System and apparatus
AssigneeFontem Holdings 1 B.V.
InventorsKenneth Scott, Christopher Lord, David Jones, Stephen J. MCDONALD, Thomas S. SUDLOW
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention solves some of the problems of the prior art by providing a method, system and apparatus for readily refilling the reservoir of a smoking-substitute device with liquid from a dispenser. The method, system and apparatus of the present invention prevents liquid from being dispensed until the dispenser is securely and sealably engaged to the smoking-substitute device, provides independent liquid and gas pathways between the dispenser and reservoir, and substantially alleviates the problems of spillage and/or leakage when dispensing liquid from the dispenser into the reservoir of the smoking-substitute device.
Claims23
A system for transferring liquid between a dispenser and a reservoir comprising:
- a coupling assembly for securably and sealably engaging said dispenser to said reservoir, said assembly moveable between an unsecured and closed position in which liquid and gas communication is restricted between a dispenser outlet and a reservoir inlet and a reservoir outlet and a dispenser inlet, and a secured and open position in which said assembly opens a liquid communication pathway between said dispenser and said reservoir through the dispenser outlet and reservoir inlet.
The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling assembly is adapted to close both the liquid communication pathway and the gas communication pathway as it is moved away from the secured position to disengage the dispenser and reservoir.
The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, in the open position, the system is operable to permit liquid to be transferred through the liquid communication pathway, and for a substantially equivalent volume of gas to be expelled through the gas communication pathway.
The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said dispenser outlet comprises a valve that is actuable when the engagement means is secured in the open position to open said liquid communication pathway between said dispenser and said reservoir.
The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said reservoir outlet comprises a valve that is actuable when the engagement means is secured in the open position to open said gas communication pathway between said reservoir and dispenser.
The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling assembly comprises a guide assembly for guiding movement of the dispenser outlet into the secured and open position.
The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling assembly comprises a male member, and a female member configured for securely and removably receiving said male member.
The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling assembly comprises a bayonet-type arrangement.
The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling assembly comprises a magnetic-type arrangement.
The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling assembly comprises a screw-type arrangement.
The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling assembly comprises a slide-type arrangement.
The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling assembly comprises a friction-fit-type arrangement.
The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling assembly comprises a speed-fit type arrangement.
A coupling assembly configured to cooperate with and be operative in the system of any preceding claim.
A system for transferring liquid between a dispenser and a reservoir substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to FIGS. 3-17 of the drawings.
A coupling assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to FIGS. 3-17 of the drawings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.