EP3711588A1 - Système de substitution du tabac - Google Patents

Système de substitution du tabac Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3711588A1
EP3711588A1 EP19020227.5A EP19020227A EP3711588A1 EP 3711588 A1 EP3711588 A1 EP 3711588A1 EP 19020227 A EP19020227 A EP 19020227A EP 3711588 A1 EP3711588 A1 EP 3711588A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heater
battery
user
aerosol
controller
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP19020227.5A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
designation of the inventor has not yet been filed The
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nerudia Ltd
Original Assignee
Nerudia Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nerudia Ltd filed Critical Nerudia Ltd
Priority to EP19020227.5A priority Critical patent/EP3711588A1/fr
Priority to EP20715733.0A priority patent/EP3941240A1/fr
Priority to CN202080034699.7A priority patent/CN114206144A/zh
Priority to PCT/EP2020/056841 priority patent/WO2020193218A1/fr
Priority to JP2021556992A priority patent/JP2022526324A/ja
Publication of EP3711588A1 publication Critical patent/EP3711588A1/fr
Priority to US17/481,864 priority patent/US20220061399A1/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/53—Monitoring, e.g. fault detection
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a smoking substitute system and particularly, although not exclusively, to a smoking substitute system comprising a smoking substitute device, and method of operating the device.
  • the smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally thought that a significant amount of the potentially harmful substances are generated through the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion of the tobacco and the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself.
  • Conventional combustible smoking articles such as cigarettes, typically comprise a cylindrical rod of tobacco comprising shreds of tobacco which is surrounded by a wrapper, and usually also a cylindrical filter axially aligned in an abutting relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod.
  • the filter typically comprises a filtration material which is circumscribed by a plug wrap.
  • the wrapped tobacco rod and the filter are joined together by a wrapped band of tipping paper that circumscribes the entire length of the filter and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod.
  • a conventional cigarette of this type is used by lighting the end opposite to the filter, and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker receives mainstream smoke into their mouth by drawing on the mouth end or filter end of the cigarette.
  • Such smoking substitute systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine.
  • Smoking substitute systems include electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol (also referred to as a "vapour") that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled.
  • aerosol also referred to as a "vapour”
  • the inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or flavourings without, or with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.
  • smoking substitute systems are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and with combustible tobacco products.
  • Some smoking substitute systems use smoking substitute articles (also referred to as a "consumables”) that are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end.
  • HT Heated Tobacco
  • HNB Heat not burn
  • the tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco.
  • the vapour may contain nicotine and/or flavourings.
  • the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. the tobacco does not undergo combustion.
  • a typical HT smoking substitute system may include a device and a consumable.
  • the consumable may include the tobacco material.
  • the device and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together.
  • heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating element of the device, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes components in the tobacco material to be released as vapour.
  • a vapour may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco.
  • the released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.
  • the vapour passes through the consumable (entrained in the airflow) from the location of vaporisation to an outlet of the consumable (e.g. a mouthpiece), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user.
  • the aerosol will normally contain the volatile compounds.
  • HT smoking substitute systems heating as opposed to burning the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking. Consequently, the HT approach may reduce the odour and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.
  • Commonly available HT smoking substitute devices may comprise a battery that store sufficient energy for a single use, e.g. the energy stored on the battery may only be enough for heating a single consumable and may require recharging between each use.
  • the battery may be of a larger capacity and therefore the energy stored thereon may be sufficient for several uses before it requires recharging.
  • These devices may indicate to a user the amount of energy remained in the battery when the heating element is not operation, e.g. at a stage where the heating element is not drawing a current from the battery. This may be inconvenient for the user.
  • the present invention relates to a smoking substitute device having a controller configured to indicate to the user the amount energy stored in the battery, regardless the heater is operation or inactive. This may advantageously allow the user to learn the amount of energy remaining in the battery and thereby the user may be able to schedule the next charging cycle.
  • a smoking substitute device comprising a heater, a battery for energising said heater, an outputting means, and a controller that is configured to measure the amount of energy stored in the battery and indicate to a user, via the outputting means, said amount of stored energy, upon receiving a user input when the smoking substitute device is operating in either i) a standby operating mode when the heater is deactivated or ii) a standard operating mode when the heater is activated.
  • the amount of energy stored in the battery may otherwise known as the charge or remaining charge of the battery. Said stored energy may deplete with every use of the device when the heater is energised.
  • the outputting means may provide one or more visual, audio, haptic output to indicate to the user the amount of energy stored in the battery automatically, e.g. when the device is operational or upon detecting an interaction between the user and the device, periodically, or upon receiving a user's input.
  • the controller may remain operational, e.g. in the standby operating mode the controller may receive a user's input, with the heater or heating element deactivated.
  • the heater may be activated to heat an aerosol-forming substrate for forming an aerosol.
  • a device comprising a controller that may configure to measure and indicate to the user the amount of energy stored in the battery during standby mode and/or standard mode
  • the user may be kept better informed of the status of the battery, e.g. the user may be provided with information such as an estimation on the remaining useable time or the number of consumables that may be consumed before the battery charge runs out.
  • a more versatile device may be provided which intelligently monitors the battery energy status of the device irrespective of the fact that the heater of the device is operational or inactive.
  • the controller may be configured to measure and indicate the energy status of the battery when the battery is still energising the heater i.e. during standard operational mode.
  • the controller may be configured to measure and indicate the energy status of the battery when the battery is not providing power to the heater i.e. during standby mode.
  • a device with capabilities of keeping the user informed of battery energy status irrespective of operation of heater is provided.
  • the controller is configured to alert the user, via the outputting means, when the stored energy is measured less than a predetermined threshold.
  • the pre-determined threshold represents insufficient stored energy on the battery and corresponds to a condition where the battery requires immediate charging.
  • the pre-determined threshold may comprise a plurality of predetermined thresholds each represents a different amount of stored energy, e.g. 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of the total amount of energy storable in the battery.
  • the outputting means is configured to alert the user when the stored energy is measured less than each of the plurality of predetermined threshold with different outputs.
  • the user may be actively reminded of the urgency of recharging the battery and thereby reduces the risk of insufficient stored energy.
  • the controller is configured to terminate energising the heater when the stored energy is measured less than the predetermined threshold.
  • the controller may not start heating a consumable, or it may terminate heating during heating of said consumable. Either way, the controller may remain operational for receiving the user input.
  • this prevent the battery from being completely depleted of stored energy.
  • the outputting means comprises one or more of i) one or more light emitters for providing visual indication, ii) an audio indicator for providing audio indication, and iii) a haptic output for providing haptic indication to a user.
  • the user may select one or more of the visual indication, audio indication and haptic indication for outputting the indication of energy stored in the battery.
  • this allows a desired form of output according to the user's preferences.
  • the outputting means comprises a plurality of light emitters configured to indicate the amount of energy stored in the battery with one or more illumination patterns.
  • the controller may be configured to illuminate the plurality of light emitters or LEDs in different patterns each indicating different energy level of the battery.
  • the controller may be configured to cause one or more of the plurality of LEDs to flash when indicating that the stored energy level of battery is measured less than a predetermined threshold. This helps the user in having a clear indication as to when the device is operating with low power and when with sufficient power, thus the decision of charging the device may be taken on time.
  • the plurality of light emitters comprises four light emitters for providing said illumination patterns, wherein in said illumination patterns the four light emitters are configured to indicate the amount of stored energy at 25% intervals.
  • the controller may cause one or more of the plurality of light emitters or LEDs to illuminate or flash when indicating the stored energy level of battery.
  • the controller may cause a single LED to illuminate or flash when the stored energy is measured to be between 1% to 25% of full capacity of the battery, the controller may cause two LEDs to illuminate or flash when the stored energy is measured to be between 26% to 50% of full capacity of the battery, the controller may cause three LEDs to illuminate or flash when the stored energy is measured to be between 51% to 75% of full capacity of the battery, and the controller may cause all of the four LEDs to illuminate or flash when the stored energy is measured to be between 76% to 100% of full capacity of the battery.
  • this allows the approximate level of stored energy to be clearly indicated to the user.
  • the one or more light emitters may be one or more of an incandescent bulb, a halogen bulb and light emitting diode.
  • the one or more light emitters comprise light emitting diode (LED).
  • LED light emitting diode
  • the use of LEDs reduces the space and energy required to operate, as well as extending the longevity of the device.
  • the device comprises a Heat Not Burn (HNB) device.
  • HNB Heat Not Burn
  • such arrangement may be particularly suited for HNB device due to it high energy consumption.
  • the device may comprise an elongate body.
  • An end of the elongate body may be configured for engagement with an aerosol-forming article.
  • the body may be configured for engagement with a heated tobacco (HT) consumable (or heat-not-burn (HNB) consumable) or an e-cigarette consumable.
  • HT heated tobacco
  • HNB heat-not-burn
  • the terms "heated tobacco” and “heat-not-burn” are used interchangeably herein to describe a consumable that is of the type that is heated rather than combusted (or are used interchangeably to describe a device for use with such a consumable).
  • the device may comprise a cavity that is configured for receipt of at least a portion of the consumable (i.e. for engagement with the consumable).
  • the aerosol-forming article may be of the type that comprises an aerosol former (e.g. carried by an aerosol-forming substrate).
  • the device may comprise a heater for heating the aerosol-forming article.
  • the heater may comprise a heating element, which may be in the form of a rod that extends from the body of the device.
  • the heating element may extend from the end of the body that is configured for engagement with the aerosol-forming article.
  • the heater of the device is configured to be disabled in response to detecting that the stored energy is measured less than the pre-determined threshold.
  • the heater (and thus the heating element) may be rigidly mounted to the body.
  • the heating element may be elongate so as to define a longitudinal axis and may, for example, have a transverse profile (i.e. transverse to a longitudinal axis of the heating element) that is substantially circular (i.e. the heating element may be generally cylindrical).
  • the heating element may have a transverse profile that is rectangular (i.e. the heater may be a "blade heater”).
  • the heating element may alternatively be in the shape of a tube (i.e. the heater may be a "tube heater”).
  • the heating element may take other forms (e.g. the heating element may have an elliptical transverse profile).
  • the shape and/or size (e.g. diameter) of the transverse profile of the heating element may be generally consistent for the entire length (or substantially the entire length) of the heating element.
  • the heating element may be between 15 mm and 25 mm long, e.g. between 18 mm and 20 mm long, e.g. around 19 mm long.
  • the heating element may have a diameter of between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, e.g. a diameter between 2 mm and 2.3 mm, e.g. a diameter of around 2.15 mm.
  • the heating element may be formed of ceramic.
  • the heating element may comprise a core (e.g. a ceramic core) comprising Al2O3.
  • the core of the heating element may have a diameter of 1.8 mm to 2.1 mm, e.g. between 1.9 mm and 2 mm.
  • the heating element may comprise an outer layer (e.g. an outer ceramic layer) comprising Al2O3.
  • the thickness of the outer layer may be between 160 ⁇ m and 220 ⁇ m, e.g. between 170 ⁇ m and 190 ⁇ m, e.g. around 180 ⁇ m.
  • the heating element may comprise a heating track, which may extend longitudinally along the heating element.
  • the heating track may be sandwiched between the outer layer and the core of the heating element.
  • the heating track may comprise tungsten and/or rhenium.
  • the heating track may have a thickness of around 20 ⁇ m.
  • the heating element may be located in the cavity (of the device), and may extend (e.g. along a longitudinal axis) from an internal base of the cavity towards an opening of the cavity.
  • the length of the heating element i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the heater
  • the heating element may be less than the depth of the cavity.
  • the heating element may extend for only a portion of the length of the cavity. That is, the heating element may not extend through (or beyond) the opening of the cavity.
  • the heating element may be configured for insertion into an aerosol-forming article (e.g. a HT consumable) when an aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity.
  • a distal end (i.e. distal from a base of the heating element where it is mounted to the device) of the heating element may comprise a tapered portion, which may facilitate insertion of the heating element into the aerosol-forming article.
  • the heating element may fully penetrate an aerosol-forming article when the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity. That is, the entire length, or substantially the entire length, of the heating element may be received in the aerosol-forming article.
  • the heating element may have a length that is less than, or substantially the same as, an axial length of an aerosol-forming substrate forming part of an aerosol-forming article (e.g. a HT consumable).
  • an aerosol-forming substrate forming part of an aerosol-forming article (e.g. a HT consumable).
  • the heating element may only penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate, rather than other components of the aerosol-forming article.
  • the heating element may penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate for substantially the entire axial length of the aerosol forming-substrate of the aerosol-forming article.
  • heat may be transferred from (e.g. an outer circumferential surface of) the heating element to the surrounding aerosol-forming substrate, when penetrated by the heating element. That is, heat may be transferred radially outwardly (in the case of a cylindrical heating element) or e.g. radially inwardly (in the case of a tube heater).
  • the heating element of the tube heater may surround at least a portion of the cavity.
  • the heating element may surround a portion of the aerosol-forming article (i.e. so as to heat that portion of the aerosol-forming article).
  • the heating element may surround an aerosol forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article. That is, when an aerosol-forming article is engaged with the device, the aerosol forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article may be located adjacent an inner surface of the (tubular) heating element. When the heating element is activated, heat may be transferred radially inwardly from the inner surface of the heating element to heat the aerosol forming substrate.
  • the cavity may comprise a (e.g. circumferential) wall (or walls) and the (tubular) heating element may extend around at least a portion of the wall(s).
  • the wall may be located between the inner surface of the heating element and an outer surface of the aerosol-forming article.
  • the wall (or walls) of the cavity may be formed from a thermally conductive material (e.g. a metal) to allow heat conduction from the heating element to the aerosol-forming article.
  • heat may be conducted from the heating element, through the cavity wall (or walls), to the aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-forming article received in the cavity.
  • the heater may form part of an aerosol-forming article for use with the device.
  • the device may not comprise a heater.
  • the aerosol-forming article may comprise a heater.
  • Such arrangements may, for example, be suited to e-cigarette systems in which the aerosol-forming article comprises a tank containing an aerosol former (e.g. in liquid form).
  • the device may comprise means for connecting the device the heater of an aerosol-forming article engaged with the device.
  • the device may comprise one or more device connectors for (e.g. electrically) connecting the device to a corresponding heater connector of the aerosol-forming article.
  • the connectors i.e. of both the device and the aerosol-forming article
  • the connectors may be in the form of electrically conductive elements (e.g. plates) that contact when the aerosol-forming article is engaged with the device.
  • the device may comprise a cap disposed at the end of the body that is configured for engagement with an aerosol-forming article.
  • the cap may at least partially enclose the heating element.
  • the cap may be moveable between an open position in which access is provided to the heating element, and a closed position in which the cap at least partially encloses the heating element.
  • the cap may be slideably engaged with the body of the device, and may be slideable between the open and closed positions.
  • the cap may define at least a portion of the cavity of the device. That is, the cavity may be fully defined by the cap, or each of the cap and body may define a portion of the cavity. Where the cap fully defines the cavity, the cap may comprise an aperture for receipt of the heating element into the cavity (when the cap is in the closed position).
  • the cap may comprise an opening to the cavity. The opening may be configured for receipt of at least a portion of an aerosol-forming article. That is, an aerosol-forming article may be inserted through the opening and into the cavity (so as to be engaged with the device).
  • the cap may be configured such that when an aerosol-forming article is engaged with the device (e.g. received in the cavity), only a portion of the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity. That is, a portion of the aerosol-forming article (not received in the cavity) may protrude from (i.e. extend beyond) the opening.
  • This (protruding) portion of the aerosol-forming article may be a terminal (e.g. mouth) end of the aerosol-forming article, which may be received in a user's mouth for the purpose of inhaling aerosol formed by the device.
  • the device may comprise a power source or may be connectable to a power source (e.g. a power source separate to the device).
  • the power source may be electrically connectable to the heater. In that respect, altering (e.g. toggling) the electrical connection of the power source to the heater may affect a state of the heater. For example, toggling the electrical connection of the power source to the heater may toggle the heater between an on state and an off state.
  • the power source may be a power store.
  • the power source may be a battery or rechargeable battery (e.g. a lithium ion battery).
  • the device may comprise an input connection (e.g. a USB port, Micro USB port, USB-C port, etc.).
  • the input connection may be configured for connection to an external source of electrical power, such as a mains electrical supply outlet.
  • the input connection may, in some cases, be used as a substitute for an internal power source (e.g. battery or rechargeable battery). That is, the input connection may be electrically connectable to the heater (for providing power to the heater).
  • the input connection may form at least part of the power source of the device.
  • the input connection may be used to charge and recharge the power source.
  • the device may comprise a user interface (UI).
  • the UI may include input means to receive operative commands from the user.
  • the input means of the UI may allow the user to control at least one aspect of the operation of the device.
  • the UI may allow a user to understand the amount of energy stored in the battery during a standby mode i.e. when the heater is in a deactivated state and during a standard operating mode when the heater is in activated state.
  • the input means may comprise a power button to switch the device between an on state and an off state.
  • the UI may additionally or alternatively comprise output means to convey information to the user.
  • the output means may also comprise a light to indicate a condition of the device (and/or the aerosol-forming article) to the user.
  • the condition of the device (and/or aerosol-forming article) indicated to the user may comprise a condition indicative of the operation of the heater.
  • the condition may comprise whether the heater is in an off state or an on state.
  • the UI unit may comprise at least one of a button, a display, a touchscreen, a switch, a light, and the like.
  • the output means may comprise one or more (e.g. two, three, four, etc.) light-emitting diodes ("LEDs") that may be located on the body of the device.
  • LEDs light-emitting diodes
  • the device may further comprise a puff sensor (e.g. airflow sensor), which form part of the input means of the Ul.
  • the puff sensor may be configured to detect a user drawing on an end (i.e. a terminal (mouth) end) of the aerosol-forming article.
  • the puff sensor may, for example, be a pressure sensor or a microphone.
  • the puff sensor may be configured to produce a signal indicative of a puff state.
  • the signal may be indicative of the user drawing (an aerosol from the aerosol-forming article) such that it is e.g. in the form of a binary signal.
  • the signal may be indicative of a characteristic of the draw (e.g. a flow rate of the draw, length of time of the draw, etc.).
  • the device may comprise a controller or may be connectable to a controller that may be configured to control at least one function of the device.
  • the controller may comprise a microcontroller that may e.g. be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB).
  • the controller may also comprise a memory, e.g. non-volatile memory.
  • the memory may include instructions, which, when implemented, may cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of a method. Where the device comprises an input connection, the controller may be connected to the input connection.
  • the controller may be coupled to the heater and the battery (power source) and is configured to control the operation of the heater (and e.g. the heating element).
  • the controller may be configured to measure and indicate to a user the amount of energy stored in the battery when the smoking substitute device is operating in one of a standby operating mode where the heater is deactivated and a standard operating mode where the heater is activated.
  • the controller may be configured to control vaporisation of an aerosol forming part of an aerosol-forming article engaged with the device.
  • the controller may be configured to control the voltage applied by power source to the heater.
  • the controller may be configured to toggle between applying a full output voltage (of the power source) to the heater and applying no voltage to the heater.
  • the control unit may implement a more complex heater control protocol.
  • the device may further comprise a voltage regulator to regulate the output voltage supplied by the power source to form a regulated voltage.
  • the regulated voltage may subsequently be applied to the heater.
  • the voltage regulator may be used to control the supply of voltage to the heater when the amount of energy stored in the battery is found to be below a pre-determined threshold. For example, if the stored energy is found to be below a pre-determined threshold the voltage regulator is configured to supply zero voltage to the heater.
  • the controller may be operatively connected to one or more components of the Ul.
  • the controller may be configured to receive command signals from an input means of the UI.
  • the controller may be configured to control the heater in response to the command signals.
  • the controller may be configured to receive "on" and "off command signals from the UI and, in response, may control the heater so as to be in a corresponding on or off state.
  • the controller may be configured to send output signals to a component of the UI.
  • the UI may be configured to convey information to a user, via an output means, in response to such output signals (received from the controller).
  • the LEDs may be operatively connected to the controller.
  • the controller may be configured to control the illumination of the LEDs (e.g. in response to an output signal).
  • the controller may be configured to control the illumination of the LEDs according to (e.g. an on or off) state of the heater.
  • the controller may be configured to control the illumination of the LEDs to (i). indicate the amount of energy stored in the battery and (ii). alert the user when the stored energy measured less than a pre-determined threshold, using different illumination patterns.
  • the controller may be operatively connected to the sensor.
  • the controller may be configured to receive a signal from the sensor (e.g. indicative of a condition of the device and/or engaged aerosol-forming article).
  • the controller may be configured to control the heater, or an aspect of the output means, based on the signal from the sensor.
  • the controller may be configured to measure and indicate to the user the amount of energy stored in the battery. Further, the controller is also configured to deactivate the heater of the device when the energy stored in the battery reduces below a pre-determined threshold
  • the device may comprise a wireless interface configured to communicate wirelessly (e.g. via Bluetooth (e.g. a Bluetooth low-energy connection) or Wi-Fi) with an external device.
  • the input connection may be configured for wired connection to an external device so as to provide communication between the device and the external device.
  • the external device may be a mobile device.
  • the external device may be a smart phone, tablet, smart watch, or smart car.
  • An application e.g. app
  • the application may facilitate communication between the device and the external device via the wired or wireless connection.
  • the wireless or wired interface may be configured to transfer signals between the external device and the controller of the device.
  • the controller may control an aspect of the device in response to a signal received from an external device.
  • an external device may respond to a signal received from the device (e.g. from the controller of the device).
  • a system comprising a device according to the first aspect and an aerosol-forming article.
  • the aerosol-forming article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate at an upstream end of the aerosol-forming article.
  • the article may be in the form of a smoking substitute article, e.g. heated tobacco (HT) consumable (also known as a heat-not-burn (HNB) consumable).
  • HT heated tobacco
  • HNB heat-not-burn
  • upstream and downstream are intended to refer to the flow direction of the vapour/aerosol i.e. with the downstream end of the article/consumable being the mouth end or outlet where the aerosol exits the consumable for inhalation by the user.
  • the upstream end of the article/consumable is the opposing end to the downstream end.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate is capable of being heated to release at least one volatile compound that can form an aerosol.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may be located at the upstream end of the article/consumable.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporised/aerosolised and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled.
  • Suitable chemical and/or physiologically active volatile compounds include the group consisting of: nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opiates and opoids, cathine and cathinone, kavalactones, mysticin, beta-carboline alkaloids, salvinorin A together with any combinations, functional equivalents to, and/or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise plant material.
  • the plant material may comprise least one plant material selected from the list including Amaranthus dubius, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry), Argemone mexicana, Amica, Artemisia vulgaris, Yellow Tees, Galea zacatechichi, Canavalia maritima (Baybean), Cecropia mexicana (Guamura), Cestrum noctumum, Cynoglossum virginianum (wild comfrey), Cytisus scoparius, Damiana, Entada rheedii, Eschscholzia califomica (California Poppy), Fittonia albivenis, Hippobroma longiflora, Humulus japonica (Japanese Hops), Humulus lupulus (Hops), Lactuca virosa (Lettuce Opium), Laggera alata, Leonotis
  • the plant material may be tobacco. Any type of tobacco may be used. This includes, but is not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Maryland Tobacco, dark-air cured tobacco, oriental tobacco, dark-fired tobacco, perique tobacco and rustica tobacco. This also includes blends of the above mentioned tobaccos.
  • the tobacco may comprise one or more of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenised tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut rag tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco (e.g. slurry recon or paper recon).
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gathered sheet of homogenised (e.g. paper/slurry recon) tobacco or gathered shreds/strips formed from such a sheet.
  • homogenised e.g. paper/slurry recon
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more additives selected from humectants, flavourants, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and binders.
  • the flavourant may be provided in solid or liquid form. It may include menthol, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour (including e.g. citrus, cherry etc.), vanilla, spice (e.g. ginger, cinnamon) and tobacco flavour.
  • the flavourant may be evenly dispersed throughout the aerosol-forming substrate or may be provided in isolated locations and/or varying concentrations throughout the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the article/consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. It may have a diameter of between 5 and 10mm e.g. between 6 and 9mm or 6 and 8mm e.g. around 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15mm e.g. between 11 and 14mm such as around 12 or 13mm.
  • the article/consumable may comprise at least one filter element. There may be a terminal filter element at the downstream/mouth end of the article/consumable.
  • the or at least one of the filter element(s) may be comprised of cellulose acetate or polypropylene tow.
  • the at least one filter element e.g. the terminal filter element
  • the at least one filter element may be comprised of activated charcoal.
  • the at least one filter element (e.g. the terminal element) may be comprised of paper.
  • the or each filter element may be at least partly (e.g. entirely) circumscribed with a plug wrap e.g. a paper plug wrap.
  • the terminal filter element (at the downstream end of the article/consumable) may be joined to the upstream elements forming the article/consumable by a circumscribing tipping layer e.g. a tipping paper layer.
  • the tipping paper may have an axial length longer than the axial length of the terminal filter element such that the tipping paper completely circumscribes the terminal filter element plus the wrapping layer surrounding any adjacent upstream element.
  • the article/consumable may comprise an aerosol-cooling element which is adapted to cool the aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate (by heat exchange) before being inhaled by the user.
  • the article/consumable may comprise a spacer element that defines a space or cavity between the aerosol-forming substrate and the downstream end of the consumable.
  • the spacer element may comprise a cardboard tube.
  • the spacer element may be circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer.
  • the system may be in the form of an e-cigarette system (i.e. rather than a heated tobacco system as described above).
  • the consumable may be in the form of an e-cigarette consumable.
  • the e-cigarette system may be configured such that the consumable can be received and retained in the cavity of the device (i.e. so as to be engaged with the device).
  • the consumable may be retained by way of e.g. an interference fit, screwing one onto (or onto) the other, a bayonet fitting, or by way of a snap engagement mechanism.
  • the consumable may comprise a tank, which may define a reservoir for the storage of an aerosol former.
  • the aerosol former may be in the form of an e-liquid (stored in the reservoir).
  • the consumable may be a "single-use" consumable. That is, upon exhausting the e-liquid in the tank, the intention may be that the user disposes of the entire consumable.
  • the e-liquid may be the only part of the system that is truly "single-use".
  • the tank may be refillable with e-liquid or another component of the system (internal to the device or external to the device e.g. a refillable cartomizer) may define a reservoir for the e-liquid.
  • the consumable may comprise a heater (i.e. instead of the heater forming part of the device) configured to heat and vaporise the e-liquid.
  • the consumable may comprise a porous wick that conveys e-liquid from the tank to a heating element of the heater.
  • the heating element may be a heating filament that is wound (e.g. helically) around at least a portion of the porous wick, such that when the heating element is heated (e.g. by the action of electrical current passing through the heating element), heat may be transferred from the heating element to the e-liquid conveyed by the wick. This transfer of heat may vaporise the e-liquid and the resultant vapour may be entrained in an airflow passing through the consumable.
  • the consumable may further comprise one or more heater connectors for connecting the heater (of the consumable) to the device.
  • the heater connectors may be in the form of electrically conductive element or contacts (e.g. metal plates) and may be disposed on an in-use device-facing surface of the consumable.
  • the heater connectors may be electrically connected to the heater of the consumable, such that electricity supplied via the heater connectors may pass to the heater.
  • a voltage applied across the heater connectors may generally correspond to a voltage applied across the heating element of the heater.
  • the heater connectors may be arranged such that they contact corresponding device connectors of the device when the consumable is engaged with the device.
  • the device connectors may be connected (e.g. electrically) to a power source (e.g. battery) of the device.
  • a power source e.g. battery
  • electricity may be supplied from the power source to the heating element, via in-contact heater and device connectors.
  • the heater forming part of the consumable may operate (and interact with e.g. a controller) as otherwise described above with respect to a heater forming part of the device.
  • a method of using the system according to the second aspect comprising inserting the aerosol-forming article into the device; and heating the article using the heater of the device.
  • the method may comprise inserting the article into a cavity within a body of the device and penetrating the article with the heating element of the device upon insertion of the article.
  • a method of operating a smoking substitute device having a heater, a battery for energizing the heater and an outputting means, the method comprising: receiving a user input when the smoking substitute device is operating in either i) a standby operating mode when the heater is deactivated or ii) a standard operating mode when the heater is activated; measuring the amount of energy stored in the battery; and indicating to a user, via the outputting means, said amount of stored energy.
  • said indicating comprises indicating the amount of energy stored in the battery and providing an alert to the user when the stored energy is measured below a pre-determined threshold, via one or more illumination patterns.
  • the method further comprises terminating said energising of the heater when the stored energy is measured less than the predetermined threshold.
  • the invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.
  • FIG 1A is a schematic providing a general overview of a smoking substitute system 100.
  • the system 100 includes a substitute smoking device 101 and an aerosol-forming article in the form of a consumable 102, which comprises an aerosol former 103.
  • the system is configured to vaporise the aerosol former by heating the aerosol former 103 (so as to form a vapour/aerosol for inhalation by a user).
  • the heater 104 forms part of the consumable 102 and is configured to heat the aerosol former 103. Heat from the heater 104 vaporises the aerosol former 103 to produce a vapour. The vapour subsequently condenses to form an aerosol, which is ultimately inhaled by the user.
  • the heater 104 is configured to be deactivated/disabled if the stored energy of the battery is found below a pre-determined threshold.
  • the system 100 further comprises a power source 105 that forms part of the device 101.
  • the power source 105 may be external to (but connectable to) the device 101.
  • the power source 105 is electrically connectable to the heater 104 such that the power source 105 is able to supply power to the heater 104 (i.e. for the purpose of heating the aerosol former 103).
  • control of the electrical connection of the power source 105 to the heater 104 provides control of the state of the heater 104.
  • the power source 105 may be a power store, for example a battery or rechargeable battery (e.g. a lithium ion battery).
  • the power source 105 may be battery utilized for energizing the heater 104.
  • the system 100 further comprises an I/O module comprising a connector 106 (e.g. in the form of a USB port, Micro USB port, USB-C port, etc.).
  • the connector 106 is configured for connection to an external source of electrical power, e.g. a mains electrical supply outlet.
  • the connector 106 may be used in substitution for the power source 105. That is the connector 106 may be electrically connectable to the heater 104 so as to supply electricity to the heater 104.
  • the device may not include a power source, and the power source of the system may instead comprise the connector 106 and an external source of electrical power (to which the connector 106 provides electrical connection).
  • the connector 106 may be used to charge and recharge the power source 105 where the power source 104 includes a rechargeable battery.
  • the system 100 also comprises a user interface (Ul) 107.
  • the UI 107 may include input means to receive commands from a user.
  • the input means of the UI 107 allows the user to control at least one aspect of the operation of the system 100.
  • the input means may, for example, be in the form of a button, touchscreen, switch, microphone, etc.
  • the UI 107 also comprises output means to convey information to the user.
  • the output means may, for example, comprise lights (e.g. LEDs), a display screen, speaker, vibration generator, etc.
  • the system 100 further comprises a controller 108 and a memory 109 operatively coupled to the controller 108 that is configured to control at least one function of the device 101.
  • the controller 108 is a component of the device 101, but in other embodiments may be separate from (but connectable to) the device 101.
  • the controller 108 is configured to measure and indicate to the user the energy stored in the battery, in response to receiving user input via the user interface (Ul) 107, during the standby mode and the standard mode.
  • the controller 108 is further configured to control the operation of the heater 104, for example the controller 108 may be configured to terminate energizing of the heater 104 by the battery, in response to detecting that the stored energy is measured less than the pre-determined threshold.
  • the controller 108 may be further configured to control operation of the heater 104, for example, may be configured to control the voltage applied from the power source 105 to the heater 104.
  • the controller 108 may be configured to toggle the supply of power to the heater 105 between an on state, in which the full output voltage of the power source 105 is applied to the heater 104, and an off state, in which the no voltage is applied to the heater 104.
  • the system 100 may also comprise a voltage regulator to regulate the output voltage from the power source 105 to form a regulated voltage.
  • the regulated voltage may then be applied to the heater 104.
  • the controller 108 is operatively connected to the UI 107.
  • the controller 108 may receive an input signal from the input means of the UI 107.
  • the controller 108 may transmit output signals to the UI 107.
  • the output means of the UI 107 may convey information, based on the output signals, to a user.
  • the system also comprise an output 110 coupled with the controller 108 within the smoking substitute device 101.
  • the output 110 may be a haptic device, audio outputting device or any other similar output device mounted inside the device and configured to (i). indicate the amount of energy stored in the battery and (ii). alert the user when the energy level is measured less than a pre-determined threshold.
  • the output 110 may be configured to provide the indication/alert to the user though one of haptic or audio feedback.
  • Figure 1B is a schematic showing a variation of the system 100 of Figure 1A .
  • the heater 104 forms part of the device 101, rather than the consumable 102.
  • the heater 104 is electrically connectable to the power source 105.
  • Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a heated-tobacco (HT) smoking substitute system 200.
  • the system 200 is an example of the systems 100, 100' described in relation to Figures 1A or 1B .
  • System 200 includes an HT device 201 that is configured to measure and indicate to the user the amount of energy stored in the battery during standby mode and standard operating mode and an HT consumable 202.
  • the description of Figures 1A and 1B above is applicable to the system 200 of Figures 2A and 2B , and will thus not be repeated.
  • the device 201 and the consumable 202 are configured such that the consumable 202 can be engaged with the device 201.
  • Figure 2A shows the device 201 and the consumable 202 in an engaged state
  • Figure 2B shows the device 201 and the consumable 202 in a disengaged state.
  • the device 201 comprises a body 209 and cap 210.
  • the cap 210 is engaged at an end of the body 209.
  • the cap 210 is moveable relative to the body 209.
  • the cap 210 is slideable and can slide along a longitudinal axis of the body 209.
  • the device 201 comprises an output means (forming part of the UI of the device 201) in the form of a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 211 arranged linearly along the longitudinal axis of the device 201 and on an outer surface of the body 209 of the device 201.
  • a button 212 is also arranged on an outer surface of the body 209 of the device 201 and is axially spaced (i.e. along the longitudinal axis) from the plurality of LEDs 211.
  • FIG. 2C show a detailed section view of the consumable of 202 of the system 200.
  • the consumable 202 generally resembles a cigarette.
  • the consumable 202 has a generally cylindrical form with a diameter of 7 mm and an axial length of 70 mm.
  • the consumable 202 comprises an aerosol forming substrate 213, a terminal filter element 214, an upstream filter element 215 and a spacer element 216.
  • the consumable may further comprise a cooling element.
  • a cooling element may exchange heat with vapour that is formed by the aerosol-forming substrate 213 in order to cool the vapour so as to facilitate condensation of the vapour.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate 213 is substantially cylindrical and is located at an upstream end 217 of the consumable 202, and comprises the aerosol former of the system 200.
  • the aerosol forming substrate 213 is configured to be heated by the device 201 to release a vapour.
  • the released vapour is subsequently entrained in an airflow flowing through the aerosol-forming substrate 213.
  • the airflow is produced by the action of the user drawing on a downstream 218 (i.e. terminal or mouth end) of the consumable 202.
  • the aerosol forming substrate 213 comprises tobacco material that may, for example, include any suitable parts of the tobacco plant (e.g. leaves, stems, roots, bark, seeds and flowers).
  • the tobacco may comprise one or more of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenised tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut rag tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco (e.g. slurry recon or paper recon).
  • the aerosol-forming substrate 213 may comprise a gathered sheet of homogenised (e.g. paper/slurry recon) tobacco or gathered shreds/strips formed from such a sheet.
  • the aerosol forming substrate 213 comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporised/aerosolised and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate 213 may further comprise one or more additives.
  • additives may be in the form of humectants (e.g. propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine), flavourants, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and/or binders.
  • the terminal filter element 214 is also substantially cylindrical, and is located downstream of the aerosol forming substrate 213 at the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202.
  • the terminal filter element 214 is in the form of a hollow bore filter element having a bore 219 (e.g. for airflow) formed therethrough. The diameter of the bore 219 is 2 mm.
  • the terminal filter element 214 is formed of a porous (e.g. monoacetate) filter material.
  • the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202 i.e. where the terminal filter 214 is located
  • Airflow is drawn from the upstream end 217, thorough the components of the consumable 202, and out of the downstream end 218.
  • the airflow is driven by the user drawing on the downstream end 218 (i.e. the mouthpiece portion) of the consumable 202.
  • the upstream filter element 215 is located axially adjacent to the aerosol-forming substrate 213, between the aerosol-forming substrate 213 and the terminal filter element 214.
  • the upstream filter element 215 is in the form of a hollow bore filter element, such that it has a bore 220 extending axially therethrough. In this way, the upstream filter 215 may act as an airflow restrictor.
  • the upstream filter element 215 is formed of a porous (e.g. monoacetate) filter material.
  • the bore 220 of the upstream filter element 214 has a larger diameter (3 mm) than the terminal filter element 214.
  • the spacer 216 is in the form of a cardboard tube, which defines a cavity or chamber between the upstream filter element 215 and the terminal filter element 214.
  • the spacer 216 acts to allow both cooling and mixing of the vapour/aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate 213.
  • the spacer has an external diameter of 7 mm and an axial length of 14mm.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate 213, upstream filter 215 and spacer 216 are circumscribed by a paper wrapping layer.
  • the terminal filter 214 is circumscribed by a tipping layer that also circumscribes a portion of the paper wrapping layer (so as to connect the terminal filter 214 to the remaining components of the consumable 202).
  • the upstream filter 215 and terminal filter 214 are circumscribed by further wrapping layers in the form of plug wraps.
  • FIG. 2D illustrates a detailed view of the end of the device 201 that is configured to engage with the consumable 202.
  • the cap 210 of the device 201 includes an opening 221 to an internal cavity 222 (more apparent from Figure 2D ) defined by the cap 210.
  • the opening 221 and the cavity 222 are formed so as to receive at least a portion of the consumable 202.
  • a portion of the consumable 202 is received through the opening 221 and into the cavity 222.
  • the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202 protrudes from the opening 221 and thus also protrudes from the device 201.
  • the opening 221 includes laterally disposed notches 226. When a consumable 202 is received in the opening 221, these notches 226 remain open and could, for example, be used for retaining a cover in order to cover the end of the device 201.
  • Figure 2E shows a cross section through a central longitudinal plane through the device 201.
  • the device 201 is shown with the consumable 202 engaged therewith.
  • the device 201 comprises a heater 204 comprising heating element 223.
  • the heater 204 forms part of the body 209 of the device 201 and is rigidly mounted to the body 209.
  • the heater 204 is a rod heater with a heating element 223 having a circular transverse profile.
  • the heater may be in the form of a blade heater (e.g. heating element with a rectangular transverse profile) or a tube heater (e.g. heating element with a tubular form).
  • the heating element 223 of the heater 204 projects from an internal base of the cavity 222 along a longitudinal axis towards the opening 221. As is apparent from the figure, the length (i.e. along the longitudinal axis) of the heating element is less than a depth of the cavity 222. In this way, the heating element 223 does not protrude from or extend beyond the opening 221.
  • the heating element 223 penetrates the aerosol-forming substrate 213 of the consumable 202.
  • the heating element 223 extends for nearly the entire axial length of the aerosol-forming substrate 213 when inserted therein.
  • the heater 204 is activated, heat is transferred radially from an outer circumferential surface the heating element 223 to the aerosol-forming substrate 213.
  • the device 201 further comprises an electronics cavity 224.
  • a power source in the form of a rechargeable battery 205 (a lithium ion battery), is located in electronics cavity 224.
  • the device 201 includes a connector (i.e. forming part of an IO module of the device 201) in the form of a USB port 206.
  • the connector may alternatively be, for example, a micro-USB port or a USB-C port for examples.
  • the USB port 206 may be used to recharge the rechargeable battery 205.
  • the device 201 includes a controller (not shown) located in the electronics cavity 224.
  • the controller comprises a microcontroller mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB).
  • the USB port 206 is also connected to the controller 208 (i.e. connected to the PCB and microcontroller).
  • the controller 208 is configured to control various functions of the device 201.
  • the controller 208 is configured to measure and indicate to a user the amount of energy stored in the battery in response to receiving a user input via the user interface (Ul).
  • the controller 208 may be configured to measure and indicate the amount of energy stored in the battery during the standby mode i.e. when the heater 204 of the device 201 is deactivated.
  • the standby mode is a mode where the heater 204 is deactivated however, the device 201 is still in on state but not operational.
  • the controller 208 is configured measure and indicate to the user the amount of energy stored in the battery, in response to receiving user input via user interface (Ul), during standard operating mode.
  • the heater 204 of the device 201 is in the activated state i.e. during the standard operating state the battery is continuously providing power to the heater 204.
  • the controller 208 is configured to measure and indicate to the user the amount of energy stored in the battery of the device 201 irrespective of the heater 204 being in activated state or deactivated state.
  • the controller 208 not only indicates to the user the amount of energy left in the battery but also provides alert to the user if the stored energy of the battery goes below a pre-determined threshold.
  • the pre-determined threshold is an indication of the battery of the device 201 requiring immediate charging. Said alert indicates the user to stop using the device 201 to avoid switching off of the device 201.
  • the controller 208 is connected to a plurality of LEDs (not shown). Said plurality of LEDs are configured to at least (i). indicate the amount of energy stored in the battery and (ii). alert the user when the stored is measured less than a pre-determined threshold.
  • the controller 208 may be configured to control the illumination pattern of the LEDs to provide distinct illumination for (i). indicating the amount of energy stored in the battery and/or (ii). providing alert to the user when the stored energy is measured less than a pre-determined threshold.
  • the controller 208 may be configured to illuminate one or more LEDs among plurality of LEDs to indicate different levels of energy stored in the battery, e.g. at 25% intervals.
  • the controller 208 may be configured to blink one or more LEDs among plurality of LEDs to alert the user that the stored energy is measured less than a pre-determined threshold.
  • the controller 208 may further connected to an output 110.
  • the output 110 is also configured to indicate the amount of energy stored in the battery and alert the user when the energy level is measured less than a pre-determined threshold through one of haptic and/or audio feedback.
  • the output 110 may be a haptic device or an audio outputting device. Further the output 110 may be configured to provide distinct feedbacks for (i). indicating the amount of energy stored in the battery and (ii). providing alert to the user when the energy level is measured less than below a predetermined threshold, so that the user may be able to differentiate between the two easily.
  • the controller 208 is configured to control other functions of the device 201.
  • the controller 208 is configured to control the operation of the heater 204.
  • Such control of the operation of the heater 204 may be accomplished by the controller toggling the electrical connection of the rechargeable battery 205 to the heater 204.
  • the controller 208 is configured to control the heater 204 in response to a user depressing the button 212. Depressing the button 212 may cause the controller to allow a voltage (from the rechargeable battery 205) to be applied to the heater 204 (so as to cause the heating element 223 to be heated).
  • the controller 208 is configured to terminate energizing of the heater 204 by the battery, in response to detecting that the stored energy is measured less than the pre-determined threshold.
  • the controller 208 detects the amount of energy stored in the battery. In case the amount of energy stored in the battery is found to be below a pre-determined threshold the controller 208 terminate the supply of power from the battery to the heater 204, until the device 208 is sufficiently charged. To achieve this the controller 208 compares the measured energy level of the battery to a pre-determined threshold energy level stored in the memory.
  • the controller 208 is also configured to control the LEDs 211 in response to (e.g. a detected) a condition of the device 201 or the consumable 202.
  • the controller may control the LEDs to indicate whether the device 201 is in an on state or an off state (e.g. one or more of the LEDs may be illuminated by the controller when the device is in an on state).
  • the device 201 comprises a further input means (i.e. in addition to the button 212) in the form of a puff sensor 225.
  • the puff sensor 225 is configured to detect a user drawing (i.e. inhaling) at the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202.
  • the puff sensor 225 may, for example, be in the form of a pressure sensor, flowmeter or a microphone.
  • the puff sensor 225 is operatively connected to the controller 208 in the electronics cavity 224, such that a signal from the puff sensor 225, indicative of a puff state (i.e. drawing or not drawing), forms an input to the controller 208 (and can thus be responded to by the controller 208).
  • Figures 3A and 3B illustrate an e-cigarette smoking substitute system 300.
  • the system 300 is an example of the systems 100, 100' of Figures 1A and 1B and comprises an e-cigarette device 301 and an e-cigarette consumable 302.
  • the description of Figures 1A and 1B above is applicable to the system of Figures 3A and 3B , and will not be repeated.
  • the device 301 and the consumable 302 are configured such that the consumable 302 can be engaged with the device 301.
  • Figure 3A shows the device 301 and the consumable 302 in an engaged state
  • Figure 3B shows the device 301 and the consumable 302 in a disengaged state.
  • During engagement a portion of the consumable 302 is received in a cavity 322 of the device 301.
  • the consumable 302 is retained in the device 301 via an interference fit (although in other embodiments, the device and consumable could be engaged by screwing one onto (or onto) the other, through a bayonet fitting, or by way of a snap engagement mechanism).
  • the consumable 302 includes a tank 327.
  • the tank 327 defines a reservoir for the storage of an aerosol-former, which in this embodiment, is in the form of e-liquid.
  • the consumable 302 is a "single-use" consumable. That is, upon exhausting the e-liquid in the tank 327, the intention is that the user disposes of the whole consumable 302.
  • the e-liquid i.e. aerosol former
  • the tank may be refillable with e-liquid or the e-liquid may be stored in a non-consumable component of the system.
  • the e-liquid may be stored in a tank located in the device or stored in another component that is itself not single-use (e.g. a refillable cartomizer).
  • a heater 304 is located in the consumable 302 and is configured to heat and vaporise the e-liquid (stored in the tank 327).
  • the heater 304 comprises a porous wick and a resistive heating element.
  • the porous wick conveys e-liquid from the tank 327 to the heating element.
  • the heating element is a heating filament that is helically wound around a portion of the porous wick, such that when the heating element is heated (e.g. by the action of electrical current passing through the heating element), heat is transferred from the heating element to the e-liquid conveyed by the wick.
  • This transfer of heat vaporises the e-liquid and the resultant vapour is entrained in an airflow passing through the consumable 302 (i.e. driven by a user drawing on a downstream end 318 of the consumable 302). Between the vaporisation point at the coil and the downstream end 318 (i.e. the mouth end), the vapour condenses into an aerosol, and is subsequently inhaled by the user.
  • the device 301 comprises a power source in the form of a rechargeable battery (not shown) and a connector in the form of a USB port (not shown).
  • the device 302 further comprises controller (also not shown).
  • the rechargeable battery, connector and controller are similar (and operate in a similar manner) to the corresponding components of the embodiment described above with respect to Figure 1A to 1E .
  • the consumable 302 includes a pair of heater electrical contacts 328 disposed on a device-facing end surface of the consumable 302.
  • the heater electrical contacts 328 are electrically connected to the heater 304 in the consumable 302, such that a voltage applied across the heater electrical contacts 302 generally corresponds to a voltage applied across the resistive heating element of the heater 304.
  • the heater electrical contacts 328 are brought into electrical contact with corresponding device electrical contacts (not shown) on the device 301.
  • the device electrical contacts are electrically connected (directly or indirectly) to the rechargeable battery.
  • the controller may thus be configured to control the voltage applied across the device electrical contacts from the rechargeable battery. By controlling the voltage applied across the device electrical contacts, the voltage applied to the heater 304 is correspondingly controlled.
  • the device 302 includes an output means (forming part of the UI of the system 300) in the form of a single light-emitting diode ("LED") 311.
  • the LED 311 is operatively connected to the controller, such that controller can control the illumination of the LED 311.
  • the controller is configured to illuminate the LED when then the heater 304 is active.
  • the device 301 also includes an input means in the form of a puff sensor (not shown).
  • the puff sensor is the same as that described above with respect to the embodiment shown in Figure 1A to 1E .
  • Figure 4 illustrates flowchart of method for measuring and indicating to a user the amount of energy stored in the battery.
  • the method 400 includes one or more blocks implemented by the controller 208 of the device 201.
  • the method 400 may be described in general context of controller executable instructions.
  • controller executable instructions may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types.
  • the order in which the method 400 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method 400. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 400 without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method 400 can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.
  • the controller 208 is configured for receiving user input to measure the amount of energy stored in the battery. Although not explicitly disclose in block 401, however, the controller 208 is configured for receiving the user input in either a standby operating mode i.e. with heater 204 deactivated or a standard operating mode where heater 204 is activated.
  • the controller 208 is configured for measuring the energy stored in the battery. To achieve this the controller 208 is connected to the battery through one or more sensors (not shown) indicating the amount of energy stored in the battery.
  • the controller 208 is configured to indicate to the user the amount of energy stored in the battery as detected at block 402.
  • the controller 208 is configured to indicate the amount of energy in the battery to the user via a plurality of LEDs.
  • the controller 208 may be configured to indicate the amount of energy stored in the battery to the user via the output 110.
  • the plurality of LEDs comprises four LEDs 211 for providing said illumination patterns, wherein in said illumination patterns the four LEDs are configured to indicate the amount of stored energy at 25% intervals.
  • the controller causes one or more of the plurality of light emitters or LEDs to illuminate or flash when indicating the stored energy level of battery.
  • the controller causes a single LED to illuminate or flash when the stored energy is measured to be between 1% to 25% of full capacity of the battery, the controller causes two LEDs to illuminate or flash when the stored energy is measured to be between 26% to 50% of full capacity of the battery, the controller causes three LEDs to illuminate or flash when the stored energy is measured to be between 51% to 75% of full capacity of the battery, and the controller causes all of the four LEDs to illuminate or flash when the stored energy is measured to be between 76% to 100% of full capacity of the battery.
  • the controller 208 is further configured to alert the user when the stored energy is measured less than a pre-determined threshold. Further, upon detecting that the stored energy is measured less than the pre-determined threshold, the method discloses the step of terminating energizing of the heater 204 by the battery. This prevents the battery from completely depleted of stored energy and the device 201 from shut down completely.
EP19020227.5A 2019-03-22 2019-03-22 Système de substitution du tabac Ceased EP3711588A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19020227.5A EP3711588A1 (fr) 2019-03-22 2019-03-22 Système de substitution du tabac
EP20715733.0A EP3941240A1 (fr) 2019-03-22 2020-03-13 Système de substitution à l'acte de fumer
CN202080034699.7A CN114206144A (zh) 2019-03-22 2020-03-13 吸烟替代系统
PCT/EP2020/056841 WO2020193218A1 (fr) 2019-03-22 2020-03-13 Système de substitution à l'acte de fumer
JP2021556992A JP2022526324A (ja) 2019-03-22 2020-03-13 喫煙代用システム
US17/481,864 US20220061399A1 (en) 2019-03-22 2021-09-22 Smoking substitute system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19020227.5A EP3711588A1 (fr) 2019-03-22 2019-03-22 Système de substitution du tabac

Publications (1)

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EP3711588A1 true EP3711588A1 (fr) 2020-09-23

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EP19020227.5A Ceased EP3711588A1 (fr) 2019-03-22 2019-03-22 Système de substitution du tabac
EP20715733.0A Pending EP3941240A1 (fr) 2019-03-22 2020-03-13 Système de substitution à l'acte de fumer

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EP20715733.0A Pending EP3941240A1 (fr) 2019-03-22 2020-03-13 Système de substitution à l'acte de fumer

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EP (2) EP3711588A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2022526324A (fr)
CN (1) CN114206144A (fr)
WO (1) WO2020193218A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1994018860A1 (fr) * 1993-02-24 1994-09-01 Philip Morris Products Inc. Procede et appareil destines a reguler l'alimentation en energie d'une charge chauffante dans une machine a fumer
US20150257445A1 (en) * 2014-03-13 2015-09-17 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Aerosol Delivery Device and Related Method and Computer Program Product for Controlling an Aerosol Delivery Device Based on Input Characteristics
WO2016009202A1 (fr) * 2014-07-16 2016-01-21 Cambridge Design Partnership Llp Inhalateurs
US20160374397A1 (en) * 2015-06-25 2016-12-29 Geoffrey Brandon Jordan Electronic vaping device having pressure sensor
US20180132528A1 (en) * 2016-11-14 2018-05-17 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Photoelectric proximity sensor for gesture-based control of an aerosol delivery device

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1994018860A1 (fr) * 1993-02-24 1994-09-01 Philip Morris Products Inc. Procede et appareil destines a reguler l'alimentation en energie d'une charge chauffante dans une machine a fumer
US20150257445A1 (en) * 2014-03-13 2015-09-17 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Aerosol Delivery Device and Related Method and Computer Program Product for Controlling an Aerosol Delivery Device Based on Input Characteristics
WO2016009202A1 (fr) * 2014-07-16 2016-01-21 Cambridge Design Partnership Llp Inhalateurs
US20160374397A1 (en) * 2015-06-25 2016-12-29 Geoffrey Brandon Jordan Electronic vaping device having pressure sensor
US20180132528A1 (en) * 2016-11-14 2018-05-17 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Photoelectric proximity sensor for gesture-based control of an aerosol delivery device

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WO2020193218A1 (fr) 2020-10-01
JP2022526324A (ja) 2022-05-24
CN114206144A (zh) 2022-03-18
EP3941240A1 (fr) 2022-01-26

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