EP4178377A1 - Emballage de cartouches de génération d'aérosol - Google Patents

Emballage de cartouches de génération d'aérosol

Info

Publication number
EP4178377A1
EP4178377A1 EP21740086.0A EP21740086A EP4178377A1 EP 4178377 A1 EP4178377 A1 EP 4178377A1 EP 21740086 A EP21740086 A EP 21740086A EP 4178377 A1 EP4178377 A1 EP 4178377A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
package
temperature
generation device
heater
aerosol generation
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP21740086.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Akira Yamaguchi
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.)
JT International SA
Original Assignee
JT International SA
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 JT International SA filed Critical JT International SA
Publication of EP4178377A1 publication Critical patent/EP4178377A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • A24F40/57—Temperature control
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F15/00—Receptacles or boxes specially adapted for cigars, cigarettes, simulated smoking devices or cigarettes therefor
    • A24F15/01—Receptacles or boxes specially adapted for cigars, cigarettes, simulated smoking devices or cigarettes therefor specially adapted for simulated smoking devices or cigarettes therefor
    • 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
    • A24F40/65—Devices with integrated communication means, e.g. wireless communication means

Definitions

  • the invention relates to packages for aerosol generating substrate cartridges.
  • the invention relates to a package for aerosol generating substrate cartridge with a near field communications device.
  • Aerosol generating substrates can be used with aerosol generating devices to generate aerosols for inhalation by a user.
  • Substrates may be produced with a range of difference characteristics.
  • One example of a characteristic is flavour.
  • a substrate is typically designed to produce a particular flavour for the aerosol inhaled by a user, and the requirements for producing this flavour are known to vary from substrate to substrate. It has been found that the flavour profile produced by different substrates can vary, which can be undesirable. An object of the present invention is to address this issue.
  • a package for housing a plurality of aerosol generating substrate cartridges comprising: a near field communication device, located on a surface of the package, comprising encoded information; wherein when the near field communication device is in proximity to a contactless reader of an aerosol generation device, the near field communication chip transfers the information to the contactless reader in order to control the temperature of operation of the aerosol generation device.
  • each flavour of aerosol generating substrate can be heated to its optimal heating temperature by bringing the package housing the aerosol generating substrate cartridges into proximity with an aerosol generating device.
  • Each package has a near field communications device with encoded information including the optimal heating temperature of the cartridges of substrate held in the package.
  • the near field communication device When the near field communication device is within range of the contactless reader in the aerosol generating device, the near field device transfers the information to the aerosol generating device, and the aerosol generating device controls its temperature of operation accordingly. This improves the sensation of flavour experienced by the user, thereby improving user experience.
  • the encoded information on the near field communication device includes information related to the number of cartridges which the package can hold.
  • the aerosol generation device is provided with a storage medium suitable for storing the information related to the number of cartridges which the package can hold.
  • the aerosol generation device can store information regarding the number of cartridges in a data storage unit provided in the aerosol generation device.
  • the temperature of operation of the aerosol generation device can continue to be controlled without the aerosol generation device needing further information, at least until the aerosol generation device determines that the package has been depleted of cartridges.
  • the near field communication device comprises a near field communication chip.
  • use of bespoke components can be avoided in favour of widely available components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs of the package.
  • a method of controlling the temperature of a heater in an aerosol generation device comprising: moving a package for housing a plurality of aerosol generating substrate cartridges, the package comprising a near field communication device into proximity with a contactless reader of the aerosol generation device; and transferring data from the near field communication device to the contactless reader; and operating control electronics of the aerosol generation device to control the temperature of the heater based on the transferred data.
  • This method allows for a single aerosol generating device to be operated at a range of temperatures, according to the optimal temperature of an aerosol generating substrate.
  • an aerosol generation device comprising: a heater; control electronics for controlling the temperature of the heater; and a contactless reader operably connected to the control electronics; wherein when a package, comprising a near field communication device, for housing a plurality of aerosol generating substrate cartridges is in proximity to the contactless reader, the contactless reader receives information from the near field communication device, and operates the control electronics to control the temperature of the heater based on the received information.
  • an aerosol generation device with a contactless reader, a heater, and control electronics to control the heater, it becomes possible to operate an aerosol generating device at a range of temperatures, which may be controlled as needed to provide the optimal heat for a range of different aerosol generating substrates.
  • the aerosol generation device comprises a temperature sensor operably connected to the control electronics and in proximity to the heater.
  • the temperature of the heater can be accurately monitored, adding to the responsiveness of the heater. This can prevent a substrate from being overheated.
  • the aerosol generation device comprises a temperature sensor operably connected to the control electronics located at a surface of the aerosol generation device.
  • the temperature of the ambient surroundings of the aerosol generation device can be monitored, which allows for the power supplied to the heater to be precisely controlled to supply the substrate with the required amount of heat so that the substrate reaches the optimal temperature.
  • the temperature sensor comprises a thermistor.
  • widely available and robust components can be used to implement a temperature sensor, thereby reducing manufacturing costs of the aerosol generation device.
  • the aerosol generation device further comprises: a data storage unit; and a processing unit.
  • a data storage unit when a package is first scanned, information relating to the number of cartridges which can be housed in the package is stored in the data storage unit.
  • the temperature of operation of the aerosol generation device may continue to be controlled without transferring information to the aerosol generation device each time the cartridge is replaced.
  • the aerosol generation device is able to determine when no cartridges remain in the package, and accordingly requests further information only when required.
  • the contactless reader receives information from a package comprising a near field communications device with encoded information including optimal heating temperature for an aerosol generating substrate.
  • the contactless reader of the aerosol generating device receives the information and operates the control electronics according to the information, so as to control the temperature of the heater of the aerosol generating device.
  • Figure 1 is a diagram of a package comprising a near field communications chip in proximity with an aerosol generating device in an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device in an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a method for controlling a heater of an aerosol generating device in an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a package in proximity to an aerosol generating device in an embodiment of the invention.
  • a package 102 is provided according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • a near field communications (NFC) chip 106 is disposed on a surface 104 of the package 102.
  • NFC near field communications
  • an NFC chip is an example of an NFC device.
  • Fig. 1 also includes an enlarged view 108 of the NFC chip.
  • the NFC chip 106 may be provided as integral to the package, or an NFC chip 106 may be added to a pre-made package.
  • the package may be made from a range of suitable materials, including: cardboard, plastic or metal.
  • the package 102 is suitable for holding a plurality of aerosol generating substrate cartridges 103, for example, the package may be able to hold two, ten, or twenty substrate generating cartridges. Other quantities of cartridge are possible.
  • An aerosol generating substrate can take different forms.
  • an aerosol generating substrate may take the form of a liquid which can be heated to a vaporisation temperature to produce an aerosol.
  • the aerosol generating substrate may take the form of a solid or semi-solid substrate which is designed to generate an aerosol when heated. Different substrates may have different vaporisation temperatures.
  • An aerosol generating substrate of any type can be heated in a variety of ways, for example, using a resistive heating coil, using a laser or an inductive heater, or any other means capable of delivering heat to a substrate.
  • the NFC chip 106 is encoded with data.
  • the encoded data includes a temperature-flavour profile corresponding to the aerosol generating substrate held in the aerosol generating substrate cartridges 103 housed in the package 102.
  • the NFC chip 106 may also include additional information, such as the number of cartridges 103 which are intended to be held in the package 102.
  • FIG. 1 Also shown in Fig. 1 is an aerosol generating device 110 such as an electronic cigarette.
  • the aerosol generating device 110 can also store the information related to the number of cartridges 103 housed by a package 102. Each time the cartridge 103 is replaced, a processing unit in the aerosol generating device 110 can determine the number of cartridges 103 remaining in the package 102. As such, the control electronics 214 can continue to control the temperature of operation of the aerosol generating device 210 without the need to receive further information. Once the processing unit 220 determines that no cartridges
  • the aerosol generating device 210 may request the user to transfer further information to the aerosol generation device 210.
  • the user could choose to use a different package 102 with different cartridges 103 at any time, in which case the temperature of operation of the aerosol generation device 210 may be controlled to match the requirements of the new substrate, by scanning the package of the new substrate.
  • the aerosol generation device 110 is used with an aerosol generating substrate 103 to produce an aerosol.
  • An aerosol generating substrate cartridge 103 can be in fluidic connection with a reservoir (not shown) of the aerosol generation device 110, and used to generate an aerosol until the cartridge is depleted.
  • the aerosol may be produced by drawing air through the aerosol generation device, and the resulting aerosol may be inhaled by the user to achieve a nicotine related effect.
  • a user may remove the depleted cartridge and replace it with a new cartridge 103 from the package 102.
  • FIG. 2 a block diagram detailing internal components and connections of the aerosol generating device 210 is shown.
  • Aerosol generating device 210 comprises a contactless reader 216, which may be positioned proximal to a surface of the aerosol generation device such as within an outer surface 222. Alternatively, the contactless reader 216 may be disposed on the outer surface 222 of the aerosol generating device. In one example the contactless reader 216 may be affixed to the outer surface 222 using an adhesive.
  • the contactless reader device is configured to receive data from an NFC chip, such as the NFC chip 106 shown in Fig. 1.
  • the contactless reader 216 is operably connected to control electronics 214 of the aerosol generating device. In some embodiments, the contactless reader 216 is also configured to write to a data storage unit 218.
  • the contactless reader receives information from an NFC chip, such as the NFC chip 106 on package 102 of Fig. 1 , information relating to the optimal temperature of the aerosol generating substrate is used to operate the control electronics to control the temperature of the heater 212. Controlling the temperature of the heater may refer to maintaining, increasing or decreasing a current temperature of the heater 213 according to the received information.
  • the control electronics 214 may control the heater in a variety of ways, which depend on the type of heater 213 being used in the aerosol generating device 210.
  • the heater may be a resistive heating element, and may be controlled by maintaining or adjusting a voltage across the element.
  • the heater may be a laser, which may be controlled by maintaining or adjusting a duration of emission of the laser.
  • Other types of heaters, such as inductive heaters, may be possible.
  • the aerosol generating device may contain one or a plurality of heaters.
  • the aerosol generation device 210 may include a data storage unit 218 and a processing unit 220 operably connected to each other.
  • the data storage unit 218 is additionally connected to the contactless reader, so that the contactless reader 216 can write to the data storage unit 218.
  • the processing unit 220 is also operably connected to the control electronics 214.
  • connections between components are represented by a solid line spanning between components.
  • a line ending with an arrow indicates the data typically flows in the direction of the arrow.
  • a line without an arrow indicates that data may travel in either direction.
  • the processing unit 220 can also be used to keep track of the number of cartridges 103 in the package 102, assuming that consecutive cartridges come from the same package. Once the processing unit determines that the package 102 does not contain any further cartridges 103, the aerosol generation device 210 may indicate to a user that further information is required to control the temperature of operation of the aerosol generation device 210.
  • the processing unit may be implemented as a CPU.
  • the indication may be done in a variety of ways, such as using an audio emitting device, or a visual interface on the aerosol generation device (not shown).
  • Figure 3 is a method for controlling the temperature of the heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a package comprising an NFC chip, such as package 102 of Fig. 1 is moved at step 318 into proximity of an aerosol generating device, such as aerosol generating device 210.
  • an aerosol generating device such as aerosol generating device 210.
  • data is transferred at step 322 from the NFC chip 106 to the contactless reader 216.
  • the transferred data typically includes a temperature-flavour profile for the substrate held in the cartridge 103. In some embodiments, this data includes information relating to the number of cartridges 103 which can be housed by the package 102.
  • the control electronics are then operated to control the temperature of the heater 213.
  • controlling] the temperature of the heater can mean that temperature of the heater is lowered, maintained, or increased according to the optimal heating temperature of the substrate. The temperature of the heater is controlled until the optimal temperature is reached.
  • the aerosol generation device 210 is provided with additional components such as an internal temperature sensor (not shown) arranged in proximity to the heater 213.
  • the internal temperature sensor is arranged to monitor the temperature of the heater 213, and is also connected to the control electronics 214.
  • a sensing circuit can be arranged in the aerosol generating device 210 to monitor the temperature of the heater 213 so that heat is supplied to the substrate while the substrate is below the optimal temperature, and once the substrate reaches the optimal temperature, heating is stopped. Heating can be resumed if the temperature of the substrate subsequently falls below the optimal temperature. Details of sensing circuits, such as temperature sensing circuits, and how to assemble them are not described in detail as they would be known to a skilled person.
  • the relationship between the power supplied to the heater 213 and the temperature of the heater 213 can be determined.
  • the temperature of the heater 213 is controllable by varying the supplied power so that the heater 213 reaches the optimal temperature of the substrate.
  • an external temperature sensor (not shown) can also be used to monitor the ambient temperature.
  • an internal temperature sensor can be used to provide redundancy in case the heater 213 behaves in an unexpected way. For example, as the heater 213 becomes worn, the relationship between the power supplied to the heater 213, and the temperature of the heater can change.
  • the external temperature sensor could be arranged on an outer surface 222 of the aerosol generating device 210. Alternatively, the temperature sensor could be arranged within an outer surface 222 of the aerosol generation device 210.
  • the external temperature sensor is also connected to the control electronics 214. For the avoidance of doubt, it is worth noting that the external temperature sensor could be located internally, or externally to the aerosol generation device 210, but is arranged in a way that the external temperature sensor monitors the temperature external to the aerosol generation device 210, i.e. the ambient temperature.
  • the temperature of the surroundings of the aerosol generation device 210 will offset the amount of power required by the heater 213 to reach a certain temperature.
  • the heater 213 may be at a relatively low initial temperature compared to a setting where the ambient temperature is 30°C.
  • An initial temperature may refer to the temperature of the heater 213 when the aerosol generation device 210 is first activated. Accordingly, the amount of power required by the heater 213 to reach the optimal temperature will vary based on the temperature of the surroundings of the aerosol generation device 210.
  • the external temperature sensor can be used in combination with the control electronics 214 to ensure the heater 214 reaches the optimal temperature.
  • An example implementation of an internal or external temperature sensor is a thermistor.
  • a thermistor is a material with temperature dependent electrical resistance. The resistance of a thermistor varies in a well-known way when the temperature of the thermistor changes, thereby acting as a temperature sensor.
  • An example of a material that can be used as a thermistor is nickel oxide. Of course, many other materials are possible.
  • information relating to the number of aerosol generating cartridges that can be housed in the package 102 is stored on the NFC chip 106 and transferred to the aerosol generating device together with a flavour- temperature profile at step 322.
  • the information relating to the number of aerosol generating cartridges can be stored in the data storage means 218. Accordingly, when the cartridge is replaced, the temperature of operation of the aerosol generation device can be maintained without requiring any further information from the contactless reader.
  • the processing unit 220 of the aerosol generation device keeps track of the number of cartridges expected to be in the cartridge, and can indicate to a user when further information is required to control the temperature of operation of the aerosol generation device.
  • the heater of a single aerosol generating device may be controlled to provide an aerosol generating substrate with the optimal heating temperature.
  • the optimal heating temperature may relate to a temperature at which the flavour transmitted from the substrate to the user is optimised.
  • the optimal heating temperature may relate to a temperature to optimise another characteristic of the aerosol generating substrate.
  • the processing unit 220 can operate the control electronics to maintain a temperature of the heater.
  • the processing unit 220 also interacts with the data storage unit 218 to monitor the number of cartridges remaining in the package 102. When the processing unit determines that the package 102 has been depleted, the processing unit 220 can indicate to a user that further information is expected.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Supply And Installment Of Electrical Components (AREA)
  • Cooling Or The Like Of Semiconductors Or Solid State Devices (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un emballage (102) de logement d'une pluralité de cartouches de substrat générant un aérosol (103) comprenant : un dispositif de communication en champ proche (106), situé sur une surface (104) de l'emballage (102), comprenant des informations codées ; lorsque le dispositif de communication en champ proche (106) se trouve à proximité d'un lecteur sans contact (216) d'un dispositif de génération d'aérosol (210), le dispositif de communication en champ proche (106) transfère les informations vers le lecteur sans contact (216) afin de réguler la température de fonctionnement du dispositif de génération d'aérosol (210).
EP21740086.0A 2020-07-13 2021-07-09 Emballage de cartouches de génération d'aérosol Pending EP4178377A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20185438 2020-07-13
PCT/EP2021/069130 WO2022013086A1 (fr) 2020-07-13 2021-07-09 Emballage de cartouches de génération d'aérosol

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4178377A1 true EP4178377A1 (fr) 2023-05-17

Family

ID=71607754

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21740086.0A Pending EP4178377A1 (fr) 2020-07-13 2021-07-09 Emballage de cartouches de génération d'aérosol

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4178377A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2023533699A (fr)
WO (1) WO2022013086A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB201413018D0 (en) * 2014-02-28 2014-09-03 Beyond Twenty Ltd Beyond 1A
EP3217815B1 (fr) * 2014-11-14 2020-01-01 JT International SA Conteneur pour un dispositif de génération d'aérosol
US9864947B1 (en) * 2016-11-15 2018-01-09 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Near field communication for a tobacco-based article or package therefor
CA3102258A1 (fr) * 2018-06-15 2019-12-19 Juul Labs, Inc. Commande de session pour un dispositif de vaporisateur

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2022013086A1 (fr) 2022-01-20
JP2023533699A (ja) 2023-08-04

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