EP3714714A1 - Aerosolabgabevorrichtung - Google Patents

Aerosolabgabevorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3714714A1
EP3714714A1 EP19166301.2A EP19166301A EP3714714A1 EP 3714714 A1 EP3714714 A1 EP 3714714A1 EP 19166301 A EP19166301 A EP 19166301A EP 3714714 A1 EP3714714 A1 EP 3714714A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
delivery device
aerosol delivery
contact pins
vaporiser
consumable
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
EP19166301.2A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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 EP19166301.2A priority Critical patent/EP3714714A1/de
Priority to PCT/EP2020/056090 priority patent/WO2020200654A1/en
Priority to EP20708104.3A priority patent/EP3945880A1/de
Priority to CN202080025500.4A priority patent/CN113966177A/zh
Publication of EP3714714A1 publication Critical patent/EP3714714A1/de
Priority to US17/486,253 priority patent/US20220030941A1/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
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • 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
    • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
    • 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
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an aerosol delivery device, and more particularly but not exclusively, to an aerosol delivery device having a vaporiser, and a pair of contact pins for electrically connecting the vaporiser to a power supply.
  • 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.
  • 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 which may also be known as electronic nicotine delivery systems, may 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.
  • the inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or a flavourant 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.
  • smoking substitute systems are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end. Other smoking substitute systems do not generally resemble a cigarette (for example, the smoking substitute system may have a generally box-like form).
  • smoking substitute systems there are a number of different categories of smoking substitute systems, each utilising a different smoking substitute approach.
  • a smoking substitute approach corresponds to the manner in which the substitute system operates for a user.
  • a vaporisable liquid typically referred to (and referred to herein) as “e-liquid”
  • e-liquid is heated by a heating device to produce an aerosol vapour which is inhaled by a user.
  • An e-liquid typically includes a base liquid as well as nicotine and/or a flavourant.
  • the resulting vapour therefore also typically contains nicotine and/or a flavourant.
  • the base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine.
  • a typical vaping substitute device includes a mouthpiece, a power source (typically a battery), a tank or liquid reservoir for containing e-liquid, as well as a heating device.
  • a power source typically a battery
  • a tank or liquid reservoir for containing e-liquid as well as a heating device.
  • electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating device, which heats the e-liquid to produce an aerosol (or "vapour") which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.
  • Vaping smoking substitute devices can be configured in a variety of ways.
  • there are "closed system" vaping smoking substitute systems which typically have a sealed tank and heating element. The tank is pre-filled with e-liquid and is not intended to be refilled by an end user.
  • One subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute systems include a main body which includes the power source, wherein the main body is configured to be physically and electrically coupled to a consumable including the tank and the heating element. In this way, when the tank of a consumable has been emptied, that consumable is disposed of. The main body can be reused by connecting it to a new, replacement, consumable.
  • Another subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute systems are completely disposable, and intended for one-use only.
  • vaping smoking substitute systems which typically have a tank that is configured to be refilled by a user. In this way the entire device can be used multiple times.
  • An example vaping smoking substitute system is the mybluTM e-cigarette.
  • the mybluTM e-cigarette is a closed system which includes a main body and a consumable.
  • the main body and consumable are physically and electrically coupled together by pushing the consumable into the main body.
  • the main body includes a rechargeable battery.
  • the consumable includes a mouthpiece, a sealed tank which contains e-liquid, as well as a heater, which for this device is a heating filament coiled around a portion of a wick.
  • the wick is partially immersed in the e-liquid, and conveys e-liquid from the tank to the heating filament.
  • the device is activated when a microprocessor on board the main body detects a user inhaling through the mouthpiece. When the device is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating device, which heats e-liquid from the tank to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.
  • the blu PROTM e-cigarette is an open system device which includes a main body, a (refillable) tank, and a mouthpiece.
  • the main body and tank are physically and electrically coupled together by screwing one to the other.
  • the mouthpiece and refillable tank are physically coupled together by screwing one into the other, and detaching the mouthpiece from the refillable tank allows the tank to be refilled with e-liquid.
  • the device is activated by a button on the main body. When the device is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to a vaporiser, which heats e-liquid from the tank to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.
  • the present invention relates to an aerosol delivery device for a smoking substitute system, wherein a pair of contact pins having a circular cross section extend through the base of the aerosol delivery device to electrically connect a vaporiser to a power supply.
  • an aerosol delivery device for a smoking substitute system, the aerosol delivery device comprising a vaporiser for vaporising a vaporisable liquid, and a pair of contact pins for electrically connecting the vaporiser to a power supply, wherein the contact pins are embedded in a base portion of the aerosol delivery device, and each of the contact pins has a circular cross-section.
  • Providing contact pins embedded within the base portion of the aerosol delivery device may provide stability to the contact pins and thus ensure a reliable electrical connection between the power supply and the vaporiser housed inside the aerosol delivery device.
  • Such a configuration may simplify the process of assembling the aerosol delivery device, and may even permit simplified automation of the assembly of the vaporiser with the base portion of the aerosol delivery device.
  • the circular cross-section of each of the pair of contact pins may help to improve and simplify the assembly process of the aerosol delivery device and may also provide an improved seal between the contact pins and the base portion; thereby reducing the possibility of leaks (of vaporisable liquid) through the base portion.
  • the device has an upper end comprising an outlet and a lower end comprising at least one inlet.
  • the base portion is provided at the lower end of the device.
  • the device has a longitudinal axis which extends between the upper and lower ends.
  • downstream used herein is intended to refer to a longitudinal direction of the device towards the outlet.
  • upstream used herein is intended to refer to a longitudinal direction of the device away from the outlet.
  • the device comprises a device airflow path extending from the at least one (upstream) inlet to the (downstream) outlet.
  • transverse and “transversely” used herein are intended to refer to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.
  • the contact pins may extend in a generally longitudinal direction.
  • the contact pins may extend through the base portion from lower (upstream) faces to upper (downstream) faces proximal the vaporiser.
  • the pins may be aligned with each other in a transverse direction.
  • the vaporiser may be transversely elongated e.g. it may comprise a transversely elongated wick and a heating element.
  • the contact pins may be in electrical communication with the heating element.
  • the pins e.g. the upper faces of the pins
  • the transversely aligned pins e.g. the transversely aligned upper faces of the pins
  • the vaporiser may be positioned so that it overlies the axial centre of the base portion (e.g. it extends transversely to intersect the longitudinal axis of the device).
  • the axial centre of the base portion may lie between the two contact pins.
  • the contact pins e.g. the upper faces of the contact pins
  • the contact pins may be equally spaced in the transverse direction either side of the central longitudinal axis of the aerosol delivery device.
  • the lowermost (upstream) surface of the base portion may have a generally rectangular profile with opposing transverse edges spaced by opposing front and rear edges (where the front to rear direction of the device extends perpendicular to both the longitudinal and transverse directions).
  • the contact pins may be equally spaced from the front and rear edges on the lowermost surface of the base portion.
  • a transverse spacing between a first of the pair of contact pins (e.g. a first of the lower faces of the pins) from the proximal (first) transverse edge may be equal to a transverse spacing between a second of the pair of contact pins (e.g. a second of the lower faces of the pins) from the proximal (second) transverse edge.
  • the at least one inlet may be provided on the lowermost surface of the base portion. There may be two air inlets provided on the lowermost surface of the base portion.
  • the heating element of the vaporiser may comprise a filament and each end of the filament may be electrically connected to a respective contact pin (e.g. to the upper faces of the contact pins). Specifically, the filament may extend between the pair of contact pins.
  • the filament may extend helically about the wick.
  • the contact pins e.g. the upper face of each contact pin
  • the contact pins may be electrically connected to a respective end of the filament upstream of the wick.
  • the contact pins (i.e. the upper face of each contact pin) may be physically and electrically connected directly to the filament.
  • the contact pins may be connected to the filament by crimping, welding or compressing.
  • the contact pins may have a circular cross-section along their entire length. Alternatively, the contact pins may have a circular cross-section along only part of their length.
  • Each contact pin may be substantially cylindrical.
  • the cross-sectional shape and/or cross-sectional area of each contact pin may be substantially equal along the entire length of each respective contact pin.
  • the contact pins may have substantially the same shape and/or size as each other.
  • Each of the contact pins may taper along at least part of their length towards the upper and/or lower face of each respective contact pin.
  • each contact pin may taper in size towards the upper face (i.e. such that the cross-sectional area of the upper face of the contact pin is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the lower face of the contact pin). In this way, the vaporiser may be more easily electrically and physically connected to each of the contact pins.
  • each contact pin may comprise an electrical interface for interfacing with a corresponding electrical interface of a main body of the smoking substitute system.
  • the aerosol delivery device may further comprise a vaporising chamber.
  • the vaporiser may be disposed within the vaporising chamber and the upper faces of the contacts pins may be exposed within the vaporising chamber.
  • the device airflow path comprises at least one inlet airflow path extending from the at least one inlet (on the lowermost surface of the base portion) within a respective inlet channel to the vaporising chamber and at least one chamber airflow path extending through the chamber.
  • the device airflow path may circumvent the vaporiser.
  • the chamber airflow path(s) may circumvent the vaporiser in the vaporising chamber. In this way, the device airflow path may not pass through the vaporiser. Accordingly, the possibility of unvaporised liquid from the vaporiser being entrained in the airflow, and thus through the outlet of the device and into the mouth of a user, may be reduced or eliminated.
  • the or each opening from the inlet channel(s) into the vaporising chamber (and the or each inlet on the lowermost surface of the device) is offset from the central longitudinal axis of the aerosol delivery device e.g. offset in the front to rear direction of the device (which is perpendicular to both the transverse and longitudinal direction).
  • the openings from the inlet channels into the vaporising chamber may be spaced from each other in the front to rear direction of the device. They may be equally spaced from the central longitudinal axis of the aerosol delivery device on either side of the central longitudinal axis in a front to rear direction. They may be aligned with each other in the front to rear direction of the device.
  • the opening of the/each inlet channel into the vaporising chamber may be offset from the vaporiser in the front to rear direction of the device.
  • the opening of the/each inlet channel may be axially downstream of the vaporiser (i.e. closer to the outlet of the device).
  • airflow in the inlet airflow path may enter the vaporising chamber downstream of the vaporiser, which may further help to reduce the amount of un-vaporised liquid entrained in the chamber airflow path towards the outlet of the device.
  • the opening(s) of the or each inlet channel may be elongated in the transverse direction such that it/they extend substantially parallel to the vaporiser (i.e. the wick of the vaporiser). Accordingly, the or each inlet channel may have a transversely elongated transverse cross-sectional profile.
  • the or each inlet on the lowermost surface of the base portion may be elongated in the transverse direction such that it/they extend parallel to the front and rear edges of the lowermost surface of the base portion (and substantially parallel to the transverse axis aligning the (lower faces of the) contact pins on the lowermost surface of the base portion).
  • the aerosol delivery device may comprise a tank (reservoir) for containing the vaporisable liquid (e.g. an e-liquid) with the vaporiser being in fluid communication with the tank.
  • the e-liquid may, for example, comprise a base liquid and e.g. nicotine.
  • the base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine.
  • the tank may be defined by a tank housing. At least a portion of the tank housing may be translucent.
  • the tank may comprise a window to allow a user to visually assess the quantity of e-liquid in the tank.
  • the tank may be referred to as a "clearomizer” if it includes a window, or a “cartomizer” if it does not.
  • the base portion may be a base insert defining the inlet(s).
  • the base insert may be inserted into an open lower end of the tank so as to seal against an inside surface of the tank housing.
  • the base insert may comprise an inner, longitudinally-extending sleeve that defines wall(s) of the vaporising chamber.
  • the base insert may be configured to support the vaporiser within the vaporising chamber.
  • the base insert may define the inlet channels.
  • the base insert may be formed of silicone.
  • the vaporising chamber may comprise opposing parallel side walls that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, and a downstream wall extending transversely between the side walls.
  • the walls (e.g. front and rear walls) of the vaporising chamber may have at least one step formed therein, such that a portion of each (front/rear) wall is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.
  • the step(s) may be provided downstream of the vaporiser within the vaporising chamber.
  • the opening of the/each inlet channel may be formed in the step(s) of the wall(s) of the vaporising chamber (i.e. the opening of the/each inlet channel may be formed in the step portion of the wall perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device).
  • the aerosol delivery device may comprise a passage extending to the outlet of the device e.g. at a mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery device.
  • the passage may extend from a passage opening in the vaporising chamber to the outlet.
  • a user may draw fluid (e.g. air) from the inlet, through the inlet channel(s) and through the vaporising chamber into the passage opening and through the passage by inhaling at the outlet (i.e. using the mouthpiece).
  • the passage may comprise passage walls extending within the tank such that the tank may surround the passage.
  • the passage opening may be formed in the downstream wall of the vaporising chamber.
  • the inner sleeve of the base insert may seal against the passage walls.
  • the wick may comprise a porous material.
  • the wick may be elongate and extend transversely across the vaporising chamber between the wall(s) (e.g. side walls) of the vaporising chamber.
  • the wick may also comprise one or more portions in contact with liquid stored in the tank. For example, opposing transverse ends of the wick may protrude into the tank and a central portion (between the transverse ends) may extend across the vaporising chamber. Thus, fluid may be drawn (e.g. by capillary action) along the wick, from the reservoir to the central portion of the wick.
  • the filament may be wound about the central portion of the wick.
  • the power source may supply electricity to (i.e. apply a voltage across) the filament so as to heat the filament. This may cause liquid stored in the wick (i.e. drawn from the tank) to be heated so as to form a vapour and become entrained in the device airflow path. This vapour may subsequently cool to form an aerosol in the passage.
  • the aerosol delivery device may be in the form of a consumable.
  • a smoking substitute system comprising: the aerosol delivery device of the first aspect; and a main body comprising a power source, wherein the pair of contact pins electrically connect the heating element to the power source.
  • the consumable may be configured for engagement with the main body (i.e. so as to form a closed smoking substitute system).
  • the consumable may comprise components of the system that are disposable, and the main body may comprise non-disposable or non-consumable components (e.g. power supply, controller, sensor, etc.) that facilitate the delivery of aerosol by the consumable.
  • the aerosol former e.g. vaporisable e-liquid
  • the aerosol former may be replenished by replacing a used consumable with an unused consumable.
  • the main body and the consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together.
  • the consumable may be at least partially received in a recess of the main body, such that there is an interference fit (e.g. snap engagement) between the main body and the consumable.
  • the main body and the consumable may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other, or through a bayonet fitting.
  • the aerosol delivery device may comprise one or more engagement portions for engaging with a main body.
  • the lower end of the aerosol delivery device e.g. the base portion
  • the upper end of the aerosol delivery device may define a mouthpiece of the smoking substitute system.
  • the power source may be electrically connected (or connectable) to the vaporiser of the aerosol delivery device when engaged with the main body.
  • the power source may be a battery (e.g. a rechargeable battery).
  • a connector in the form of e.g. a USB port may be provided for recharging this battery.
  • the consumable may comprise an electrical interface for interfacing with a corresponding electrical interface of the main body.
  • the lower face of each contact pin may comprise the electrical interface for interfacing with a corresponding electrical interface of the main body.
  • One or both of the electrical interfaces may include one or more electrical contacts. The lower faces of the contact pins may provide the electrical contacts.
  • the electrical interface may be configured to transfer electrical power from the power source to the heating element of the consumable.
  • the electrical interface may also be used to identify the aerosol delivery device from a list of known types. For example, the consumable may have a certain concentration of nicotine and the electrical interface may be used to identify this.
  • the electrical interface may additionally or alternatively be used to identify when a consumable is connected to the main body.
  • the main body may comprise an interface, which may, for example, be in the form of an RFID reader, a barcode or QR code reader.
  • This interface may be able to identify a characteristic (e.g. a type) of a consumable engaged with the main body.
  • the consumable may include any one or more of an RFID chip, a barcode or QR code, or memory within which is an identifier and which can be interrogated via the interface.
  • the aerosol delivery device or main body may comprise a controller, which may include a microprocessor.
  • the controller may be configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the vaporiser of the aerosol delivery device (e.g. via the electrical contacts).
  • a memory may be provided and may be operatively connected to the controller.
  • the memory may include non-volatile memory.
  • the memory may include instructions which, when implemented, cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of a method.
  • the main body or aerosol delivery device may comprise a wireless interface, which may be configured to communicate wirelessly with another device, for example a mobile device, e.g. via Bluetooth®.
  • the wireless interface could include a Bluetooth® antenna.
  • Other wireless communication interfaces, e.g. WiFi®, are also possible.
  • the wireless interface may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote server.
  • a puff sensor i.e. airflow sensor
  • the puff sensor may be operatively connected to the controller so as to be able to provide a signal to the controller that is indicative of a puff state (i.e. puffing or not puffing).
  • the puff sensor may, for example, be in the form of a pressure sensor or an acoustic sensor. That is, the controller may control power supply to the heater of the consumable in response to a puff detection by the sensor. The control may be in the form of activation of the vaporiser in response to a detected puff. That is, the aerosol delivery device may be configured to be activated when a puff is detected by the puff sensor.
  • the puff sensor may form part of the consumable or the main body.
  • the device may be a non-consumable device in which an aerosol former (e.g. e-liquid) of the system may be replenished by re-filling the tank of the device (rather than replacing the consumable).
  • the consumable described above may instead be a non-consumable component that is integral with the main body.
  • the device may comprise the features of the main body described above.
  • the only consumable portion may be e-liquid contained in the tank of the device. Access to the tank (for re-filling of the e-liquid) may be provided via e.g. an opening to the tank that is sealable with a closure (e.g. a cap).
  • a smoking substitute system comprising the aerosol delivery device of the first aspect, and a main body comprising a power source, wherein the pair of contact pins electrically connect the heating element to the power source.
  • 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 shows a first embodiment of a smoking substitute system 100.
  • the smoking substitute system 100 includes a main body 102 and an aerosol delivery device in the form of a consumable 104.
  • the consumable 104 may alternatively be referred to as a "pod", “cartridge” or “cartomizer”.
  • the main body may be integral with the consumable such that the aerosol delivery device incorporates the main body.
  • a tank of the aerosol delivery device may be accessible for refilling the device.
  • the smoking substitute system 100 is a closed system vaping system, wherein the consumable 104 includes a sealed tank 106 and is intended for single-use only.
  • the consumable 104 is removably engageable with the main body 102 (i.e. for removal and replacement).
  • Figure 1A shows the smoking substitute system 100 with the main body 102 physically coupled to the consumable 104
  • Figure 1B shows the main body 102 of the smoking substitute system 100 without the consumable 104
  • Figure 1C shows the consumable 104 of the smoking substitute system 100 without the main body 102.
  • the main body 102 and the consumable 104 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the consumable 104 into a cavity at an upper end 108 of the main body 102, such that there is an interference fit between the main body 102 and the consumable 104.
  • the main body 102 and the consumable 104 may be coupled by screwing one onto the other, or through a bayonet fitti ng .
  • the consumable 104 includes a mouthpiece (not shown in Figure 1A, 1B or 1C ) at an upper end 109 of the consumable 104, and one or more air inlets (not shown) in fluid communication with the mouthpiece such that air can be drawn into and through the consumable 104 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece.
  • the tank 106 containing e-liquid is located at the lower end 111 of the consumable 104.
  • the tank 106 includes a window 112, which allows the amount of e-liquid in the tank 106 to be visually assessed.
  • the main body 102 includes a slot 114 so that the window 112 of the consumable 104 can be seen whilst the rest of the tank 106 is obscured from view when the consumable 104 is inserted into the cavity at the upper end 108 of the main body 102.
  • the lower end 110 of the main body 102 also includes a light 116 (e.g. an LED) located behind a small translucent cover.
  • the light 116 may be configured to illuminate when the smoking substitute system 100 is activated. While not shown, the consumable 104 may identify itself to the main body 102, via an electrical interface, RFID chip, or barcode.
  • Figures 2A and 2B are schematic drawings of the main body 102 and consumable 104.
  • the main body 102 includes a power source 118, a controller 120, a memory 122, a wireless interface 124, an electrical interface 126, and, optionally, one or more additional components 128.
  • the power source 118 is preferably a battery, more preferably a rechargeable battery.
  • the controller 120 may include a microprocessor, for example.
  • the memory 122 preferably includes non-volatile memory.
  • the memory may include instructions which, when implemented, cause the controller 120 to perform certain tasks or steps of a method.
  • the wireless interface 124 is preferably configured to communicate wirelessly with another device, for example a mobile device, e.g. via Bluetooth®. To this end, the wireless interface 124 could include a Bluetooth® antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces, e.g. WiFi®, are also possible. The wireless interface 124 may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote server.
  • the electrical interface 126 may be located in a base of the aperture in the upper end 108 of the main body 102. When the main body 102 is physically coupled to the consumable 104, the electrical interface 126 is configured to transfer electrical power from the power source 118 to the consumable 104 (i.e. upon activation of the smoking substitute system 100).
  • the electrical interface 126 may be configured to receive power from a charging station when the main body 102 is not physically coupled to the consumable 104 and is instead coupled to the charging station.
  • the electrical interface 126 may also be used to identify the consumable 104 from a list of known consumables.
  • the consumable 104 may be a particular flavour and/or have a certain concentration of nicotine (which may be identified by the electrical interface 126). This can be indicated to the controller 120 of the main body 102 when the consumable 104 is connected to the main body 102.
  • the additional components 128 of the main body 102 may comprise the light 116 discussed above.
  • the additional components 128 of the main body 102 may also comprise a charging port (e.g. USB or micro-USB port) configured to receive power from the charging station (i.e. when the power source 118 is a rechargeable battery). This may be located at the lower end 110 of the main body 102.
  • the electrical interface 126 discussed above may be configured to act as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station such that a separate charging port is not required.
  • the additional components 128 of the main body 102 may, if the power source 118 is a rechargeable battery, include a battery charging control circuit, for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery.
  • a battery charging control circuit could equally be located in the charging station (if present).
  • the additional components 128 of the main body 102 may include a sensor, such as an airflow (i.e. puff) sensor for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute system 100, e.g. caused by a user inhaling through a mouthpiece 136 of the consumable 104.
  • the smoking substitute system 100 may be configured to be activated when airflow is detected by the airflow sensor.
  • This sensor could alternatively be included in the consumable 104.
  • the airflow sensor can be used to determine, for example, how heavily a user draws on the mouthpiece or how many times a user draws on the mouthpiece in a particular time period.
  • the additional components 128 of the main body 102 may include a user input, e.g. a button.
  • the smoking substitute system 100 may be configured to be activated when a user interacts with the user input (e.g. presses the button). This provides an alternative to the airflow sensor as a mechanism for activating the smoking substitute system 100.
  • the consumable 104 includes the tank 106, an electrical interface 130, a vaporiser 132, one or more air inlets 134, a mouthpiece 136, and one or more additional components 138.
  • the electrical interface 126 of the main body 102 and an electrical interface 130 of the consumable 104 are configured to contact each other and thereby electrically couple the main body 102 to the consumable 104 when the lower end 111 of the consumable 104 is inserted into the upper end 108 of the main body 102 (as shown in Fig. 1A ). In this way, electrical energy (e.g. in the form of an electrical current) is able to be supplied from the power source 118 in the main body 102 to the vaporiser 132 in the consumable 104.
  • electrical energy e.g. in the form of an electrical current
  • the vaporiser 132 is configured to heat and vaporise e-liquid contained in the tank 106 using electrical energy supplied from the power source 118. As will be described further below, the vaporiser 132 includes a heating filament and a wick. The wick draws e-liquid from the tank 106 and the heating filament heats the e-liquid to vaporise the e-liquid.
  • the air inlets 134 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking substitute system 100, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 136.
  • the air inlets 134 receive air, which flows to the air inlets 134 along a gap between the main body 102 and the lower end 111 of the consumable 104.
  • a user activates the smoking substitute system 100, e.g. through interaction with a user input forming part of the main body 102 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 136 as described above.
  • the controller 120 may supply electrical energy from the power source 118 to the vaporiser 132 (via electrical interfaces 126, 130), which may cause the vaporiser 132 to heat e-liquid drawn from the tank 106 to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece 136.
  • An example of one of the one or more additional components 138 of the consumable 104 is an interface for obtaining an identifier of the consumable 104.
  • this interface may be, for example, an RFID reader, a barcode, a QR code reader, or an electronic interface which is able to identify the consumable.
  • the consumable 104 may, therefore include any one or more of an RFID chip, a barcode or QR code, or memory within which is an identifier and which can be interrogated via the electronic interface in the main body 102.
  • the smoking substitute system 100 shown in figures 1A to 2B is just one exemplary implementation of a smoking substitute system.
  • the system could otherwise be in the form of an entirely disposable (single-use) system or an open system in which the tank is refillable (rather than replaceable).
  • FIG 3 is a section view of the consumable 104 described above.
  • the consumable 104 comprises a tank 106 for storing e-liquid, a mouthpiece 136 and a passage 140 extending along a longitudinal axis of the consumable 104.
  • the passage 140 is in the form of a tube having a substantially circular transverse cross-section (i.e. transverse to the longitudinal axis).
  • the tank 106 surrounds the passage 140, such that the passage 140 extends centrally through the tank 106.
  • a tank housing 142 of the tank 106 defines an outer casing of the consumable 104, whilst a passage wall 144 defines the passage 140.
  • the tank housing 142 extends from the lower end 111 of the consumable 104 to the mouthpiece 136 at the upper end 109 of the consumable 104.
  • the mouthpiece 136 is wider than the tank housing 142, so as to define a lip 146 that overhangs the tank housing 142. This lip 146 acts as a stop feature when the consumable 104 is inserted into the main body 102 (i.e. by contact with an upper edge of the main body 102).
  • the tank 106, the passage 140 and the mouthpiece 136 are integrally formed with each other so as to form a single unitary component.
  • This component may be formed by way of an injection moulding process and, for example, may be formed of a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene.
  • the tank housing 142 tapers, such that the thickness of the tank housing 142 decreases in a downward direction away from the mouthpiece 136. This means that, aside from a small number of indents (which provide physical connection between the consumable 104 and the main body 102), the thickness of the tank housing 142 decreases with increasing distance away from the mouthpiece 136.
  • the tank housing 142 tapers in this way, because internal and external surfaces of the tank housing 142 are angled with respect to the downward direction away from the mouthpiece 136. This tapering assists in forming the tank housing 142 and passage wall 144 as a single (i.e. unitary) component.
  • the passage wall 144 is also tapered such that the thickness of the passage wall 144 decreases in the downward direction away from the mouthpiece136. Again, the thickness of the passage wall 144 decreases due to internal and external surfaces of the passage wall 144 being angled with respect to this downward direction.
  • the passage 140 has an internal diameter that decreases in a downstream direction (i.e. an upward direction in Figure. 3 ).
  • the passage 140 has an internal width less than 4.0 mm and greater than 3.0 mm at an upstream end of the passage 140 (e.g. approximately 3.6 mm).
  • the passage 140 has an internal width of less than 3.8 mm and greater than 2.8 mm at the downstream end of the passage 140 (e.g. approximately 3.4 mm).
  • the mouthpiece 136 comprises a mouthpiece aperture 148 defining an outlet of the passage 140.
  • the mouthpiece aperture 148 has a radially inwardly directed inner surface, which joins an outer surface of the mouthpiece 136 (i.e. a surface which contacts a user's lips in use) at an outer edge of the mouthpiece aperture 148.
  • the included angle between the inner surface of the mouthpiece aperture 148 and the outer surface of the mouthpiece 136 i.e. the "mouthpiece angle" is greater than 90 degrees. This may be due to the outer edge being rounded. This edge may otherwise be chamfered or bevelled.
  • the vaporiser 132 is located in a vaporising chamber 156 of the consumable 104.
  • the vaporising chamber 156 is downstream of a plurality of device air inlets 134 of the consumable 104 and is fluidly connected to the mouthpiece aperture 148 (i.e. outlet) by the passage 140.
  • the passage 140 extends between the mouthpiece aperture 148 and an opening 158 from the chamber 156. This opening 158 is formed in a downstream (i.e. upper) wall 160 of the chamber 156.
  • the lower end 111 (i.e. base) of the consumable 104 that connects with the main body 102 is defined by a base insert 170.
  • the base insert 170 is inserted into an open lower end of the tank 106 so as to seal against the tank housing 142.
  • the vaporiser 132 comprises a porous wick 162 and a heater filament 164 (not shown in Figure 3 , but described in more detail below in relation to Figures 4A-C ) coiled around the porous wick 162.
  • the wick 162 extends transversely across the chamber 156 between sidewalls of the chamber 156 which form part of an inner sleeve 168 of the base insert 170.
  • the inner sleeve 168 projects into the tank 106 and seals with the passage 140 (around the passage wall 144) so as to separate the chamber 156 from the e-liquid in the tank 106.
  • Transverse ends of the wick 162 project into the tank 106 so as to be in contact with the e-liquid in the tank 106.
  • e-liquid is transported along the wick 162 (e.g. by capillary action) to a central portion of the wick 162 that is exposed to airflow through the chamber 156.
  • the transported e-liquid is heated by the heater filament 164 (when activated e.g. by detection of inhalation), which causes the e-liquid to be vaporised and to be entrained in air flowing past the wick 162.
  • This vaporised liquid may cool to form an aerosol in the passage 140, which may then be inhaled by a user.
  • Figure 4A illustrates the base insert 170 of the consumable 104.
  • Figure 4A also illustrates the coiled heater filament 164 but does not show the wick 162.
  • a pair of contact pins 200 having a circular cross section in the longitudinal direction are embedded in the base portion 170. As is more clearly shown in Figure 4C , the contact pins 200 extend through the base portion 170 in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the consumable 104.
  • An upper (downstream) face 202 of each of the pair of contact pins 200 is electrically connected to respective ends of the heater filament 164.
  • the upper face 202 of each of the pair of contact pins 200 is also physically connected to respective ends of the heater filament 164.
  • the upper faces 202 of the contact pins 200 may be connected to the heater filament 164 by crimping, welding or compressing.
  • a lower (upstream) face 204 of each of the contact pins 200 comprises the electrical interface 130 for interfacing with the corresponding electrical interface 126 on the main body 102.
  • the lower faces 204 of the contact pins 200 contact corresponding electrical contacts on the main body 102.
  • power can be supplied by the main body 102, via the contact pins 200, to the filament 164 in order to heat the filament 164.
  • the contact pins 200 are aligned with each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the device.
  • the contact pins 200 are also transversely aligned parallel to the transversely extending wick 162.
  • the wick 162 overlies the contact pins 200 in the longitudinal direction.
  • connection between the upper face 202 of each contact pin 200 and the heater filament 164 is located upstream of the heater filament 164 and wick 162.
  • the heating filament 164 and the wick 162 are positioned to overlie the axial centre of the base insert 170. Accordingly, the heating filament 164 and wick 162 are centrally positioned in the consumable 104 in the transverse plane relative to the longitudinal axis of the consumable 104, such that the central longitudinal axis 210 of the consumable 104 intersects the heating filament 164 and wick 162.
  • Each contact pin 200 is spaced in the transverse direction from the central longitudinal axis 210 of the consumable 104. Specifically, each contact pin 200 is spaced from the central longitudinal axis 210 of the consumable 104 by a same distance on either side of the central longitudinal axis 210.
  • Each of the contact pins 200 is substantially cylindrical. However, as shown in Figures 4A-4C , each contact pin 200 tapers towards the upper face 202, which is connected to the heating filament 164.
  • the contact pins 200 may be formed from a metal/metal alloy with high electrical conductivity.
  • the contact pins 200 may be formed from one or more of silver, copper, gold, platinum, palladium, tungsten, nickel, graphite, molybdenum, for example.
  • the heating filament 164 and wick 162 are positioned within a vaporising chamber 156.
  • a pair of inlet channels 220 extend through the base insert 170 into the vaporising chamber 156.
  • the inlet channels 220 extend in a generally longitudinal direction of the device. They allow air to flow through the base insert 170 from device inlets 134 at the lowermost surface 111 of the consumable 104 (i.e. lowermost surface of the base portion 170), through openings 224 into the vaporising chamber 156.
  • a user may draw air through the device inlets 134, the inlets channels 220, the vaporising chamber 156, the passage 140, and out through the outlet 148 in the mouthpiece 136.
  • the two openings 224 of the inlet channels 220 are transversely offset from the central longitudinal axis 210 of the consumable 104 on either side of the central longitudinal axis 210 in the front to rear direction.
  • the two openings 224 of the inlet channels 220 are equally spaced from the central longitudinal axis 210 of the aerosol delivery device on either side of the central longitudinal axis 210. They are aligned with each other in the front to rear direction.
  • the openings 224 of the inlet channels 220 are formed in perpendicular stepped portions 230 in the front and rear walls of the vaporising chamber 156.
  • the stepped portions 230 in the front and rear walls, and therefore the openings 224 of the inlet channels 220, are axially downstream of the heating filament 164 and the wick 162.
  • the openings 224 of the inlet channels 220 are elongated in the transverse direction such that they extend substantially parallel to the transversely-extending wick 162.
  • the device inlets 222 at the lowermost surface 111 of the base portion 170 are also elongated in the transverse direction such that they extend substantially parallel to the transverse axis through the lower faces 204 of the contact pins 200 on the lowermost surface of the base portion.

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  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
EP19166301.2A 2019-03-29 2019-03-29 Aerosolabgabevorrichtung Ceased EP3714714A1 (de)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19166301.2A EP3714714A1 (de) 2019-03-29 2019-03-29 Aerosolabgabevorrichtung
PCT/EP2020/056090 WO2020200654A1 (en) 2019-03-29 2020-03-06 Aerosol delivery device
EP20708104.3A EP3945880A1 (de) 2019-03-29 2020-03-06 Aerosolabgabevorrichtung
CN202080025500.4A CN113966177A (zh) 2019-03-29 2020-03-06 气溶胶递送装置
US17/486,253 US20220030941A1 (en) 2019-03-29 2021-09-27 Aerosol delivery device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19166301.2A EP3714714A1 (de) 2019-03-29 2019-03-29 Aerosolabgabevorrichtung

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3714714A1 true EP3714714A1 (de) 2020-09-30

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Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19166301.2A Ceased EP3714714A1 (de) 2019-03-29 2019-03-29 Aerosolabgabevorrichtung
EP20708104.3A Pending EP3945880A1 (de) 2019-03-29 2020-03-06 Aerosolabgabevorrichtung

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20708104.3A Pending EP3945880A1 (de) 2019-03-29 2020-03-06 Aerosolabgabevorrichtung

Country Status (3)

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EP (2) EP3714714A1 (de)
CN (1) CN113966177A (de)
WO (1) WO2020200654A1 (de)

Cited By (1)

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US11910826B2 (en) 2021-01-18 2024-02-27 Altria Client Services Llc Heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating devices and capsules

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CN114794561B (zh) * 2022-04-12 2023-03-24 深圳美众联科技有限公司 一体式塑料支架及对应的雾化芯

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EP2712511A1 (de) * 2008-04-30 2014-04-02 Philip Morris Products S.A. Elektrisch beheiztes Rauchsystem mit einem Element zur Flüssigkeitsspeicherung
CN203872998U (zh) * 2014-03-07 2014-10-15 惠州市吉瑞科技有限公司 电子烟
US20150305409A1 (en) * 2013-11-12 2015-10-29 VMR Products, LLC Vaporizer
WO2017163045A1 (en) * 2016-03-24 2017-09-28 Nicoventures Holdings Limited Electronic vapour provision system
CN207855027U (zh) * 2017-12-22 2018-09-14 深圳市艾维普思科技有限公司 供电组件及电子烟

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MX2018011471A (es) * 2016-03-31 2019-01-10 Philip Morris Products Sa Unidad de vaporizacion que comprende elemento de calentamiento de tipo lamina y dispositivo de suministro de liquido para un sistema generador de aerosol.

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2712511A1 (de) * 2008-04-30 2014-04-02 Philip Morris Products S.A. Elektrisch beheiztes Rauchsystem mit einem Element zur Flüssigkeitsspeicherung
US20150305409A1 (en) * 2013-11-12 2015-10-29 VMR Products, LLC Vaporizer
CN203872998U (zh) * 2014-03-07 2014-10-15 惠州市吉瑞科技有限公司 电子烟
WO2017163045A1 (en) * 2016-03-24 2017-09-28 Nicoventures Holdings Limited Electronic vapour provision system
CN207855027U (zh) * 2017-12-22 2018-09-14 深圳市艾维普思科技有限公司 供电组件及电子烟

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11910826B2 (en) 2021-01-18 2024-02-27 Altria Client Services Llc Heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating devices and capsules

Also Published As

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CN113966177A (zh) 2022-01-21
EP3945880A1 (de) 2022-02-09
WO2020200654A1 (en) 2020-10-08

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