EP3838028A1 - Dispositif/système d'administration d'aérosol - Google Patents

Dispositif/système d'administration d'aérosol Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3838028A1
EP3838028A1 EP19218873.8A EP19218873A EP3838028A1 EP 3838028 A1 EP3838028 A1 EP 3838028A1 EP 19218873 A EP19218873 A EP 19218873A EP 3838028 A1 EP3838028 A1 EP 3838028A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
aerosol delivery
delivery device
visual feedback
inhalation
feedback element
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
EP19218873.8A
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 EP19218873.8A priority Critical patent/EP3838028A1/fr
Priority to PCT/EP2020/081395 priority patent/WO2021089855A1/fr
Priority to EP20800673.4A priority patent/EP4054364A1/fr
Publication of EP3838028A1 publication Critical patent/EP3838028A1/fr
Priority to US17/733,666 priority patent/US20220256934A1/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • A24F40/60—Devices with integrated user interfaces
    • 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
    • A24F40/51—Arrangement of sensors

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device and an aerosol delivery system such as a smoking substitute device/system.
  • 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 comprise electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol, also referred to as a "vapour", which is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled.
  • 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 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 device may have a generally box-like form).
  • a smoking substitute approach corresponds to the manner in which the substitute system operates for a user.
  • a smoking substitute system is the so-called “vaping” approach, in which a vaporisable liquid, typically referred to (and referred to herein) as “e-liquid", is heated by a heater 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 flavourings.
  • the resulting vapour therefore typically contains nicotine and/or flavourings.
  • the base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine.
  • a typical vaping smoking substitute system includes a mouthpiece, a power source (typically a battery), a tank or liquid reservoir for containing e-liquid, as well as a heater.
  • a power source typically a battery
  • a tank or liquid reservoir for containing e-liquid as well as a heater.
  • electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heater, which heats the e-liquid to produce an aerosol (or "vapour") which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.
  • Vaping smoking substitute systems can be configured in a variety of ways.
  • there are "closed system" vaping smoking substitute systems which typically have a heater and a sealed tank which 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 device which includes the power source, wherein the device is configured to be physically and electrically coupled to a component including the tank and the heater. In this way, when the tank of a component has been emptied, the device can be reused by connecting it to a new component.
  • 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, so the system 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 device and a consumable component.
  • the device and consumable component are physically and electrically coupled together by pushing the consumable component into the device.
  • the device includes a rechargeable battery.
  • the consumable component includes a mouthpiece, a sealed tank which contains e-liquid, as well as a vaporiser, which for this system is a heating filament coiled around a portion of a wick which is partially immersed in the e-liquid.
  • the system is activated when a microprocessor on board the device detects a user inhaling through the mouthpiece. When the system is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the vaporiser, 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 which includes a device, a (refillable) tank, and a mouthpiece.
  • the device 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 system is activated by a button on the device. When the system 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.
  • HT Heated Tobacco
  • HNB heat not burn
  • the tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco.
  • the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. the tobacco does not undergo combustion.
  • the heating, as opposed to burning, of 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.
  • a typical HT smoking substitute system may include a device and a consumable component.
  • the consumable component may include the tobacco material.
  • the device and consumable component 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 As the vapour passes through the consumable component (entrained in the airflow) from the location of vaporization to an outlet of the component (e.g. a mouthpiece), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user.
  • the aerosol may contain nicotine and/or flavour compounds.
  • Existing aerosol delivery devices offer only binary feedback to a user. For example, an indicator LED or other source of light may either be illuminated or extinguished based on whether the aerosol delivery device is being used. There exists a need to provide more complete feedback to the user.
  • an aerosol delivery device e.g. a smoking substitute device comprising:
  • Such an aerosol delivery device provides enhanced feedback to a user, by appearing to breathe with the user as they inhale through the mouthpiece.
  • the controller may be configured to increase the intensity of the visual feedback element in a gradual manner, through a plurality of non-zero intensities.
  • the visual feedback element may be a light emitting diode.
  • the change of the intensity of the visual feedback element may be based on an intensity and/or duration profile of the inhalation as detected by the inhalation sensor.
  • the change in the intensity of the visual feedback element may be proportional to the intensity and/or duration profile of the inhalation as detected by the inhalation sensor.
  • the intensity of the visual feedback element may increase as the duration of the inhalation increases, and thereby simulate the end of a conventional cigarette.
  • the intensity of the visual feedback may decrease when the intensity and/or flow rate of the inhalation decreases as detected by the inhalation sensor.
  • the change of the intensity of the visual feedback element may follow a predefined intensity profile.
  • the intensity of the visual feedback element may increase in a linear manner after the controller detects a user inhalation.
  • the controller may be further configured to terminate visual feedback from the visual feedback element when it detects via the inhalation sensor that inhalation has ceased.
  • the termination of visual feedback may be a step change, that is from the present intensity level directly to zero intensity, or a gradual change to zero intensity.
  • the rate at which the intensity changes to zero may be faster than the rate at which it changed during the user inhalation.
  • the controller may be further configured to detect a charge level of a battery in the aerosol delivery device, and to vary a parameter of the visual feedback element based on the detected charge level.
  • the controller may be configured to vary a colour of the visual feedback element based on the detected charge level being below a predetermined threshold charge level. For example, when the charge level is above the predetermined threshold charge level, the visual feedback element may illuminate with an amber or orange light. Whereas when the charge level is below the predetermined threshold level, the visual feedback element may illuminate with a red light.
  • the predetermined charge level may be around 20%.
  • the visual feedback element may comprise: an illumination region of a main body of the aerosol delivery device; and a source of light, contained within the main body, the illumination region being configured such that light provided by a source of light passes through the illumination region of the main body; and the controller may be configured to gradually change the intensity of the source of light.
  • the source of light may be an array of light emitting diodes.
  • the illumination region of the main body may be made from a diffusing material, such that the light passing through the illumination region from the source of light is diffused.
  • the main body may include a shell having a first area with a first thickness, and a second area with a second thickness, the first area including the illumination region and the first thickness being thinner than the second thickness.
  • the increase in intensity may cause an area of the illumination region which is illuminated to increase.
  • the device may comprises a source of power which may be a battery.
  • the source of power may be a capacitor.
  • the device may comprise a device body for housing the power source and/or other electrical components.
  • the device body may be an elongate body i.e. with a greater length than depth/width. It may have a greater width than depth.
  • the device body may have a length of between 5 and 30 cm e.g. between 10 and 20 cm such as between 10 and 13 cm.
  • the maximum depth of the device body may be between 5 and 30 mm e.g. between 10 and 20 mm.
  • the device body may have a front surface that is curved in the transverse dimension.
  • the device body may have a rear surface that is curved in the transverse dimension.
  • the curvatures of the front surface and rear surface may be of the opposite sense to one another. Both front and rear surfaces may be convex in the transverse dimension. They may have an equal radius of curvature.
  • the radius of curvature of the front surface may be between 10 and 50 mm, preferably between 10 and 40 mm, preferably between 10 and 30 mm, preferably been 10 and 20 mm, more preferably between 10 and 15 mm, more preferably substantially 13.5 mm.
  • the front and rear surfaces may meet at opposing transverse edges of the device body. This leads to a mandorla-/lemon-/eye-shaped cross sectional shape of the device body.
  • the transverse edges may have a radius of curvature that is significantly smaller than the radius of curvature of either the front or rear surface. This leads to the transverse edges being substantially “pointed” or “sharp".
  • the transverse edges may have a radius of curvature in the transverse dimension of less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, preferably less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1 mm.
  • the transverse edges may extend substantially the full longitudinal length of the device body. However, in some embodiments, the transverse edges may only extend along a longitudinal portion of the device body.
  • the device body may have a curved longitudinal axis i.e. curved in a direction between the front and rear faces.
  • the device may comprise a movement detection unit (e.g. an accelerometer) for detecting a movement of the device, and a haptic feedback generation unit (e.g. an electric motor and a weight mounted eccentrically on a shaft of the electric motor).
  • a movement detection unit e.g. an accelerometer
  • a haptic feedback generation unit e.g. an electric motor and a weight mounted eccentrically on a shaft of the electric motor.
  • the controller may be configured to wherein the processor is configured to identify an operation of the smoking substitute device; and control the source of light contained within the device body, to illuminate the illumination region based on the operation of the smoking substitute device identified.
  • the controller may be configured to control the haptic feedback generation unit to generate the haptic feedback in response to the detection of movement of the system.
  • 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 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®. To this end, 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.
  • the inhalation sensor may be an airflow (i.e. puff) sensor that is configured to detect a puff (i.e. inhalation from a user).
  • the airflow 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 airflow sensor may, for example, be in the form of a pressure sensor or an acoustic sensor.
  • the controller may control power supply to a heating element in response to airflow detection by the sensor.
  • the control may be in the form of activation of the heating element in response to a detected airflow.
  • the airflow sensor may form part of the device.
  • the heating element may be used in a vaporiser to vaporise an aerosol precursor.
  • the vaporiser may be housed in a vaporising chamber.
  • an aerosol delivery system (e.g. smoking substitute system) comprising a device according to the first aspect and a component for containing an aerosol precursor.
  • the component may be an aerosol-delivery (e.g. a smoking substitute) consumable i.e. in some embodiments the component may be a consumable component for engagement with the aerosol-delivery (e.g. a smoking substitute) device to form the aerosol-delivery (e.g. s smoking substitute) system.
  • aerosol-delivery e.g. a smoking substitute
  • the component may be a consumable component for engagement with the aerosol-delivery (e.g. a smoking substitute) device to form the aerosol-delivery (e.g. s smoking substitute) system.
  • the device may be configured to receive the consumable component.
  • the device and the consumable component may be configured to be physically coupled together.
  • the consumable component may be at least partially received in a recess of the device, such that there is snap engagement between the device and the consumable component.
  • the device and the consumable component may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other, or through a bayonet fitting.
  • the consumable component may comprise one or more engagement portions for engaging with the device.
  • the consumable component may comprise an electrical interface for interfacing with a corresponding electrical interface of the device.
  • One or both of the electrical interfaces may include one or more electrical contacts (which may extend through the transverse plate of the lower portion of the insert).
  • the electrical interface may be configured to transfer electrical power from the power source to a heating element of the consumable component.
  • the electrical interface may also be used to identify the consumable component from a list of known types.
  • the electrical interface may additionally or alternatively be used to identify when the consumable component is connected to the device.
  • the device may alternatively or additionally be able to detect information about the consumable component via an RFID reader, a barcode or QR code reader.
  • This interface may be able to identify a characteristic (e.g. a type) of the consumable.
  • the consumable component 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 component may be integrally formed with the aerosol-delivery (e.g. a smoking substitute) device to form the aerosol-delivery (e.g. s smoking substitute) system.
  • the aerosol-delivery e.g. a smoking substitute
  • the aerosol-delivery device e.g. a smoking substitute
  • the aerosol former e.g. e-liquid
  • the aerosol former may be replenished by re-filling a tank that is integral with the device (rather than replacing the consumable).
  • 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).
  • the smoking substitute system may comprise an airflow path therethrough, the airflow path extending from an air inlet to an outlet.
  • the outlet may be at a mouthpiece portion of the component.
  • a user may draw fluid (e.g. air) into and along the airflow path by inhaling at the outlet (i.e. using the mouthpiece).
  • the airflow path passes the vaporiser between the air inlet to the air outlet.
  • the airflow path may comprise a first portion extending from the air inlet towards the vaporiser.
  • the second portion of the airflow path passes through the vaporising chamber to a conduit that extends to the air outlet.
  • the conduit may extend along the axial centre of the component.
  • references to "downstream” in relation to the airflow path are intended to refer to the direction towards the air outlet/outlet portion.
  • the second and third portions of the airflow path are downstream of the first portion of the airflow path.
  • references to "upstream” are intended to refer to the direction towards the air inlet.
  • the first portion of the airflow path (and the air inlet) is upstream of the second/third portions of the airflow path (and the air outlet/outlet portion).
  • references to "upper”, “lower”, “above” or “below” are intended to refer to the component when in an upright/vertical orientation i.e. with elongate (longitudinal/length) axis of the component vertically aligned and with the mouthpiece vertically uppermost.
  • the component may comprise a tank for housing the aerosol precursor (e.g. a liquid aerosol precursor).
  • the aerosol precursor may comprise an e-liquid, for example, comprising a base liquid and e.g. nicotine.
  • the base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine.
  • At least a portion of one of the walls defining the tank may be translucent or transparent.
  • the conduit may extend through the tank with the conduit walls defining an inner region of the tank.
  • the tank may surround the conduit e.g. the tank may be annular.
  • the air flow path passes the vaporiser between the air inlet to the air outlet.
  • the vaporiser may comprise a wick e.g. an elongate wick which may have a cylindrical shape.
  • the wick may be oriented so as to extend in the direction of the width dimension of the component (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the component). Thus the wick may extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of airflow in the airflow path.
  • the vaporiser may be disposed in the vaporising chamber.
  • the vaporising chamber may form part of the airflow path.
  • the wick may comprise a porous material. A portion of the wick may be exposed to airflow in the airflow path.
  • the wick may also comprise one or more portions in contact with liquid aerosol precursor stored in the tank. For example, opposing ends of the wick may protrude into the tank and a central portion (between the ends) may extend across the airflow path so as to be exposed to airflow. Thus, fluid may be drawn (e.g. by capillary action) along the wick, from the tank to the exposed portion of the wick.
  • the heating element may be in the form of a filament wound about the wick (e.g. the filament may extend helically about the wick).
  • the filament may be wound about the exposed portion of the wick.
  • the heating element is electrically connected (or connectable) to the power source.
  • the power source may supply electricity to (i.e. apply a voltage across) the heating element so as to heat the heating element.
  • 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 airflow along the airflow path. This vapour may subsequently cool to form an aerosol e.g. in the conduit.
  • a method of using the aerosol-delivery (e.g. smoking substitute) system comprising engaging the consumable component with an aerosol-delivery (e.g. smoking substitute) device (as described above) having a power source so as to electrically connect the power source to the consumable component (i.e. to the vaporiser of the consumable component).
  • an aerosol-delivery (e.g. smoking substitute) device as described above
  • having a power source so as to electrically connect the power source to the consumable component (i.e. to the vaporiser of the consumable component).
  • 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 device 102 and a component 104.
  • the component 104 may alternatively be referred to as a "pod", “cartridge” or “cartomizer”. It should be appreciated that in other examples (i.e. open systems), the device may be integral with the component. In such systems, a tank of the aerosol delivery system may be accessible for refilling the device.
  • the smoking substitute system 100 is a closed system vaping system, wherein the component 104 includes a sealed tank 106 and is intended for single-use only.
  • the component 104 is removably engageable with the device 102 (i.e. for removal and replacement).
  • Fig. 1A shows the smoking substitute system 100 with the device 102 physically coupled to the component 104
  • Fig. 1B shows the device 102 of the smoking substitute system 100 without the component 104
  • Fig. 1C shows the component 104 of the smoking substitute system 100 without the device 102.
  • the device 102 and the component 104 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the component 104 into a cavity at an upper end 108 of the device 102, such that there is an interference fit between the device 102 and the component 104.
  • the device 102 and the component may be coupled by screwing one onto the other, or through a bayonet fitting.
  • the component 104 includes a mouthpiece (not shown in Fig. 1A, 1B or 1C ) at an upper end 109 of the component 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 component 104 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece.
  • the tank 106 containing e-liquid is located at the lower end 111 of the component 104.
  • the tank 106 includes a window 112, which allows the amount of e-liquid in the tank 106 to be visually assessed.
  • the device 102 includes a slot 114 so that the window 112 of the component 104 can be seen whilst the rest of the tank 106 is obscured from view when the component 104 is inserted into the cavity at the upper end 108 of the device 102.
  • the lower end 110 of the device 102 also includes a visual feedback element 116 (e.g. one or more LEDs) located behind a small translucent cover.
  • the visual feedback element 116 is configured to provide a plurality of intensity levels, for example from a relatively low intensity to a relatively high intensity of light emission.
  • the visual feedback element 116 activates when the smoking substitute system 100 is activated.
  • the intensity of the visual feedback element increases gradually, when a user inhalation event is detected, over a duration of the user inhalation. For example, as the user inhales through the device, the visual feedback element will gradually increase in intensity.
  • the visual feedback element may cease providing visual feedback.
  • the area of the device 102 including the visual feedback element 116 may be formed of a diffusing material, for example polycarbonate, such that light emitted from sources of light within the device 102 is diffused as it is transmitted through the diffusing material.
  • the area of the device 102 including the visual feedback element may be the illumination region, with one or more sources of light being located within the device and beneath the illumination region.
  • the component 104 may identify itself to the device 102, via an electrical interface, RFID chip, or barcode.
  • the lower end 110 of the device 102 also includes a charging connection 115, which is usable to charge a battery within the device 102.
  • the charging connection 115 can also be used to transfer data to and from the device, for example to update firmware thereon.
  • Figs. 2A and 2B are schematic drawings of the device 102 and component 104.
  • the device 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 controller 120 is configured to control the intensity of the visual feedback element in the manner discussed previously.
  • the memory 122 may contain the predefined intensity profile used by the controller to control the visual feedback element.
  • 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 of the device 102 may include one or more electrical contacts.
  • the electrical interface 126 may be located in a base of the aperture in the upper end 108 of the device 102.
  • the electrical interface 126 is configured to transfer electrical power from the power source 118 to the component 104 (i.e. upon activation of the smoking substitute system 100).
  • the electrical interface 126 may also be used to identify the component 104 from a list of known components.
  • the component 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 device 102 when the component 104 is connected to the device 102.
  • the additional components 128 of the device 102 may comprise the visual feedback element 116 discussed above.
  • the additional components 128 of the device 102 also comprises the charging connection 115 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 device 102.
  • the additional components 128 of the device 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 device 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 component 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 component 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 device 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 component 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 130 of the component 104 may include one or more electrical contacts.
  • the electrical interface 126 of the device 102 and an electrical interface 130 of the component 104 are configured to contact each other and thereby electrically couple the device 102 to the component 104 when the lower end 111 of the component 104 is inserted into the upper end 108 of the device 102 (as shown in Fig. 1A ).
  • 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 one or more 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 device 102 and the lower end 111 of the component 104.
  • a user activates the smoking substitute system 100, e.g. through interaction with a user input forming part of the device 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 component 104 is an interface for obtaining an identifier of the component 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 component.
  • the component 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 device 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 component 104 described above.
  • the component 104 comprises a tank 106 for storing e-liquid, a mouthpiece 136 and a conduit 140 extending along a longitudinal axis of the component 104.
  • the conduit 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 conduit 140, such that the conduit 140 extends centrally through the tank 106.
  • a tank housing 142 of the tank 106 defines an outer casing of the component 104, whilst a conduit wall 144 defines the conduit 140.
  • the tank housing 142 extends from the lower end 111 of the component 104 to the mouthpiece 136 at the upper end 109 of the component 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 component 104 is inserted into the device 102 (i.e. by contact with an upper edge of the device 102).
  • the tank 106, the conduit 140 and the mouthpiece 136 are integrally formed with each other so as to form a single unitary component and may e.g. be formed by way of an injection moulding process.
  • a component may be formed of a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene.
  • the mouthpiece 136 comprises a mouthpiece aperture 148 defining an outlet of the conduit 140.
  • the vaporiser 132 is fluidly connected to the mouthpiece aperture 148 and is located in a vaporising chamber 156 of the component 104.
  • the vaporising chamber 156 is downstream of the inlet 134 of the component 104 and is fluidly connected to the mouthpiece aperture 148 (i.e. outlet) by the conduit 140.
  • the vaporiser 132 comprises a porous wick 150 and a heater filament 152 coiled around the porous wick 150.
  • the wick 150 extends transversely across the chamber vaporising 156 between sidewalls of the chamber 156 which form part of an inner sleeve 154 of an insert 158 that defines the lower end 111 of the component 104 that connects with the device 102.
  • the insert 158 is inserted into an open lower end of the tank 106 so as to seal against the tank housing 142.
  • the inner sleeve 154 projects into the tank 106 and seals with the conduit 140 (around the conduit wall 144) so as to separate the vaporising chamber 156 from the e-liquid in the tank 106.
  • Ends of the wick 150 project through apertures in the inner sleeve 154 and 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 150 (e.g. by capillary action) to a central portion of the wick 150 that is exposed to airflow through the vaporising chamber 156.
  • the transported e-liquid is heated by the heater filament 152 (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 150.
  • This vaporised liquid may cool to form an aerosol in the conduit 140, which may then be inhaled by a user.
  • Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the device 102 engaged with the component 104 at the upper end 108.
  • the device 102 includes a charging connection 115 at the lower end 110.
  • the front surface 201 of the device body 200 is curved in the transverse dimension.
  • the rear surface 202 of the device body 200 is curved in the transverse dimension.
  • the curvatures of the front surface 201 and rear surface 202 are of the opposite sense to one another.
  • Both front and rear surfaces 201, 202 are convex in the transverse dimension. This leads to a mandorla-/lemon-/eye-shaped cross sectional shape of the device body 200.
  • the front surface 201 includes a visual feedback element 116 of the type discussed previously.
  • the front surface 201 and rear surface 202 meet at two transverse edges 205.
  • the transverse edges 205 have a radius of curvature that is significantly smaller than the radius of curvature of either the front 201 or rear surface 202. This leads to the transverse edges being substantially “pointed” or “sharp".
  • the transverse edges may have a radius of curvature in the transverse dimension of less than 1 millimetre.
  • the transverse edges 205 extend substantially the full longitudinal length of the device body 200.
  • the front surface 201 of the device body 200 may include visual user feedback means.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic transverse cross section through the device 102 of Fig. 4 , in accordance with an embodiment.
  • the front surface 201 and rear surface 202 are shown meeting at the transverse edges 205 on either side of the device body 200.
  • the radius of curvature in the transverse dimension of the front surface 201 is equal to the radius of curvature in the transverse dimension of the rear surface 202.
  • the radius of curvature of the front surface 201 may be between 10 and 15 mm.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
EP19218873.8A 2019-11-08 2019-12-20 Dispositif/système d'administration d'aérosol Ceased EP3838028A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19218873.8A EP3838028A1 (fr) 2019-12-20 2019-12-20 Dispositif/système d'administration d'aérosol
PCT/EP2020/081395 WO2021089855A1 (fr) 2019-11-08 2020-11-06 Dispositif/système de distribution d'aérosol
EP20800673.4A EP4054364A1 (fr) 2019-11-08 2020-11-06 Dispositif/système de distribution d'aérosol
US17/733,666 US20220256934A1 (en) 2019-11-08 2022-04-29 Aerosol delivery device and system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19218873.8A EP3838028A1 (fr) 2019-12-20 2019-12-20 Dispositif/système d'administration d'aérosol

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3838028A1 true EP3838028A1 (fr) 2021-06-23

Family

ID=69005333

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19218873.8A Ceased EP3838028A1 (fr) 2019-11-08 2019-12-20 Dispositif/système d'administration d'aérosol

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3838028A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023067307A1 (fr) * 2021-10-22 2023-04-27 Nicoventures Trading Limited Système de fourniture d'aérosol

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN203137026U (zh) * 2012-08-03 2013-08-21 胡朝群 电子烟芯片及电子烟
WO2014144678A2 (fr) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 Lewis Michael W Dispositif à fumer électronique, systèmes et procédés associés
WO2015077645A1 (fr) * 2013-11-21 2015-05-28 Corr-Tech Associates, Inc. Commande améliorée de vaporisation et dosage pour un inhalateur à vaporiseur électronique
US20160331035A1 (en) * 2015-05-15 2016-11-17 Lunatech, Llc Electronic vapor device in cooperation with wireless communication device
WO2017205692A1 (fr) * 2016-05-25 2017-11-30 Pax Labs, Inc. Commande d'un vaporisateur électronique
WO2019207312A1 (fr) * 2018-04-26 2019-10-31 Nicoventures Trading Limited Système et procédé de fourniture d'aérosol électronique

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN203137026U (zh) * 2012-08-03 2013-08-21 胡朝群 电子烟芯片及电子烟
WO2014144678A2 (fr) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 Lewis Michael W Dispositif à fumer électronique, systèmes et procédés associés
WO2015077645A1 (fr) * 2013-11-21 2015-05-28 Corr-Tech Associates, Inc. Commande améliorée de vaporisation et dosage pour un inhalateur à vaporiseur électronique
US20160331035A1 (en) * 2015-05-15 2016-11-17 Lunatech, Llc Electronic vapor device in cooperation with wireless communication device
WO2017205692A1 (fr) * 2016-05-25 2017-11-30 Pax Labs, Inc. Commande d'un vaporisateur électronique
WO2019207312A1 (fr) * 2018-04-26 2019-10-31 Nicoventures Trading Limited Système et procédé de fourniture d'aérosol électronique

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023067307A1 (fr) * 2021-10-22 2023-04-27 Nicoventures Trading Limited Système de fourniture d'aérosol

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20220218022A1 (en) Smoking substitute component
EP3838026A1 (fr) Dispositif de distribution d'aérosols
EP3838019A1 (fr) Dispositif d'administration d'aérosol doté d'un moyen de rétroaction visuelle
EP3791740A1 (fr) Dispositif/système de substitution du tabac
EP3838028A1 (fr) Dispositif/système d'administration d'aérosol
EP3840166A1 (fr) Dispositif/système d'administration d'aérosol
EP4393329A2 (fr) Dispositif de distribution d'aérosol
EP3838025A1 (fr) Dispositif d'administration d'aérosol
EP3834639B1 (fr) Système d'administration d'aérosol
EP3791735A1 (fr) Dispositif de substitution du tabac
EP3838033A1 (fr) Dispositif/système d'administration d'aérosol
EP3714711A1 (fr) Dispositif de distribution d'aérosol
EP3714715A1 (fr) Système de substitution du tabac
EP3714710A1 (fr) Dispositif de distribution d'aérosol
WO2020200648A1 (fr) Dispositif de distribution d'aérosol
EP3838021A1 (fr) Dispositif/système d'administration d'aérosol
EP3838020A1 (fr) Dispositif/système d'administration d'aérosol
EP3791732A1 (fr) Dispositif/système de substitution du tabac
EP3791734A1 (fr) Dispositif/système de substitution du tabac
EP4151101A1 (fr) Dispositif/système d'administration d'aérosol
EP4197375A1 (fr) Dispositif de distribution d'aérosol
EP3791737A1 (fr) Système de substitution du tabac
EP4197367A1 (fr) Support
US20220202078A1 (en) Smoking substitute component
WO2023041445A1 (fr) Dispositif/système de distribution d'aérosol

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN REFUSED

18R Application refused

Effective date: 20210725