FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure generally relates to an electronic cigarette case, and more particularly to a protective electronic cigarette case with removable inserts that can adapt to many different shapes and brands of electronic cigarette.
BACKGROUND
As electronic cigarettes take over the market from traditional cigarettes, many consumers want ways to secure and stow their electronic cigarettes or protect them during travel. Many current products on the market provide silicone sleeves that do nothing more than store the device. The silicone sleeves on the market do not offer significant protection during travel and the device has to be removed from the sleeves during use. In addition, the products on the market now are all designed for one specific product and cannot be used with more than one type of electronic cigarette. If a user has more than one device or is changing to a new device, an entirely new sleeve must be purchased, with the old sleeve now serving no purpose. Similar to mobile phones, consumers bring their electronic cigarettes with them everywhere, so a silicone sleeve can offer a place to store the device that is lightweight, but does not protect the device if it is dropped, and does not protect the device when it is in use.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure includes an embodiment of an adaptable electronic cigarette case that can comprise a body, a lid, a hinge that can connect the lid to the body, a removable insert with a central cavity, the insert that can be configured to fit inside the body, and a plurality of ribs that can extend into the central cavity of the removable insert.
The disclosure can also describe an embodiment that includes an adaptable electronic cigarette case that can comprise a body, one or more removable inserts with a central cavity, and a lid. The body can comprise a first side surface, a second side surface, wherein the second side surface can be directly opposite to the first side surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface can have an opening, a bottom cover, that can be configured to removably cover the opening of the bottom surface. The one or more removable inserts can be placed in or removed from the body, and the one or more inserts can comprise a plurality of ribs that can be connected to an inside of the one or more removable inserts, wherein each of the one or more removable inserts can have different length ribs. The lid can comprise a hinge and one or more openings. The body can be configured to accept an electronic cigarette or vaporizer pen, and the mouthpiece for the electronic cigarette or vaporizer pen can extend above the first side surface and the second side surface of the body and the electronic cigarette or vaporizer pen can be usable in the adaptable electronic cigarette case device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an electronic cigarette case according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a body of the electronic cigarette case of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 3A depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electronic cigarette case with a removable insert according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 3B depicts a perspective view of an electronic cigarette case according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 4A depicts a cross-sectional view of an electronic cigarette case according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 4B depicts a perspective view of a bottom of an electronic cigarette case according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 5A depicts a cross-sectional view of a lid of an electronic cigarette case according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 5B depicts a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 5A according to the present disclosure; and
FIGS. 5C-5D depict embodiments of a hinge connector of an electronic cigarette case according to the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Electronic cigarette, vaporizer pen, or vape device as used in the present disclosure will be taken to mean an electronic device that simulates tobacco smoking using an atomizer and/or cartridge. All of these words, and others, can be used interchangeably to mean the same family of devices. All forms and sizes of vape devices are considered in the disclosure. Devices that use tobacco products and cannabis products are both included in the definition used in the present disclosure.
The present disclosure generally describes an adaptable electronic cigarette case. The case can include a body, one or more inserts, and a lid. The one or more inserts can have a plurality of ribs that extend into a central cavity of the one or more inserts. The central cavity of the one or more inserts can be configured to accept a vape device. A mouthpiece of the vape device can extend above the body of the case when the vape device is inserted into the one or more inserts, such that the vape device can be used while in the case.
FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an electronic cigarette case 100 according to the present disclosure. The case 100 can include a body 200, one or more inserts 250, and a lid 300. The body 200 can accept the one or more inserts 250. The one or more inserts 250 can have a central cavity 252 and can also have a plurality of ribs 251 that can extend from the one or more inserts 250 towards the central cavity 252. The plurality of ribs 251 can be configured to grip the vape device that is inserted into the central cavity 252 so the vape device does not freely move. Different embodiments of the one or more inserts 250 can have ribs 251 of different lengths, such that the central cavity 252 can accept vape devices of different shapes and sizes. The one or more inserts 250 can be removed from the body 200 and replaced with a different of the one or more inserts 250 with a plurality of ribs 251 of a different size. When the vape device is inserted into the central cavity 252 of the one or more inserts 250, the mouthpiece of the vape device can extend above the body 200 such that the vape device can still be used while in the case 100.
A hinge 310 can movably connect the lid 300 to the body 200. The lid 300 can also have a latch 350 positioned opposite the hinge 310. The latch 350 can be configured to releasably connect the lid 300 to the body 200. The lid 300 can be lowered over the mouthpiece of the vape device and the latch 350 can connect with the body 200 when the vape device is not in use. When a user wishes to access the vape device, the user can disengage the latch 350, and pivot the lid 300 on the hinge 310 to access the mouthpiece of the vape device. The latch 350 can use a tab with an extension that can engage with an opening on the body 200, magnets in the lid 300 and the body 200, other latching mechanisms, or combinations thereof.
FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the body 200 of the case 100 of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure. The body 200 can have a first side surface 220, and a second side surface 230 that may be positioned opposite the first side surface 220. Different embodiments of the body 200 can have additional elements on the inside of the first side surface 220 and the second side surface 230. The additional elements can be configured to accept or secure the one or more inserts 250 to the body 200. The body 200 can have a bottom surface 210 that can have an opening 260. The opening 260 can be configured to allow access to the charging port of the vape device while it is inserted in the case 100. The first side surface 220 can have a portion where the hinge 310 can connect. The hinge connector 320 will be described in more detail in later figures but can attach to the first side surface 220 to allow connection of the lid 300. The second side surface 230 can feature the opening, magnet, or other mechanism to connect to the latch 350. While FIG. 2 depicts the body 200 having an oblong oval shape, other shapes of body 200 are contemplated by the disclosure and should be included. The body 200 can be made of plastic, metal, wood, glass, carbon fiber, and combinations thereof. Materials, such as fabric and leather, may be attached to the outside of the body 200 to provide a stylish look for the case 100. In some embodiments, the body 200 can be made of the same materials as the hinge 310 and lid 300, while in others it can be made of different materials. The materials chosen offer protection when the vape device is inserted and can help protect the vape device from being dropped.
FIG. 3A depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of the case 100 with an insert 250 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3A depicts the body 200 with an embodiment of the one or more inserts 250. The insert 250 can fit inside the body 200 creating the central cavity 252 in the center surrounded by the plurality of ribs 251. The plurality of ribs 251 can extend into the central cavity from all sides of the insert 250. The plurality of ribs 251 can be thin pieces of material that can be configured to support the vape device that is inserted into the body without significantly increasing the weight of the case 100. Different embodiments of the one or more inserts 250 can have more space between the plurality of ribs 251 on each surface. In other embodiments, the plurality of ribs 251 can be arranged in different positions and shapes to support the vape device. Besides just supporting the vape device and not allowing the vape device to move freely in the case 100, the plurality of ribs 251 can help protect the vape device. The plurality of ribs 251 can be configured to absorb shock in the case of an impact like dropping the case 100 and protect the vape device by reducing the amount of shock received by the vape device itself.
In FIG. 1, the plurality of ribs 251 are spaced similarly to shelves, while on other figures, the plurality of ribs 251 are arranged in shapes to distribute the weight of the vape device. The more ribs 251 each surface has, the heavier the insert 250 will be, but the less load held by each of the plurality of ribs 251. The plurality of ribs 251 can be made of plastic, silicone, rubber, metal, wood, carbon fiber, foam, or combinations thereof. The embodiment of the insert 250 shown in FIG. 3A depicts ribs extending into the central cavity 252 from a surface of the insert 250 that corresponds to the bottom surface 210 of the body 200. The bottom ribs 251 can be used to allow a shorter vape device to sit higher so the mouthpiece still extends above the body and is accessible while the vape device is in the case 100. Embodiments of the bottom ribs 251 can be gathered together in groups to form an X-shape or a star shape to distribute the weight of the vape device more evenly across the plurality of ribs 251. Different embodiments of the one or more inserts 250 can have the plurality of ribs 251 extending from different surfaces of the insert 250. Certain embodiments of the one or more inserts 250 can have a plurality of ribs extending from only the sides of the one or more inserts 250 that correspond to the first side surface 220 and the second side surface 230, while other embodiments of the one or more inserts 250 can have a plurality of ribs extend from all surfaces. One body 200 can have any number of compatible inserts 250 that correspond to any number of vape devices. If a user has more than one vape device or replaces a vape device with a new version, a different insert 250 can be inserted into the body 200 such that the case 100 can still be used. Other embodiments of the case 100 can have one or more inserts 250 that are permanently fixed to the body 200. The one or more inserts 250 can be glued, formed of the same piece of material, soldered, or combinations thereof.
FIG. 3B depicts a perspective view of the case 100 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3B depicts the bottom of the body 200. The opening 260 in the bottom surface 210 can be seen. The opening 260 can allow access to the charging port of the vape device, or with certain vape devices the flavor cartridge, without removing the vape device from the case 100. The one or more inserts 250 can have one or more openings that correspond to the areas on a specific vape device that may need to be accessed even while the vape device is inserted into the case 100. The case 100 can have a removable bottom cover 270 that can cover the opening 260. The opening 260 and the removable cover 270 can be different shapes depending on the embodiment of the body 200. The same body 200 shape can have different opening 260 and bottom cover shapes 270. The bottom cover 270 can be permanently connected on one side and removably connected on the opposite side. The bottom cover 270 can be removably attached using a magnet, tab, another mechanism, or combinations thereof. The bottom cover 270 can be made of plastic, silicone, rubber, fabric, leather, or combinations thereof.
FIG. 4A depicts a cross-sectional view of the case 100 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4B depicts a perspective view of a bottom of the case 100 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4A depicts a cross-section of the case 100 looking towards the bottom surface 210 of the body 200. The cross-section of the case 100 includes an embodiment of the one or more inserts 250. The insert 150 can have a plurality of ribs 251. The plurality of ribs 251 can form an X-shape or a star shape to support the vape device while spreading the load to multiple of the plurality of ribs 251. The embodiment of the insert 250 depicted in FIG. 4A, the plurality of ribs 251 can extend so as to not block or obstruct the opening 260. FIG. 4B depicts a bottom perspective view of the case 100. The opening 260 of the case 100 can be centered in the bottom surface 210 such that it is usable no matter which of the one or more inserts 250 is in the body 200.
FIG. 5A depicts a cross-sectional view of the lid 300 of an electronic cigarette case according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5B depicts a perspective view of the lid 300 of FIG. 5A according to the present disclosure. FIGS. 5A and 5B depict the lid 300 of the case 100. The lid 300 can be connected to the body 200 with a hinge 310. The hinge 310 allows the lid to pivot around the hinge 310 towards or away from the body 200 depending on if the lid 300 is being opened or closed. Different embodiments of hinges including barrel hinge, butt hinge, concealed hinge, and others can all be used as the hinge 310. The hinge 310 can be made of plastic, metal, wood, glass, carbon fiber, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the hinge 310 can be made of the same material as the lid 300 and the body 200, while in other embodiments the hinge 310 can be made of different materials.
The lid 300 can be large enough to close over the body 200 when a vape device is inserted into the case 100 and the mouthpiece of the vape device extends above the body 200. The lid 300 can be large enough that it can close over many different vape devices of crying size. The lid 300 can include one or more openings 340. The one or more openings 340 can be used to allow airflow into the case so the mouthpiece is not enclosed and become moldy. While the figures show a lid 300 with a domed shape, the lid 300 can be any number of shapes. The lid 300 can be made of plastic, metal, wood, glass, carbon fiber, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the lid 300 can be made of the same materials as the hinge 310 and body 200, while in others it can be made of different materials. The lid 300 can also include the latch 350, wherein the latch 350 can be positioned opposite the hinge 310. The latch can releasably connect the lid 300 to the body 200. Different embodiments of the latch 350 can extend out from the lid 300, while other embodiments of the latch 350 can be recessed in the surface of the lid 300. The latch 350 can be a tab, a magnet, a hook, a lever, a toggle, or combinations thereof.
FIGS. 5C-5D depict embodiments of a hinge connector 320 of the case 100 according to the present disclosure. The hinge connector 320 can be connected to the body 200 to connect the body 200 to the hinge 310 of the lid 300. In certain embodiments, the hinge connector 320 can be a part of the body 200 and in other embodiments, the hinge connector 320 can be a separate piece that is attached or connected to the body. Certain embodiments of the hinge connector 320 can include a pressure clip 330. Different embodiments of the pressure clip 330 can serve to provide pressure securing the one or more inserts 250 to the body 200. Other embodiments of the pressure clip 330, can act as one of the plurality of ribs 251.
Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate substitutions presently existing or later developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure.
Patent Application
20240268455
