable for use in a vehicle, as well as in other means of transportation. In addition, the stand can be configured to mate with receptacles provided in vehicles, and to be compatible with vehicle power sources. The stand provides for convenient storage and recharging of electrically heated cigarette smoking devices in such applications.

As described above, the stand preferably can be used with existing electrically heated cigarette smoking devices, or the stand can be configured to receive future designs of electrically heated cigarette smoking devices.

While the invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.