Patent Publication Number: US-2021186093-A1

Title: Vaporizer Accessory Case and Kit

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/950,225 filed on Dec. 19, 2019. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to vaporizer accessory storage cases. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a vaporizer accessory case having an insert with a plurality of divided slots for removably securing various vaporizer accessories therein, including sanitary vaporizer mouthpiece covers. 
     Many individuals enjoy vaping as an alternative to smoking. Vaping typically utilizes a portable heating element vaporizes a fluid that can then be inhaled through a mouthpiece. Vaping provides many benefits over smoking. Generally speaking, vaping generates a healthier inhalant that can be flavored or otherwise customized to suit an individual&#39;s preferences. Vaping can further be enjoyable as a group activity, where several people share the vaporizer. However, this can be result in hygiene issues. Particularly, failing to protect or wipe down the mouthpiece of the vaporizer between users can transmit pathogens. Furthermore, bacteria and other pathogens can propagate if the vaporizer elements are not stored properly. Leaving a vaporizer mouthpiece uncovered and in open air can result in further pathogen spread. Therefore, a device that can store vaporizer accessories, and also provide sanitary mouthpiece covers for use with multiple users to improve hygiene and prevent the spread of illness is desired. 
     In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing vaporizer accessory storage cases. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of vaporizer accessory cases now present in the known a , the present invention provides a vaporizer accessory case wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when utilizing sanitary vaporizer mouthpiece covers for sharing a vaporizer with multiple users in a safe and sanitary way. 
     The present system comprises a container having a base and a plurality of perimeter sidewalls extending therefrom defining an interior volume. A lid is removably securable to the plurality of perimeter sidewalk, the lid configured to enclose the interior volume. An insert is disposed within the interior volume, wherein the insert includes a plurality of divided slots therein. Each of the plurality of slots is dimensioned to removably secure at least one vaporizer accessory therein. In some embodiments, a plurality of sanitary mouthpiece covers is further provided, the plurality of sanitary mouthpiece covers including a first open end opposite a second open end, wherein the second open end is removably securable to a vaporizer mouthpiece. 
     In some embodiments, the lid is hingedly affixed to at least one perimeter sidewall of the plurality of perimeter sidewalk. In another embodiment, the lid comprises a lip configured to frictionally engage the plurality of perimeter sidewalk. In other embodiments, the lid further comprises a latch thereon, wherein the latch engages a receiver disposed on an exterior of at least one perimeter sidewall of the plurality of perimeter sidewalk. In yet another embodiment, the insert comprises a compressible material. In some embodiments, the compressible material comprises a foam material. In another embodiment, each of the plurality of divided slots comprise a smaller size than an associated vaporizer accessory, such that each of the plurality of divided slots frictionally engage the associated vaporizer accessory. In other embodiments, the at least one vaporizer accessory is selected from a group consisting of a sanitary mouthpiece cover, a vaporizer cartridge, a vaporizer body, and a vaporizer charging system. In yet another embodiment, the sanitary mouthpiece cover tapers radially inwardly from a second open end thereof towards a first open end thereof, such that the second open end comprises a greater diameter than the first open end. In some embodiments, the second open end is configured to form an airtight seal secured to the vaporizer mouthpiece. In another embodiment, the sanitary mouthpiece cover comprises a silicone material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the vaporizer accessory case and kit. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the insert of an embodiment of the vaporizer accessory case and kit. 
         FIG. 3  shows a close-up view of the container of an embodiment of the vaporizer accessory case and kit. 
         FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the sanitary mouthpiece cover of an embodiment of the vaporizer accessory kit in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the vaporizer accessory case and kit. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exploded view of an embodiment of the vaporizer accessory case and kit. The vaporizer accessory kit  11  comprises a container  12  having a base  13  having a plurality of perimeter sidewalk  14  extending therefrom defining an interior volume  15 . A lid  16  is removably securable to the plurality of perimeter sidewalks  14 , wherein the lid  16  is configured to enclose the interior volume when secured to the plurality of perimeter sidewalk  14 , In the illustrated embodiment, the lid  16  further comprises a lip  20  extending from a lower side of the lid  16 , wherein the lip  20  frictionally engages an interior of the plurality of perimeter sidewalk  14  when the lid  16  is secured thereto. In such embodiments, an outer surface of the lid  16  rests flush with an exterior of the plurality of perimeter sidewalk  14  when secured thereto. In this manner, the lid  16  does not catch on surrounding objects, thereby ensuring that the lid  16  remains affixed to the container  12  during transport. In the shown embodiment, the container  12  and the lid  16  each comprise a transparent material such that the user can readily view the interior volume  15  while the lid  16  is affixed to the container  12 . Alternatively, in other embodiments, the container  12  and lid  16  comprise an opaque material. 
     An insert  17  is disposed within the interior volume  15  of the container  12 . In some embodiments, the insert  17  is removably securable within the interior volume  15 , such that multiple inserts  17  can be interchanged to operate with different vaporizers and associated accessories. The insert  17  includes a plurality of divided slots (as shown in  FIG. 2, 18 ) configured to removably receive a plurality of vaporizer accessories  19 . In some embodiments, the insert  17  comprises a compressible material, thereby allowing the insert  17  to deform to retain various vaporizer accessories therein, such that the vaporizer accessory kit  11  can be utilized with a variety of vaporizer models. In some embodiments, the compressible material comprises a foam material, thereby providing shock absorbing properties consistent with maintaining the security of the plurality of vaporizer accessories  19  therein. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of vaporizer accessories  19  consists of a plurality of sanitary mouthpiece covers  23 , a vaporizer cartridge  24 , a vaporizer body  25 , and a vaporizer charging system  26 . The vaporizer cartridge  24  comprises an interior reservoir containing a vaporizer fluid configured to be heated to transition to a vapor for inhalation through a mouthpiece disposed on the vaporizer cartridge  24 . The vaporizer body  25  further includes a power source and a heating element therein, wherein the heating element is configured to heat the vaporizer fluid to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the fluid for inhalation when the heating element is activated. In the shown embodiment, the vaporizer body  25  is removably securable to the vaporizer cartridge  24 . The vaporizer charging system  26  is configured to operably connect to the vaporizer body  25  and the power source therein, such that the power source is rechargeable thereby. In the illustrated embodiment, the vaporizer charging system  26  comprises a USB connector, however, in alternate embodiments, alternate charging means are contemplated. 
     In embodiments of the vaporizer accessory kit  11 , the plurality of sanitary mouthpiece covers  23  are included, whereas, in alternate embodiments, the container  12  and insert  17  are provided for use with existing vaporizers and accessories. The plurality of sanitary mouthpiece covers  23  are configured to prevent the transfer of pathogens to the vaporizer mouthpiece, such that the user can readily remove the sanitary mouthpiece cover  23  from the vaporizer mouthpiece to share the vaporizer with another user. In this manner, the vaporizer accessory kit  11  provides a portable and convenient means for transporting and safely sharing a vaporizer with multiple users. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a perspective view of the insert of an embodiment of the vaporizer accessory case and kit. In the shown embodiment, the insert  17  comprises a plurality of divided slots  18  disposed across the surface thereof, wherein the plurality of divided slots  18  are each dimensioned to receive a vaporizer accessory of the plurality of vaporizer accessories therein. The plurality of divided slots  18  are contemplated to be dimensioned to include a smaller cross-section than the associated vaporizer accessory, such that the vaporizer accessory is configured to be frictionally engaged by the associated divided slot  18 . In this manner, the plurality of divided slots  18  are configured to retain the plurality of vaporizer accessories therein within a close tolerance. In the illustrated embodiment, each divided slot of the plurality of divided slots  18  are dimensioned to contour to the shape of each vaporizer accessory of the plurality of vaporizer accessories. In this manner, the insert  17  can be designed to function with a particular model of vaporizer. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a close-up view of the container of an embodiment of the vaporizer accessory case and kit. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid  16  is hingedly affixed to one of the plurality of sidewalls  14 , wherein the lid  16  is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. In the shown embodiment, the lid  16  further comprises a latch  21  thereon, wherein the latch  21  is configured to frictionally engage a receiver  22  disposed on one of the plurality of sidewalls  14 . Once engaged within the receiver  22 , the latch  21  is configured to prevent the lid  16  from the moving from the closed position to the open position. In the shown embodiment, the latch  21  and the receiver  22  are disposed opposite the hinge. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch  21  includes a substantially triangular protrusion having an angled upper platform configured to engage within the receiver  22  such that upward pressure placed upon the lid  16  forces the protrusion from the receiver  22  to disengage the latch  21 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown an exploded view of the sanitary mouthpiece cover of an embodiment of the vaporizer accessory kit in use. In the illustrated embodiment, the sanitary mouthpiece cover  23  comprises a first open end  27  opposite a second open end  28 , wherein the sanitary mouthpiece cover  23  tapers radially inward from the second open end  28  to the first open end  27 , such that the second open end  28  comprises a larger diameter than that of the first open end  27 . In some embodiments, the sanitary mouthpiece cover  23  comprises a silicone material, such that the durability and ease of cleaning is maximized. The second open end  28  is configured to removably secure to a mouthpiece  29  of the vaporizer cartridge  24 , such that an airtight seal is formed therebetween. In this manner, the suction applied to the first open end  27  during use is fully transferred to the mouthpiece  29 , such that usage of the sanitary mouthpiece cover  23  mimics the usage of the vaporizer mouthpiece  29  in typical operation. In one use, the user can retrieve the container from a storage location and assemble the vaporizer by retrieving the plurality of vaporizer accessories from the interior volume. Once the vaporizer body  25  is affixed to the vaporizer cartridge  24 , the user can apply a sanitary mouthpiece cover  23  to the mouthpiece  29  of the vaporizer cartridge  24 . In some uses, a sanitary mouthpiece cover  23  is associated with a particular user, such that multiple users each have a personal sanitary mouthpiece cover  23 . In this manner, the user can utilize the vaporizer by inhaling through the sanitary mouthpiece cover  23 , while minimizing the transmission of pathogens between multiple users. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.