IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,290,111
Granted Patent B2
US 12,290,111 · App. 18/477,967 · Granted May 6, 2025

E-vaping device including e-vaping case with sliding mechanism for initiating vapor generation

Inventors: Eric Hawes (Midlothian, VA); Chris Simpson (Richmond, VA); Terrance Theodore Bache (Richmond, VA); David Schiff (Highland Park, NJ)
Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC.
A24F40/60A24F40/40
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,290,111
App. No.
18/477,967
Granted
May 6, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An e-vaping case includes a housing, a guide structure, a cartridge receiving portion connected to the guide structure, and an electronics system in the housing. The cartridge receiving portion is configured to be moved along the guide structure between a first surface and a second surface of the housing. The electronics system includes a power supply that is configured to initiate a transfer of power to an electrical contact structure if the cartridge receiving portion is moved towards the first surface of the housing to at least a first position of the housing. The electronics system is configured to interrupt the transfer of power to the electrical contact structure if the cartridge receiving portion is moved towards the second surface of the housing. An electronic vaping device may include a cartridge detachably coupled to the cartridge receiving portion.

Claims (69)

1. An e-vaping case comprising:

a housing;

a guide structure that extends between a first surface of the housing and a second surface of the housing;

a cartridge receiving portion connected to the guide structure, the cartridge receiving portion configured to be moved along the guide structure between the first surface and the second surface of the housing; and

an electronics system in the housing, the electronics system including a switch sensor and a power supply that is configured to initiate a transfer of power to an electrical contact structure in response to the cartridge receiving portion being moved towards the first surface of the housing to at least a first position of the housing, the electronics system being configured to interrupt the transfer of power to the electrical contact structure in response to the cartridge receiving portion being moved towards the second surface of the housing, wherein

the guide structure is configured to contact the switch sensor in response to the cartridge receiving portion being moved to the first position in the housing,

the switch sensor is configured to snap back to the first position of the housing after being depressed momentarily.

2. The e-vaping case of claim 1 , wherein

the guide structure is a sliding mechanism in the housing,

the housing defines a cavity,

the electronics system is in the cavity,

the sliding mechanism includes a first plate, tracks, and a second plate in the housing,

the tracks connect the first plate to the second plate,

the cartridge receiving portion is connected to the first plate, and

the cartridge receiving portion is configured to move bi-directionally between the first and second surfaces of the housing via the tracks.

3. The e-vaping case of claim 2 , further comprising:

springs connected to the first plate and the second plate.

4. The e-vaping case of claim 1 , wherein the e-vaping case does not include a puff sensor.

5. The e-vaping case of claim 1 , further comprising:

a magnet attached to the cartridge receiving portion.

6. The e-vaping case of claim 1 , wherein

the switch sensor is configured to depress momentarily in response to the cartridge receiving portion being moved past the first position to a second position in the housing.

7. The e-vaping case of claim 6 , wherein

the second position in the housing is closer to the first surface of the housing than the first position in the housing.

8. An electronic vaping device comprising:

a housing;

a guide structure that extends between a first surface of the housing and a second surface of the housing;

a cartridge receiving portion connected to the guide structure, the cartridge receiving portion configured to be moved along the guide structure between the first surface and the second surface of the housing;

an electronics system in the housing, the electronics system including a switch sensor, an electrical contact structure, and a power supply that is configured to initiate a transfer of power to the electrical contact structure in response to the cartridge receiving portion being moved towards the first surface of the housing to at least a first position of the housing, the electronics system being configured to interrupt the transfer of power to the electrical contact structure in response to the cartridge receiving portion being moved towards the second surface of the housing; and

a cartridge on the cartridge receiving portion, the cartridge being configured to be detachably coupled to the cartridge receiving portion and to be electrically connected to the electrical contact structure, wherein

the guide structure is configured to contact the switch sensor in response to the cartridge receiving portion being moved to the first position in the housing,

the switch sensor is configured to snap back to the first position of the housing after being depressed momentarily.

9. The electronic vaping device of claim 8 , wherein

the guide structure is a sliding mechanism in the housing,

the housing defines a cavity,

the electronics system is in the cavity,

the sliding mechanism includes a first plate, tracks, and a second plate in the housing,

the tracks connect the first plate to the second plate,

the cartridge receiving portion is connected to the first plate, and

the cartridge receiving portion is configured to move bi-directionally between the first and second surfaces of the housing via the tracks.

10. The electronic vaping device of claim 9 , further comprising:

springs connected to the first plate and the second plate.

11. The electronic vaping device of claim 8 , wherein

the electronic vaping device does not include a puff sensor.

12. The electronic vaping device of claim 8 , further comprising:

a magnet attached to the cartridge receiving portion.

13. The electronic vaping device of claim 8 , wherein

the switch sensor is configured to depress momentarily in response to the cartridge receiving portion being moved past the first position to a second position in the housing.

14. The electronic vaping device of claim 13 , wherein

the second position in the housing is closer to the first surface of the housing than the first position in the housing.

15. An e-vaping case comprising:

a housing;

a guide structure that extends between a first surface of the housing and a second surface of the housing;

a cartridge receiving portion connected to the guide structure, the cartridge receiving portion configured to be moved along the guide structure between the first surface and the second surface of the housing;

an electronics system in the housing, the electronics system including a power supply that is configured to initiate a transfer of power to an electrical contact structure in response to the cartridge receiving portion being moved towards the first surface of the housing to at least a first position of the housing, the electronics system being configured to interrupt the transfer of power to the electrical contact structure in response to the cartridge receiving portion being moved towards the second surface of the housing; and

a switch sensor in the housing, wherein

the switch sensor is configured to depress momentarily in response to the cartridge receiving portion being moved past the first position to a second position in the housing,

the second position in the housing is closer to the first surface of the housing than the first position in the housing, and

the switch sensor is configured to snap back to the first position of the housing after being depressed momentarily.

16. The e-vaping case of claim 15 , wherein

the guide structure is configured to contact the switch sensor in response to the cartridge receiving portion being moved to the first position in the housing.

17. The e-vaping case of claim 15 , wherein

the guide structure is a sliding mechanism in the housing,

the housing defines a cavity,

the electronics system is in the cavity,

the sliding mechanism includes a first plate, tracks, and a second plate in the housing,

the tracks connect the first plate to the second plate,

the cartridge receiving portion is connected to the first plate, and

the cartridge receiving portion is configured to move bi-directionally between the first and second surfaces of the housing via the tracks.

Continuity (3)
Continuation 16989087 · Aug 10, 2020
Continuation 15390811 · Dec 27, 2016
Related Publication 20240023635A1 · Jan 25, 2024
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