Patent Publication Number: US-2022234807-A1

Title: Tray for an electronic smoking device or parts thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/098,163, filed 13 Nov. 2020 (the &#39;163 application), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/759,393, filed 12 Mar. 2018 (the &#39;393 application), which is a national stage filing based upon international application no. PCT/EP2016/071977, filed 16 Sep. 2016 and published in English on 23 Mar. 2017 under international publication no. WO 2017/046334 A1 (the &#39;977 application), which claims priority to European application no. 15185882.6, filed 18 Sep. 2015 (the &#39;882 application). The &#39;163 application, the &#39;393 application, the &#39;977 application, and the &#39;882 application are all hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as though fully set forth herein 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to electronic smoking devices and in particular to a tray for at least a portion of an electronic smoking device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An electronic smoking device, such as an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), typically has a housing accommodating an electric power source (e.g. a single use or rechargeable battery, electrical plug, or other power source), and an electrically operable atomizer. The atomizer vaporizes or atomizes liquid supplied from a reservoir and provides vaporized or atomized liquid as an aerosol. Control electronics control the activation of the atomizer. In some electronic cigarettes, an airflow sensor is provided within the electronic smoking device, which detects a user puffing on the device (e.g., by sensing an under-pressure or an air flow pattern through the device). The airflow sensor indicates or signals the puff to the control electronics to power up the device and generate vapor. In other e-cigarettes, a switch is used to power up the e-cigarette to generate a puff of vapor. 
     Since portions used in electronic smoking devices such as a liquid reservoir are potentially harmful if used inappropriately, e.g. by children, said portions of electronic smoking devices need to be contained in a child-safe manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a tray is provided for containing at least a portion of an electronic smoking device in a child-safe manner. 
     The tray comprises at least one cavity for containing the portion. The tray is configured to be reversibly deformed from a default form (also referred to as undeformed shape) into a deformed form (also referred to as deformed shape) by finger interaction of at least two separate fingers of a user with interaction elements of the tray having a distance to each other of at least 90% of the average distance between thumb tip and index finger tip or a middle finger tip of an adult. The tray is configured to return to the default form once the finger interaction is terminated. The default form provides the at least one cavity for containing the portion in an inaccessible manner and the deformed form is required for accessing the portion. 
     The characteristics, features and advantages of this invention and the manner in which they are obtained as described above will become more apparent and be more clearly understood in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, same element numbers indicate same elements in each of the views: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an exemplary e-cigarette; 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary depiction of a tray according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary depiction of the tray of  FIG. 2  in deformed shape; 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary depiction of a tray according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary depiction of the tray of  FIG. 4  in deformed shape; 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary depiction of a tray according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary depiction of the tray of  FIG. 5  in deformed shape; 
         FIG. 8  is an exemplary depiction of another embodiment of the tray of  FIG. 6  in deformed shape; 
         FIG. 9  a first part of an exemplary two-part embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  a second part of the exemplary two-part embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 11  the second part of the exemplary two-part embodiment of the present invention from a different perspective; 
         FIGS. 12-14  cutters of the exemplary two-part embodiment of the present invention 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Throughout the following, an electronic smoking device will be exemplarily described with reference to an e-cigarette. As is shown in  FIG. 1 , an e-cigarette  10  typically has a housing comprising a cylindrical hollow tube having an end cap  16 . The cylindrical hollow tube may be a single-piece or a multiple-piece tube. In  FIG. 1 , the cylindrical hollow tube is shown as a two-piece structure having a battery portion  12  and an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion  14 . Together the battery portion  12  and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion  14  form a cylindrical tube which can be approximately the same size and shape as a conventional cigarette, typically about 100 mm with a 7.5 mm diameter, although lengths may range from 70 to 150 or 180 mm, and diameters from 5 to 20 mm. 
     The battery portion  12  and atomizer/liquid reservoir portion  14  are typically made of metal, e.g. steel or aluminum, or of hardwearing plastic and act together with the end cap  16  to provide a housing to contain the components of the e-cigarette  10 . The battery portion  12  and an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion  14  may be configured to fit together by a friction push fit, a snap fit, or a bayonet attachment, magnetic fit, or screw threads. The end cap  16  is provided at the front end of the battery portion  12 . The end cap  16  may be made from translucent plastic or other translucent material to allow a light-emitting diode (LED)  20  positioned near the end cap to emit light through the end cap. The end cap can be made of metal or other materials that do not allow light to pass. 
     An air inlet may be provided in the end cap, at the edge of the inlet next to the cylindrical hollow tube, anywhere along the length of the cylindrical hollow tube, or at the connection of the battery portion  12  and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion  14 .  FIG. 1  shows a pair of air inlets  38  provided at the intersection between the battery portion  12  and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion  14 . 
     A battery  18 , an LED  20 , control electronics  22  and optionally an airflow sensor  24  are provided within the cylindrical hollow tube battery portion  12 . The battery  18  is electrically connected to the control electronics  22 , which are electrically connected to the LED  20  and the airflow sensor  24 . In this example the LED  20  is at the front end of the battery portion  12 , adjacent to the end cap  16  and the control electronics  22  and airflow sensor  24  are provided in the central cavity at the other end of the battery  18  adjacent the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion  14 . 
     The airflow sensor  24  acts as a puff detector, detecting a user puffing or sucking on the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion  14  of the e-cigarette  10 . The airflow sensor  24  can be any suitable sensor for detecting changes in airflow or air pressure, such as a microphone switch including a deformable membrane which is caused to move by variations in air pressure. Alternatively the sensor may be a Hall element or an electro-mechanical sensor. 
     The control electronics  22  are also connected to an atomizer  26 . In the example shown, the atomizer  26  includes a heating coil  28  which is wrapped around a wick  30  extending across a central passage  32  of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion  14 . The coil  28  may be positioned anywhere in the atomizer  26  and may be transverse or parallel to the liquid reservoir  34 . The wick  30  and heating coil  28  do not completely block the central passage  32 . Rather an air gap is provided on either side of the heating coil  28  enabling air to flow past the heating coil  28  and the wick  30 . The atomizer may alternatively use other forms of heating elements, such as ceramic heaters, or fiber or mesh material heaters. Nonresistance heating elements such as sonic, piezo and jet spray may also be used in the atomizer in place of the heating coil. 
     The central passage  32  is surrounded by a cylindrical liquid reservoir  34  with the ends of the wick  30  abutting or extending into the liquid reservoir  34 . The wick  30  may be a porous material such as a bundle of fiberglass fibers, with liquid in the liquid reservoir  34  drawn by capillary action from the ends of the wick  30  towards the central portion of the wick  30  encircled by the heating coil  28 . 
     The liquid reservoir  34  may alternatively include wadding soaked in liquid which encircles the central passage  32  with the ends of the wick  30  abutting the wadding. In other embodiments the liquid reservoir  34  may comprise a toroidal cavity arranged to be filled with liquid and with the ends of the wick  30  extending into the toroidal cavity. 
     An air inhalation port  36  is provided at the back end of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion  14  remote from the end cap  16 . The inhalation port  36  may be formed from the cylindrical hollow tube atomizer/liquid reservoir portion  14  or maybe formed in an end cap. 
     In use, a user sucks on the e-cigarette  10 . This causes air to be drawn into the e-cigarette  10  via one or more air inlets, such as air inlets  38 , and to be drawn through the central passage  32  towards the air inhalation port  36 . The change in air pressure which arises is detected by the airflow sensor  24 , which generates an electrical signal that is passed to the control electronics  22 . In response to the signal, the control electronics  22  activate the heating coil  28 , which causes liquid present in the wick  30  to be vaporized creating an aerosol (which may comprise gaseous and liquid components) within the central passage  32 . As the user continues to suck on the e-cigarette  10 , this aerosol is drawn through the central passage  32  and inhaled by the user. At the same time the control electronics  22  also activate the LED  20  causing the LED  20  to light up which is visible via the translucent end cap  16  mimicking the appearance of a glowing ember at the end of a conventional cigarette. As liquid present in the wick  30  is converted into an aerosol more liquid is drawn into the wick  30  from the liquid reservoir  34  by capillary action and thus is available to be converted into an aerosol through subsequent activation of the heating coil  28 . 
     Some e-cigarettes are intended to be disposable and the electric power in the battery  18  is intended to be sufficient to vaporize the liquid contained within the liquid reservoir  34 , after which the e-cigarette  10  is thrown away. In other embodiments the battery  18  is rechargeable and the liquid reservoir  34  is refillable. In the cases where the liquid reservoir  34  is a toroidal cavity, this may be achieved by refilling the liquid reservoir  34  via a refill port. In other embodiments the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion  14  of the e-cigarette  10  is detachable from the battery portion  12  and a new atomizer/liquid reservoir portion  14  can be fitted with a new liquid reservoir  34  thereby replenishing the supply of liquid. In some cases, replacing the liquid reservoir  34  may involve replacement of the heating coil  28  and the wick  30  along with the replacement of the liquid reservoir  34 . A replaceable unit comprising the atomizer  26  and the liquid reservoir  34  is called a cartomizer. 
     The new liquid reservoir  34  may be in the form of a cartridge having a central passage  32  through which a user inhales aerosol. In other embodiments, aerosol may flow around the exterior of the cartridge  32  to an air inhalation port  36 . 
     Of course, in addition to the above description of the structure and function of a typical e-cigarette  10 , variations also exist. For example, the LED  20  may be omitted. The airflow sensor  24  may be placed adjacent the end cap  16  rather than in the middle of the e-cigarette. The airflow sensor  24  may be replaced with a switch which enables a user to activate the e-cigarette manually rather than in response to the detection of a change in air flow or air pressure. 
     Different types of atomizers may be used. Thus, for example, the atomizer may have a heating coil in a cavity in the interior of a porous body soaked in liquid. In this design, aerosol is generated by evaporating the liquid within the porous body either by activation of the coil heating the porous body or alternatively by the heated air passing over or through the porous body. Alternatively the atomizer may use a piezoelectric atomizer to create an aerosol either in combination or in the absence of a heater. 
       FIG. 2  shows an exemplary depiction of a tray according to a first embodiment of the present invention. For containing such an electronic smoking device as disclosed by way of example in connection with  FIG. 1  or parts (functional components) thereof, in a child-safe manner, i.e. inaccessible for a child, a first aspect of the invention concerns a tray for containing an electronic smoking device, e.g. an electronic cigarette. An example of a top surface of a tray  100  according said first aspect is depicted in  FIG. 2  in its default form, i.e. in an undeformed shape when no external pressure is applied to the tray  100  except the (average) atmospheric pressure resulting from ambient air. 
     Essentially perpendicular to its upper surface, the tray  100  comprises two lateral surfaces being parallel to each other having a relatively longer distance to each other and two lateral surfaces  102 ,  103  being parallel to each other having a relatively shorter distance to each. These lateral surfaces  102 ,  103  have a width (distance between each other) perpendicular to the other lateral surfaces of at least 4.5 cm or more. According to embodiments of the present invention, said width (distance) between the lateral surfaces  102 ,  103  is greater than 5.0 cm, more preferably greater than 5.5 cm, more preferably greater than 6.0 cm, more preferably greater than 6.5 cm, more preferably greater than 7.0 cm, more preferably greater than 7.5 cm, more preferably greater than 8.0 cm and more preferably greater than 8.5 cm. In this sense, alternatively expressed, the shorter lateral surfaces have a width perpendicular to the longer lateral surfaces  102 ,  103  of at least 65% of the average distance between index finger tip or middle finger tip and thumb tip of an adult, more preferably of at least 65%, more preferably of at least 70%, more preferably of at least 75%, more preferably of at least 80%, more preferably of at least 85% and more preferably of at least 90%. 
     Accordingly, the separate lateral surfaces  102 ,  103  are spaced apart such that small childrens&#39; hands are not able to press the two areas (lateral surfaces  102 ,  103 ) with the fingers of one hand at the same time. Even if a non-authorized user would press the lateral surfaces  102 ,  103  with different hands, the user would not be able to removed an electronic cigarette (or a part thereof) from the tray  100  because the unlocking mechanism (activated under sufficient pressure to the separate lateral surfaces  102 ,  103 ) is configured such that the electronic cigarette (or a part thereof) is only unlocked but not automatically ejected from the cavity  101  and accordingly another hand (not pressing the lateral surfaces  102 ,  103 ) is required to remove the unlocked electronic cigarette (or a part thereof) from the cavity  101  before releasing the pressure from the at least two interaction elements (lateral surfaces  102 ,  103 ). 
     The tray  100  comprises a (preferably deeply drawn) cavity  101  in which an exemplary elongated e-cigarette  10  is contained (or accommodated) with two ends extending parallel to the lateral surfaces  102 ,  103 . The tray  100  comprises an outer portion  110  which surrounds two inner portions  120 . There is a (deeply drawn) groove  140  located between the outer portion  110  and the inner portions  120 . Each of the inner portions  120  surrounds one of the two ends in a manner that no finger can be put between the respective inner portion  120  and the respective end. Hence, the ends of the e-cigarette  10  cannot be accessed either by a child or by an adult without pressing the two interaction elements (lateral surfaces  102 ,  103 ). 
     In a remaining middle section of the e-cigarette  10 , parts  111  of the outer portion  110  of the tray  100  surround the e-cigarette  10  directly without any of the inner portions  120  in between. The parts  111  surround the middle section in a manner that no finger can be put between the middle section and the outer portion  110 . Hence, also the remaining middle portion of the e-cigarette  10  cannot be accessed either by a child or by an adult without pressing the two interaction elements (lateral surfaces  102 ,  103 ). 
     Thus, in a default form (undeformed shape), the tray  100  accommodates the e-cigarette  10  inaccessible by fingers of a user. 
     The tray  100  may be a plastic container, for example a thermoformed plastic container. In another exemplary and non-limiting embodiment the tray  100  is injection molded. 
     The outer portion  110  has (deeply drawn) indentations  130  extending from the lateral surfaces  102 ,  103  towards the middle section only separated therefrom by parts  110 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the top surface of the tray  100  of  FIG. 2  in deformed shape. The deformed shape can be achieved by pressure on the lateral surfaces  102 ,  103  of the tray  100 , for example below the indentations  130  or laterally therefrom. Hence, for achieving deformation with a single hand, the hand span must be large enough as specified above. Otherwise, two hands are required for applying sufficient pressure on the longer lateral surfaces  102 ,  103  of the tray  100  such that the tray  100  becomes deformed. Once pressure is released, the tray  100  (preferably immediately) returns back into the undeformed shape, e.g. the tray  100  may snap back into the default shape. In an embodiment, deforming requires a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure threshold. The pressure threshold may be predetermined such that it corresponds to 25% of the pressure an adult can apply on average with tips of the index finger or of the middle finger and of the thumb. 
     According to embodiments of the present invention, said predetermined pressure threshold may be such that it corresponds to 30%, more preferably of at least 35%, more preferably of at least 40%, more preferably of at least 45%, more preferably of at least 50%, more preferably of at least 55%, more preferably of at least 60%, more preferably of at least 65%, more preferably of at least 70%, more preferably of at least 75%, more preferably of at least 80%, more preferably of at least 85% and more preferably of at least 90% of the pressure an adult can apply in average with tips of the index finger or of the middle finger and of the thumb. In this sense, alternatively expressed, a force applied to tray  100  via the at least two interaction elements (lateral surfaces  102 ,  103 ) may be more than 0.1 N, more preferably more than 0.2 N, more preferably more than 0.4 N, more preferably more than 0.8 N, more preferably more than 1.6 N, more preferably more than 3.2 N and more preferably more than 5 N. 
     Simultaneous pressure on the lateral surfaces  102 ,  103  (or alternatively force on the tray  100  applied via lateral surfaces  102 ,  103 ) causes at least one of the inner portions  120  to be lifted with respect to the outer portion  110 . Thereby, the e-cigarette  10  is lifted, at least partly, too. Particularly, the middle section of the e-cigarette  10  is lifted (but not completely ejected) at least partly above the part  111  of the outer portion. Thereby the middle section becomes accessible, i.e. it can be taken out with the fingers. However, when the e-cigarette  10  is not taken out and the pressure (or force) is removed, the e-cigarette  10  becomes inaccessible again, i.e. the e-cigarette  10  is locked again. 
     Thus, an adult capable of pressing the interaction elements (lateral surfaces  102 ,  103 ) with a single hand sufficiently strong can take out the e-cigarette with the fingers of the other hand while keeping the interaction elements (lateral surfaces  102 ,  103 ) pressed. In contrast, a child or teenager needs both hands for applying sufficient pressure (or force) and therefore cannot take out the e-cigarette  10 . 
       FIG. 4  shows is an exemplary depiction of a tray  200  in an undeformed state (or shape or form) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     The tray  200  depicted in  FIG. 4  comprises cavities  201 , each for containing a portion (i.e. functional component) of an electronic smoking device, e.g. cartomizers. In other exemplary embodiments, the cavities  201  can be configured for containing mouthpieces, atomizer/liquid portions and/or liquid reservoirs. 
     The cavities  201  are provided in a rotatable portion  220  which is rotatable around a normal of the top surface of the tray  200 . The cavities  201  extend radially having openings at a cylindrical surface  214  of the rotating device  220 . In the default form (undeformed state), the openings of the cavities  201  are at least partly covered by the outer portion  210 . The tray  200  further comprises an outer portion  210 . In a default form of the tray  200 , the rotatable portion  220  is surrounded by the outer portion  210  such that the rotatable portion  220  is inaccessible for being rotated by hand. Alternatively or additionally, the rotatable portion  220  is blocked by the outer portion  210  from being rotated when the tray  200  is in its default form. Alternatively or additionally, the openings of the cavities  201  are at least partly covered by the outer portion  210  in the default form. 
     The tray  200  comprises, e.g. as part of the outer portion, lateral surfaces  202 ,  203  functioning as interaction elements and extending essentially perpendicular to the top surface. The separate lateral surfaces  202 ,  203  have a distance from each other as specified in connection with  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     Simultaneous pressure on the lateral surfaces  202 ,  303  causes the rotatable portion  220  to be lifted with respect to the outer portion  210  such that it becomes accessible for being rotated by hand and/or the blocking of the rotatable portion  220  by the outer portion to be released such that the rotatable portion  220  can be rotated. However, at least all but one opening of the cavities  201  remains at least partly covered by the outer portion  210  in the deformed state, too. Particularly all openings of the cavities  201  are partly covered by the lateral surface  205  even in the deformed state as long as the rotatable portion has not been rotated. 
     Therefore an adult (having a sufficiently large hand) capable of pressing said lateral surfaces with a single hand sufficiently strong can lift and/or release the rotatable portion  220  with the fingers of the one hand and use the other hand for simultaneously rotating the rotatable portion  220  in order to move the opening of one of the cavities to a position where its content can be accessed. But a child or teenager (having an insufficiently small hand) needs both hands for applying the pressure or for applying sufficient pressure and then cannot rotate the rotatable portion  220 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a further lateral surface  205  of the tray of  FIG. 4 , wherein the tray  200  is shown in deformed state and after rotating the rotatable portion  220  such that the opening of one of the cavities is positioned where its content can be accessed. 
     The deformed state can be achieved by pressure (or force) on the lateral surfaces  202 ,  203  of the tray  200 . Hence, for achieving deformation with a single hand, the hand span must be large enough as specified above. Otherwise, two hands are required for applying sufficient pressure (or force) on the lateral surfaces  202 ,  103  of the tray  200  such that the tray  200  becomes deformed. Once pressure is released, the tray  200  immediately returns back into the default state, e.g. the tray  200  snaps back into the default state. In an embodiment, deforming requires a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure threshold specified above or a predetermined force specified above. 
     Simultaneous pressure on the lateral surfaces  202 ,  203  causes the rotatable portion  220  to be lifted with respect to the outer portion  210  such that the cylindrical surface  222  becomes visible. Though lifted, all of the openings  221  of the cavities  201  are still partly covered by the lateral surface  205  of outer portion  210 . By means of appropriate rotation, the opening of one the cavities may be aligned with an indentation  211 . The indentation  211  is formed such that it allows access to content of a cavity having its opening aligned with the indentation  211 . 
     The further lateral surface  205  has an indentation  211  arranged corresponding to the openings  221  such that, by rotating the rotatable portion  220 , one of the openings  221  can be aligned with the indentation  211  and the e-cigarette&#39;s portion contained in the respective cavity  201  becomes accessible. According to embodiments of the present invention, the objects (electronic smoking device or a part of the electronic smoking device) may be fixed in the cavities  201  such that they can only be taken out with another device (e.g. battery  18 ). 
     Since rotation is only possible while simultaneous pressure is applied, both hands are required simultaneously for taking out the functional components of an electronic smoking device such as a cartomizer, a liquid reservoir, an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion or a mouthpiece portion. Therefore, only an adult can do so but a child or teenager cannot apply sufficient pressure with a single hand therefore not having a free hand for doing the rotation even if capable of applying sufficient simultaneous pressure with both hands. 
     The tray  200  may be a plastic container, for instance a thermoformed plastic container. In another exemplary and non-limiting embodiment the tray  200  is injection molded. 
       FIG. 6  shows an exemplary depiction of a tray  300  according to a third embodiment of the present invention. An example of a top surface of the tray  200  is depicted in  FIG. 6  in its undeformed state. 
     The tray  300  depicted in  FIG. 6  comprises separate cavities  301 , each for containing a portion of an electronic smoking device, e.g., cartomizers. In other exemplary embodiments, the cavities  301  can be configured for containing mouthpieces, atomizer/liquid portions and/or liquid reservoirs. 
     The tray  300  surrounds the portions in a manner that no finger can be put between the portions and the tray  300  when the tray is in the undeformed state. Hence, also portions of the e-cigarette  10  contained or accommodated in the cavities  301  of the tray  300  cannot be accessed either by a child or by an adult when the tray  300  is in the undeformed state. Lid portions of the tray  300  cover openings of the cavities  301  in the undeformed state. 
       FIG. 7  shows a lateral surface of an embodiment of the tray of  FIG. 6  in deformed state. The deformed state can be achieved by pressure (or force) on the further lateral surfaces  302 ,  303  of the tray  300 . The further lateral surfaces  302 ,  303  have a distance to each other as specified in connection with the other embodiments. That is, a user&#39;s hand must be sufficiently large for appropriately operating the tray of the present invention, i.e. for unlocking and removing the electronic smoking device (or a part thereof). Otherwise, two hands are required for applying sufficient pressure (or force) on the further lateral surfaces  302 ,  303  of the tray  300  such that the tray becomes deformed. Once pressure is released, the tray  300  returns immediately back to the default state, e.g. the tray may snap back into the default state. In an embodiment, deforming requires a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure threshold (or force) as specified in connection with the other embodiments. 
     In the deformed state, the lid portions are flapped away from the openings such that portions of an electronic cigarette contained in the options become accessible. In some embodiments, the access is restricted to use of a further portion of the electronic smoking device. That is, in some embodiments the portions still cannot be taken out by hand even if the tray is in the deformed state. Instead, the further portion may be fit to the portion in the cavity, for example by a friction push fit, a snap fit, or a bayonet attachment, magnetic fit, or screw threads. 
       FIG. 8  shows a lateral surface of another embodiment of the tray of  FIG. 6  in deformed state. Due to pressure on the further lateral surfaces  302 ,  303  of the tray  300 , the cavities  301  and the parts of the electronic smoking device accommodated therein move upwards thereby becoming accessible. According to embodiments of the present invention, the objects (electronic smoking device or a part of the electronic smoking device) may be fixed in the cavities  301  such that they can only be taken out with another device (e.g. battery  18 ). 
     The tray  300  may be a plastic container, for instance a thermoformed plastic container. In another exemplary and non-limiting embodiment the tray  300  is injection molded. 
       FIG. 9  shows a first, rectangular shaped part  400   a  of an exemplary two-part embodiment of the present invention and  FIGS. 10 and 11  show a second part  400   b  of the exemplary two-part embodiment of the present invention from different perspectives. The second part  400   b  shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  is also shaped rectangular but with indentations  430  on the long sides. This embodiment is configured for accommodating two portions, e.g. cartomizers, of an electronic smoking device or two electronic smoking devices in a child-safe manner in two cavities  401  extending parallel to each other and the long sides. The second part  400   b  comprises, between one pair of same-side ends of the two cavities  401 , an inclining centre part  440 , half way up, to grip ends of the cartomizers but allow access of middle parts of the cartomizers when being deformed in a deformed shape. Deformability is supported by a web across the second part parallel to the short sides of the second part. The second part  400   b  can be fitted onto the first part  400   a  thereby forming the exemplary two-part embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 12-14  show cutters  561 ,  562 ,  563  of the exemplary two-part embodiment of the present invention. Exemplarily, a first cutter  561  may have a rectangular shape with two square-like openings  564  and a length of 120 to 130 mm, exemplarily 127 mm as shown in  FIG. 11 , and a width of 45 to 55 mm, exemplarily 52 mm as shown in  FIG. 11 . Exemplarily, a second cutter  562  may have a rectangular shape with a length of 110 to 120 mm, exemplarily 115 mm as shown in  FIG. 12 , and a width of 45 to 55 mm, exemplarily 52 mm as shown in  FIG. 12 . Exemplarily, a third cutter  563  may have a rectangular shape having indentations  530  centered on the longer sides with a length of 120 to 130 mm, exemplarily 122 mm as shown in  FIG. 13 , and a width of 40 to 50 mm, exemplarily 45 mm as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment of a first aspect of the invention there is a tray for containing at least a portion of an electronic smoking device in a child-safe manner. The tray comprises at least one cavity for containing the portion. 
     The tray is configured to be reversibly deformed from a default form into a deformed form by finger interaction with interaction elements of the tray having a distance to each other of at least 90% of the average distance between thumb tip and index finger tip or a middle finger tip of an adult. 
     The tray is configured to return to the default form once the finger interaction is terminated. The default form provides the at least one cavity for containing the portion in an inaccessible manner and the deformed form being required for accessing the portion. 
     The interaction elements may be located on opposite surfaces of the tray. 
     The finger interaction may comprise applying pressure on the interaction elements. 
     The pressure required for deforming the tray into the deformed form may be at least 90% of the pressure which an average adult can apply on the interaction elements using the thumb tip and the index finger tip or the middle finger tip. 
     By deforming the tray, an opening in the tray of the cavity may be opened to a width allowing the portion to be accessed and taken out. 
     By deforming the tray, the portion may be further moved, at least partly, through the opening. 
     The tray may comprise a rotatable portion providing the cavity. In the default form, the rotatable portion may be inaccessible for rotation by hand and/or may be blocked from being rotated. In the deformed form, the rotatable portion may be accessible for rotation. Rotation may be required of the rotatable portion in the deformed form for accessing the portion. 
     Rotation may be required of the rotatable portion in the deformed form a starting point to a predetermined point for accessing the portion. 
     Before the finger interaction is terminated for the tray returning into the default form, counter-rotation in the deformed form to the starting point may be required. 
     The cavity may be configured for containing an electronic smoking device. 
     The portion may be a mouthpiece portion, a liquid reservoir portion, a cartomizer or an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion. 
     The tray may comprise multiple cavities. 
     An advantage of certain embodiments may be that child-safe containment of electronic smoking devices and/or associated portions can be achieved. 
     While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
           10  electronic smoking device 
           12  battery portion 
           14  atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 
           16  end cap 
           18  battery 
           20  light-emitting diode (LED) 
           22  control electronics 
           24  airflow sensor 
           26  atomizer 
           28  heating coil 
           30  wick 
           32  central passage 
           34  liquid reservoir 
           36  air inhalation port 
           38  air inlets 
           100 ,  200 ,  300  tray 
           400   a,  first part of tray 
           400   b  second part of tray 
           101 ,  201 ,  301 ,  401  cavity 
           102 ,  202 ,  302  lateral surface 
           103 ,  203 ,  303  lateral surface 
           110 ,  210  outer portion 
           111  part of pouter portion 
           120  inner portion 
           130 ,  430 ,  530  indentation 
           440  inclining centre part 
           205  further lateral surface 
           211  indentation 
           220  rotatable portion 
           221 ,  321  opening 
           222  cylindrical surface 
           561 ,  562 ,  563  Cutters 
           564  square-like opening