EP4531610A2

EP4531610A2 - Delivery device

Info

Publication number: EP4531610A2
Application number: EP23723635.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ping Chou Chen; Sam Lai
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2022-05-31
Filing date: 2023-05-03
Publication date: 2025-04-09
Also published as: WO2023233123A3; GB202208021D0; US20260007167A1; WO2023233123A2; CA3252971A1

Abstract

A delivery device is disclosed and comprises a housing and a sound generator in the housing configured to provide an audible indication to a user relating to a function of the delivery device. The delivery device also comprises a vent opening in the housing. The sound generator is positioned relative to the vent opening such that the vent opening acts as an acoustic channel to enhance the sound transmitted from the housing. A delivery system comprising the delivery device and a substrate aerosolising module including a heater and a consumable comprising an aerosolisable substrate is also disclosed. The substrate aerosolising module is configured to aerosolise the substrate in response to activation of the delivery device.

Description

Delivery Device

Technical Field

The present specification relates to a delivery device, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device, or an aerosol-free delivery device.

Background

Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternative delivery devices to these articles by creating products that release compounds without combustion.

Examples of such delivery devices are electronic cigarettes, also known as a vaping devices, and so-called “heat not burn” products or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating, but not burning, a substrate. For example, tobacco heating devices heat an aerosol generating substrate, which may be tobacco or other non-tobacco products which may or may not contain nicotine, to form an aerosol by heating the substrate without burning it.

Summary

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a delivery device comprising: a housing, a sound generator in the housing configured to provide an audible indication to a user relating to a function of the delivery device, and a vent opening in the housing, wherein the sound generator is positioned relative to the vent opening such that the vent opening acts as an acoustic channel to enhance the sound transmitted from the housing.

The vent opening may be in fluid communication with the sound generator.

A battery may be received in the housing and the vent opening can then be in fluid communication with the battery.

The delivery device may have a conduit in the housing extending between the battery and the vent opening in the housing. There may also be a conduit in the housing extending between the sound generator and the vent opening in the housing. The conduit extending between the sound generator and the vent opening can be at least partially the same conduit that extends between the battery and the vent opening in the housing.

The sound generator and the conduit may be configured to generate a sound wave in the conduit between the sound generator and the vent opening. The conduit may be configured to act as an acoustic channel to enhance sound delivery from the sound generator to the vent opening.

A mouthpiece may be located at one end of the housing and the housing may contain a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may be configured to detect when a user draws on the device through the mouthpiece and to activate the device based on said detection.

The pressure sensor maybe in fluid communication with the vent opening in the housing and a conduit may extend between the pressure sensor and the vent opening in the housing. The conduit in the housing extending between the pressure sensor and the vent opening in the housing can be at least partially the same conduit that extends between the battery and the vent opening in the housing.

A membrane formed from a gas permeable material may extend over the vent opening in the housing.

The housing may comprise a body having an open end and an end cap attached to the body to close said open end. The vent opening may be in the end cap or in the body. The vent opening can be in the body, and a secondary vent opening can extend through the end cap.

The end cap can comprise a push-fit portion received within the body and a head portion that protrudes from the end of the body. A sealing member maybe located between the push-fit portion and an inner surface of the body. A membrane formed from a gas permeable material can also extend over the vent opening in the end cap. The secondary vent opening in the end cap can be in fluid communication with the sound generator in the body.

The end cap may comprise an internal surface facing the inside of the housing and an external surface spaced from the internal surface, and the secondary vent opening may comprise a passage extending between the internal and external surfaces with the membrane being attached to the internal surface, spaced from the external surface by the passage.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a delivery device according to the invention in combination with an accessory for charging the delivery device. The accessory may comprise a locating member that locates in the vent opening in the housing when the delivery device is mounted to the accessory.

The locating member of the accessory may be shorter than the length of the vent opening..

The locating member and the passage can be shaped such that the vent remains open to the passage of gas therethrough when the delivery device is attached to the accessory with the guide member received in the vent opening.

There may be more than one vent opening in the end cap. Each vent opening may comprise a passage, and the number of passages in the end cap may exceed the number of locating members on the accessory. According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a delivery system comprising the delivery device according to the invention, comprising a substrate aerosolising module including a heater and a consumable comprising an aerosolisable substrate, the substrate aerosolising module being configured to aerosolise the substrate in response to activation of the delivery device.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a delivery device comprising: a housing; a battery received in the housing; a vent opening in the housing in communication with the battery, and a pressure sensor in the housing, the pressure sensor being configured to detect when a user draws on the device and to activate the device based on said detection, wherein the pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the vent opening. The delivery device may comprise a mouthpiece and the pressure sensor can comprises a first pressure sensing element in the mouthpiece to detect a drop in pressure that occurs when a user draws on the mouthpiece, and a second pressure sensing element in the housing to detect a reference pressure for comparision with the pressure sensed by the first pressure sensing element. The second pressure sensing element may be located in the housing in communication with the vent opening.

The delivery device may comprise a conduit in the housing extending between the battery and the vent opening to fluidly communicate the battery and the vent opening.

A conduit in the housing may extend between the pressure sensor and the vent opening to fluidly communicate the pressure sensor and the vent opening. The conduit in the housing that extends between the pressure sensor and the vent opening may be at least partially the same conduit extending between the battery and the vent opening.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a delivery device comprising: a housing, a battery received in the housing, and a plurality of vent openings at least one of which is in fluid communication with the battery.

The housing may comprise a body and an end cap that closes one end of the body . At least one of the vent openings may extend through the end cap with the remaining vent openings extending through the body. A gas permeable membrane may extend across each vent opening or one or more of the vent openings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Example embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following schematic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a delivery device in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a delivery device shown in Fig. 1;

FIG.3 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of one end of a delivery device according to one embodiment of the invention, showing an end cap attached thereto, and

FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of one end of a delivery device according to another embodiment of the invention, showing an end cap attached thereto, and FIG. 5 shows a delivery device according to an embodiment of the invention being attached to a charging accessory.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term “delivery device” is intended to encompass devices that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes: non-combustible aerosol provision devices that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials.

Some embodiments according to the invention provide a delivery device that includes a housing and a battery contained within the housing. A battery is received within the housing. Also contained within the housing is a device for generating a sound or a vibration to provide an audible or tactile sensation to a user relating to a function of the delivery device. A vent opening is in fluid communication with the sound generator, and possibly also the battery.

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a non-combustible aerosol provision device 1, in accordance with an example embodiment. The device 1 comprises two main components 2, 8, each of which have proximal and distal ends.

The first component 2 of the device 1 includes a control module 3, which includes a battery 4 and a circuit board 5. The control module 3 is received within a housing 6 which encloses the control module 3 and forms the external appearance of the delivery device 1. The housing 6 has a body 6a which may be a tubular sleeve, in which case the control module 3 is inserted into the body 6a from its distal end during assembly of the delivery device 1. The housing 6 also has an end cap 7 which closes an opening at the distal end of the body 6a. However, the body 6a may, alternatively, be formed from multiple parts or shells that are attached together to form an enclosure around the control module 3. If the body 6a is formed from two half-shells for instance, the control module 3 may be placed in one half-shell part before the other half-shell part is placed on, and is attached to, the other half-shell part prior to attachment of the end cap 7 to the distal end of the body 6a thereby encapsulate the control module 3 within the housing 6. The body 6a and/ or the end cap 7 is preferably formed from a metal, such as aluminium, although other materials for the housing 6 are also possible. It is also envisaged that the end cap 7 could be partially integrated with the body 6a, i.e. the end cap 7 could be integral with one half-shell.

The second component 8 of the device 1 includes a heater 9 and a liquid reservoir 10 that may collectively form an aerosol-generating module. A mouthpiece (not shown) is integrally or removably attached to the proximal end of the second component 8 through which a user may draw when the delivery device 1 is in use. The first and second components 2, 8 maybe modular, i.e. the second component 8 may have its own housing 12 and its distal end can be separable from a proximal end of the first component (at a join marked X in Fig. 1) for repair or replacement. A releasable electrical connection joins the first and second components 2, 8 to enable power and/or control signals to be transmitted between them. However, the first and second components 2, 3 may not be separable, other than by disassembly or destruction of the device 1. More specifically, the first and second components 2, 8 may be permanently connected together during assembly. Alternatively, housing 6 may be a single unitary component integrating both the first and second components 2, 8, i.e. the housing 6 may define a single compartment or chamber in which all the parts of the delivery device 1 are received together.

When the device of Figure 1 is used, and a user draws on the mouthpiece, air is drawn into an air inlet of the heater 9, as indicated by the arrow 11. The heater 9 is controlled by the control module 3 and heats the incoming air. The heated air is directed to the liquid reservoir 10, where an aerosol is generated. The aerosol exits the device 1 at an air outlet, as indicated by the arrow A, into the mouth of a user of the delivery device 1. The delivery device 1 may be puff-actuated, i.e. the delivery device 1 may include a puff- sensor 16 (see Fig. 2), such as a pressure sensor, capable of detecting a change in pressure within the housing 6 that occurs when a user puffs or draws on the mouthpiece. The puff-sensor 13 may be configured to activate the heater 9 and other components of the delivery device 1 to generate the aerosol in response to detecting such a change in pressure within the housing 6. Puff activation typically requires a comparison of two pressures, i.e. a pressure in the airflow path at the mouthpiece (which reduces when the user draws on the mouthpiece), and a pressure within the device housing that is taken as a reference value (i.e. representative of ambient pressure). The heater 9 is activated when the pressure on the mouthpiece side falls below the reference pressure (i.e. ambient) by at least a threshold amount. Mis-activation occurs when the reference pressure increases as opposed to the external pressure decreasing, which may result in a sufficient pressure differential to activate the heater 9 even though the user may not be drawing on the mouthpiece.

Depending on the device 1, two separate pressure sensors could be used (i.e. a first pressure sensing element to measure the pressure in the airflow channel at the mouthpiece, and a second pressure sensing element to provide a reference pressure measurement), or a single differential pressure sensor could be used (i.e. a single component that measures the pressure different between opposite sides of the sensor).

If pressure sensing elements are used, the pressure sensing element that measures a reference pressure should be in fluid communication with the vent opening, whereas the pressure sensing element which detects the draw on the mouthpiece does not have to be in fluid communication with the vent opening.

The pressure sensing elements or differential pressure sensor may be configured to convert the measurements of pressure to corresponding electrical signals. A microprocessor is coupled to the heating element and the sensor and is configured to receive the corresponding electrical signals and operate in an active mode only in an instance in which a predetermined threshold pressure, or predetermined differential threshold pressure has been reached, so as to activate the heating element to vaporize components of the aerosol-generating material.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed exploded view of the first component 2 shown in Figure 1, the second component 3 being omitted. It can be seen from Fig. 2 that the body 6a of the housing 6 is in the form of a sleeve and the remaining components of the control module 3 are inserted into the body 6a from one end. The distal end of the body 6a is then closed by the end cap 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control module 3 includes a frame or carrier 13 in which the battery 4 is received and retained. The circuit board 5 is mounted to the top, outside surface of the carrier 13 and is supported by both the carrier 13 and by the outside of one major face 4a of the battery 4. An insulated spacer or support pad 15 maybe located between the major face 4a of the battery 4 and the circuit board 5 where they overlie each other. The support pad 15 may be adhesive, so that the circuit board 5 is held in place on the major face 4a of the battery 4 by the adhesive pad 15. Various electrical circuit and control elements, including the pressure sensor 16, may be mounted to the circuit board 5, which also has connectors 17 for electrical connection of the circuit board 5 to the aerosol generating module of the second component 3. These connectors 17 may be positioned on a section of the circuit board 5 that overhangs one end of the carrier 13.

A metal or conductive plate 18 is mounted to the underside of the carrier 13 and to the other major face 4b of the battery 4 on the opposite side of the battery 4 to the circuit board 5. An insulated pad 19 or spacer may be located between the other major face 4b of the battery 4 and the metal plate 18 and may be adhesive so that the metal plate 18 is held in place on the other major face 4b of the battery 4. The metal plate 18 forms an electrical connection between the battery 4 and the circuit and control elements on the circuit board 5. It will be understood that the carrier 13 is open, in the sense that it does not completely cover or surround the battery 4. Even with the circuit board 5 and metal plate 18 mounted to the carrier 13 and extending over the major faces 4a, 4b of the battery 4, the battery 4 is still partially exposed. This enables any heat or gases generated by the battery 4, which may occur either as a result of normal use, or due to a malfunction, to escape or dissipate internally into regions of the housing 6 that surround the battery 4, rather than being trapped within the carrier 13.

The control module 3 may include a press button on/off switch 20, which is mounted to the metal plate 18 and is accessible through an aperture in the housing 6. Pressing the on/ off switch 20 connects, or disconnects, the battery 4 from the circuitry 16 on the circuit board 5, thereby switching the device on or off, or performing other control functions as required. However, a switch 20 is not essential as the device 1 can be activated solely by the puff sensor 16, referred to above. As the housing 6 is a sealed unit once assembled, gas may collect within the housing 6 resulting in a build-up of pressure. A partial cross-sectional side elevation of a delivery device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 3, and in which a vent opening 25 is provided to enable any gases to escape and to maintain a nominal or atmospheric pressure within the housing 6. As shown in Figure 3, the vent opening 25 is provided in the end cap 7, although the vent opening 25 can also be provided in the body 6a of the housing 6 and/or more than one vent opening 25 can be provided in the body 6a, in the end cap 7 or in both. For example, one or more vent openings 25 can be provided in the end cap and/or one or more vent openings 25 can be provided in the body 6a. The vent opening(s) 25 also allow air to circulate into and out of the housing 6 to minimise temperature differences internally and externally of the delivery device 1. It can be seen in Figure 3 that the end cap 7 has a first portion 26 slideably received within the end of the body 6a and a second, larger, head portion 27 which is outside the bodyg 6a and defines a shoulder 28 that sits against the end face of the body 6a. The first portion 26 can be a push-fit, preferably a friction or snug fit, in the body 6a and can include a sealing element 29 to form a seal between the first portion 26 and the inner wall of the body 6a. The end cap 7 can be removable or permanently attached to the body 6a. For example, the end cap 7 could be glued to the body 6a in addition, or alternatively to, it being a push-fit. The end cap 7 and the body 6a may also have complimentary screw threads to enable the end cap 7 to be screwed to the body 6a. The vent opening 25 in the end cap 7 through which air or other gases can escape from the housing 6 is defined by a passage 30 that extends through the end cap 7 between inner and outer end surfaces 31, 32 of the end cap 7. The inner surface 31 is located in a recess 33 within the end cap 7. A membrane 34 which, as a minimum requirement, is sufficiently permeable to allow air and/or gas to pass through it with little or no resistance, extends over the vent opening 25 and is mounted to the inner surface 31 of the end cap 7 within the recess 33. In addition to being air and/or gas permeable, the membrane 34 may also be waterproof or at least have a degree of water resistance. For example, and with reference to the Ingress Protection (IP) standard drawn up by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the delivery device 1 may have what is commonly referred to as an ‘IP67 rating’, which means that it is resistant to the seeping of dust or dirt into the delivery device 1, which includes access through the membrane 34. This rating also means that the delivery device 1 can be submerged in fresh water to a depth of up to 1.5 metres for a period of half an hour, without the water penetrating the device 1, and so the membrane 34 covering the vent 25 in the end cap 7 needs to be able to prevent such penetration.

To allow for the passage of gas or air, it is envisaged that the membrane 34 may have a hole size of 0.65pm, and a thickness of between o.iimm-o.iqmm, with a venting capacity of i9oo-24ooml/cm²/min at a pressure of kpa. One such material that meets these requirements is made by Dong Guan PUW EPTFE Material Co., LTD., under product no. PUW867.

The membrane 34 is attached to the inside surface 31 of the end cap 7 so that it is spaced from the external surface 32 of the end cap 7 by the length of the passage 30 extending through the end cap 7 making it less accessible and so better protected against damage and making it impossible for pressure to be applied to the membrane

34 using a finger. Preferably, the membrane 34 is larger than the vent opening 25 and so has a peripheral region that extends beyond the opening 25 and faces the inside surface 31 of the end cap 7. A ring of permanent adhesive 35 is applied in an annular pattern around the entire peripheral region, and attaches the membrane 34 to the inside surface 31 of the end cap 7 across the vent opening 25. Other ways for attaching the membrane 34 to the inside surface 31 of the end cap 7 so that it extends across the vent opening 25 are also contemplated. For example, the membrane 34 could be overmoulded by the end cap 7. Alternatively, the membrane 34 can be sandwiched between the inner surface of the end cap 7 and another mechanical component.

There may also be more than one vent opening 25 in the end cap 7, with a membrane 34 mounted to the inner surface 31 and extending across each vent opening 25. There may be a separate membrane 34 for each vent opening 25 or a single membrane 34 extending across all of the vent openings 25.

Although the passage 30 forming the vent opening 25 maybe cylindrical, a tapering or partly tapering passage 30 extending through the end cap 7 is also contemplated.

Irrespective of whether the passage 30 is tapered, it may also have a non-circular crosssection. For example, the vent opening 25 in the outer surface 32 of the end cap 7 may be smaller than the vent opening 25 in the inner surface 31 of the end cap 7. The delivery device 1 maybe mountable to an accessory 40, such as a charging unit. Fig. 5 shows a delivery device 1 being lowered, in the direction of arrow D, onto an accessory 40. In this arrangement, the passage 30 extending through the end cap 7 may act as a guide or opening into which a post or other locating or guide member 41 on the accessory 40 may fit or locate so that the delivery device 1 and accessory 40 are correctly located or aligned relative to each other to facilitate charging. The locating member 41 may be a sufficiently loose fit in the passage 30 such that air or gas may still flow through the passage 30 even in the presence of the locating member 41. The passage 30 and the locating member 41 may also have different profiles or cross- sectional shapes to allow for the gas to flow through the passage 30 past the locating member 41. In some embodiments, there maybe more passages 30 extending through the end cap 7 than there are locating members 41 on the accessory 40. This means that even if some passages 30 are blocked by the locating members 41, gas can still escape from the housing 6 via the remaining passages 30 in which no locating member 41 is received.

It will be appreciated that the locating member 41 on the accessory 40 will at least be slightly shorter than the length of the passage 30 in the end cap 7 so that the locating member 41 will not reach or touch the membrane 34 attached to the inside surface 31 of the end cap 7 which could otherwise cause the membrane 34 to rupture or the adhesive 35 holding the membrane 34 in place to fail, resulting in the membrane 34 becoming detached from the end cap 7.

Although reference is made to an embodiment in which the vent opening 25 is in the end cap 7, it is also contemplated that the vent opening 25 can be elsewhere, such as in the body 6a, and the locating member 41 may still locate in the passage providing the vent opening 25. A gas permeable membrane 34 may still be located in the body 6a and extend across the vent opening 25 at an inner end of the passage 30, and the locating member 41 can be shorter than the length of the passage such that the locating member 41 does not contact the membrane 34 when the delivery device 1 and the charging accessory 40 are in the charging configuration.

In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the vent opening 25a is provided through the wall of the body 6a, instead of in the end cap 7. In other embodiments, a vent opening 25, 25a can be provided in both the body 6a and in the end cap 7. The vent opening 25a in the body 6a provides the same function as a vent opening 25 in the end cap 7. If vent openings 25, 25a are provided in both the end cap 7 and in the body 6a, a build up of gas within the housing 6 is prevented in the event that one of the vent openings 25, 25a becomes blocked. The vent opening 25a in the body 6a may have a gas and air permeable membrane 34a extending across it and attached to the body 6a.

At least one of the vent openings 25, 25a is in fluid communication with the battery 4, i.e. there is an open pathway or conduit 36 for the flow of air/gases from the battery 4 or battery compartment to the vent opening 25 and/or vent opening 25a. This ensures that gases generated by the battery 4 are free to flow directly to the vent opening 25, 25a without obstruction.

The delivery device 1 also comprises a sound generator 51, such as a buzzer, speaker or vibrator mounted to the body 6a, to the end cap, or to a module 52 attached to the end cap 7, so that it is located within the housing 6. The buzzer or speaker 51 may vibrate or generate audible sounds indicative of a function of the delivery device 1. The buzzer or speaker 51 is mounted such that it is in communication with at least one vent opening 25, 25a to improve or enhance the transmission and/or tone of the sound generated by the buzzer or speaker 51. The vent opening acts as an acoustic channel to to enhance sound delivery from the housing, thereby making it sound louder and easier to hear. In addition or alternatively, the vent opening may improve the tone of the sound or tune it to a desired frequency. A conduit 52 may extend between the, or each, vent opening 25, 25a and the sound generator 51 in order to channel the sound or vibration from the sound generator 51 through the housing 6 to the vent opening 25. The conduit may also act as an acoustic channel that effectively transmits, enhances and/or tunes the sound as it travels from the sound generator to the vent opening.

Whereas the sound generator may be in fluid communication with the vent opening 25, 25a, it can also be fixed to a thin wall/membrane that acts as a diaphragm and effectively transmits sound to a passage or conduit leading to the vent opening, whilst sealing the sound generator off from the passage.

If the delivery device 1 is puff-actuated and the housing 6 is a single unitary component, it is possible that a mis-activation of the device 1 can occur as a result of changes in pressure within the housing 6 that are not caused by a user drawing on the mouthpiece. For example, a change in pressure within the housing 6 may occur as a result of an inadvertent compression of the housing 6 sufficient to deform the wall of the housing 6. In this circumstance, at least one of the vent openings 25, 25a may prevent misactivation by dissipating any increase in pressure within the housing 6 caused as a result of any such compression and deformation of the housing 6. The vent openings 25,25a balances the pressure inside the housing 6 with ambient pressure to prevent puff mis-activation. To achieve this function, the pressure sensor 16 that measures a reference pressure within the housing 6 is in fluid communication with the vent opening 25, or if a differential pressure sensor is used, then it at least has the ability to detect a draw on the mouthpiece and a pressure in the housing 6 with the interior of the housing 6 being in communication with the vent opening 25. The pressure sensor 16 may be in communication with one or more of the vent openings 25, 25 in the end cap 7-aThe conduit by which the pressure sensor 16 is in fluid communication with the vent opening 25, 25a may be at least partially shared with the conduit that communicates the battery 4 with a vent opening 25, 25a and/or the conduit that communicates the sound generator 51 with the vent opening 25, 25a.

The delivery device 1 maybe mountable to an accessory 40, such as a charging unit. Fig. 4 shows a delivery device 1 being lowered, in the direction of arrow D, onto an accessory 40. In this arrangement, the passage 30 extending through the end cap 7 may act as a guide or opening into which a post or other locating or guide member 41 on the accessory 40 may fit or locate so that the delivery device 1 and accessory 40 are correctly located or aligned relative to each other to facilitate charging. The locating member 41 may be a sufficiently loose fit in the passage 30 such that air or gas may still flow through the passage 30 even in the presence of the locating member 41. The passage 30 and the locating member 41 may also have difference profiles or cross- sectional shapes to allow for the gas to flow through the passage 30 past the locating member 41. In some embodiments, there maybe more passages 30 extending through the end cap 7 than there are locating members 41 on the accessory 40. This means that even if some passages 30 are blocked by the locating members 41, gas can still escape from the housing 6 via the remaining passages 30 in which no locating member 41 is received. It will be understood that the charging accessory 40 may be configured so that the locating member 41 locates in a passage 30 of a vent opening 25a in the housing 6, rather than in a vent opening 25 in the end cap 7.

It will be appreciated that the locating member 41 on the accessory 40 will at least be slightly shorter than the length of the passage 30 in the end cap 7 so that the locating member 41 will not reach or touch the membrane 34 attached to the inside surface 31 of the end cap 7 which could otherwise cause the membrane 34 to rupture or the adhesive 35 holding the membrane 34 in place to fail, resulting in the membrane 34 becoming detached from the end cap 7. In another embodiment of the invention, the delivery device comprises a battery 4 in the housing 6, and a plurality of vent openings 25. At least one of the vent openings 25 is in fluid communication with the battery 4. At least one or more of the other vent openings 25 maybe in fluid communication with one or more of a pressure sensor 16, a sound generator 51 and the battery 4. One or more of the vent openings 25 may extend through the end cap 7 that closes one end of the body 6a, with the remaining vent openings 25a extending through the wall of the body 6a. A semi-permeable membrane 34, such as the membrane 34 referred to in more detail above, extends across each of the vent openings 25, 25a. The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments maybe utilised and modifications maybe made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which maybe claimed in future.

Claims

1. A delivery device comprising: a housing, a sound generator in the housing configured to provide an audible indication to a user relating to a function of the delivery device, and a vent opening in the housing, wherein the sound generator is positioned relative to the vent opening such that the vent opening acts as an acoustic channel to enhance the sound transmitted from the housing.

2. A delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the vent opening is in fluid communication with the sound generator.

3. A delivery device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a battery received in the housing, the vent opening being in fluid communication with the battery.

4. A delivery device according to claim 3, comprising a conduit in the housing extending between the battery and the vent opening in the housing. 5. A delivery device according to any preceding claim, comprising a conduit in the housing extending between the sound generator and the vent opening in the housing.

6. A delivery device according to claim 5, wherein the sound generator and the conduit are configured to generate a sound wave in the conduit between the sound generator and the vent opening.

7. A delivery device according to claim 6, wherein the conduit is configured to act as an acoustic channel to enhance sound delivery from the sound generator to the vent opening.

8. A delivery device according to any of claims 5 to 7, when depending on claim 4, wherein the conduit extending between the sound generator and the vent opening is at least partially the same conduit that extends between the battery and the vent opening in the housing.

9. A delivery device according to any preceding claim, comprising a mouthpiece at one end of the housing and a pressure sensor in the housing, the pressure sensor being configured to detect when a user draws on the device through the mouthpiece and to activate the device based on said detection. to. A delivery device according to claim 9, wherein the pressure sensor is in communication with the vent opening in the housing.

11. A delivery device according to claim 10, comprising a conduit in the housing extending between the pressure sensor and the vent opening in the housing.

12. A delivery device according to claim 11, when dependent on claim 4, wherein the conduit in the housing extending between the pressure sensor and the vent opening in the housing is at least partially the same conduit that extends between the battery and the vent opening in the housing.

13. A delivery device according to any preceding claim, comprising a membrane formed from a gas permeable material extending over the vent opening in the housing. 14. A delivery device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises a body having an open end and an end cap attached to the body to close said open end.

15. A delivery device according to claim 14, wherein the vent opening is in the end cap.

16. A delivery device according to claim 14, , wherein the vent opening is in the body.

17. A delivery system comprising the delivery device according to any preceding claim, comprising a substrate aerosolising module including a heater and a consumable comprising an aerosolisable substrate, the substrate aerosolising module being configured to aerosolise the substrate in response to activation of the delivery device.

18. A delivery device comprising: a housing; a battery received in the housing; a vent opening in the housing in fluid communication with the battery, and a pressure sensor in the housing, the pressure sensor being configured to detect when a user draws on the device and to activate the device based on said detection, wherein the pressure sensor is in communication with the vent opening. 19. A delivery device according to claim 18, comprising a mouthpiece and the pressure sensor comprises a first pressure sensing element in the mouthpiece to detect a drop in pressure that occurs when a user draws on the mouthpiece, and a second pressure sensing element in the housing to detect a reference pressure for comparision with the pressure sensed by the first pressure sensing element, wherein the second pressure sensing element is located in the housing in communication with the vent opening.

20. A delivery device according to claim 18 or 19, comprising a conduit in the housing extending between the battery and the vent opening to fluidly communicate the battery and the vent opening.

21. A delivery device according to claim 20, comprising a conduit in the housing extending between the pressure sensor and the vent opening to fluidly communicate the pressure sensor and the vent opening.

22. A delivery device according to claim 21, wherein the conduit in the housing that extends between the pressure sensor and the vent opening is at least partially the same conduit extending between the battery and the vent opening.

23. A delivery device comprising: a housing, a battery received in the housing, and a plurality of vent openings at least one of which is in fluid communication with the battery.

24. A delivery device according to claim 23, wherein the housing comprises a body and an end cap that closes one end of the body, and at least one of the vent openings extends through the end cap with the remaining vent openings extending through the body.

25. A delivery device according to claim 23 or 24, comprising a gas permeable membrane extending across one or more of the vent openings.