Patent Publication Number: US-2015076014-A1

Title: Electronic cigarette container

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/879,832, filed on 19 Sep. 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates generally to containers for electronic cigarettes, and in particular, to containers that store the electronic cigarette and obscure the fact that an electronic cigarette is contained within. 
     2. Background of the Related Art 
     In recent years substitutes for tobacco products have increased in popularity. One particularly popular substitute is the electronic cigarette, or “e-cig.” Electronic cigarettes are able to provide the mouthfeel and breathing sensations associated with cigarettes while managing delivery of chemicals to a user. Electronic cigars and the like are also possible. In some instances it may be desirable for a user of an electronic cigarette to take steps to avoid notifying others that he is carrying an electronic cigarette for later use. 
     Because electronic cigarettes are purchased and then re-used many times, or used once but put down and picked up often, the owner of an electronic cigarette has an interest in ensuring that he is able to distinguish his electronic cigarette from those owned by others, particularly when those other people are using electronic cigarettes of the same manufacturer and model. 
     Thus, there is a need to provide a container for an electronic cigarette that not only obscures the fact that an electronic cigarette is contained within, but also provides a means to personalize the container so as to quickly distinguish it from others. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure provides a description of a container that is adapted to receive an electronic cigarette and to obscure the fact that an electronic cigarette is contained within by appearing to be a surrogate device such as a writing utensil, a flashlight, or a laser pointer. The electronic cigarette container comprises a receptacle configured to slidably receive an electronic cigarette via at least one end of the receptacle. The inner surface of the receptacle has a profile that substantially conforms to that of the outer surface of the electronic cigarette. The outer surface of the receptacle is provided with ornamentality to appear to be a surrogate device, such as a writing pen. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the electronic cigarette container is provided with a cap. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the electronic cigarette container comprises at least one segment, wherein if a plurality of segments are provided then they serially connect to form the receptacle. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the receptacle or at least one segment has a furcated construction. 
     In an alternative embodiment, an inner surface of the electronic cigarette container is provided with at least one retaining clip to removably secure the electronic cigarette within the electronic cigarette container. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the electronic cigarette container is provided with at least one identification tag that is removably securable to the outer surface. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the electronic cigarette container is provided with an adapter enabling the electronic cigarette container to not only appear to be a surrogate device but also operationally function as one. Embodiments provide for adapters enabling functions such as a writing utensil, a flashlight, and a laser pointer. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the electronic cigarette container comprises a receptacle comprising at least one segment, where each segment has at least one side, a first end, a second end, an inner surface, and an outer surface. Each first end is open, at least one second end is closed, and each segment is provided with a first coupling means to removably connect the segments in a serially manner. A profile of the at least one inner surface is configured to substantially conform to an electronic cigarette when the segments are serially connected, and the receptacle is configured to substantially receive and contain the electronic cigarette. Suitable coupling means may be, for example, a screw, a snap-on configuration, or an adhesive. 
     In further embodiments the receptacle is configured to receive the electronic cigarette in its entirety. Further embodiments include a cap having a cap first end, a cap second end, a cap inner surface, and a cap outer surface, wherein the cap first end is open and the cap second end is closed. A profile of the cap inner surface is configured to substantially conform to a portion of the electronic cigarette, and the cap is configured to substantially receive that portion of the electronic cigarette. The cap is provided with a second coupling means to removably secure the cap to the first end, and the cap is removably affixed to the at least one side. Suitable coupling means may be, for example, a screw, a snap-on configuration, or an adhesive. 
     Further embodiments provide that at least one segment is furcated along its longitudinal length, wherein a connected edge connects at least two furcated pieces together via a hinged attachment and an operative edge selectively connects at least two furcated pieces via a snap-fit engagement. A length from the first end to the second end is the longitudinal length. The at least one segment is configured to pivot about the connected edge to grant access to an inside of the receptacle and envelope at least a portion of the electronic cigarette after being inserted into the inside by pivoting each furcated piece about the connected edge so that the at least two furcated pieces meet at the operative edge. 
     Further embodiments provide that at least one inner surface has at least one retaining clip. In addition, at least one identification tag is provided, which is configured to removably attach to at least one outer surface. 
     Further embodiments provide for an adapter having a first adapter end and a second adapter end, where the first adapter end has a third coupling means to removably secure the adapter to an individual first end of at least one segment. The first adapter end is configured to receive a partially exposed portion of the electronic cigarette. The second adapter end is provided with an operational end and is configured to engage the second coupling means of the cap. The adapter is an operational device selected from the group consisting of a writing utensil, a flashlight, and a laser pointer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Exemplary embodiments are best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Included in the drawings are the following figures: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of the electronic cigarette container  10  with the cap  60  removed and an electronic cigarette  11  being inserted into the receptacle  20 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the electronic cigarette container  10  as an alternative embodiment illustrating three segments  21   a,    21   b,    21   c  comprising the receptacle  20 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the electronic cigarette container  10  as an alternative embodiment illustrating a bifurcated receptacle  20 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the electronic cigarette container  10  as an alternative embodiment illustrating the assemblage thereof with an adapter  140 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is side cut-away views of three embodiments of an adapter  140  showing schematic block diagrams of internal operating components of each embodiment, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the electronic cigarette container  10  with the cap  60  affixed to a side  50  of the receptacle  20 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description of exemplary embodiments are intended for illustration purposes only and are, therefore, not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , an environmental view of the electronic cigarette container  10  with the cap  60  removed and an electronic cigarette  11  being inserted into the receptacle  20 , and a perspective view of the electronic cigarette container  10  with the cap  60  affixed to a side  50  of the receptacle  20 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. Electronic cigarettes  11  exist in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles; however, the overall construction of them is relatively constant. Most electronic cigarettes  11  generally have an elongate tubular shape and comprise a compilation of three components: 1) a shroud; 2) an atomizer; and, 3) a cartridge. 
     The shroud typically contains a battery unit, and places the atomizer in electrical communication with the battery unit. The cartridge contains flavor and/or nicotine dispensing units, and mechanically connects the atomizer with a mouthpiece portion of the cartridge. Most electronic cigarettes also include a microprocessor and a sensing unit to operatively associate the activities of the various parts of the electronic cigarette. Some electronic cigarettes have more elaborate constructions while some have more simple constructions. Nonetheless, most electronic cigarettes combine the shroud, atomizer, and cartridge in a manner to generally form an elongated tubular shape. 
     The electronic cigarette container  10  is a receptacle  20  configured to receive and store an electronic cigarette  11  while obscuring the fact that an electronic cigarette  11  is contained within. While the electronic cigarette container  10  described herein will be that of an elongated tubular shape, the shape is certainly not limited to such. The shape of the electronic cigarette container  10  is envisioned to be any shape that may serve the function of receiving an electronic cigarette  11  and obscuring the containment thereof. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic cigarette container  10  comprises a unitary hollow tubular receptacle  20  having a first end  30  and a second end  40 . The receptacle  20  is envisioned to be fabricated from a lightweight rigid material such as alloy steel, aluminum, plastic or other polymer, fiber reinforce material, composite material, or the like. The first end  30  is preferably open to enable ingress and egress of the electronic cigarette  11 . The second end  40  is preferably closed, and envisioned to be conjoined with the sides  50  of the receptacle  20 . A profile of the inner surface  80  of the receptacle  20  substantially conforms to a profile of the outer surface of an electronic cigarette  11 . In use, a user slidably inserts an electronic cigarette  11  into the container  10  via the first end  30  such that the container  10  entirely or substantially receives the electronic cigarette  11 . The inner surface  80  may also be lined with a nonabrasive material such as felt or rubber, which may be applied via an adhesive in the case of a felt or spray in the case of rubber. 
     The container  10  is envisioned to be provided with a cap  60  that is configured to selectively cover the first end  30 , thereby concealing the electronic cigarette  11  placed within. It is envisioned for the cap  60  to be fabricated from the same material as that of the receptacle  20 . In embodiments where the container  10  substantially receives the electronic cigarette  11 , the cap  60  is configured to receive the exposed end of the electronic cigarette  11  in a similar manner that the receptacle  20  received the electronic cigarette  11 . Therefore, the cap  60  has a cap open end, a cap closed end, and a cap inner surface similar to that of the receptacle  20 . 
     The cap  60  is provided with a coupling mechanism  180  to removably secure the cap  60  to the first end  30 . It is envisioned for the coupling mechanism  180  to enable mechanically engagement with the first end  30  via mechanisms such as but not limited to an interference fit, a complementary threading engagement, a spring clip engagement, a bayonet-style engagement, and the like. In an alternative embodiment, the cap  60  may be affixed to the side  50  of the container  10  via an affixment  250  such as a hinged engagement, an elastic band, a lanyard, or other type of tether. The affixment  250  to the side  50  enables manipulation of the cap  60  so as to removably secure it to the first end  30  while still being tethered. Alternatively, the affixment  250  to the side  50  may also enable detachment of the cap  60  from the side  50  to enable removable securement of the cap  60  to the first end  30  while the cap  60  is detached from the side  50 . The cap inner surface may also be lined with a nonabrasive material in a manner described above. 
     The outer surface  70  of the electronic cigarette container  10  has a shape and ornamental configuration to obscure the fact that it is used to hold an electronic cigarette  11 . For instance, the outer surface  70  may create the appearance of a cigar case, sunglass case, cellular phone, a writing pen, a flashlight, a laser pointer, a toothbrush, or the like. The ornamentality of the cap  60  similarly creates such an appearance by complementing that of the receptacle  20 . For instance, if the receptacle  20  presents the appearance of a writing pen, then the cap  60  may resemble a pen cap, as shown in  FIG. 1 . As another example, if the receptacle  20  presents the appearance of a flashlight, then the cap  60  may resemble a tail cap or even a headlamp, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the electronic cigarette container  10  as an alternative embodiment illustrating three segments  21   a,    21   b,    21   c  comprising the receptacle  20 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the container  10  comprises at least one tubular segment  21   a,    21   b,    21   c  that mechanically engage each other via a coupling mechanism  180 . Although three segments  21   a,    21   b,    21   c  are described here, it is envisioned for there to be any number of segments  21   a,    21   b,    21   c.  The segments  21   a,    21   b,    21   c  combine to form the receptacle  20 . It is envisioned for at least one segment  21   a,    21   b,    21   c  to be closed off so as to serve as the second end  40  as described above. It is further envisioned for at least one segment  21   a,    21   b,    21   c  to be open so as to serve as the first end  30  as described above. In this embodiment, each segment  21   a,    21   b,    21   c  is slid over the electronic cigarette  11  in a serial manner, as shown in  FIG. 2 . While one of the segments  21   a,    21   b,    21   c  may serve as the cap  60 , a cap  60  may still be provided with this embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the electronic cigarette container  10  as an alternative embodiment illustrating a bifurcated receptacle  20 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the container  10  comprises a receptacle  10  that is furcated along its longitudinal length  90 , such as being bifurcated or even trifurcated. Where the container  10  has a furcated construction, at least one segment  21   a,    21   b,    21   c  is similarly furcated. 
     It is envisioned for each furcated piece to be hingedly affixed to the other furcated piece at a connected edge  100 . Preferably, the furcated pieces are removably attached to each other at the operative edge  110  via a snap-fit engagement; however, other types of engagements may be utilized. As by way of example, a first furcated piece is permanently, yet hingedly, affixed to a second furcated piece at the connected edge  100 . As the first furcated piece is pivoted about the connected edge  100  to mate with the second furcated piece, the operative edge  110  enables temporary securement of the first and second furcated pieces. In this embodiment, the receptacle  10  and/or segments  21   a,    21   b,    21   c  can be slid over the electronic cigarette  11  in a serial manner, or at least one furcated piece can be pivoted open about the connected edge  100  to enable placement of the electronic cigarette  11  within before pivoting the furcated pieces closed again. 
     In a further embodiment, the inner surface  80  is provided with at least one retaining clip  120  to removably secure the electronic cigarette  11  within the container  10 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . While a retaining clip  120  may be provided with any embodiment, it is envisioned for these retaining clips  120  to be used with the furcated embodiment. Preferably, each retaining clip  120  comprises a set of resilient arms that are permanently affixed to the inner surface  80  and are configured to receive and retain a portion of the electronic cigarette  11  via an interference fit; however, other securement means may be utilized. The retaining clip  120  is used to prevent jostling and undesirable movement of the electronic cigarette  11  that may occur when placed within the container  10 . 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the container  10  is provided with at least one identification tag  130  that is removably securable to the outer surface  70 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . It is envisioned for each identification tag  130  to comprise an embellishment  131   a  with a fastener  131   b.  The fastener  131   b  may be a set of retaining clips as described above, a ring, a spring clip, a magnet, a lanyard, a chain, an adhesive, or the like. The fastener  130   b  enables removable connection to the receptacle  20  or the cap  60 . Each embellishment  130   a  is provided with at least one charm, sticker, indicia, or other identifying marking, and is envisioned to have a variety of finishes such as a matte, gloss, or textured. Each identification tag  130  is used to personalize and identify the container  10  as the one belonging to the user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a side view of the electronic cigarette container  10  as an alternative embodiment illustrating the assemblage thereof with an adapter  140 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. In an alternative embodiment, the container  10  not only obscures the fact that an electronic cigarette  11  is held within by appearing to be a surrogate device, it actually functions as that surrogate device. In an exemplary embodiment of this operational surrogate device version, the container  10  is provided with an adapter  140  having a first adapter end  150  and a second adapter end  160 . The first adapter end  150  is configured to removably secure to the first end  30  via a coupling mechanism  180 . The cap  60  in this embodiment would then removably secure to the second adapter end  140  via a coupling mechanism  180 , if the use of the cap  60  is desired. 
     The first adapter end  150  may be configured to receive any exposed end of the electronic cigarette  11  if the receptacle  20  does not encase the electronic cigarette  11  in its entirety. Therefore, the first adapter end  150  would have an open end and a hollow construction to partially receive any exposed portion of the electronic cigarette  11 . In use, an electronic cigarette  11  is inserted into the receptacle  20  and the adapter  140  is coupled to the first end  30 , where if the electronic cigarette  11  is only substantially received by the receptacle  20  then the first adapter end  150  is configured to receive the exposed portion. 
     The adapter  140  comprises a casing  170  with an operational end at its second adapter end  140 . The casing  170  houses the operative components of the particular operational surrogate device, and the second adapter end  140  is used as the operational end, as will be explained in a few exemplary embodiments below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , side cut-away views of three embodiments of an adapter  140  showing schematic block diagrams of internal operating components of each embodiment, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. 
     In an example where the operational surrogate device is a writing utensil, the outer surface  70  of the container  10  would resemble a writing utensil. A casing  170  of the adapter  140  may contain an ink cartridge  190  in mechanical and fluid connection with a feed tube  200 , which leads to a point  210  at the operational end. The point may be but is not limited to a ball-point, rollerball, felt point, or ceramic tip. Construction and operation of a pen/marker writing utensil is common in the art and a detailed description thereof will not be necessary. In this embodiment, it is envisioned for the cap  60  to be the pen/marker cap for the writing utensil surrogate device; however, the adapter  140  may be configured with its own pen/marker cap, thus obviating the need for a cap  60 . This enables the container  10  to function as a pen/marker while the container  10  is holding the electronic cigarette  11 . It is envisioned for the adapter  140  to be replaced when the ink is exhausted. 
     In an example where the operational surrogate device is a flashlight, the outer surface  70  of the container  10  would resemble a flashlight. The casing  170  of the adapter  140  may contain a battery  220  in electrical communication with an illumination source  230  at the operational end. It is envisioned for an operational switch  240  to be disposed on an outer surface of the adapter  140  and be configured to enable selective electrical connectivity from the battery  220  to the illumination source  230 . The illumination source  230  is envisioned to be an LED; however, other illumination sources  230  may be utilized. Construction and operation of a flashlight is common in the art and a detailed description thereof will not be necessary. In this embodiment, it is envisioned for the cap  60  to be the headlamp and provide a lens for the flashlight surrogate device; however, the adapter  140  may be configured with its own headlamp portion, thus obviating the need for a cap  60 . This enables the container  10  to function as a flashlight while the container  10  is holding the electronic cigarette  11 . It is envisioned for the adapter  140  to be replaced when the battery life is exhausted. 
     In an example where the operational surrogate device is a laser pointer, the outer surface  70  of the container  10  would resemble a laser pointer. The casing  170  of the adapter  140  would contain a battery  220  in electrical communication with an illumination source  230  at the operational end. It is envisioned for an operational switch  240  to be disposed on an outer surface of the adapter  140  and configured to enable selective electrical connectivity from the battery to the illumination source  230 . The illumination source  230  is envisioned to be a laser diode configured to emit coherent light within the visible spectrum. Construction and operation of a laser pointer is common in the art and a detailed description thereof will not be necessary. In this embodiment, it is envisioned for the cap  60  to be an adjustable lens for the laser pointer surrogate device; however, the adapter  140  may be configured with its own adjustable lens, thus obviating the need for a cap  60 . This enables the container  10  to function as a laser light while the container  10  is holding the electronic cigarette  11 . It is envisioned for the adapter  140  to be replaced when the battery life is exhausted. 
     While various exemplary embodiments of the disclosed invention have been described above it should be understood that they have been presented for purposes of example only, not limitations. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practicing the disclosure, without departing from the breadth or scope.