E-cigarette actuator

• US 20170020198A1
• Filed: 07/22/2016
• Published: 01/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MSP Corporation (TSI Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: MSP Corporation (TSI Incorporated)
• Inventors: Naqwi, Amir, Liu, Benjamin Y.H.
• Application Number:
  US15/217,309
• Publication Number:
  US 20170020198A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/10 Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/60 Devices with integrated user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/80 Testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 99/008 by doing functionality tests

Abstract

A device having a cavity configured to receive or to hold an e-cigarette, which includes a push-hold button to actuate vapor generation and/or formation. The device further comprises an automatic plunger capable of pressing the push-hold button based upon a command. The plunger may receive the command from a controller or alternatively from the airflow caused by the puff. A mechanism configured for positioning the automatic plunger proximate to the push-hold button is also incorporated into the device.

Claims

1. An actuator system comprising:

a housing;

a cavity configured to hold an e-cigarette comprises a push-hold button, the push button being configured to actuate a heating element of the e-cigarette for initiating vapor formation;

an automatic plunger configured for pressing the push-hold button upon receiving a command from a controller; and

a mechanism configured for positioning the automatic plunger proximate to the said push-hold button.

2. The actuator system of claim 1, and further comprising:

a sensor configured to sense the movement of air within the housing and to generate a signal indicative of air movement; and

wherein the controller is configured to actuate the automatic plunger to press the push-hold button upon receiving the signal indicative of air movement.

3. The actuator system of claim 1, wherein the plunger is configured for movement and wherein said movement is in the range of approximately 0.2 mm to 10 mm.

4. The actuator system of claim 1, and further comprising a mechanism configured to utilize a signal external to the device to actuate the plunger.

5. A method of actuating a device for vapor formation comprising:

providing a housing having a cavity configured to hold an e-cigarette comprising a push-hold button configured to actuate a heating element for vapor formation;

positioning the e-cigarette in the cavity;

providing an automatic plunger configured for pressing the push-hold button upon receiving a command from a controller; and

wherein the device further comprises a mechanism configured for positioning the automatic plunger proximate to the said push-hold button.

6. The method of claim 5, and further comprising:

generating a signal indicative of air movement by providing a sensor configured to sense the movement of air within the device;

transmitting the signal from the sensor to the controller; and

transmitting a signal to the automatic plunger and actuating the automatic plunger for generating vapor formation.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the plunger is configured for movement and wherein said movement is in the range of approximately 0.2 mm to 10 mm.

8. The method of claim 5 and further comprising generating a signal external to the device and transmitting the signal to the controller for actuating the automatic plunger for generating vapor formation.

9. The method of claim 5 and generating vapor for a duration of a puff.