IP Library Granted Patent US 12,082,623
Granted Patent B2
US 12,082,623 · App. 17/086,717 · Granted Sep 10, 2024

Smoking substitute device

Inventors: Pete Lomas (Liverpool, GB); Chris Lord (Liverpool, GB); Edward Ross Shenton (Liverpool, GB)
Assignee: Imperial Tobacco Limited
A24F40/90A24F40/40
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,082,623
App. No.
17/086,717
Granted
Sep 10, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A smoking substitute device. The device comprising: a battery; and a connector, usable to connect a consumable to the battery. Wherein the connector includes one or more electrical connectors, for connecting a heater in the consumable to the battery, and one or more physical connectors configured to releasably retain the consumable. The connector further comprises a flexible seal, disposed between the battery and the consumable when the consumable is retained by the connector.

Claims (25)

1. A smoking substitute device, comprising:

a battery; and

a connector, usable to connect a consumable to the battery;

wherein the connector includes one or more electrical connectors, for connecting a heater in the consumable to the battery, and one or more physical connectors configured to releasably retain the consumable;

wherein the connector further comprises a flexible seal, disposed between the battery and the consumable when the consumable is retained by the connector and wherein the flexible seal includes one or more airway slots, such that when a consumable is retained by the connector an airflow path is provided from an air inlet of the device through the one or more airway slots and into the consumable; and

wherein the flexible seal comprises a generally planar base portion positioned adjacent to the battery, and a protruding portion which protrudes from the planar base portion and which is adjacent to the consumable when the consumable is retained by the connector,

wherein the protruding portion protrudes from the planar base portion at an oblique angle, thereby providing a lip seal.

2. The smoking substitute device of claim 1 , wherein the battery is provided within a main housing of the device, and the connector is provided at one end thereof.

3. The smoking substitute device of claim 1 , wherein the battery is provided within a main housing of the device, and the connector is formed by one end thereof.

4. The smoking substitute device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible seal includes an aperture through which electrical connectors of the consumable are connectable with the electrical connectors of the connector when the consumable is retained by the connector.

5. The smoking substitute device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible seal forms a seal with a lower surface of the consumable when the consumable is retained by the connector, said lower surface including one or more air inlets for the consumable.

6. The smoking substitute device of claim 1 , wherein the protruding portion is configured to be compressed towards the planar base portion when the consumable is retained by the connector.

7. The smoking substitute device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more airway slots are provided within the protruding portion of the flexible seal.

8. The smoking substitute device of claim 1 , wherein the protruding portion has a maximum width, as measured from one point to an opposing point, which is less than a maximum width of the planar base portion.

9. A smoking substitute device, comprising:

a battery; and

a connector, usable to connect a consumable to the battery; wherein the connector includes one or more electrical connectors, for connecting a heater in the consumable to the battery, and one or more physical connectors configured to releasably retain the consumable;

wherein the connector further comprises a flexible seal, disposed between the battery and the consumable when the consumable is retained by the connector, and wherein the flexible seal comprises a generally planar base portion positioned adjacent to the battery, and a protruding portion which protrudes from the planar base portion and which is adjacent to the consumable when the consumable is retained by the connector;

wherein the protruding portion protrudes from the planar base portion at an oblique angle, thereby providing a lip seal.

10. The smoking substitute device of claim 9 , wherein the battery is provided within a main housing of the device, and the connector is provided at one end thereof.

11. The smoking substitute device of claim 9 , wherein the battery is provided within a main housing of the device, and the connector is formed by one end thereof.

12. The smoking substitute device of claim 9 , wherein the flexible seal includes an aperture through which electrical connectors of the consumable are connectable with the electrical connectors of the connector when the consumable is retained by the connector.

13. The smoking substitute device of claim 9 , wherein the flexible seal forms a seal with a lower surface of the consumable when the consumable is retained by the connector, said lower surface including one or more air inlets for the consumable.

14. The smoking substitute device of claim 9 , wherein the protruding portion is configured to be compressed towards the planar base portion when the consumable is retained by the connector.

15. The smoking substitute device of claim 9 , wherein the protruding portion has a maximum width, as measured from one point to an opposing point, which is less than a maximum width of the planar base portion.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 22, 2023
From: NERUDIA LTD
To: IMPERIAL TOBACCO LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064671/0788 →
Priority Claims (2)
GB 1807156 · May 1, 2018 · national
GB 1807159 · May 1, 2018 · national
Continuity (3)
Continuation PCTEP2019061160 · May 1, 2019
Continuation PCTEP2019061150 · May 1, 2019
Related Publication 20210127752A1 · May 6, 2021
Cited By (2)
US 1,124,485 US 12,377,231