IP Library Granted Patent US 10,308,397
Granted Patent B2
US 10,308,397 · App. 15/216,535 · Granted Jun 4, 2019

Tray for replaceable portions of an electronic smoking device

Inventors: Simon James Smith (Cambridge, GB); Charles Kevin Dillon (Cambridge, GB); Daniel Luke Coveney (Cambridge, GB)
Assignee: FONTEM HOLDINGS 1 B.V.
B65D25/108A24F15/00A24F47/008B65D85/70
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,308,397
App. No.
15/216,535
Granted
Jun 4, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tray ( 50 ) configured for receiving replaceable portions ( 26, 26′ ) of an electronic smoking device ( 10 ) is disclosed. The tray ( 50 ) has cavities ( 52 ) each configured for receiving a replaceable portion ( 26, 26′ ) for being releasably clamped therein. The replaceable portion ( 26, 26′ ) is releasably clamped by a movement (R) with respect to the tray ( 50 ).

Claims (21)

1. A tray ( 50 ) for replaceable portions ( 26 , 26 ′), the replaceable portions ( 26 , 26 ′) being configured for releasable attachment to an electronic smoking device ( 10 ), the tray ( 50 ) comprising a plurality of cavities ( 52 ) each configured for receiving one of the replaceable portion ( 26 , 26 ′), wherein each replaceable portion ( 26 , 26 ′) can be releasably clamped therein by a first movement (R) with respect to the tray ( 50 );

wherein the cavities ( 52 ) are arranged along a furrow ( 54 ) extending in a first direction (X), wherein a pressure on the tray ( 50 ) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (X) increases a width of the cavities ( 52 ) such that the replaceable portion ( 26 , 26 ′) can be received, and wherein a pressure reduction decreases the width of the cavities ( 52 ) such that the received replaceable portion ( 26 , 26 ′) is releasably clamped.

2. The tray ( 50 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the tray ( 50 ) is further configured such that a second movement (R) of the electronic smoking device ( 10 ) with respect to the tray ( 50 ) detaches the electronic smoking device ( 10 ) from the replaceable portion ( 26 , 26 ′).

3. The tray ( 50 ) according to claim 2 , wherein the second movement (R) is a continuous prolongation of the first movement (R).

4. The tray ( 50 ) according to claim 3 , wherein a first force required for releasably clamping the replaceable portion ( 26 , 26 ′) in the cavity ( 52 ) is equal to or smaller than a second force required for releasing the replaceable portion ( 26 , 26 ′) from the electronic smoking device ( 10 ).

5. The tray ( 50 ) according to claim 2 , wherein the second movement is orthogonal to the first movement (R).

6. The tray ( 50 ) according to claim 1 , wherein a first counter-movement (R) of the electronic smoking device ( 10 ) attached to the clamped replaceable portion ( 26 , 26 ′) with respect to the tray ( 50 ) releases the clamped replaceable portion ( 26 , 26 ′) from being clamped, wherein the first counter-movement (R′) is directed opposite to the first movement (R).

7. The tray ( 50 ) according to claim 6 , wherein a second counter-movement (R′) attaches the electronic smoking device ( 10 ) to the clamped replaceable portion ( 26 , 26 ′), wherein the second counter-movement (R′) is directed opposite to the second movement (R).

8. The tray ( 50 ) according to claim 7 , wherein the first counter-movement (R′) is a continuous prolongation of the second counter-movement (R′).

9. The tray ( 50 ) according to claim 8 , wherein a first counter-force required for releasing the replaceable portion ( 26 , 26 ′) from the tray ( 50 ) is equal to or greater than a second counter-force required for attaching the replaceable portion ( 26 , 26 ′) to the electronic smoking device ( 10 )).

10. The tray ( 50 ) according to claim 6 , wherein a second counter-movement is orthogonal to the first counter-movement (R′).

11. The tray ( 50 ) according to claim 6 , wherein the first counter-movement (R′) is a rotation.

12. The tray ( 50 ) according to claim 1 , wherein each of the cavities ( 52 ) comprises a bayonet joint.

13. The tray ( 50 ) according to claim 1 , wherein each of the cavities ( 52 ) comprises an inner surface at least partly configured for interacting with a dented surface ( 40 ) or a dented surface part of the replaceable portion ( 26 , 26 ′) for achieving the releasably clamping.

14. The tray ( 50 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the tray ( 50 ) comprises a plurality of pressure receiving portions, each of the portions being operatively connected with a corresponding cavity ( 52 ), wherein the pressure receiving portions are separated from one another.

15. A tray for replaceable portions configured for releasable attachment to an electronic smoking device, the tray comprising:

a plurality of cavities in a line extending in a first direction, wherein an opening force on the tray in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction increases a width of at least one of the cavities such that a replaceable portion can be received in the at least one cavity, and wherein release of the opening force decreases the width of the at least one cavity and clamps the replaceable portion.

16. The tray of claim 15 wherein the replaceable portion is attached to the electronic smoking device with a holding force and wherein the tray clamps the replaceable portion with a force greater than the holding force.

17. The tray of claim 16 further including a bayonet fitting in each of the cavities.

18. The tray of claim 16 wherein each of the cavities comprises an inner surface at least partly configured for interacting with a dented surface of the replaceable portion.

19. The tray of claim 16 wherein each of the cavities has a rotational element which releasably clamps the replaceable portion with rotational movement of the replaceable portion.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Mar 20, 2023
From: FONTEM HOLDINGS 1 B.V.
To: FONTEM VENTURES B.V.
Reel/Frame 063119/0599 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 7, 2017
From: SMITH, SIMON JAMES; DILLON, CHARLES KEVIN; COVENEY, DANIEL LUKE
To: FONTEM HOLDINGS 1 B.V.
Reel/Frame 043777/0037 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 15178291 · Jul 24, 2015 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170021969A1 · Jan 26, 2017