# Patent

## Title
Electronic cigarette case

## Abstract

The present application provides an electronic cigarette case; and the electronic cigarette case comprises a case body, a case cover hinged with the case body via a hinging portion, and an elastic member is fixed in the case body; the elastic member includes a first flange protruding towards the case cover, and a first extension arm slantly extending from a side of the first flange and extending along a direction away from the case cover; a protruding portion is formed on the case cover, and the protruding portion slidably abuts against surfaces of the first extension arm and the first flange facing the case cover. The structure of the electronic cigarette case is simple, and the case cover can be opened or closed by a small external force. Thus, the opening and closing operations are easy, and the user's experience is improved.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority of application No. 201320484343.X, filed on Aug. 8, 2013 in the Intellectual Property Office of The Republic of China, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present application relates to the field of electrical cigarette, and more particularly relates to an electronic cigarette case.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Case covers of typical electronic cigarette cases are all opened by two methods. The first method is manual opening, namely, opening a case cover by a human hand without any bouncing mechanism. The second method is adopting an automatically opening torsion spring mechanism, namely, mounting a torsion spring on a rotation axle of a case cover and opening the case cover via torsion force of a torsion spring. In these two methods, a defect of the first method is that the case cover cannot be automatically opened or closed using a bouncing mechanism and the operation is difficult. Although the second method adopting the automatically opening torsion spring mechanism that can supply the power for opening the case cover, a press button or a push button needs to be added. This structure is complicated and does not have a simple appearance. Furthermore, the exposed torsion spring may adversely affect the appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objective of the present application is to provide an electronic cigarette case with a case cover that can be semi-automatically opened and closed, aiming at the defect that the electronic cigarette cases in the prior art have complicated structures and are difficult to use.
The technical solutions of the present application for solving the technical problems are as follows:
In one aspect, an electronic cigarette case is provided, and the electronic cigarette case comprises a case body, a case cover hinged with the case body via a hinging portion, and an elastic member is fixed in the case body;

    
    
        the elastic member includes a first flange protruding towards the case cover, and a first extension arm slantly extending from a side of the first flange and extending along a direction away from the case cover;
        a protruding portion is formed on the case cover, and the protruding portion slidably abuts against surfaces of the first extension arm and the first flange facing the case cover;
        when the case cover is rotated along an open direction relative to the case body, the protruding portion resists the first extension arm and slides to the first flange along the first extension arm, and the first flange drives the protruding portion to continuously rotate along the rotating direction of the case cover until the case cover is fully open.
    
    


In one embodiment, a side of the case cover where the hinging portion is mounted extends along a direction away from a top of the case cover to form the protruding portion.
In another embodiment, the elastic member further includes a second extension arm; the first extension arm and the second extension arm are respectively located at two opposite sides of the first flange, and slantly extend along two opposite directions respectively.
In another embodiment, the first extension arm and the second extension arm are straight or arc-shaped; and the first extension arm, the second extension arm, and the first flange cooperatively form an inverted-V structure or an arc-shaped structure.
In another embodiment, a bending portion is connected to an end of the first extension arm that is away from the second extension arm, and the bending portion bends away from the case cover and cooperates with the first extension arm to form a second flange.
In another embodiment, a portion of an inner surface of the case body corresponding to the second flange forms a guiding surface, the guiding surface is configured to abut against the second flange and lead the second flange to slide along the guiding surface when the case cover is opened or closed, and the guiding surface is a slant surface or a curved surface.
In another embodiment, the elastic member further includes a third extension arm, and two ends of the third extension arm are respectively fixedly connected to the second extension arm and the case body.
In another embodiment, the case body accommodates a bracket, and the third extension arm is connected to the case body via the bracket.
In another embodiment, the third extension arm defines a first through-hole configured to enable a screw to pass through, the bracket defines a threaded hole; the screw passes through the first through-hole, and is screwed in the threaded hole so that the third extension arm is fixed on the bracket.
In another embodiment, the bracket defines at least one accommodating portion configured to accommodate an electronic cigarette; a fixing ring is embedded in the accommodating portion; and the electronic cigarette is inserted in the fixing ring by interference fit.
In another embodiment, the fixing ring is made of soft material.
In another embodiment, the third extension arm is a line-folded structure or a line-curved structure extending along a direction away from the first extension arm.
In another embodiment, the third extension arm extends horizontally, and cooperates with the first extension arm and the second extension arm to form an elongated line-folded structure or an elongated line-curved structure.
In another embodiment, a first connecting portion disposed horizontally is connected to an end of the third extension arm, and the first through-hole is defined in the first connecting portion; a first lug boss is formed on the bracket, and a surface of the first lug boss corresponds to the first connecting portion; and the threaded hole is defined in the first lug boss;

    
    
        the first connecting portion is arranged on the first lug boss; and the screw passes through the first through-hole and is screwed in the threaded hole.
    
    


In another embodiment, the third extension arm extends vertically, and cooperates with the second extension arm to form an elongated line-folded structure or an elongated line-curved structure.
In another embodiment, a second connecting portion disposed vertically is connected to an end of the third extension arm, and the first through-hole is arranged in the second connecting portion; a second lug boss is formed on the bracket, and a surface of the second lug boss corresponds to the second connecting portion; and the threaded hole is defined in the second lug boss;

    
    
        the second connecting portion is arranged on the second lug boss; and the screw passes through the first through-hole and is screwed in the threaded hole.
    
    


In another embodiment, the third extension arm further includes an arm body connected to the second connecting portion; the bracket further includes a baffling portion disposed between the arm body and the second lug boss; the second connecting portion passes through the baffling portion; and an end of the arm body that is adjacent to the second connecting portion abuts against the baffling portion.
In another embodiment, the elastic member is a metal elastic plate, a metal wire, or a plastic elastic plate.
When implementing the electronic cigarette case of the present application, the following advantageous effects can be achieved:

    
    
        by fixing the elastic member including the first flange and the first extension arm inside the case body of the electronic cigarette case, and forming the protruding portion that slidably abuts against surfaces of the first flange and the first extension arm facing the case cover on the case cover, the following operations can be achieved: when the case cover is opened, the protruding portion slides to the first flange, and the first flange drives the protruding portion to open the case cover until the case cover is fully opened; and when the case cover is closed, the protruding portion also slides to the first flange, and the first flange drives the protruding portion to close the case cover until the case cover is fully closed. The structure of the electronic cigarette case is simple, and the case cover can be opened or closed by a small external force. Thus, the opening and closing operations are easy, and the user's experience is improved.
    
    





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present application will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments in the following, in the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 is an overall structural cut-away view of an electronic cigarette case of a first embodiment of the present application;
FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of the electronic cigarette case shown in FIG. 1, wherein the case cover is fully closed;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the portion A shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cut-away view of the electronic cigarette case shown in FIG. 1, wherein the case cover is semi-open;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the portion B shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a cut-away view of the electronic cigarette case shown in FIG. 1, wherein the case cover is fully open;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the portion C shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an overall structural cut-away view of an electronic cigarette case of a second embodiment of the present application;
FIG. 9 is a cut-away view of the electronic cigarette case shown in FIG. 8, wherein the case cover is fully closed;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the portion D shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a cut-away view of the electronic cigarette case shown in FIG. 8, wherein the case cover is semi-open;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the portion E shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a cut-away view of the electronic cigarette case shown in FIG. 8, wherein the case cover is fully open;
FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the portion F shown in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a cut-away view of an elastic member shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 16 is a cut-away view of an elastic member shown in FIG. 8.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 16, the present application provides an electronic cigarette case, and the electronic cigarette case comprises a case body 2 and a case cover 1 hinged with the case body 2 by a hinging portion 3. An elastic member 21 is fixed in the case body 2. The elastic member 21 includes a first flange 213 protruding towards the case cover 1, and a first extension arm 211 slantly extending from a side of the first flange 213 and extending along a direction away from the case cover 1. A protruding portion 11 is formed on the case cover 1, and the protruding portion 11 slidably abuts against surfaces of the first extension arm 211 and the first flange 213 facing the case cover 1. When the case cover 1 is rotated along an open direction relative to the case body 2, the protruding portion 11 resists the first extension arm 211, and slides to the first flange 213 along the first extension arm 211. The first flange 213 drives the protruding portion 11 to continuously rotate along the rotating direction of the case cover 1 until the case cover 1 is fully open. Likewise, when the case cover 1 is rotated along the close direction relative to the case body 2, the protruding portion 11 slides to the first flange 213, and the first flange 213 and the first extension arm 211 successively respectively drive the protruding portion 11 to continuously rotate along the rotating direction of the case cover 1 until the case cover 1 is fully closed.
It can be understood that the first flange 213 is used as a critical point. In the opening process of the case cover 1, before the protruding portion 11 is rotated to the first flange 213, the elastic member 21 generates deformation under pressure. When the protruding portion 11 is rotated to the critical point, the deformation of the elastic member 21 begins to recover. When the protruding portion 11 is rotated beyond the critical point, the first flange 213 contacts one side surface of the protruding portion 11, and drives the protruding portion 11 to rotate along the open direction of the case cover 1 until the case cover 1 is fully open. In the closing process of the case cover 1, similarly, before the protruding portion 11 is rotated to the first flange 213, the elastic member 21 generates deformation under pressure. When the protruding portion 11 is rotated to the critical point, the first flange 213 and the first extension arm 211 successively respectively contact another side surface of the protruding portion 11, and drive the protruding portion 11 to rotate along the closed direction of the case cover 1 until the case cover 1 is fully closed. In this way, semi-automatically opening and closing processes of the case cover 1 can be achieved.
The elastic member 21 further includes a second extension arm 212. The first extension arm 211 and the second extension arm 212 are respectively located at two opposite sides of the first flange 213, and slantly extend along two opposite directions respectively. When the case cover 1 is closed, the protruding portion 11 slides to the first flange 213, and the first flange 213 drives the protruding portion 11 to continuously rotate along the rotating direction of the case cover 1 until the case cover 1 is fully closed. It can be understood that, in other embodiments, the protruding portion 11 can abut against the second extension arm 212, and can also not abut against the second extension arm 212, as long as the protruding portion 11 can slide to the first flange 213 in the closing process of the case cover 1.
In the present application, the first extension arm 211 and the second extension arm 212 are straight or arc-shaped. The first extension arm 211, the second extension arm 212 and the first flange 213 cooperatively form an inverted-V structure or an arc-shaped structure. Namely, the opening of the inverted-V structure or the arc-shaped structure faces a bottom of the case body 2.
The elastic member 21 is arranged inside the case body 2, and is located at a side of the case body 2 where the hinging portion 3 is located. A side of the case cover 1 where the hinging portion 3 is mounted extends along a direction away from a top of the case cover 1 to form the protruding portion 11. In the present application, the hinging portion 3 includes a vertical wall 112 extending inwards from a first side wall 111 of the case cover 1. Each of the vertical wall 112 and two second side walls of the case body 2 which are parallel with the vertical wall 112 defines an assembly through-hole configured to insert a rotation axle therein. When the rotation axle is inserted in the assembly through-holes of the vertical wall 112 and the case body 2, the hinging joint process is completed. Both the first side wall 111 and the vertical wall 112 extend along a direction away from a top of the case cover 1 to form the protruding portion 11. Two opposite side surfaces of the protruding portion 11 are respectively an outer surface of the first side wall 111 and a surface of the vertical wall 112 that is opposite to the outer surface of the first side wall 111.
A bending portion 218 is connected to an end of the first extension arm 211 that is away from the second extension arm 212. The bending portion 218 bends away from the case cover 1 and cooperates with the first extension arm 211 to form a second flange. A guiding surface 23 is formed on a portion of an inner surface of the case body 2 corresponding to the second flange, and the guiding surface 23 is configured to abut against the second flange and lead the second flange to slide along the guiding surface 23 when the case cover 1 is opened or closed. The guiding surface 23 is a slant surface or a curved surface.
Besides, as the second flange abuts against the guiding surface 23 and slides along the guiding surface 23 when the case cover 1 is opened or closed, the situation that a distal end of the first extension arm 211 is a free end and only generates a small deformation under pressure, which causes the automatically opening and closing processes of the case cover 1 to be difficult, can be avoided.
The elastic member 21 further includes a third extension arm 214. Two ends of the third extension arm 214 are respectively fixedly connected to the second extension arm 212 and the case body 2. The case body 2 accommodates a bracket 20, and the third extension arm 214 is connected to the case body 2 via the bracket 20.
The third extension arm 214 defines a first through-hole 219 configured to enable a screw 201 to pass through, and the bracket 20 defines a threaded hole 202. The screw 201 passes through the first through-hole 219 and is screwed in the threaded hole 202, so that the third extension arm 214 is fixed on the bracket 20. The method for fixing the elastic member 21 inside the case body 2 is not limited in the above-described one, and can also be other methods such as insertion.
The bracket 20 defines at least one accommodating portion 203 configured to accommodate an electronic cigarette 5. A fixing ring 204 is embedded in the accommodating portion 203, and the electronic cigarette 5 is inserted in the fixing ring 204 and form interference fit with the fixing ring 204.
The fixing ring 204 is made of soft material, such as silica gel, plastic cement, and resin, etc. Understandably, the method for fixing the electronic cigarette 5 can also be others, for example, a fixing block can be formed on an inner surface of the accommodating portion 203, and the electronic cigarette 5 abuts against a surface of the fixing block to form interference fit. Advantageously, the number of the fixing blocks is three, and three fixing blocks are disposed circumferentially and equidistantly. As well as the fixing ring 204, the fixing block is also made of soft material.
The third extension arm 214 is a line-folded structure or a line-curved structure extending along a direction away from the first extension arm 211. Understandably, at least one third flange disposed to be opposite to the first flange 213 is formed between the third extension arm 214 and the second extension arm 212. Because the first flange 213 is disposed opposite to the third flange, the elastic force is increased, and the automatically opening and closing processes of the case cover 1 can be completed more easily. It is understood that the extending direction of the third extension arm 214 is not limited. Advantageously, the third extension arm 214 can extend horizontally or vertically.
An electronic cigarette case of a first embodiment is as follows: as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the third extension arm 214 extends horizontally, and cooperates with the first extension arm 211 and the second extension arm 212 to form an elongated line-folded structure or an elongated line-curved structure. This structure is fit for the situation that less electronic cigarettes 5 need to be accommodated in the electronic cigarette case. In this embodiment, a first connecting portion 215a disposed horizontally extends from an end of the third extension arm 214. The first through-hole 219 configured to enable the screw 201 to pass through is defined in the first connecting portion 215a. A first lug boss 205a is formed on the bracket 20, and a surface of the first lug boss 205a corresponds to the first connecting portion 215a. The threaded hole 202 is defined in the first lug boss 205a. The first connecting portion 215a is arranged on the first lug boss 205a, and the screw 201 passes through the first through-hole 219 and is screwed in the threaded hole 202. Finally, the screw 201 is tightened up.
An electronic cigarette case of a second embodiment is as follows: as shown in FIGS. 8 to 14, the third extension arm 214 extends vertically, and cooperates with the second extension arm 212 to form an elongated line-folded structure or an elongated line-curved structure. As the third extension arm 214 extends vertically, the electronic cigarette case has enough accommodating space in the horizontal direction. This structure is fit for the situation that more electronic cigarettes 5 need to be accommodated in the electronic cigarette case, and has better fatigue resistance and a longer service life. In this embodiment, a second connecting portion 215b disposed vertically extends from an end of the third extension arm 214. The first through-hole 219 configured to enable the screw 201 to pass through is defined in the second connecting portion 215b. A second lug boss 205b is formed on the bracket 20, and a surface of the second lug boss 205b corresponds to the second connecting portion 215b. The threaded hole 202 is defined in the second lug boss 205b. 
The second connecting portion 215b is arranged on the second lug boss 205b. The screw 201 passes through the first through-hole 219 and is screwed in the threaded hole 202. Finally, the screw 201 is tightened up.
Advantageously, in the second embodiment, the third extension arm 214 further includes an arm body 216 connected to the second connecting portion 215b, and the bracket 20 further includes a baffling portion 217 disposed between the arm body 216 and the second lug boss 205b. The second connecting portion 215b passes through the baffling portion 217, and an end of the arm body 216 that is adjacent to the second connecting portion 215b abuts against the baffling portion 217.
Generally, the elastic member 21 is mounted on the bracket 20 at first; and then the bracket 20 is mounted inside the case body 2. Herein, advantageously, mounting space facing a mounting direction of the screw 201 is formed, namely, the mounting space opens towards the mounting direction of the screw 201.
The electronic cigarette case further comprises a buckling portion configured to buckle the case cover 1 with the case body 2. Namely, the buckling portion includes a buckling position defined in the case cover 1 and a fastener formed on the case body 2 and corresponding to the buckling position, and the fastener is buckled in the buckling position.
In two above-described embodiments of the present application, the elastic member 21 can be a metal elastic plate, a metal wire, or a plastic elastic plate.
Above all, as the elastic member 21 including the first flange 213 and the first extension arm 211 is fixed inside the case body 2 of the electronic cigarette case, the protruding portion 11 is formed on the case cover 1, and the protruding portion 11 respectively slidably abuts against surfaces of the first flange 213 and the first extension arm 211 facing the case cover 1, the following operations can be achieved: when the case cover 1 is opened, the protruding portion 11 of the case cover 1 slides to the first flange 213, and the first flange 213 drives the case cover 1 to be fully opened. When the case cover 1 is closed, the protruding portion 11 also slides to the first flange 213; and the first flange 213 drives the case cover 1 to fully close. Thus, the semi-automatically opening and closing processes of the case cover 1 can be achieved. The structure of the electronic cigarette case is simple, and the case cover 1 can be opened or closed by a smaller external force. Thus, the opening and closing operations are easy, and the user's experience is improved.
While the embodiments of the present application are described with reference to the accompanying drawings above, the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned specific implementations. In fact, the above-mentioned specific implementations are intended to be exemplary not to be limiting. In the inspiration of the present application, those ordinary skills in the art can also make many modifications without breaking away from the subject of the present application and the protection scope of the claims. All these modifications belong to the protection of the present application.

## Claims

1. An electronic cigarette case, comprising a case body, a case cover hinged with the case body via a hinging portion, and an elastic member fixed in the case body;
wherein, the elastic member includes a first flange protruding towards the case cover, a first extension arm slantly extending from a side of the first flange and extending along a direction away from the case cover, and a second extension arm; the first extension arm and the second extension arm are respectively located at two opposite sides of the first flange, and slantly extend along two opposite directions respectively;
a protruding portion is formed on the case cover, and the protruding portion slidably abuts against surfaces of the first extension arm and the first flange facing the case cover;
when the case cover is rotated along an open direction relative to the case body, the protruding portion resists the first extension arm and slides to the first flange along the first extension arm, and the first flange drives the protruding portion to continuously rotate along the rotating direction of the case cover until the case cover is fully open;
wherein, a bending portion is connected to an end of the first extension arm that is away from the second extension arm, and the bending portion bends away from the case cover and cooperates with the first extension arm to form a second flange.

2. The electronic cigarette case according to claim 1, wherein, a side of the case cover where the hinging portion is mounted extends along a direction away from a top of the case cover to form the protruding portion.

3. The electronic cigarette case according to claim 1, wherein, the first extension arm and the second extension arm are straight or arc-shaped; and the first extension arm, the second extension arm, and the first flange cooperatively form an inverted-V structure or an arc-shaped structure.

4. The electronic cigarette case according to claim 1, wherein, a portion of an inner surface of the case body corresponding to the second flange forms a guiding surface, the guiding surface is configured to abut against the second flange and lead the second flange to slide along the guiding surface when the case cover is opened or closed, and the guiding surface is a slant surface or a curved surface.

5. An electronic cigarette case, comprising a case body, a case cover hinged with the case body via a hinging portion, and an elastic member fixed in the case body;
wherein, the elastic member includes a first flange protruding towards the case cover, a first extension arm slantly extending from a side of the first flange and extending along a direction away from the case cover, and a second extension arm; the first extension arm and the second extension arm are respectively located at two opposite sides of the first flange, and slantly extend along two opposite directions respectively;
a protruding portion is formed on the case cover, and the protruding portion slidably abuts against surfaces of the first extension arm and the first flange facing the case cover;
when the case cover is rotated along an open direction relative to the case body, the protruding portion resists the first extension arm and slides to the first flange along the first extension arm, and the first flange drives the protruding portion to continuously rotate along the rotating direction of the case cover until the case cover is fully open;
wherein, the elastic member further includes a third extension arm, and two ends of the third extension arm are respectively fixedly connected to the second extension arm and the case body;
wherein, the case body accommodates a bracket, and the third extension arm is connected to the case body via the bracket.

6. The electronic cigarette case according to claim 5, wherein, the third extension arm defines a first through-hole configured to enable a screw to pass through, the bracket defines a threaded hole; the screw passes through the first through-hole, and is screwed in the threaded hole so that the third extension arm is fixed on the bracket.

7. The electronic cigarette case according to claim 5, wherein, the bracket defines at least one accommodating portion configured to accommodate an electronic cigarette; a fixing ring is embedded in the accommodating portion; and the electronic cigarette is inserted in the fixing ring by interference fit.

8. The electronic cigarette case according to claim 7, wherein, the fixing ring is made of soft material.

9. The electronic cigarette case according to claim 6, wherein, the third extension arm is a line-folded structure or a line-curved structure extending along a direction away from the first extension arm.

10. The electronic cigarette case according to claim 9, wherein, the third extension arm extends horizontally, and cooperates with the first extension arm and the second extension arm to form an elongated line-folded structure or an elongated line-curved structure.

11. The electronic cigarette case according to claim 10, wherein, a first connecting portion disposed horizontally is connected to an end of the third extension arm, and the first through-hole is defined in the first connecting portion; a first lug boss is formed on the bracket, and a surface of the first lug boss corresponds to the first connecting portion; and the threaded hole is defined in the first lug boss;
the first connecting portion is arranged on the first lug boss; and the screw passes through the first through-hole and is screwed in the threaded hole.

12. The electronic cigarette case according to claim 9, wherein, the third extension arm extends vertically, and cooperates with the second extension arm to form an elongated line-folded structure or an elongated line-curved structure.

13. The electronic cigarette case according to claim 12, wherein, a second connecting portion disposed vertically is connected to an end of the third extension arm, and the first through-hole is arranged in the second connecting portion; a second lug boss is formed on the bracket, and a surface of the second lug boss corresponds to the second connecting portion; and the threaded hole is defined in the second lug boss;
the second connecting portion is arranged on the second lug boss; and the screw passes through the first throughhole and is screwed in the threaded hole.

14. The electronic cigarette case according to claim 13, wherein, the third extension arm further includes an arm body connected to the second connecting portion;
the bracket further includes a baffling portion disposed between the arm body and the second lug boss; the second connecting portion passes through the baffling portion; and
an end of the arm body that is adjacent to the second connecting portion abuts against the baffling portion.

15. The electronic cigarette case according to claim 1, wherein, the elastic member is a metal elastic plate, a metal wire, or a plastic elastic plate.