Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vaping device assembly.

Background

Conventionally, vaping apparatus comprises a vaping device, often referred to as a vape pen or vaporiser. Typically, the vaping device comprises a tank for holding a supply of vape liquid, a battery operated atomiser and a mouthpiece. In use, the liquid is atomised to form a vapour which the user draws through the mouthpiece. The liquid can be provided with many flavours which are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and have taken vaping devices and apparatus out of the realm simply of cigarette replacement into a different user experience. Along these lines, vaping device users are looking for increasingly sophisticated flavour combinations and flexibility in varying the flavour and flavour combinations.

In this specification, the terms inner, outer, inwardly and outwardly and the like, when used in relation to the assembly, are used in relation to the longitudinal axis of the assembly, so that inwards is towards the assembly longitudinal axis and outward is away from the assembly longitudinal axis.

Statements of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first vaping device for cooperation with a second vaping device to form a vaping device assembly, each vaping device including:

a tank for storing vape liquid;

an atomiser for atomising the liquid to a vapour;

a battery for powering the atomiser;

a mouthpiece through which a user draws the vapour in an operating condition; and a releasable fastener arrangement for fastening the first device to the second device in a conjoined condition to form the vaping device assembly; the assembly being movable between the conjoined condition and a separated condition in which the vaping devices are spaced apart.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vaping device assembly, the assembly including a first vaping device and a second vaping device, each vaping device including:

a tank for storing vape liquid;

an atomiser for atomising the liquid to a vapour;

a battery for powering the atomiser;

a mouthpiece through which a user draws the vapour in an operating condition;

and a releasable fastener arrangement for fastening the vaping devices together in a conjoined condition to form the vaping device assembly;

the assembly being movable between the conjoined condition and a separated condition in which the vaping devices are spaced apart.

Possibly, in the separated condition, each vaping device is separately usable in the operating condition.

Possibly, in the conjoined condition, the mouthpieces of each of the devices are at the same end of the assembly. Possibly, in the conjoined condition, the mouthpieces of the devices are located alongside or in the vicinity of each other, so that both devices are usable simultaneously in the operating condition, ie the user can draw vapour through the mouthpiece of each device simultaneously.

Possibly, each of the vaping devices is elongate. Possibly, in the conjoined condition, the assembly has a longitudinal axis. Possibly, in the conjoined condition, each of the vaping devices extends parallel to and alongside the assembly longitudinal axis. Possibly, each of the mouthpieces is tapered, and, in the conjoined condition, may taper inwardly to the assembly longitudinal axis, and may taper towards an end of each respective vaping device and/or the assembly.

Possibly, each of the devices includes one or more mating surfaces, which may be relatively flat. Possibly, the or each mating surface of the first vaping device corresponds in location with the or one of the mating surfaces of the second vaping device. Possibly, in the conjoined condition, the or each mating surface of the first vaping device locates against one of the mating surfaces of the second vaping device.

Possibly, in the conjoined condition, each device includes one or more inward facing surfaces and one or more outward facing surfaces.

Possibly, in the conjoined condition, the or each mating surface comprises at least part of the inward facing surface(s). Possibly, in the conjoined condition, the mating surface or surfaces extend lengthwise in parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Possibly, each of the mouthpieces includes one or a part of the mating surface(s).

Possibly, each of the mouthpieces includes an angled surface. Possibly, in the conjoined condition, each of the angled surfaces is an outwardly facing surface. Possibly, in the conjoined condition, each of the angled surfaces slopes inwardly, possibly towards the end of the respective vaping device and/or the end of the assembly, and may provide the taper of the respective mouthpiece.

Possibly, the angled surface faces in a substantially opposite direction to the or each mating surface. Possibly, the releasable fastener arrangement includes a plurality of cooperating components. Possibly, each device includes one or more of the cooperating components. Possibly, in the conjoined condition, the or each cooperating component of one device cooperates with the or one of the cooperating components of the other device to hold the devices together.

Possibly, the cooperating components are arranged in cooperating pairs, one of each pair located on each device.

Possibly, each device includes one of the cooperating components located at or towards each end and may include one of the cooperating components located in a middle region of the device.

Possibly, each of the cooperating components comprises a magnet. Possibly, the magnets are arranged in cooperating pairs. Possibly, each magnet has an inward facing pole which may have a pre-determined polarity. Possibly, the inward facing pole of one magnet of each pair is of opposite polarity to the inward facing pole of the magnet of the other of each pair.

Possibly, all of the inward facing poles of the magnets of one device are of the same polarity.

Possibly, the magnet at one end of each device has an inward facing pole which is of opposite polarity to the inward facing pole of the magnet at the other end of the same device.

Possibly, each of the inward facing poles is located at, within or near to one of the inward facing surfaces, and may be located at, within or near to one of the mating surfaces.

Possibly, each device includes an outward facing surface. Possibly, each device includes an actuating switch, which, when actuated, moves the device between a non-operating condition and the operating condition. Possibly, the actuating switch is located in the or one of the outward facing surfaces.

Possibly, each device includes a body, which defines a battery compartment, in which the battery is located.

Possibly, one of the cooperating components is located at or towards each end of the respective body.

Possibly, each device includes a tank part, which may comprise the tank and the atomiser.

Possibly, the tank part is releasably attached to the body.

Possibly, the mouthpiece is releasably attached to the tank part. Alternatively, the mouthpiece is substantially permanently connected to the tank part.

Possibly, the mouthpiece and/or the tank part are disposable.

Possibly, the second vaping device is substantially similar to the first vaping device in configuration and function. Possibly, the mouthpieces and the tank parts of the first and second vaping devices are interchangeable.

Possibly, the assembly is movable to an alternative conjoined condition, in which the mouthpiece of one device is at an opposite end of the assembly from the mouthpiece of the other device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vaping method, the method including providing a vaping device assembly, the assembly including a first vaping device and a second vaping device, each vaping device including:

a tank for storing vape liquid;

an atomiser for atomising the liquid to a vapour;

a battery for powering the atomiser;

a mouthpiece through which a user draws the vapour in an operating condition;

and a releasable fastener arrangement for fastening the vaping devices together in a conjoined condition to form the vaping device assembly;

the assembly being movable between the conjoined condition and a separated condition in which the vaping devices are spaced apart.

Possibly, the assembly includes any of the features described in any of the preceding statements or following description. Possibly, the method includes any of the steps described in any of the preceding statements or following description.

Figures

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vaping device in a partially disassembled condition;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a vaping device assembly in a separated condition;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the vaping device assembly in a conjoined condition;

Fig. 4 is a simplified side schematic cross sectional view of the vaping device assembly in the separated condition;

Fig. 5 is a simplified side schematic cross sectional view of the vaping device assembly in the conjoined condition; and Fig. 6 is a simplified side schematic cross sectional view of the vaping device assembly in the conjoined condition in an alternative configuration.

In the drawings, where multiple instances of the same or similar features exist, only a representative one or some of the instances of the features have been provided with numeric references for clarity.

Description

Figs. 1 to 6 show a vaping device assembly 10, the assembly 10 including a first vaping device 12 and a second vaping device 14. Each vaping device 12, 14 includes: a tank 16 for storing vape liquid; an atomiser 22 for atomising the liquid to a vapour; a battery 24 for powering the atomiser 22; a mouthpiece 26 through which a user draws the vapour in an operating condition; and a releasable fastener arrangement 28 for fastening the vaping devices 12, 14 together in a conjoined condition to form the vaping device assembly 10.

The assembly 10 is movable between the conjoined condition and a separated condition in which the vaping devices 12, 14 are spaced apart.

Each of the vaping devices 12, 14 is elongate and extends from a mouthpiece end 52 to a battery end 54. In the conjoined condition, the assembly 10 has a longitudinal axis 30 and each of the vaping devices 12, 14 extends parallel to and alongside the assembly longitudinal axis 30. In the conjoined condition, each device 12, 14 includes an inward facing surface 34 and an outward facing surface 56.

Each device 12, 14 includes an actuating switch 44, which, in the example shown, comprises a button, and which, when actuated, moves the device 12, 14 between a non-operating condition and the operating condition. The actuating switch 44 is located in the outward facing surface 56. Each device 12, 14 includes a body 46, which defines a battery compartment 48, in which the battery 24 is located.

Each device 12, 14 includes a tank part 50, which comprises the tank 16 and the atomiser 22. As shown in Fig. 1 , in some examples, the tank part 50 could be releasably attached to the body 46. As shown in Fig. 1 , the mouthpiece 26 is attached to the tank part 50.

Each of the mouthpieces 26 is tapered inwardly to the assembly longitudinal axis 30, towards the mouthpiece end 52 of the respective vaping device 12, 14 and the assembly 10.

Each of the mouthpieces 26 includes an angled surface 36. In the conjoined condition, each of the angled surfaces 36 is one of the outwardly facing surfaces 56. In the conjoined condition, each of the angled surfaces 36 slopes inwardly, towards the mouthpiece end 52 of the respective vaping device 12, 14 and/or the end of the assembly 10, and provides the taper of the respective mouthpiece 26.

Each of the devices 12, 14 includes one or more relatively flat mating surfaces 32. In the example shown, each device 12, 14, includes two mating surfaces 32, one mating surface 32 comprising the inward facing surface 34 of the body 46 and the other mating surface 32 comprising the inward facing surface 34 of the mouthpiece 26.

Each mating surface 32 of the first vaping device 12 corresponds in location with one of the mating surfaces 32 of the second vaping device 14. In the conjoined condition, each mating surface 32 of the first vaping device 12 locates against one of the mating surfaces 32 of the second vaping device 14.

In the conjoined condition, the mating surfaces 32 extend lengthwise in parallel to the longitudinal axis 30. The angled surface 36 faces in a substantially opposite direction to the mating surfaces 32.

The releasable fastener arrangement 28 includes a plurality of cooperating components 38. Each device 12, 14 includes one or more of the cooperating components 38. In the example shown, each device 12, 14 includes two spaced cooperating components 38. In the conjoined condition, each cooperating component 38 of one device 12, 14 cooperates with one of the cooperating components 38 of the other device 12, 14 to hold the devices 12, 14 together.

The cooperating components 38 are arranged in cooperating pairs (indicated in the figures by pairs of letter suffixes 38A-38A; 38B-38B) one of each pair 38A-38A, 38B-38B being located on each device 12, 14.

Each device 12, 14 includes one of the cooperating components 38 located at or towards each end 52, 54 of the respective device 12, 14. Desirably, as shown in the figures, one of the cooperating components 38 is located at or towards each end of the respective body 46.

Each of the cooperating components 38 comprises a magnet 40. The magnets 40 are arranged in cooperating pairs (indicated in the figures by pairs of letter suffixes 40A-40A; 40B-40B).

Each magnet 40 has an inward facing pole 42 and an outward facing pole 60. Each pole 42, 60 has a pre-determ ined polarity, north (indicated in the figures by the reference letter N) or south (indicated in the figures by the reference letter N). In the assembly 10, the inward facing pole 42 of one magnet 40 of each cooperating pair 40A-40A, 40B-40B is of opposite polarity to the inward facing pole 42 of the other magnet 40 of the pair.

In the example shown, all of the inward facing poles 42 of the magnets 40 of one device 12, 14 are of the same polarity and all of the inward facing poles 42 of the magnets 40 of the other device 12, 14 are of the opposite polarity. Thus, referring to Figs. 4 and 5, all of the all of the inward facing poles 42 of the magnets 40 of the first device 12 are north poles (N) and all of the inward facing poles 42 of the magnets 40 of the second device 14 are south poles (S).

Each of the inward facing poles 42 is located within one of the inward facing surfaces 34 and one of the mating surfaces 32.

In use

In use, the tank 16 is filled with vape liquid. In some examples, the mouthpiece 26 is released from attachment to the tank part 50, the tank 16 is filled, and then the mouthpiece 26 is reattached to the tank part 50. In other examples, the mouthpiece 26 could be substantially permanently connected to the tank part 50 and the mouthpiece 26 and the tank part 50 could be disposable.

Fig. 1 shows the first vaping device 12 in a partially disassembled condition, in which the mouthpiece 26 is attached to the tank part 50 and the tank part 50 is detached from the body 46.

The first vaping device 12 is then moved from the partially disassembled condition to an assembled condition in which the tank part 50 is attached to the body 46. In this condition, the first vaping device 12 can be operated by a user in the operating condition in which the user draws vapour through the mouthpiece 26 of the first vaping device 12.

While Fig. 1 shows the first vaping device 12, the second vaping device 14 is similar in configuration and function. In fact, advantageously, the mouthpieces 26 and the tank parts 50 of the first and second vaping devices 12, 14 could be interchangeable. In the separated condition, each of the first and the second vaping devices 12, 14 is separately usable in the operating condition.

Figs. 2 and 4 show the vaping devices 12, 14 in the separated condition but positioned for movement to the conjoined condition. Movement to the conjoined condition as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 is simply effected by moving the devices 12, 14 alongside each other until the magnetic attraction of the correspondingly located magnets 40 draws and holds the devices 12, 14 together.

In the conjoined condition, the mouthpieces 26 of the devices 12, 14 are located alongside each other, so that both devices 12, 14 are usable simultaneously in the operating condition, ie the user can draw vapour through the mouthpiece 26 of each device 12, 14 simultaneously.

The assembly 10 provides the advantage that different flavours of vape liquid can be loaded into each tank 16. The user can operate both devices 12, 14 at the same time to draw the vapours of both flavours simultaneously through the mouthpieces 26.

The user could operate the assembly 10 in three ways:

1 . By operating just the first vaping device 12;

2. By operating just the second vaping device 14;

3. By operating both devices 12, 14 together.

In addition, the assembly 10 can be moved to the separated condition by separating the devices 12, 14 (by pulling them apart against the force of the magnetic attraction of the magnets 40) so that each device 12, 14 can then be operated on its own. The apparatus of the invention thus provides the user with a great degree of flexibility in being able to try different flavour combinations, while still retaining the option of using single flavour vaping devices.

Further flexibility is provided in that each of the vaping devices 12, 14 could include control settings to vary the amount of vapour produced. Since each of the devices 12, 14 is separately operable, the user could vary the proportion of each flavour in the overall vapour produced, giving further flexibility and variety in use.

A further option is for the same vape liquid flavour to be loaded into both tanks 16 to give the user a greater vapour producing capacity for the single flavour vapour.

Fig. 6 shows the assembly 10 in the conjoined condition in a second configuration, in which the in which the mouthpiece 26 of one device 12, 14 is at an opposite end of the assembly 10 from the mouthpiece 26 of the other device 12, 14. This configuration could provide a fun and hygienic way for two people to share the vaping experience.

Other Modifications

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The vaping device assembly and the various components thereof could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable material (within the scope of the specific definitions herein).

In one example, the magnet 40 at one end of each device 12, 14 could have an inward facing pole 42 which is of opposite polarity to the inward facing pole 42 of the magnet 40 at the other end of the same device 12, 14. This would have the advantage of ensuring that the devices 12, 14 can only be put together in one configuration. The cooperating components 38 could be of any suitable form. For example, the cooperating components 38 could comprise mechanical fastening or interlock features.

Each device 12, 14 could include any suitable number of the cooperating components 38, located in any suitable position. For example, each device 12, 14 could include an additional one of the cooperating components 38 located in a middle region of each of the respective devices 12, 14. One of the cooperating components 38 could be located in the tank part 50 and/or the mouthpiece 26.

The assembly 10 could include any suitable number of vaping devices, appropriately configured.

Any of the features or steps of any of the embodiments shown or described could be combined in any suitable way, within the scope of the overall disclosure of this document.

There is thus provided a vaping device assembly with a number of advantages over conventional arrangements. The assembly provides the user with flexibility to use either device 12, 14 separately on its own in the separated condition, or, in the conjoined condition, again each device 12, 14 separately or both devices 12, 14 together to mix vaping flavours. This adds variety and interest to the vaping experience.