EP2305051A1 - Fluid refill system for a smoke-free cigarette replacement product - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a gas reservoir (6) for provision of liquid gas, a refill valve (4) for refilling a heating device with liquid gas. The heating device is introduced axially into a storage pocket (2) with a burner side in an open state. An intake valve side is provided, which lies freely, where the heating device is axially adjusted from the storage packet.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates generally to a device for storing and refilling a device for generating a hot gas for the smoke-free inhalation of nicotine and / or additives with LPG.

General introduction

When smoking a conventional cigarette tobacco is burned and the resulting smoke from this smoke is inhaled (mainstream smoke) or released to the environment (sidestream smoke).

The mainstream smoke is largely responsible for the health of the consumer, but provides him with the desired enjoyment. The sidestream smoke is largely responsible for the health damage of passive smokers and is desired by neither the passive smokers nor the consumer.

In the smoke of a cigarette more than 4,800 different substances have been detected, of which about 70 are considered to be carcinogenic.

Methods and devices based thereon for the smoke-free inhalation of nicotine and / or additives have the goal of offering the consumer a substitute for the conventional cigarette, which causes a much lower damage to the health of the consumer and third parties, preferably no damage to health of the consumer and third parties, but this Retains the consumer experience of a conventional cigarette.

State of the art

Many methods of inhaling nicotine or other active and flavored substances are known.

To date, however, there is no serious competition on the market for the cigarette. Most known products are actually nicotine substitutes and not intended as indulgence products, but as weaning products.

In contrast, known products that are specifically executed on an alternative to the cigarette without its negative aspects, often suffers from disadvantages that severely limit their acceptance by the smoker.

The common feature of these products is that they do not use the combustion heat of tobacco, but other energy sources to release a (smoke) aerosol, which largely eliminates the main source of sidestream smoke.

There is only one approach known that has the potential of being a true alternative to cigarettes, as it combines all aspects of smoking that smokers consider to be positive and completely eliminates the negative aspects for smokers and third parties.

WO 2008/113420 A1 describes a process for the volatilization of active substances and / or flavorings for the purpose of delivering an inhalable aerosol, wherein combustion gases of a combustible gas, which is preferably burned substantially with excess air, partially or completely, optionally mixed with ambient air, by an active and / or flavoring Depot be performed and wherein a desired temperature by the proportion of combustion gases and optionally by the mixing ratio of these combustion gases with ambient air is selectable.

Such a method, preferably for inhaling a nicotine-flavored mixture, is made possible by the clean combustion of an air-gas mixture, i. The exhaust gases consist of nitrogen, harmless carbon dioxide, water and possibly residual oxygen and can thus be safely inhaled. In contrast to methods in which the heat is transferred exclusively via heat exchangers to the air, the advantage of such a method is that, in principle, a device for carrying out this method with much smaller dimensions can be achieved with higher efficiency and lower production costs.

WO 2008/113420 A1 also includes a so-called refueling station, since the necessary for the imitation of the smoke act conventional cigarettes or (small) cigars small dimensions of the heating only by the fact that the mini-gas tank in the heating rod limited in its volume to a consumption unit and an ignition function for the premix burner in the Heating element is omitted. The required in the context of the object of the invention reusability of the heating element is ensured by the fact that a refueling station with the functions refilling the heating element with LPG and ignition of the heating element completes the device.

Furthermore, in WO 2008/113420 A1 Storage means for storing the heating element provided within the refueling station.

Although the in WO 2008/113420 A1 described tank station in principle also meets all conditions of refueling of the heating element, resulting from the described specific embodiments of the refueling station problems of technical and / or safety nature with respect to the storage and refilling.

Since the means for storing the heating element in the special embodiments described therein are inherently rigidly integrated in the tank station and the release of the heating element takes place via a cover, two variants result.

Variant A: The refill valve is located at the bottom of the storage containers, which means that the heating element with the mouthpiece side must be inserted first. When closing, the lid must press on the heating element and this in turn on the refill valve.

Variant B: The refill valve is located in the lid, which on the one hand due to the mobility of the lid opposite the refueling station constructive and sometimes safety problems occur in the gas flow between refueling station and lid and on the other a complex kinematics for the lid is required if the refill valve gas-tight to be connected to the heating element.

Both variants have in addition in common that the possible lid variants usually have unfavorable leverage ratios to safely apply sufficient pressure for gas-tight connection of refill valve and heater over many charging cycles.

Even if WO 2008/113420 A1 As already mentioned, this is the only system which, in the sum of its properties, not only represents the best alternative to the cigarette, but even surpasses it, would be one completely intuitive use of the system desirable to find wide acceptance.

Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is therefore a device similar to one as in WO 2008/113420 A1 to provide a hot gas for the smoke-free inhalation of nicotine and / or additives with liquefied gas described, the device should be such that the heating element during refilling and during storage in the device gas-tight with a refill valve of the device completes and this function remains reliable and easy even with prolonged use.

General description of the invention

• o einen Gasvorratstank zum Bereitstellen von Flüssiggas,
• o ein Nachfüllventil zum Wiederbefüllen mit Flüssiggas der Heizvorrichtung mit einem formschlüssig und gasdicht damit verbindbaren stirnseitigen Einlassventil und einem Brenner an der entgegengesetzten Stirnseite und
• o eine Aufbewahrungstasche mit wenigstens einem geöffneten und einem geschlossenen Zustand.

Erfindungsgemäß wird im geöffneten Zustand die Heizvorrichtung axial in die Aufbewahrungstasche mit der Brennerseite voran eingeführt und während des Schließvorgangs der Aufbewahrungstasche so in einer oder mehreren Bahnkurve(n) geführt wird, dass zuerst seine Achse mit der des Nachfüllventils in Kongruenz gebracht wird und dann die Einlassventilseite axial gegen das Nachfüllventil gedrückt wird, wodurch das Nachfüllventil öffnet. Beim Öffnungsvorgang wird die Heizvorrichtung zuerst axial vom Nachfüllventil getrennt und dann aus der Kongruenz heraus die Aufbewahrungstasche in den geöffneten Zustand versetzt, sodass die Einlassventilseite frei liegt und die Heizvorrichtung axial aus der Aufbewahrungstasche entnommen werden kann.This object is achieved according to the invention by a device for storing and supplying liquefied gas to a separate heating device, preferably in the form of a heating rod for producing a hot gas for the smoke-free inhalation of nicotine and / or additives, the device comprising:

• o a gas storage tank for providing liquefied gas,
• o a refill valve for refilling with LPG of the heater with a form-fitting and gas-tight connectable thereto frontal inlet valve and a burner at the opposite end face and
• o a storage bag with at least one open and one closed state.

According to the invention, in the open state, the heater is axially inserted into the storage pocket with the burner side in front and during the closing process of the storage pocket in one or more trajectory (s) that first its axis is brought into congruence with the refill valve and then the inlet valve side is pressed axially against the refill valve, whereby the refill valve opens. During the opening process, the heater is first separated axially from the refill valve and then, out of congruence, place the storage bag in the open condition so that the inlet valve side is exposed and the heater can be removed axially from the storage bag.

Such a device can eg as a refueling station as in WO 2008/113420 A1 described advantageous use find. Accordingly, it is understood that the relevant features can additionally be used in WO 2008/113420 A1 are shown and described, which is hereby incorporated by reference to avoid repetition.

By the specified embodiment of the device is not only a positive and gas-tight connection between the device according to the invention and a separate heating device (such as in the particular embodiments in WO 2008/113420 A1 ) produced during the closing process, but also ensures a longer period and a high number of opening and closing cycles. This is surprisingly achieved by, in contrast to the above-mentioned known variants, the heater or the heating element is not introduced with the inlet valve side first, but with the burner side in the storage bag, then by closing the storage bag first in congruence and then axially positively in connection brought with the refill valve and yet a very compact and inexpensive construction is achieved.

Another significant advantage of the invention is that the heating element is introduced with the burner side ahead in the storage means of the device and thus the user can not come into contact with the burner side, what the injury, or risk of burns over the known solution in the Heating rod with the mouthpiece side, ie Intake valve side is first introduced, substantially reduced.

Another important advantage of the invention that in contrast to the known devices with a combination of rigid storage bag and lid, here arrays arise that eliminate handling with encompassing between removal of the heating element and actuation of the ignition function and do not require acrobatic dexterity.

Accordingly, the invention not only allows improved reliability and safety, but also a significantly increased ergonomics and without having to do without a very compact and inexpensive design.

The gas storage tank is connected to the refill valve, preferably via a pressure reducer for supplying the refill valve with a continuous pressure, and is preferably a hydraulic accumulator, e.g. a bubble, diaphragm, piston or metal bellows accumulator. In a further preferred embodiment, the hydraulic accumulator is a bubble, membrane or Metallbalgspeicher as these increase the possibility of ergonomic design of the refueling station in contrast to a mandatory cylindrical piston accumulator.

The above-described device is preferably further configured such that the storage bag comprises at least one cover element which, in the opened state, releases the inlet valve side of the heating device and completely hides the heating device in the closed state.

An important advantage of this embodiment results from the combination of the burner-side introduction of the heating element and the cover element, since it allows the insertion of a mouthpiece, while the heating element is still in the open device.

This, in turn, has the significant advantage that the user does not have to first remove the heating element from the device, then turn it over, hold it and plug the mouthpiece, especially since the user needs both hands to hold the heating element and attach the mouthpiece alone in the meantime, put down the tank station or put it in your pocket.

In principle, the proposed solution thus allows a further improved ergonomics by a simplified handling of the device in one hand and without intervening, with the other hand remains free for plugging the mouthpiece, removing the prepared for ignition heater with attached mouthpiece and possibly Holding during the ignition with the device if this additionally has an ignition device as described below.

In a further embodiment, the storage bag comprises at least one guide element which guides the heating device in one or more trajectories when opening and closing the storage bag.

The one or more lid elements and the guide element (s) may also be identical. However, the cover elements and the guide elements are preferably separate components which are coupled to one another via kinematics.

Furthermore, the storage bag can be held by means for generating a spring force in the open state, in which case preferably a latching mechanism holds the storage pocket after closing against this spring force independently in the closed position.

This latching mechanism can be formed by a catch hook engaging positively in the closed state, wherein the engagement of the catch hook is controlled by a push button and / or slide.

In a further embodiment, the catch hook is held by means for generating a restoring force in the closed position, opens on a geometric contour, preferably a run-on slope, when closing the storage pocket against the restoring force and snaps into the closed end position.

Alternatively, the latching mechanism of the storage pocket via a forced operation of at least one pin in at least a two- or three-dimensionally shaped trajectory with different closing and opening path, wherein the change between the opening and the closing path respectively in the open and closed state takes place and the closed state by respective overpressure of the storage bag is taken and left.

In this case, the restraint of the pin (s) and / or the trajectory (s) can be controlled by an asymmetric superimposition of spring forces caused by at least two spring elements, wherein the superimposed spring forces when passing through the trajectory in the open and closed state have a local energetic minimum, the local energetic minimum in the open state is lower than the local energetic minimum in the closed state.

In addition, a combination of these two locking mechanisms is of course also possible.

In principle, the filling of the gas storage tank takes place when the storage bag is closed. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to design the device such that the refill valve opens only during the overpressing.

In a further embodiment, the device or refueling station additionally contains an ignition device, for. B. a piezo igniter with which the combination of heating rod and mouthpiece can be lit.

In a further preferred embodiment, the refueling station further comprises, in addition to such an ignition device, a burner, e.g. B. a diffusion burner, a Teilvormischbrenner or preferably a Vormischbrenner. Thus, the device may serve primarily to ignite the heater (heater), but secondarily, regardless of the heater, as a conventional lighter are used. The burner is preferably connected via a pressure reducer to the storage tank for supplying the burner with a continuous pressure, where appropriate, the pressure reducer of the burner and the refill valve are identical.

In a further preferred apparatus, the storage bag, the (premix) burner and a push button for operating the (premix) burner are arranged so that all the functions of the refueling station (opening and closing the storage bag, attaching the mouthpiece and lighting the heating element) can be used without encircling by the user of the device.

As already noted, reference is hereby expressly made to possible features of the device, such as ignition device, throttle, burner of the device itself, burner valve, filling valve for filling the gas storage tank of the device, etc., as in FIG WO 2008/113420 A1 shown and described, resulting in further advantageous embodiments.

Brief description of the figures

In the following, advantages and embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

1. a) Einlegen: Der Heizstab wird mit der Brennerseite voran in die Aufbewahrungstasche der Tankstation gesteckt.
2. b) Schließen: Die Aufbewahrungstasche wird geschlossen. Der Heizstab befindet sich in der Aufbewahrungstasche.
3. c) Andrücken: Zum Ende des Schließvorgangs wird der Heizstab auf das Nachfüllventil gepresst. Die Achsen von Heizstab und Nachfüllventil sind kongruent.
4. d) Nachfüllen: Flüssiggas strömt aus der Tankstation in den Heizstab, bis dieser vollständig gefüllt ist.

Fig. 1 shows the basic principle of the present invention based on the individual states of the device.

1. a) Inserting: The heating element is inserted into the storage bag of the filling station with the burner side in front.
2. b) Close: The storage bag is closed. The heating element is in the storage bag.
3. c) Pressing: At the end of the closing process, the heating element is pressed onto the refill valve. The axes of heating element and refill valve are congruent.
4. d) Refilling: Liquefied gas flows from the refueling station into the heating element until it is completely filled.

1. a) Beispiel 1: Parallel geführte kombinierte Deckel-Führungs-Einheit. Eine einteilige Aufbewahrungstasche nimmt den Heizstab auf und bringt ihn in Position. Die Aufbewahrungstasche wird hierzu erst zugedrückt und dann nach oben geschoben.
2. b) Beispiel 2: Parallel geführtes Deckelelement mit vorauseilendem Führungselement. Der Heizstab wird von einem Führungselement aufgenommen, wobei der Deckel linear geschlossen wird und das Führungselement zuerst den Heizstab und das Nachfüllventil in Kongruenz bringt und den Heizstab anschließend axial gegen das Nachfüllventil presst.
3. c) Beispiel 3: Kreisförmig geführtes Deckelelement mit vorauseilendem Führungselement. Der Heizstab wird von einem Führungselement aufgenommen, wobei der Deckel auf einer Kreisbahn geschlossen wird und das Führungselement zuerst den Heizstab und das Nachfüllventil in Kongruenz bringt und den Heizstab anschließend axial gegen das Nachfüllventil presst.

Fig. 2 shows by way of example some shutter kinematics which correspond to the basic principle of the present invention.

1. a) Example 1: Parallel guided combined lid-guide unit. A one-piece storage bag picks up the heater and positions it. The storage bag is first pressed closed and then pushed up.
2. b) Example 2: Parallel guided lid element with leading guide element. The heating element is received by a guide element, wherein the lid is closed linearly and the guide member first brings the heating element and the refill valve in congruence and then presses the heating element axially against the refill valve.
3. c) Example 3: Circularly guided cover element with leading guide element. The heating element is received by a guide element, wherein the lid is closed on a circular path and the guide member first the heating element and the Conforms refill valve and then presses the heating rod axially against the refill valve.

Fig. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention with all the important elements. Particular attention is given to the presentation on the elements of the storage bag and the locking mechanism. Another important element is the hydraulic accumulator in the form of a bladder accumulator with a downstream pressure reducer for supplying the premix burner and the refill valve.

1. a) Geschlossen: Die Aufbewahrungstasche ist mit eingelegtem Heizstab geschlossen. Heizstab und Nachfüllventil sind dicht miteinander verbunden. Deckelelement und Führungselement liegen parallel zueinander. Das Deckelelement ist über den Zapfen durch den Rastmechanismus, welcher in dieser Zwangslage durch die Federelemente leicht nach unten vorgespannt ist, arretiert.
2. b) Entriegeln: Durch Überdrücken der Aufbewahrungstasche wird der Zapfen des Deckelelementes nach hinten gedrückt, wodurch der durch die Federelemente leicht nach unten vorgespannte Rastmechanismus sich so nach oben bewegt, dass der Zapfen in die Öffnungsbahn gelangt.
3. c) Öffnen: Durch die Deckelfeder wird das Deckelelement geöffnet. Der Zapfen läuft dabei in der Öffnungsbahn, wodurch er den Rastmechanismus zunehmend nach oben bewegt und dieser über die Federelemente nach oben gespannt wird. Das Führungselement ist über ein Gelenk mit dem Deckelelement verbunden, sodass es ebenfalls geöffnet wird. Eine zusätzliche Führung sorgt dafür, dass das Führungselement zuerst in axialer Richtung vom Nachfüllventil gelöst wird und erst dann nach außen schwingt.
4. d) Geöffnet: Die Aufbewahrungstasche ist vollständig geöffnet, die Mundstückseite des Heizstabs ist nun freigegeben. Deckelelement und Führungselement liegen parallel zueinander. Der Zapfen befindet sich jetzt außerhalb des Rastmechanismus, welcher sich jetzt, da sich die Kraft der Federelemente in dieser Position gegenseitig aufhebt, im entspannten Zustand befindet und die Schließbahn freigibt.
5. e) Schließen: Das Deckelelement wird durch Drücken entgegen der Deckelfeder geschlossen. Der Zapfen läuft dabei in der Schließbahn, wodurch er den Rastmechanismus zunehmend nach unten bewegt und dieser über die Federelemente nach unten gespannt wird. Das Führungselement ist über ein Gelenk mit dem Deckelelement verbunden, sodass es ebenfalls geschlossen wird. Eine zusätzliche Führung sorgt dafür, dass das Führungselement zuerst nach innen schwingt und dann in axialer Richtung auf das Nachfüllventil gedrückt wird.
6. f) Verriegeln: Durch Überdrücken der Aufbewahrungstasche wird der Zapfen des Deckelelementes nach hinten gedrückt, wodurch der durch die Federelemente stark nach unten vorgespannte Rastmechanismus sich so nach oben bewegt, dass der Zapfen in die Zwangslage gelangt. Beim Loslassen des Deckels ist dieser geschlossen.

Fig. 4 shows the function of the kinematics of a preferred embodiment of the refueling station in the following steps:

1. a) Closed: The storage bag is closed with inserted heating element. Heating element and refill valve are tightly connected. Cover element and guide element are parallel to each other. The cover element is about the pin by the latching mechanism, which is biased slightly downwards in this predicament by the spring elements arrested.
2. b) Unlocking: By overpressing the storage bag, the pin of the cover element is pushed backwards, whereby the latching mechanism, which is slightly biased downwards by the spring elements, moves upwards in such a way that the pin passes into the opening track.
3. c) Opening: The lid element is opened by the lid spring. The pin runs in the opening path, causing it increasingly moves the locking mechanism upwards and this is stretched over the spring elements upwards. The guide element is connected via a hinge with the cover element, so that it is also opened. An additional guide ensures that the guide element is first released in the axial direction of the refill valve and only then swings to the outside.
4. d) Open: The storage bag is fully opened, the mouthpiece side of the heating element is now released. Cover element and guide element are parallel to each other. The pin is located Now outside the locking mechanism, which now, as the force of the spring elements in this position cancel each other, is in the relaxed state and the closing path releases.
5. e) Close: The cover element is closed by pressing against the lid spring. The pin runs while in the closing path, causing it increasingly moves the locking mechanism down and this is stretched over the spring elements down. The guide element is connected via a hinge with the cover element, so that it is also closed. An additional guide ensures that the guide element swings first inward and then pressed in the axial direction on the refill valve.
6. f) Locking: By overpressing the storage pocket of the pin of the lid member is pushed backwards, whereby the biased by the spring elements downwardly biased locking mechanism moves up so that the pin passes into the forced position. When you release the lid it is closed.

1. a) Mundstück aufstecken: Die Aufbewahrungstasche ist bereits geöffnet. Ein Mundstück wird auf den Heizstab aufgesteckt.
2. b) Rauchfreie Zigarette entnehmen: Die Mundstück-Heizstab-Kombination wird aus der Aufbewahrungstasche entnommen.
3. c) Rauchfreie Zigarette anzünden: Die Aufbewahrungstasche ist geschlossen. Der Vormischbrenner ist durch Betätigung des Druckknopfes aktiv und bereit zum Entzünden des Heizstabs.

Fig. 5 shows the handling of the filling station in combination with heating element and mouthpiece roughly simplified in three steps. The refueling station lies in the hand so that the storage bag with index, middle and ring fingers and the push button for starting the premix burner can be pressed with the thumb without grasping.

1. a) Attach mouthpiece: The storage bag is already open. A mouthpiece is attached to the heating element.
2. b) Remove the smoke-free cigarette: The mouthpiece-heating element combination is removed from the storage bag.
3. c) Light the smoke-free cigarette: the storage bag is closed. The premix burner is activated by pressing the push button and ready to ignite the heating element.

Fig. 6 shows a three-dimensional section through the upper tank station, wherein the hydraulic accumulator, the pressure reducer, the refill valve and the burner with the elements push button, piezo igniter, burner valve, valve lever, valve spring and combustion chamber and the valve head with the connecting channels between pressure reducer, refill valve, burner valve and combustion chamber is shown.

1. a) Aufbewahrungstasche geöffnet.
2. b) Aufbewahrungstasche geschlossen.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the latching mechanism, wherein the latching mechanism by a fishing hook with start-up slope, which can be closed by a means for generating a restoring force and opened by a button, is realized.

1. a) Storage bag open.
2. b) Storage bag closed.

Description of some preferred embodiments of the invention

In a preferred embodiment, a device according to the invention serves as a refueling station 1 in a system WO 2008/113420 A1 that is, as a device for storing, refilling with fuel and igniting a heating rod 8, which forms a smoke-free inhalation product in combination with a mouthpiece 9.

• ➢ eine Tankstationshülle 11, welche als Komponententräger mit allen Baugruppen in Verbindung steht und die Haltefläche für den Benutzer darstellt.
• ➢ eine zweiteilige Aufbewahrungstasche 2, welche aus einem Führungselement 23 und einem Deckelelement 22 besteht, wobei das Deckelelement 22 mit der Tankstationshülle 11 durch ein drehbares Deckelgelenk 222, eine Deckelfeder 221 zum Öffnen der Aufbewahrungstasche und mindestens einen in einer Bahnkurve 322 laufenden Zapfen 321 verbunden ist, wobei das Deckelelement 22 mit dem Führungselement 23 über ein Führungsgelenk 231 drehbar verbunden ist und wobei das Führungselement 23 weiterhin mit der Tankstationshülle 11 über einen in einer Führungskurve 232 laufenden Stift verbunden ist, wobei sich das Führungsgelenk 231 beim Öffnen und Schließen des Deckelelements 22 auf einer solchen Kreisbahn um das Deckelgelenk 222 bewegt, dass das Führungselement 23 in Relation zur Tankstationshülle 11 aufgrund der Führungskurve 232 beim Öffnen erst axial vom Nachfüllventil 4 weg und dann aus der Tankstation 1 heraus und beim Schließen erst in die Tankstation 1 hinein und dann axial zum Nachfüllventil 4 hin bewegt wird.
• ➢ einen Hydrospeicher 6 umfassend eine Tankhülle 63, ein Füllventil 621, ein Überdruckventil 622, eine elastische Speicherblase 61 und einen Druckminderer 5, wobei die Speicherblase 61 den Innenraum der Tankhülle 63 in zwei Kammern unterteilt und die Kammer innerhalb der Speicherblase 611 vorzugsweise mit flüssigem Butan und die Kammer außerhalb der Speicherblase 612 vorzugsweise mit Stickstoff gefüllt ist, wobei das Füllventil 621 und das Überdruckventil 622 die Stickstoffkammer 612 mit der Umgebung verbinden und wobei die Butankammer 611 mit der Vordruckseite des Druckminderers 5 verbunden ist.
• ➢ einem Nachfüllventil 4, welches mit der Hinterdruckseite des Druckminderers 5 in Verbindung steht, wobei das Nachfüllventil 4 vorzugsweise aus einer Ventilplatte 41, einem Ventilkegelstift 42 einer Ventilfeder 43 und einem Dichtungsbalg 44 besteht.
• ➢ einem Vormischbrenner 71, umfassend einen Druckknopf 72 zum Betätigen eines Piezozünders 73 und Drücken eines Ventilhebels 741, welcher ein Brennerventil 74 öffnet, eine Ventilfeder 742 zum Schließen des Brennerventils 74, und eine dem Brennerventil 74 nachgeschaltete Brennkammer 75.

In this embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises

• ➢ a tank station cover 11, which as a component carrier communicates with all assemblies and represents the holding surface for the user.
• ➢ a two-part storage bag 2, which consists of a guide member 23 and a cover member 22, wherein the cover member 22 is connected to the Tankstationshülle 11 by a rotatable cover hinge 222, a lid spring 221 for opening the storage pocket and at least one running in a trajectory 322 pin 321 in that the cover element 22 is rotatably connected to the guide element 23 via a guide joint 231 and wherein the guide element 23 is further connected to the tank station cover 11 via a pin running in a guide curve 232, wherein the guide joint 231 opens and closes the cover element 22 one moved such circular path around the cover joint 222 that the guide member 23 in relation to the tank station cover 11 due to the guide curve 232 when opening only axially from the refill valve 4 away and then out of the refueling station 1 and when closing only in the refueling station 1 and then axially to the refill valve 4 is moved.
• ➢ a hydraulic accumulator 6 comprising a tank shell 63, a filling valve 621, a pressure relief valve 622, an elastic reservoir 61 and a pressure reducer 5, wherein the reservoir 61 divides the interior of the tank shell 63 into two chambers and the chamber within the reservoir 611 preferably with liquid butane and the chamber outside of the reservoir bladder 612 is preferably filled with nitrogen, the fill valve 621 and the relief valve 622 connecting the nitrogen chamber 612 to the environment, and the butane chamber 611 being connected to the admission pressure side of the pressure reducer 5.
• ➢ a refill valve 4, which communicates with the rear pressure side of the pressure reducer 5, wherein the refill valve 4 preferably consists of a valve plate 41, a valve pin 42 of a valve spring 43 and a sealing bellows 44.
• ➢ a premix burner 71 comprising a push button 72 for actuating a piezo igniter 73 and pressing a valve lever 741 which opens a burner valve 74, a valve spring 742 for closing the burner valve 74, and a combustion chamber 75 connected downstream of the burner valve 74.

The guide element 23 comprises a cylindrical pocket, which encloses a heating element 8 in the inserted state at least to the extent that it is fixed radially in the guide element 23.

In a further preferred refinement, the guide joint 231 has a defined clearance, which prevents further movements of the guide element 23, if necessary up to a displacement in the axial direction of the refill valve 4 when the cover element is pressed over, and in the opened state a parallel arrangement of cover element 22 and guide element 23 allows.

• ➢ Geschlossene Normalstellung bedeutet hier, der geschlossenen Zustand der Aufbewahrungstasche 2, wobei in einer bevorzugten Ausgestaltung die Aufbewahrungstasche 2 und die Tankstationshülle 11 einen geschlossenen Körper ergeben, welcher in einer besonders bevorzugten Ausgestaltung keine Angriffsmöglichkeiten zum Aufhebeln der Aufbewahrungstasche 2 bietet, was dadurch erreicht wird, dass im geschlossenen Zustand alle Flächen der Aufbewahrungstasche 2, die, wenn eine Kraft auf sie ausgeübt wird, ein Öffnungsmoment um das Deckelgelenk 222 erzeugen, durch die Tankstationshülle 11 verdeckt sind.
• ➢ Maximaler Öffnungswinkel beschreibt hier den Winkel, der notwendig ist, um im geöffneten Zustand der Aufbewahrungstasche 2 ein Mundstück 9 auf den Heizstab 8 aufstecken und den Heizstab 8 aus der Aufbewahrungstasche 2 entnehmen und wieder einstecken zu können.
• ➢ Maximaler Überdrückungswinkel meint hier den Winkel, welcher aufgrund der Zapfen- und Bahnkurvengeometrie, der Fertigungstoleranzen, Materialeigenschaften von Zapfen 321 und Bahnkurvenschlitten 32 und Haptik notwendig ist, um einen definierten Ent- und Verriegelungsprozess durch Überdrücken des Deckelements 22 zu gewährleisten.

The rotational movement of the cover element 22 is limited in its angle relative to the tank station cover 11 by one or two pins 321, which run in a trajectory 322 about the cover joint 222, that in relation to the closed normal position of the lid, a maximum opening angle in the one and maximum suppression angle in the other direction.

• ➢ Closed normal position means here, the closed state of the storage bag 2, wherein in a preferred embodiment, the storage bag 2 and the tank station cover 11 result in a closed body, which in a particularly preferred embodiment offers no opportunities to pry the storage bag 2, which is achieved by in the closed state, all surfaces of the storage bag 2 which, when a force is exerted on them, generate an opening moment around the cover hinge 222 are covered by the tank station cover 11.
• ➢ Maximum opening angle here describes the angle that is necessary to attach a mouthpiece 9 to the heating element 8 in the opened state of the storage bag 2 and remove the heating element 8 from the storage bag 2 and insert it again.
• ➢ Maximum overpressure angle here means the angle, which is necessary due to the pin and trajectory geometry, the manufacturing tolerances, material properties of pin 321 and trajectory 32 and haptics to ensure a defined unlocking and locking process by overpressing the cover member 22.

In a further preferred embodiment, the pin (s) 321 move (move) in a trajectory 322 of one or more movable trajectories 32 with one, except in the maximum open state Opening track 324 and a closing track 323 and a locking position at the intersection of the opening track 324 and closing track 323.

The trajectory slide 32, which is (are) mounted to be linearly displaceable with respect to the station shell 11, is constrained by the position of the pin (s) 321 as long as the lid member does not when open.

The track cam 32 is connected to the station shell 11 via two spring members so that when no force is applied to the track cam 32 by the pin (s) 322 located in the track (s) 322 is, this (these) remains in a middle rest position (pause), wherein the middle rest position is taken when the storage bag 2 is fully open.

When the storage bag 2 is closed, the pin (s) 321 are inserted into the closing track (s) 323, the trajectory carriage (s) 32 being biased downwardly until the pin (s) are over-pressed by the lid element 22 and the downwardly biased trajectory slide 32 from the closing track (s) 323 jumps to the latching position of the trajectory (s) 322, the bias of the trajectory carriage (trajectory slide) 32 decreasing however, the trajectory carriage 32 does not return to the rest position (return).

When opening the storage bag 2, the pin (s) 321 are guided into the opening track (s) 324 by over-pressing the cover element 22 and the remaining bias of the trajectory slide (trajectory slide) 32, the trajectory carriage 32 during opening upwards until the pin (s) release (release) the trajectory carriage (s) 32 in the opened state of the storage bag (2) and return it to the rest position (spring back). <b> Table 1: Reference List </ b> No. General name Specific name 1 contraption tank station 11 Tank shell Station 2 storage bag Lid-guiding unit 22 cover element 221 Means for generating a spring force cover spring 222 lid hinge 23 guide element 231 joint 232 guide curve 3 detent mechanism 311 hook 312 button 313 starting slope 314 Means for generating a restoring force 32 Trajectory carriage 321 spigot 322 trajectory 323 closing path 324 opening track 325 spring elements 4 refill 41 valve plate 42 Poppet pin 43 valve spring 44 bellows 5 pressure reducer 6 Gas storage tank hydraulic accumulator 61 bladder 611 Chamber inside the storage bubble butane chamber 612 Chamber outside the storage bubble nitrogen chamber 621 filling valve 622 Pressure relief valve 63 tank shell 71 burner premix 72 push-button 73 piezoelectric igniter 74 burner valve 741 valve lever 742 valve spring 75 combustion chamber 8th heater heater 81 burner side 82 Mouthpiece side or intake valve side 83 intake valve 9 mouthpiece

Claims (14)

Device (1) for storing and supplying liquefied gas to a separate heating device (8), preferably in the form of a heating rod for generating a hot gas for the smoke-free inhalation of nicotine and / or additives, the device (1) comprising: ➢ a gas storage tank (6) for providing liquefied gas, ➢ a refill valve (4) for refilling with liquefied gas of the heating device (8) with a front-side inlet valve (83) which can be positively and gas-tightly connected thereto and a burner at the opposite end face, ➢ preferably a pressure reducer (5) to supply the refill valve (4) with a continuous pressure and ➢ a storage bag (2) with at least one opened and one closed state, wherein in the open state, the heating device (8) is introduced axially into the storage pocket (2) with the burner side (81) ahead and during the closing operation of the storage bag (2) is guided in one or more trajectory (s) that first the axis the condenser (8) is brought into congruence with that of the refill valve (4) and then the inlet valve side (82) is pressed axially against the refill valve (4), whereby the refill valve (4) opens and wherein the heating device (8) at the opening first axially separated from the refill valve (4) and then placed out of congruence out in the open state, so that the inlet valve side (82) is exposed and the heater (8) can be axially removed from the storage bag (2). Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas storage tank (6) is a hydraulic accumulator, preferably a bladder, membrane, piston or metal bellows, more preferably a bladder, membrane or Metallbalgspeicher. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage bag (2) comprises at least one cover element (22) which, when open, releases the inlet valve side (82) of the heating device (8) and completely hides the heating device (8) in the closed state. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the storage bag (2) comprises at least one guide element (23) which guides the heating device (8) in opening and closing the storage bag (2) in one or more trajectories (322). Device according to claims 3 and 4, wherein the cover element (s) (22) and the guide element (s) (23) are identical. Device according to claims 3 and 4, wherein the cover element (s) (22) and the guide element (s) (23) are separate components, which are coupled to each other via a kinematics. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the storage bag (2) by means for generating a spring force (221) is held in the open state and wherein a latching mechanism (3) the storage bag (2) after closing against this spring force independently in the closed position holds. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the latching mechanism (3) is formed by a catch hook (311) which engages positively in the closed state, the engagement of the catch hook (311) being controlled by a pushbutton (312) and / or slide. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the catch hook (311) is held in the closed position by means for generating a restoring force (314) and opens against the restoring force via a geometric contour, preferably a run-on slope (313) when closing the storage pocket (2) and engages in the closed end position. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the latching mechanism (3) of the storage bag (2) via a forced guidance of at least one pin (321) in at least one two- or three-dimensionally pronounced trajectory (322) with different closing (323) and opening track (324) , wherein the change between the opening (324) and the Closing track (323) takes place in each case in the open and closed state and the closed state is taken by each overpressure of the storage bag (2) and left. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the positive guidance of the pin (s) (321) and / or trajectory (s) (322) is controlled by an asymmetric superposition of spring forces caused by at least two spring elements (325), the superposed ones Spring forces when passing through the trajectory (322) each have a local energetic minimum in the open and closed state, wherein the local energetic minimum in the open state is lower than the local energetic minimum in the closed state. Device according to one of claims 8 or 9 and according to claim 11, wherein both latching mechanisms are combined. Device according to one of claims 11 or 12, wherein the refill valve (4) opens only during overpressing. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a premix burner (71), preferably for igniting the heating device (8), the storage bag (2), the premix burner (71) and a push button (72) arranged to actuate the premix burner are that all functions of the device can be used without recourse by a user.

Images