Patent Publication Number: US-2013228190-A1

Title: Electronic cigarette sleeve

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED DISCLOSURES 
     This disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/605,697 titled ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE SLEEVE AND METHODS THEREOF to Craig Weiss and Mark Scatterday that was filed on Mar. 1, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/614,973 titled ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE ATTACHMENTS, COMPONENTS AND HOLDERS to Mark Scatterday and Craig Weiss that was filed on Mar. 23, 2012. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure generally relates to microelectronic alternative smoking devices, and more particularly, to a sleeve for the devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic cigarettes currently available on the market are an increasingly popular smoking alternative for users of traditional cigarettes. These cigarettes are designed to feel and mimic a traditional cigarette, that is, having a colored filtered portion with a white tip. However, in many situations, it would be desirable to have a product that does not look like a traditional cigarette. By way of a non-limiting example, an electronic cigarette might be disruptive if it was perceived to be a traditional cigarette within such settings including a club or stadium where traditional cigarettes have been banned but where electronic cigarettes can be permitted. The use of a sleeve, particularly one having a distinctive color, would enable a user to distinguish the product as not being a traditional cigarette. 
     Electronic cigarettes are also typically placed on a counter or other surface when not in use. Often times, because of its multi-use capabilities, there are instances where a user of an electronic cigarette would wish to protect a mouthpiece portion from becoming contaminated through dirt or other airborne substances. Electronic cigarettes can also freely roll back and forth which can further cause issues for those users. An electronic cigarette sleeve is therefore needed that overcomes, these as well as other related challenges, which will become evident from the description provided below. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a sleeve is provided. The sleeve can include an enclosure surrounding an electronic alternative smoking device disguising traditional cigarette features found within the electronic alternative smoking device. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided. The system can include an electronic cigarette and a sleeve for the electronic cigarette providing a plurality of features to the electronic cigarette. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for removing traditional cigarette features on an electronic alternative smoking device is provided. The method can include inserting a sleeve around the electronic alternative smoking device covering at least a portion of the electronic alternative smoking device to disguise the traditional cigarette features. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed to be characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. In the descriptions that follow, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain figures can be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary electronic smoking device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the exemplary electronic smoking device of  FIG. 1  having an illustrative sleeve; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the exemplary electronic smoking device of  FIG. 1  having a cap sleeve; 
         FIG. 4A  is an exemplary sleeve for surrounding the electronic smoking device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is the exemplary sleeve of  FIG. 4A  fitted around the electronic smoking device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4C  is the exemplary sleeve of  FIG. 4A  completely surrounding the electronic smoking device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5A  is an exemplary sleeve having a covered end surrounding the electronic smoking device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5B  is an exemplary sleeve reflecting light from a tip of the electronic smoking device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is an exemplary sleeve having a triangular cross section for surrounding the electronic smoking device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6B  is the exemplary sleeve of  FIG. 6A  surrounding the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7A  is an exemplary sleeve having a square cross section for the electronic smoking device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7B  is the exemplary sleeve of  FIG. 7A  surrounding the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8A  is an exemplary sleeve having a flared end section for surrounding the electronic smoking device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8B  is the exemplary sleeve of  FIG. 8A  surrounding the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an exemplary sleeve having a snap-on configuration surrounding the device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is an exemplary sleeve capable of storing refill cartridges surrounding the device of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present disclosure can be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the disclosure in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences can be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. 
     Generally described, the present disclosure relates to an electronic alternative smoking device and more particularly, to an electronic cigarette sleeve. In an illustrative embodiment, the sleeve can include a tubular member enclosing an electronic smoking device. The tubular member can extend the entire length of the device or a portion thereof. The sleeve can be slid over the electronic smoking device. The sleeve can cover the mouth portion of the electronic smoking device to protect it from dirt or touching a surface. The sleeve can come in a number of variations which will be described below. 
     A number of advantages can be provided through the sleeve described above. The sleeve can be easy to clean and can provide a sanitary enclosure for the electronic alternative smoking device. The sleeve can also prevent the cartridge from touching an unclean surface. The sleeve can add a number of visually pleasing features to the electronic cigarette as well as disguising traditional cigarette features. These features can distinguish an electronic cigarette from ordinary cigarettes, allowing use within facilities that ban cigarettes, for example, at a club or restaurant. Other advantages will become apparent from the discussion provided below. 
     A typical electronic alternative smoking device will be described in  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 2 through 10  will then provide exemplary sleeves for fitting over the device. For purposes of this disclosure, the sleeve can be referred to as a cover, envelope, mask and guard, to name a few. Furthermore, the electronic cigarette can referred to as an electronic alternative smoking device, device or cigarette. Other terminologies can be used and will become apparent from the description provided below. 
     Turning to  FIG. 1 , a typical microelectronic alternative smoking device  100 , or electronic cigarette, having a plurality of components in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. In a typical configuration, the electronic cigarette  100  can include a battery  104  and a cartridge  102 . The battery  104  can be charged through a USB charging cord or through another method, or can be a pre-charged, disposable type of device that is not rechargeable. 
     The electronic cigarette  100  can come as a multi-use device where the cigarette  100  can be reused. Typically, the multi-use cigarette  100  has a replaceable/rechargeable battery  104  along with an evaporable substance in the cartridge  102 , which can also be replaced. Alternatively, the electronic cigarette  100  can be provided as a single-use device. The single-use cigarette  100  can be disposable. Typically, the battery  104  and the cartridge  102  are not replaceable within the single-use cigarette  100  and those components are sealed in a single tubing or conduit. Many different configurations of electronic cigarettes  100  can be provided. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary sleeve  200  for surrounding the microelectronic alternative smoking device  100  of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. A sleeve  200  can be placed over the device  100  or a portion thereof. The sleeve  200  can be simply slid onto the electronic cigarette  100 . The sleeve can protect a seal between the battery  104  and cartridge  102 . 
     The sleeve  200  can be made of a number of different types of materials. By way of non-illustrating examples, the sleeve  200  can be composed of silicone or neoprene. Synthetic rubber can also be used for the sleeve  200 . The sleeve  200  can also be made of harder materials such as plastic. The harder materials can be snapped onto the electronic cigarette. In one embodiment, the sleeve  200  made of the harder material can be slid on as well. Other variations will become apparent from the description provided below. 
     In one embodiment, the sleeve  200  can be made of phosphorescence. The phosphorescent material does not immediately re-emit the radiation it absorbs. The absorbed radiation can be re-emitted at a lower intensity for up to several hours after the original excitation. This can provide a glow-in-the-dark feature that can light up the entire sleeve  200 . 
     In one embodiment, the sleeve  200  can include a gripable surface on an exterior portion that allows a user of the electronic cigarette  100  to readily handle it. The gripable surface can have grooves or projections to allow a user to grip the cigarette  100 . The interior portion of the sleeve  200  can be secured to the exterior of the cigarette  100 . In one variation, when wet, the sleeve  200  can be easily slid onto the electronic cigarette  100 . When dry, the sleeve  200  can be prevented from being removed from the cigarette  100 . The sleeve  200  can provide a number of features or functions to the cigarette  100 , which will be described below. 
     The sleeve  200  can initially cover the entire surface of the smoking device  100  from the filter to the distal end. The sleeve  200  can be made of neoprene or the like and be slid up and down the length of the device  100 . In an up position, the sleeve  200  can cover the mouth piece. By doing this, the mouth piece/filter can be protected from outside contaminants such as dirt. When down, the sleeve  200  allows the user of the smoking device  100  to be able to puff the device  100 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the exemplary electronic smoking device  100  of  FIG. 1  having a cap sleeve  300 . The cap sleeve  300  can also protect the smoking device  100  from being in touch with contaminants. To use the sleeve  300 , one end of the sleeve  300  can be placed on the battery side. In turn, the other end of the sleeve  300  can be stretched over the end of the device  100  where the cartridge, or mouthpiece, is located. The connection between the two pieces can be made of an elastic band or the like. Other mechanisms can be used to connect the two ends together. In operation, the sleeve  300  can be used to cover the smoking device  100  when not in use. When in use, the sleeve  300  can simply be removed, or at least the section covering the mouthpiece. 
       FIG. 4A  is an exemplary sleeve  400  for surrounding the electronic smoking device of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 4B , a portion of the device  100 , in particular the cartridge  102 , can be partially covered by the sleeve  400 . The exemplary sleeve  400  can also completely surround the device  100  of  FIG. 1  as shown in  FIG. 4C . Through the sleeve  400 , the tip of the cartridge  102 , or mouthpiece end, can be protected when the electronic cigarette  100  is dropped. In one embodiment, the sleeve  400  can be slide through either end, that is, either through the battery side or the cartridge side. 
     It can be desired to have the sleeve  400  terminate prior to the portion of the device  100  that would go into a user&#39;s mouth so that the user is not placing the sleeve  400  into his or her mouth. Where the device  100  is rechargeable, it would typically consist of a cartridge  102  which goes into the user&#39;s mouth and a battery  104  which does not. In this embodiment, the sleeve  400  might only cover the battery  104  or perhaps the battery  104  and only some small portion of the cartridge  102 . It can also be desirable to provide a sleeve  400  that could be extended over the portion of the device  100  that would normally go into a user&#39;s mouth to act as some type of carry case for the device  100  and to thereby protect the portion that goes into the mouth from being exposed to dirt or the like while being transported. 
     Through the sleeve  400 , regardless of whether it is partially or fully covering the electronic cigarette  100 , the sleeve  400  can change the look and feel of the device  100 . By way of a non-limiting example, the sleeve  400  can change the look of a traditional electronic cigarette  100 , that is, having a white top portion along with a colored bottom portion from which the user inhales and exhales. It can be imagined that the electronic cigarette  100  can be used in a setting in which it would be disruptive if it was perceived to be a traditional cigarette, for example, in a club or stadium. The use of the sleeve  400 , particularly one having a distinctive color, can enable a user to distinguish the product as not being a traditional cigarette. 
     Beforehand, the sleeve  400  was capable of being placed through either end of the electronic cigarette  100 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , a sleeve  500  having a covered end  502  can also be used. The covered end  502  can prevent the electronic cigarette  100  from entering in one side. To secure the sleeve, the battery side can slide into the sleeve  500  first with the cartridge side following. 
     In one embodiment of the sleeve  500 , the covered end  502  can include a transparent cover such that light exiting from the electronic cigarette  100  can exit uninterrupted. The covered end  502  can also include a colored layer that can be displayed when light is directed therethrough. The sleeve  500 , or at least the closed end  502 , can be opaque so as to block any light emitting from the electronic cigarette  100 . It can also be desired to provide structure on the sleeve  500 , perhaps tubes, that can transmit the light from the closed end  502  to a length along the sleeve  500 .  FIG. 5B  is an exemplary sleeve  500  reflecting light from a tip of the device  100  of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The light can hit the covered end  502  and reflected backwards along some type of design, for example, straight lines  504 . Other patterns can be provided such as lightning bolts. 
     The sleeves  400  or  500  on the electronic cigarette  100  can also have the same white color as a traditional cigarette. The sleeve  500  having a closed end  502  can block the LED light of the electronic cigarette  100  that would otherwise shine at the tip and give off the appearance of a cigarette. In such an embodiment, the white sleeves  400  or  500  would not only block the light but also provide benefit as a carrying case. 
     The previous sleeves  400  and  500  had a circular cross-section to match the shape of the electronic cigarette  100 .  FIG. 6A  is an exemplary sleeve  600  having a triangular cross section in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The triangular cross sectional sleeve  600  can permit the electronic cigarette  100  to lie flat and not roll.  FIG. 6B  is the exemplary sleeve  600  of  FIG. 6A  surrounding the device  100  of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The sleeve  600  can entirely surround the electronic cigarette  100  or a portion thereof as shown. Typically, the sleeve  600  can be weighted such that the cigarette  100  does not tip over. An interior circular channel can be provided within the sleeve  600  to insert cigarette  100 . 
       FIG. 7A  is an exemplary sleeve  700  having a square cross section in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The square cross sectional sleeve  700  can also be slid onto the electronic cigarette  100  through the battery side or the cartridge side of the cigarette  100 .  FIG. 7B  is the exemplary sleeve  700  of  FIG. 7A  surrounding the device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The square cross section of the sleeve  700  can also prevent the cigarette  100  from rolling. The sleeve  700  can entirely surround the electronic cigarette  100  or a portion thereof. Typically, the sleeve  700  can be weighted such that the cigarette  100  does not tip over. An interior circular channel can be provided within the sleeve  700  to insert cigarette  100 . 
       FIG. 8A  is an exemplary sleeve  800  having a flared end section  802  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The sleeve  800  can include a circular interior channel for insertion of the electronic cigarette  100 . The end section  802  can flare out like a trumpet having a circular or square base. When slid on the electronic cigarette  100  through the battery or cartridge end, the cigarette  100  can be stood up in a vertical manner.  FIG. 8B  is the exemplary sleeve  800  of  FIG. 8A  surrounding the device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. A portion, or the entirety, of the electronic cigarette  100  can be covered by the sleeve  800 . 
     Those features described above can be combined in the presented sleeves. As noted above, the sleeves can be provided in a distinctive color so as to make it clear that it is not a traditional cigarette. It can also be desired to imprint on the sleeve a trademark either of the device manufacturer or of a sports team, corporation or the like. It can also be desired to put a logo or other visual image on the sleeve, whether alone or in combination with a mark or name. 
     Furthermore, the sleeves can be made of a variety of materials and is not limited to the rubber-like sleeves described above.  FIG. 9  is an exemplary sleeve  900  having a snap-on configuration in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The sleeve  900  can be made of plastic or similar rigid material. To place the sleeve  900  over the electronic cigarette  100 , the sleeve  900  can surround the cigarette  100  and shut tight forming a seal between a top half and bottom half of the sleeve  900 . 
       FIG. 10  is an exemplary sleeve  1000  capable of storing refill cartridges in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Appendages  1002  can be permanently coupled to the sleeve  1000  or separable therefrom. In one embodiment, the sleeve  1000  can be removed before use or be part of the electronic cigarette  100  when operating the device. 
     While various features and functions for the sleeves were described above, a number of additional benefits can exist by using the sleeves. By way of a non-limiting illustration, the sleeve can provide additional flavoring to the aerosol provided by the electronic cigarette  100 . Cigar flavoring can be provided within the sleeves of the present disclosure. When used, the sleeves, or a portion on the cartridge side where the user&#39;s mouth is, can add a flavor to the mist created by the cigarette  100 . Furthermore, a number of designs and patterns can be placed onto the sleeve. These patterns and designs can distinguish the electronic cigarette  100  from typical cigarettes. 
     The sleeve can also be used to emit a fragrance, or other smell, when the sleeve is on the electronic cigarette  100 . The fragrance can be placed onto the sleeve. Instead of a light being emitted, the fragrance from the sleeve can be activated, and in one embodiment, using the power emitted from the light at the end of the cigarette  100 . A heating element can be placed at the end of the sleeve and activated when the light goes on in the cigarette  100 . Different fragrances can be used dependent on the situation in which the cigarette  100  is used. 
     The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the relevant art to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art, and generic principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown and described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.