Classifications

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

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a smoking substitute system and particularly, although not exclusively, to a smoking substitute system comprising a heat-not-burn device, and method of operating said device in different operating modes.
• Conventional combustible smoking articles such as cigarettes, typically comprise a cylindrical rod of tobacco comprising shreds of tobacco which is surrounded by a wrapper, and usually also a cylindrical filter axially aligned in an abutting relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod.
• the filter typically comprises a filtration material which is circumscribed by a plug wrap.
• the wrapped tobacco rod and the filter are joined together by a wrapped band of tipping paper that circumscribes the entire length of the filter and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod.
• a conventional cigarette of this type is used by lighting the end opposite to the filter, and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker receives mainstream smoke into their mouth by drawing on the mouth end or filter end of the cigarette.
• Such smoking substitute systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine.
• Smoking substitute systems include electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol (also referred to as a“vapour”) that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled.
• aerosol also referred to as a“vapour”
• the inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or flavourings without, or with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.
• smoking substitute systems are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and with combustible tobacco products.
• Some smoking substitute systems use smoking substitute articles (also referred to as a“consumables”) that are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end.
• a“consumables” also referred to as a“consumables”
• the popularity and use of smoking substitute systems has grown rapidly in the past few years.
• HT Heated Tobacco
• HNB Heat not burn
• the tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco.
• the vapour may contain nicotine and/or flavourings.
• the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. the tobacco does not undergo combustion.
• a typical HT smoking substitute system may include a device and a consumable.
• the consumable may include the tobacco material.
• the device and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together.
• heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating element of the device, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes components in the tobacco material to be released as vapour.
• a vapour may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco.
• the released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.
• the vapour passes through the consumable (entrained in the airflow) from the location of vaporisation to an outlet of the consumable (e.g. a mouthpiece), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user.
• the aerosol will normally contain the volatile compounds.
• HT smoking substitute systems heating as opposed to burning the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking. Consequently, the HT approach may reduce the odour and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.
• HT smoking substitute devices are usually shipped in a standby operating mode. That is, the HT smoking substitute devices may be supplied with sufficient energy stored in an on-board battery and thereby they can be used as soon as a user remove them out of their packaging. However, they may be activated inadvertently during storage or transportation, and thereby present a safety hazard.
• the present invention relates to a heat-not-burn device which is configured to switch from a locked operating mode to an unlocked operating mode based on detecting the occurrence of a predetermined event or upon receiving a predetermined user input.
• heat-not-burn device configured to switch from a locked operating mode to an unlocked operating mode based on detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event and/or upon receiving a predetermined user input, wherein a heater of the heat- not-burn device is configured to be disabled during said locked operating mode and enabled during said unlocked operating mode.
• the device as a whole may not be deactivated. That is, when put in the locked operating mode the heater may be deactivated but device may remain operationally, e.g. a controller and user interface of the device may remain operational. More specifically, in the locked operating mode a battery of the device, via the controller, may not energise the heater.
• the device may comprise a controller configured to switch the device from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode and enable the heater in the unlocked operating mode.
• the heater of the device may not be energised in the unlocked operating mode and may require further user input to activate the heater of the device.
• the predetermined user input comprises a predetermined sequence of user presses at a user interface of the device.
• the user interface may be a button, or it may be other user interfaces such as a switch and a touch sensitive screen.
• the pre-determined sequence of user presses may minimise the chances of the device being switched from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode due to random presses of the button during shipping/packaging of the device.
• the pre-determined sequence of user presses is configured in a way that random presses on the user interface are unlikely to match with the pre-determined sequence of user presses.
• the device may intelligently prevent the unintentional activation of the device during storage and/or shipping.
• the predetermined sequence of user presses, or button presses may be any one of (i) pressing the button for a predetermined number of times, e.g. 5 times; (ii) pressing and holding the button for a predetermined period of time, e.g. 3 seconds or (iii) pressing the button for a predetermined number of times, wherein during each of the button presses keeping the button depressed for a predetermined period of time.
• the predetermined user input comprises a predetermined movement of the device, wherein the device further comprises a motion sensor for detecting said predetermined movement.
• the motion sensor may be configured to sense the movement or shaking of the device, whereby the controller may be configured to recognise a pattern of sensed movement and compares that with a predetermined movement. Upon matching the recognised pattern of sensed movement with the predetermined movement the controller may switch the device from a locked operating mode to an unlocked operating mode.
• Said predetermined movement comprises, for example, one or more of a swirling movement, sweeping or swaying movement and movement along the longitudinal direction.
• the heater is configured to be enabled in the unlocked operating mode upon receiving a further user input at the device, and wherein the predetermined user input is different from the further user input.
• This may provide an extra layer of security to avoid unwanted activation of the heater. For example, even if the device is unintentionally switched from a locked operating mode to an unlocked operating mode, the heater of the device may remain deactivated unless the further user input is entered at the device, e.g. at a user interface.
• the predetermined user input and the further user input may be inputted at the same user interface, or they can be inputted at different user interfaces.
• the predetermined event comprises one or more of: i) an electrical connection being established between the device and an external device, ii) relative movement between a cap of the device and a body of the device (for example wherein the cap of the device is lifted away from the device) and iii) a consumable being engaged with the device.
• This may provide the benefits of switching the device from locked operating mode to unlocked operating mode only by user intervention. That is, none of these event can occur without physical user intervention during storage and/or shipping of the device and therefore the device may be further prevented from being activated accidentally.
• said relative movement comprises moving or lifting the cap away from the body of the device.
• Such movement may be detected by a microswitch or trigger provided between the cap and the body of the device.
• establishing said electrical connection comprises connecting the device with an external device such as a computing device or a power source.
• both of these predetermined events may indicate initiating the usage of the device by a user and thus upon detecting lifting of the cap and connecting the device with the external device or power source, the controller may switch the device from locked operating mode to unlocked operating mode.
• a consumable may be packed separately from the device during storage and shipping, thus when the device detects that the consumable is engaged with the device, e.g. the consumable being inserted into a cavity of the device, the controller may determine the initiate use of the device by a user and the controller may thus switch the device from locked operating mode to unlocked operating mode.
• the device is configured to switch from the unlocked operating mode to the locked operating mode upon receiving a second predetermined user input, the second predetermined user input being a second predetermined sequence of user presses at a user interface of the device, wherein the second predetermined user input is different to the predetermined user input.
• this may allow the user to reactivate the locked operating mode, and thereby prevents the heater from being activated accidentally. This may be particularly beneficially when the device is being transported, e.g. during daily commute or when it is taken on a flight.
• the device may comprise an elongate body.
• An end of the elongate body may be configured for engagement with an aerosol-forming article.
• the body may be configured for engagement with a heated tobacco (HT) consumable (or heat-not-burn (HNB) consumable).
• HT heated tobacco
• HNB heat-not-burn
• the terms“heated tobacco” and“heat-not-burn” are used interchangeably herein to describe a consumable that is of the type that is heated rather than combusted (or are used interchangeably to describe a device for use with such a consumable).
• the device may comprise a cavity that is configured for receipt of at least a portion of the consumable (i.e. for engagement with the consumable).
• the aerosol-forming article may be of the type that comprises an aerosol former (e.g. carried by an aerosol-forming substrate).
• the device may comprise a heater for heating the aerosol-forming article.
• the heater may comprise a heating element, which may be in the form of a rod that extends from the body of the device.
• the heating element may extend from the end of the body that is configured for engagement with the aerosolforming article.
• the heater of the device is configured to be disabled in locked mode and enabled in unlocked mode. Though, the heater of the device is enabled in the unlocked operating mode, however the heater of the device would still require a further user input to be activated.
• the heater (and thus the heating element) may be rigidly mounted to the body.
• the heating element may be elongate so as to define a longitudinal axis and may, for example, have a transverse profile (i.e. transverse to a longitudinal axis of the heating element) that is substantially circular (i.e. the heating element may be generally cylindrical).
• the heating element may have a transverse profile that is rectangular (i.e. the heater may be a“blade heater”).
• the heating element may alternatively be in the shape of a tube (i.e. the heater may be a“tube heater”).
• the heating element may take other forms (e.g. the heating element may have an elliptical transverse profile).
• the shape and/or size (e.g. diameter) of the transverse profile of the heating element may be generally consistent for the entire length (or substantially the entire length) of the heating element.
• the heating element may be between 15 mm and 25 mm long, e.g. between 18 mm and 20 mm long, e.g. around 19 mm long.
• the heating element may have a diameter of between 1 .5 mm and 2.5 mm, e.g. a diameter between 2 mm and 2.3 mm, e.g. a diameter of around 2.15 mm.
• the heating element may be formed of ceramic.
• the heating element may comprise a core (e.g. a ceramic core) comprising AI203.
• the core of the heating element may have a diameter of 1 .8 mm to 2.1 mm, e.g. between 1 .9 mm and 2 mm.
• the heating element may comprise an outer layer (e.g. an outer ceramic layer) comprising AI203.
• the thickness of the outer layer may be between 160 pm and 220 pm, e.g. between 170 pm and 190 pm, e.g. around 180 pm.
• the heating element may comprise a heating track, which may extend longitudinally along the heating element.
• the heating track may be sandwiched between the outer layer and the core of the heating element.
• the heating track may comprise tungsten and/or rhenium.
• the heating track may have a thickness of around 20 pm.
• the heating element may be located in the cavity (of the device), and may extend (e.g. along a longitudinal axis) from an internal base of the cavity towards an opening of the cavity.
• the length of the heating element i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the heater
• the heating element may be less than the depth of the cavity.
• the heating element may extend for only a portion of the length of the cavity. That is, the heating element may not extend through (or beyond) the opening of the cavity.
• the heating element may be configured for insertion into an aerosol-forming article (e.g. a HT consumable) when an aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity.
• a distal end (i.e. distal from a base of the heating element where it is mounted to the device) of the heating element may comprise a tapered portion, which may facilitate insertion of the heating element into the aerosol-forming article.
• the heating element may fully penetrate an aerosol-forming article when the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity. That is, the entire length, or substantially the entire length, of the heating element may be received in the aerosol-forming article.
• the heating element may have a length that is less than, or substantially the same as, an axial length of an aerosol-forming substrate forming part of an aerosol-forming article (e.g. a HT consumable).
• an aerosol-forming substrate forming part of an aerosol-forming article (e.g. a HT consumable).
• the heating element may only penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate, rather than other components of the aerosol-forming article.
• the heating element may penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate for substantially the entire axial length of the aerosol forming-substrate of the aerosol-forming article.
• heat may be transferred from (e.g. an outer circumferential surface of) the heating element to the surrounding aerosol-forming substrate, when penetrated by the heating element. That is, heat may be transferred radially outwardly (in the case of a cylindrical heating element) or e.g. radially inwardly (in the case of a tube heater).
• the heating element of the tube heater may surround at least a portion of the cavity.
• the heating element may surround a portion of the aerosol-forming article (i.e. so as to heat that portion of the aerosol-forming article).
• the heating element may surround an aerosol forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article. That is, when an aerosol-forming article is engaged with the device, the aerosol forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article may be located adjacent an inner surface of the (tubular) heating element. When the heating element is activated, heat may be transferred radially inwardly from the inner surface of the heating element to heat the aerosol forming substrate.
• the cavity may comprise a (e.g. circumferential) wall (or walls) and the (tubular) heating element may extend around at least a portion of the wall(s).
• the wall may be located between the inner surface of the heating element and an outer surface of the aerosol-forming article.
• the wall (or walls) of the cavity may be formed from a thermally conductive material (e.g. a metal) to allow heat conduction from the heating element to the aerosol-forming article.
• heat may be conducted from the heating element, through the cavity wall (or walls), to the aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosolforming article received in the cavity.
• the device may comprise a cap disposed at the end of the body that is configured for engagement with an aerosol-forming article.
• the cap may at least partially enclose the heating element.
• the cap may be moveable between an open position in which access is provided to the heating element, and a closed position in which the cap at least partially encloses the heating element.
• the cap may be slideably engaged with the body of the device, and may be slideable between the open and closed positions.
• the cap may define at least a portion of the cavity of the device. That is, the cavity may be fully defined by the cap, or each of the cap and body may define a portion of the cavity. Where the cap fully defines the cavity, the cap may comprise an aperture for receipt of the heating element into the cavity (when the cap is in the closed position).
• the cap may comprise an opening to the cavity. The opening may be configured for receipt of at least a portion of an aerosol-forming article. That is, an aerosolforming article may be inserted through the opening and into the cavity (so as to be engaged with the device).
• the cap may be configured such that when an aerosol-forming article is engaged with the device (e.g. received in the cavity), only a portion of the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity. That is, a portion of the aerosol-forming article (not received in the cavity) may protrude from (i.e. extend beyond) the opening.
• This (protruding) portion of the aerosol-forming article may be a terminal (e.g. mouth) end of the aerosol-forming article, which may be received in a user’s mouth for the purpose of inhaling aerosol formed by the device.
• the device may comprise a power source or may be connectable to a power source (e.g. a power source separate to the device).
• the power source may be electrically connectable to the heater. In that respect, altering (e.g. toggling) the electrical connection of the power source to the heater may affect a state of the heater. For example, toggling the electrical connection of the power source to the heater may toggle the heater between an on state and an off state.
• the power source may be a power store.
• the power source may be a battery or rechargeable battery (e.g. a lithium ion battery).
• the device may comprise an input connection (e.g. a USB port, Micro USB port, USB-C port, etc.).
• the input connection may be configured for connection to an external source of electrical power, such as a mains electrical supply outlet.
• the input connection may, in some cases, be used as a substitute for an internal power source (e.g. battery or rechargeable battery). That is, the input connection may be electrically connectable to the heater (for providing power to the heater).
• the input connection may form at least part of the power source of the device.
• the device may comprise a user interface (Ul).
• the Ul may include input means to receive operative commands from the user.
• the input means of the Ul may allow the user to control at least one aspect of the operation of the device.
• the input means may comprise a power button to switch the device between an on state and an off state.
• the input means of the Ul may be configured to receive a user input to switch the device from a locked operating mode to an unlocked operating mode.
• the user input to switch the device from locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode may be a pre-determined sequence of button presses.
• the input means may also include a touch screen input, etc.,
• the Ul may additionally or alternatively comprise output means to convey information to the user.
• the output means may be configured to indicate the user about the current mode of operation of the device.
• the output means may be one of haptic feedback means, audio feedback means and visual feedback means, configured to indicate the user about the switching of the device from locked mode to unlocked mode based on at least one of detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event or upon receiving a predetermined user input.
• the output means may also comprise a light to indicate a condition of the device (and/or the aerosol-forming article) to the user.
• the condition of the device (and/or aerosol-forming article) indicated to the user may comprise a condition indicative of the operation of the heater.
• the condition may comprise whether the heater is in an off state or an on state.
• the Ul unit may comprise at least one of a button, a display, a touchscreen, a switch, a light, and the like.
• the output means may comprise one or more (e.g. two, three, four, etc.) light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) that may be located on the body of the device.
• the device may further comprise a puff sensor (e.g. airflow sensor), which form part of the input means of the Ul.
• the puff sensor may be configured to detect a user drawing on an end (i.e. a terminal (mouth) end) of the aerosol-forming article.
• the puff sensor may, for example, be a pressure sensor or a microphone.
• the puff sensor may be configured to produce a signal indicative of a puff state.
• the signal may be indicative of the user drawing (an aerosol from the aerosol-forming article) such that it is e.g. in the form of a binary signal.
• the signal may be indicative of a characteristic of the draw (e.g. a flow rate of the draw, length of time of the draw, etc.).
• the device may comprise a controller or may be connectable to a controller that may be configured to control at least one function of the device.
• the controller may comprise a microcontroller that may e.g. be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB).
• the controller may also comprise a memory, e.g. nonvolatile memory.
• the memory may include instructions, which, when implemented, may cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of a method. Where the device comprises an input connection, the controller may be connected to the input connection.
• the controller is coupled to the heater and is configured to control the operation of the heater (and e.g. the heating element).
• the controller may be configured to switch the device from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode and enable the heater in the unlocked operating mode in response to receiving a further user input.
• the controller may be configured to control vaporisation of an aerosol forming part of an aerosol-forming article engaged with the device.
• the controller may be configured to control the voltage applied by power source to the heater. For example, the controller may be configured to toggle between applying a full output voltage (of the power source) to the heater and applying no voltage to the heater.
• the control unit may implement a more complex heater control protocol.
• the device may further comprise a voltage regulator to regulate the output voltage supplied by the power source to form a regulated voltage.
• the regulated voltage may subsequently be applied to the heater.
• the voltage regulator may be used to control the supply of voltage to the heater in the locked operating mode and the unlocked operating mode. For example, in locked operating mode the heater is not supplied with any voltage, whereas, in unlocked mode the heater is configured to receive voltage from the power source.
• the controller may be operatively connected to one or more components of the Ul.
• the controller may be configured to receive command signals from an input means of the Ul.
• the controller may be configured to control the heater in response to the command signals.
• the controller may be configured to receive“on” and“off command signals from the Ul and, in response, may control the heater so as to be in a corresponding on or off state.
• the controller may be configured to receive a command for switching the device from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode via user input means and, in response indicate, through the output means, that the unlocked operating mode is disabled based on detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event or upon receiving a predetermined user input.
• the controller may be configured to send output signals to a component of the Ul.
• the Ul may be configured to convey information to a user, via an output means, in response to such output signals (received from the controller).
• the LEDs may be operatively connected to the controller.
• the controller may be configured to control the illumination of the LEDs (e.g. in response to an output signal).
• the controller may be configured to control the illumination of the LEDs according to (e.g. an on or off) state of the heater.
• the controller may be configured to control the illumination of the LEDs indicating the device being switched to unlocked operating mode.
• the controller may be configured to indicate the device has switched from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode through other output means such as haptic sensor and audio sensor etc.
• the controller may be operatively connected to the sensor.
• the controller may be configured to receive a signal from the sensor (e.g. indicative of a condition of the device and/or engaged aerosol-forming article).
• the controller may be configured to control the heater, or an aspect of the output means, based on the signal from the sensor.
• the device may comprise a wireless interface configured to communicate wirelessly (e.g. via Bluetooth (e.g. a Bluetooth low-energy connection) or Wi-Fi) with an external device.
• the input connection may be configured for wired connection to an external device so as to provide communication between the device and the external device.
• the external device may be a mobile device.
• the external device may be a smart phone, tablet, smart watch, or smart car.
• An application e.g. app
• the application may facilitate communication between the device and the external device via the wired or wireless connection.
• the wireless or wired interface may be configured to transfer signals between the external device and the controller of the device.
• the controller may control an aspect of the device in response to a signal received from an external device.
• an external device may respond to a signal received from the device (e.g. from the controller of the device).
• a system comprising a device according to the first aspect and an aerosol-forming article.
• the aerosol-forming article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate at an upstream end of the aerosol-forming article.
• the article may be in the form of a smoking substitute article, e.g. heated tobacco (HT) consumable (also known as a heat-not-burn (HNB) consumable).
• HT heated tobacco
• HNB heat-not-burn
• the terms’’upstream” and“downstream” are intended to refer to the flow direction of the vapour/aerosol i.e. with the downstream end of the article/consumable being the mouth end or outlet where the aerosol exits the consumable for inhalation by the user.
• the upstream end of the vapour/aerosol i.e. with the downstream end of the article/consumable being the mouth end or outlet where the aerosol exits the consumable for inhalation by the user.
• article/consumable is the opposing end to the downstream end.
• the aerosol-forming substrate is capable of being heated to release at least one volatile compound that can form an aerosol.
• the aerosol-forming substrate may be located at the upstream end of the article/consumable.
• the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporised/aerosolised and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled.
• Suitable chemical and/or physiologically active volatile compounds include the group consisting of: nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opiates and opoids, cathine and cathinone, kavalactones, mysticin, beta-carboline alkaloids, salvinorin A together with any combinations, functional equivalents to, and/or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.
• the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise plant material.
• the plant material may comprise least one plant material selected from the list including Amaranthus dubius, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
• the plant material may be tobacco. Any type of tobacco may be used. This includes, but is not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Maryland Tobacco, dark-air cured tobacco, oriental tobacco, dark-fired tobacco, perique tobacco and rustica tobacco. This also includes blends of the above mentioned tobaccos.
• the tobacco may comprise one or more of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenised tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut rag tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco (e.g. slurry recon or paper recon).
• the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gathered sheet of homogenised (e.g. paper/slurry recon) tobacco or gathered shreds/strips formed from such a sheet.
• homogenised e.g. paper/slurry recon
• the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more additives selected from humectants, flavourants, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and binders.
• the flavourant may be provided in solid or liquid form. It may include menthol, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour (including e.g. citrus, cherry etc.), vanilla, spice (e.g. ginger, cinnamon) and tobacco flavour.
• the flavourant may be evenly dispersed throughout the aerosol-forming substrate or may be provided in isolated locations and/or varying concentrations throughout the aerosol-forming substrate.
• the aerosol-forming substrate may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the article/consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. It may have a diameter of between 5 and 10mm e.g. between 6 and 9mm or 6 and 8mm e.g. around 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15mm e.g. between 11 and 14mm such as around 12 or 13mm.
• the article/consumable may comprise at least one filter element. There may be a terminal filter element at the downstream/mouth end of the article/consumable.
• the or at least one of the filter element(s) may be comprised of cellulose acetate or polypropylene tow.
• the at least one filter element e.g. the terminal filter element
• the at least one filter element may be comprised of activated charcoal.
• the at least one filter element (e.g. the terminal element) may be comprised of paper.
• the or each filter element may be at least partly (e.g. entirely) circumscribed with a plug wrap e.g. a paper plug wrap.
• the terminal filter element (at the downstream end of the article/consumable) may be joined to the upstream elements forming the article/consumable by a circumscribing tipping layer e.g. a tipping paper layer.
• the tipping paper may have an axial length longer than the axial length of the terminal filter element such that the tipping paper completely circumscribes the terminal filter element plus the wrapping layer surrounding any adjacent upstream element.
• the article/consumable may comprise an aerosol-cooling element which is adapted to cool the aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate (by heat exchange) before being inhaled by the user.
• the article/consumable may comprise a spacer element that defines a space or cavity between the aerosol-forming substrate and the downstream end of the consumable.
• the spacer element may comprise a cardboard tube.
• the spacer element may be circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer.
• a method of using the system according to the second aspect comprising inserting the aerosol-forming article into the device; and heating the article using the heater of the device.
• the method may comprise inserting the article into a cavity within a body of the device and penetrating the article with the heating element of the device upon insertion of the article.
• a method of switching a heat- not-burn device from locked operating mode to unlocked operating mode comprising: detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event and/or receiving a predetermined user input, switching a heat-not- burn device from locked operating mode to unlocked operating mode, wherein a heater of the heat-not- burn device is configured to be disabled during said locked operating mode and enabled during said unlocked operating mode.
• said receiving of predetermined user input comprises receiving a predetermined sequence of user presses at a user interface of the device and/or detecting a predetermined movement of the device at a motion sensor of the device.
• said detecting of an occurrence of the predetermined event comprises detecting one or more of: i) an electrical connection being established between the device and an external device, ii) a movement in a cap of the device and iii) a consumable being engaged with the device.
• the method further comprises, during the unlocked operating mode, receiving a further user input at the device to enable the heater, and wherein the predetermined user input is different from the further user input.
• the method further comprises switching from the unlocked operating mode to the locked operating mode upon receiving a second predetermined user input, the second predetermined user input being a second predetermined sequence of user presses at a user interface of the device, wherein the predetermined user input is different to the second predetermined user input.
• a method of manufacturing a device wherein the method includes putting the device in a locked operating mode; and packaging the device.
• the method includes putting the device in a locked operating mode; and packaging the device.
• said packaging comprises packaging the device in a product packaging, wherein a user interface of the device is configured to be assessable when the device is received in the product packaging.
• the invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.
• Figure 1 A is a schematic of a smoking substitute system
• Figure 1 B is a schematic of a variation of the smoking substitute system of Figure 1 A;
• Figure 2A is a front view of a first embodiment of a smoking substitute system with the consumable engaged with the device;
• Figure 2B is a front view of the first embodiment of the smoking substitute system with the consumable disengaged from the device;
• Figure 2C is a section view of the consumable of the first embodiment of the smoking substitute system
• Figure 2D is a detailed prospective view of an end of the device of the first embodiment of the smoking substitute system
• Figure 2E is a section view of the first embodiment of the smoking substitute system.
• Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the system.
• FIG. 1A is a schematic providing a general overview of a smoking substitute system 100.
• the system 100 includes a substitute smoking device 101 and an aerosol-forming article in the form of a consumable 102, which comprises an aerosol former 103.
• the system is configured to vaporise the aerosol former by heating the aerosol former 103 (so as to form a vapour/aerosol for inhalation by a user).
• the heater 104 forms part of the consumable 102 and is configured to heat the aerosol former 103.
• the heater 104 is electrically connectable to the power source, for example, when the consumable 102 is engaged with the device 101 .
• Heat from the heater 104 vaporises the aerosol former 103 to produce a vapour.
• the vapour subsequently condenses to form an aerosol, which is ultimately inhaled by the user.
• the heater 104 is configured to be disabled in a locked operating mode and remain enabled in an unlocked operating mode.
• the system 100 further comprises a power source 105 that forms part of the device 101 .
• the power source 105 may be external to (but connectable to) the device 101 .
• the power source 105 is electrically connectable to the heater 104 such that the power source 105 is able to supply power to the heater 104 (i.e. for the purpose of heating the aerosol former 103).
• control of the electrical connection of the power source 105 to the heater 104 provides control of the state of the heater 104.
• the power source 105 may be a power store, for example a battery or rechargeable battery (e.g. a lithium ion battery).
• the system 100 further comprises an I/O module comprising a connector 106 (e.g. in the form of a USB port, Micro USB port, USB-C port, etc.).
• the connector 106 is configured for connection to an external source of electrical power, e.g. a mains electrical supply outlet.
• the connector 106 may be used in substitution for the power source 105. That is the connector 106 may be electrically connectable to the heater 104 so as to supply electricity to the heater 104.
• the device may not include a power source, and the power source of the system may instead comprise the connector 106 and an external source of electrical power (to which the connector 106 provides electrical connection).
• the connector 106 may be used to charge and recharge the power source 105 where the power source 105 includes a rechargeable battery.
• the system 100 also comprises a user interface (Ul) 107.
• the Ul 107 may include input means to receive commands from a user.
• the input means of the Ul 107 allows the user to control at least one aspect of the operation of the system 100.
• the input means may, for example, be in the form of a button, touchscreen, switch, microphone, etc.
• the Ul 107 also comprises output means to convey information to the user.
• the output means may, for example, comprise lights (e.g. LEDs), a display screen, speaker, vibration generator, etc.
• the system 100 further comprises a controller 108 and a memory 109 operatively coupled to the controller 108 that is configured to control at least one function of the device 101 .
• the controller 108 is a component of the device 101 , but in other embodiments may be separate from (but connectable to) the device 101 .
• the controller 108 is configured to switch the device from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode based on detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event or upon receiving a predetermined user input.
• the controller 108 is configured to control the operation of the heater 104, for example the controller may be configured to disable the heater 104 in locked operating mode and enable heater 104 in unlocked operating mode.
• the controller 108 may be further configured to control operation of the heater 104, for example, may be configured to control the voltage applied from the power source 105 to the heater 104.
• the controller 108 may be configured to toggle the supply of power to the heater 104 between an on state, in which the full output voltage of the power source 105 is applied to the heater 104, and an off state, in which the no voltage is applied to the heater 104.
• the controller 108 may be configured to provide power to the heater 104 in unlocked mode, upon receiving a further user input, whereas, the controller 108 is configured to provide no power to the heater 104 in locked mode.
• the system 100 may also comprise a voltage regulator to regulate the output voltage from the power source 105 to form a regulated voltage.
• the regulated voltage may then be applied to the heater 104.
• the controller 108 In addition to being connected to the heater 104, the controller 108 is operatively connected to the Ul 107. Thus, the controller 108 may receive an input signal from the input means of the Ul 107.
• the controller 108 may transmit output signals to the Ul 107.
• the output means of the Ul 107 may convey information, based on the output signals, to a user.
• the controller also comprises a memory 109, which is a non-volatile memory.
• the memory 109 includes instructions, which, when implemented, cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of a method.
• the system may also comprise a sensor 1 10 coupled with the controller 108 within the heat-not-burn device 101 .
• the sensor 1 10 may be a motion sensor mounted inside the device (not shown) and configured to generate an input in response to detection of movement of the device 101 .
• the controller 108 is configured to switch the device 101 from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode in response to receiving said input from the sensor 1 10.
• Figure 1 B is a schematic showing a variation of the system 100 of Figure 1A.
• the heater 104 forms part of the device 101 , rather than the consumable 102.
• the heater 104 is electrically connected to the power source 105.
• FIGS 2A and 2B illustrate a heated-tobacco (HT) smoking substitute system 200.
• the system 200 is an example of the systems 100, 100’ described in relation to Figures 1A or 1 B.
• System 200 includes an HT device 201 that is configured to be switched from locked operating mode to unlocked operating mode based on detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event and/or upon receiving a predetermined user input, and an HT consumable 202.
• the description of Figures 1 A and 1 B above is applicable to the system 200 of Figures 2A and 2B, and will thus not be repeated.
• the device 201 and the consumable 202 are configured such that the consumable 202 can be engaged with the device 201 .
• Figure 2A shows the device 201 and the consumable 202 in an engaged state
• Figure 2B shows the device 201 and the consumable 202 in a disengaged state.
• the device 201 comprises a body 209 and cap 210. In use the cap 210 is engaged at an end of the body 209. Although not apparent from the figures, the cap 210 is moveable relative to the body 209. In particular, the cap 210 is slideable and can slide along a longitudinal axis of the body 209. [110]
• the device 201 comprises an output means (forming part of the Ul of the device 201) in the form of a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 21 1 arranged linearly along the longitudinal axis of the device 201 and on an outer surface of the body 209 of the device 201.
• a button 212 is also arranged on an outer surface of the body 209 of the device 201 and is axially spaced (i.e. along the longitudinal axis) from the plurality of LEDs 211.
• FIG. 2C show a detailed section view of the consumable of 202 of the system 200.
• the consumable 202 generally resembles a cigarette.
• the consumable 202 has a generally cylindrical form with a diameter of 7 mm and an axial length of 70 mm.
• the consumable 202 comprises an aerosol forming substrate 213, a terminal filter element 214, an upstream filter element 215 and a spacer element 216.
• the consumable may further comprise a cooling element.
• a cooling element may exchange heat with vapour that is formed by the aerosol-forming substrate 213 in order to cool the vapour so as to facilitate condensation of the vapour.
• the aerosol-forming substrate 213 is substantially cylindrical and is located at an upstream end 217 of the consumable 202, and comprises the aerosol former of the system 200.
• the aerosol forming substrate 213 is configured to be heated by the device 201 to release a vapour.
• the released vapour is subsequently entrained in an airflow flowing through the aerosol-forming substrate 213.
• the airflow is produced by the action of the user drawing on a downstream 218 (i.e. terminal or mouth end) of the consumable 202.
• the aerosol forming substrate 213 comprises tobacco material that may, for example, include any suitable parts of the tobacco plant (e.g. leaves, stems, roots, bark, seeds and flowers).
• the tobacco may comprise one or more of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenised tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut rag tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco (e.g. slurry recon or paper recon).
• the aerosol-forming substrate 213 may comprise a gathered sheet of homogenised (e.g.
• the aerosol forming substrate 213 comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporised/aerosolised and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled.
• the aerosol-forming substrate 213 may further comprise one or more additives.
• additives may be in the form of humectants (e.g. propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine), flavourants, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and/or binders.
• the terminal filter element 214 is also substantially cylindrical, and is located downstream of the aerosol forming substrate 213 at the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202.
• the terminal filter element 214 is in the form of a hollow bore filter element having a bore 219 (e.g. for airflow) formed therethrough. The diameter of the bore 219 is 2 mm.
• the terminal filter element 214 is formed of a porous (e.g. monoacetate) filter material.
• the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202 i.e. where the terminal filter 214 is located
• Airflow is drawn from the upstream end 217, thorough the components of the consumable 202, and out of the downstream end 218.
• the airflow is driven by the user drawing on the downstream end 218 (i.e. the mouthpiece portion) of the consumable 202.
• the upstream filter element 215 is located axially adjacent to the aerosol-forming substrate 213, between the aerosol-forming substrate 213 and the terminal filter element 214. Like the terminal filter 214, the upstream filter element 215 is in the form of a hollow bore filter element, such that it has a bore 220 extending axially therethrough. In this way, the upstream filter 215 may act as an airflow restrictor.
• the upstream filter element 215 is formed of a porous (e.g. monoacetate) filter material.
• the bore 220 of the upstream filter element 215 has a larger diameter (3 mm) than the terminal filter element 214.
• the spacer 216 is in the form of a cardboard tube, which defines a cavity or chamber between the upstream filter element 215 and the terminal filter element 214.
• the spacer 216 acts to allow both cooling and mixing of the vapour/aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate 213.
• the spacer has an external diameter of 7 mm and an axial length of 14mm.
• the aerosol-forming substrate 213, upstream filter 215 and spacer 216 are circumscribed by a paper wrapping layer.
• the terminal filter 214 is circumscribed by a tipping layer that also circumscribes a portion of the paper wrapping layer (so as to connect the terminal filter 214 to the remaining components of the consumable 202).
• the upstream filter 215 and terminal filter 214 are circumscribed by further wrapping layers in the form of plug wraps.
• Figure 2D illustrates a detailed view of the end of the device 201 that is configured to engage with the consumable 202.
• the cap 210 of the device 201 includes an opening 221 to an internal cavity 222 (more apparent from Figure 2D) defined by the cap 210.
• the opening 221 and the cavity 222 are formed so as to receive at least a portion of the consumable 202.
• a portion of the consumable 202 is received through the opening 221 and into the cavity 222.
• the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202 protrudes from the opening 221 and thus also protrudes from the device 201 .
• the opening 221 includes laterally disposed notches 226. When a consumable 202 is received in the opening 221 , these notches 226 remain open and could, for example, be used for retaining a cover in order to cover the end of the device 201 .
• Figure 2E shows a cross section through a central longitudinal plane through the device 201 .
• the device 201 is shown with the consumable 202 engaged therewith.
• the device 201 comprises a heater 204 comprising heating element 223.
• the heater 204 forms part of the body 209 of the device 201 and is rigidly mounted to the body 209.
• the heater 204 is a rod heater with a heating element 223 having a circular transverse profile.
• the heater may be in the form of a blade heater (e.g. heating element with a rectangular transverse profile) or a tube heater (e.g. heating element with a tubular form).
• the heating element 223 of the heater 204 projects from an internal base of the cavity 222 along a longitudinal axis towards the opening 221 .
• the length (i.e. along the longitudinal axis) of the heating element is less than a depth of the cavity 222. In this way, the heating element 223 does not protrude from or extend beyond the opening 221.
• the heating element 223 penetrates the aerosol-forming substrate 213 of the consumable 202.
• the heating element 223 extends for nearly the entire axial length of the aerosol-forming substrate 213 when inserted therein.
• the heater 204 is activated, heat is transferred radially from an outer circumferential surface the heating element 223 to the aerosol-forming substrate 213.
• the device 201 further comprises an electronics cavity 224.
• a power source in the form of a rechargeable battery 205 (a lithium ion battery), is located in electronics cavity 224.
• the device 201 includes a connector (i.e. forming part of an IO module of the device 201) in the form of a USB port 206.
• the connector may alternatively be, for example, a micro-USB port or a USB-C port for examples.
• the USB port 206 may be used to recharge the rechargeable battery 205.
• the device 201 includes a controller (not shown) located in the electronics cavity 224.
• the controller comprises a microcontroller mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB).
• the USB port 206 is also connected to the controller 208 (i.e. connected to the PCB and microcontroller).
• the controller 208 is configured to control at least one function of the device 201 .
• the controller 208 is configured to control the operation of the heater 204.
• Such control of the operation of the heater 204 may be accomplished by the controller toggling the electrical connection of the rechargeable battery 205 to the heater 204.
• the controller 208 is configured to control the heater 204 in response to a user depressing the button 212. Depressing the button 212 may cause the controller to allow a voltage (from the rechargeable battery 205) to be applied to the heater 204 (so as to cause the heating element 223 to be heated).
• the controller 208 is configured to switch the device 201 between two operating modes i.e. a locked operating mode to an unlocked operating mode.
• the controller 208 may be configured to switch the device 201 from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode based on detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event and/or upon receiving a predetermined user input.
• the predetermined user input for switching the device 201 from the locked operating mode to an unlocked operating mode may include a pre-determined sequence of user presses, or button presses, on the button 212.
• the predetermined sequence of button presses may be any one of (i) pressing the button 212 for a predetermined number of times, e.g.
• the heater 204 of the device 201 remains disabled in a locked operating mode, e.g. the heater 204 is not energised during the locked operating mode.
• the controller 208 switches the device 201 from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode the controller 208 enables the heater 204.
• the heater 204 may also include a state where the heater 204 is ready to receive power from the power source, provided a further user input for activating the heater 204 is received at the device 201 .
• the heater 204 only activates after receiving said further user input from the device 201 , e.g. via the Ul.
• the predetermined user input to switch the device 201 from locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode is different from the further user input required to activate the heater 204 in the unlocked operating mode.
• the controller 208 is further configured to switch from the device 201 from the locked mode to the unlocked mode upon detecting the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. meeting one or more of predetermined conditions.
• the controller 208 may be configured to switch the device 201 from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode upon detecting that the cap 210 of the device 201 being lifted away from the device 201 . Such movement may be detected by an electronic or mechanical trigger provided between the cap 210 and the device 201 .
• the controller 208 may be configured to switch the device 201 from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode upon detecting a connection being established between the device 201 with an external computing device, e.g.
• the controller 208 may be configured to switch the device 201 from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode upon detecting a consumable 202 being inserted into the cavity 222 of the device 201 . Such engagement may be detected by an electronic or mechanical trigger provided within the cavity 222.
• the predetermined event may include the occurrence of a plurality of events.
• the controller 208 may be configured to switch the device 201 from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode upon detecting both a movement in the cap 210 and the insertion of the consumable 202 into the cavity 222.
• the controller 208 is configured to switch the device 201 from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode in response to receiving an input from the sensor 1 10.
• the sensor 1 10 may be a motion sensor that generates said input in response to detection of movement of the device 201 .
• the sensor 1 10 may be configured to generate said input when the device is moved in a particular predetermined pattern.
• the controller 207 is configured to analyse and to match the movement of the device with a predetermined pattern stored in the memory, and thereby switches the device 201 from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode upon registering a positive match.
• Said predetermined movement comprises, for example, one or more of a swirl movement, sweeping or swaying movement and movement along the longitudinal direction.
• the controller 208 is further configured to from the unlocked operating mode to the locked operating mode, e.g. reactivate the locked operating mode.
• the controller 208 reactivates the locked operating mode in response to receiving a second predetermined user input, e.g. a second predetermined sequence of user presses at the Ul.
• the second predetermined user input is different to the predetermined user input to reactivate the locked operating mode in the device 201 .
• the controller 208 is also configured to control the LEDs 21 1 in response to (e.g. a detected) a condition of the device 201 or the consumable 202.
• the controller may control the LEDs to indicate whether the device 201 is in an on state or an off state (e.g. one or more of the LEDs may be illuminated by the controller when the device is in an on state).
• the controller 208 may control the LEDs to indicate that the device 201 has switched from locked operating mode to unlocked operating mode, e.g. whether the device is in the locked operating state or the unlocked operating state.
• the device 201 additionally includes other output means such as haptic sensor, audio sensors etc. to provide haptic/audio feedback indicating that the device 201 has switched from locked operating mode to unlocked operating mode.
• the device 202 comprises a further input means (i.e. in addition to the button 212) in the form of a puff sensor 225.
• the puff sensor 225 is configured to detect a user drawing (i.e. inhaling) at the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202.
• the puff sensor 225 may, for example, be in the form of a pressure sensor, flowmeter or a microphone.
• the puff sensor 225 is operatively connected to the controller 208 in the electronics cavity 224, such that a signal from the puff sensor 225, indicative of a puff state (i.e. drawing or not drawing), forms an input to the controller 208 (and can thus be responded to by the controller 208).
• Figure 3 illustrates flowchart of method for switching the device from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode.
• the method 300 includes one or more blocks implemented by the controller 208 of the device 201 .
• the method 300 may be described in general context of controller executable instructions.
• controller executable instructions may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types.
• the controller 208 is configured to at least one of: receive a predetermined user input or detects an occurrence of a predetermined event that is required to switch the device from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode.
• the predetermined user input, to be received by the controller 208, for switching the device 201 from the locked operating mode to an unlocked operating mode may include predetermined sequence of button presses.
• the predetermined sequence of button presses may be any one of (i) pressing the button 212 for a predetermined number of times, e.g. 5 times; (ii) pressing and holding the button 212 for a predetermined period of time, e.g. 3 seconds or (iii) pressing the button 212 for a predetermined number of times, wherein during each of the button presses keeping the button 212 depressed for a predetermined period of time.
• the predetermined event for switching the device 201 from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode may include a number of events or conditions.
• the controller 208 may be configured for switching the device 201 from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode upon detecting that the cap 210 of the device 201 is lifted. In another example, the controller 208 may be configured for switching the device 201 from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode upon detecting connection between the device 201 with one of an external computing device and external power source is established. In another example, the controller 208 may be configured for switching the device 201 from the locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode upon detecting insertion of consumable 202 in the cavity 222 of the device 201 . At block 302, the controller 208 detects whether (i) the user input matches with the pre-determined input stored in the memory 109 or (ii) the detected event matches the predetermined event registered/stored in the memory 109 previously.
• the controller 208 moves along“yes” path to switch the device from locked operating mode to unlocked operating mode.
• the method proceeds to block 303 only after confirming that either (i) the received user input matches with the predetermined user input stored in the memory 109 or (ii) the detected event matches the predetermined event registered/stored in the memory 109.
• the method then moves to block 304 wherein the controller 208 enables the heater 204 of the device 201 .
• the controller 208 moves along“No” path and does not switch the device from locked operating mode to the unlocked operating mode as either (i) the user input does not match with the predetermined user input stored in the memory 109 or (ii) the detected event does not match the predetermined event registered/stored in the memory 109.

Landscapes

• Catching Or Destruction (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=65955016

Family Applications (2)

Family Applications Before (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (5)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2019
  • 2019-03-22 EP EP19020196.2A patent/EP3711500A1/de not_active Ceased
• 2020
  • 2020-03-13 CN CN202080034636.1A patent/CN114206140A/zh active Pending
  • 2020-03-13 JP JP2021556986A patent/JP2022525973A/ja active Pending
  • 2020-03-13 EP EP20715711.6A patent/EP3941222A1/de active Pending
  • 2020-03-13 WO PCT/EP2020/056801 patent/WO2020193194A1/en active Application Filing

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events