EP4557990A1

EP4557990A1 - An aerosol generating device comprising two interface buttons

Info

Publication number: EP4557990A1
Application number: EP23744452.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Silvia CAPO; Yiu Chi CHEUNG; Stéphane ESSADE; Philip Naylor; Hüseyin Efe SENYILMAZ
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2022-07-20
Filing date: 2023-07-18
Publication date: 2025-05-28
Also published as: JP2025523041A; WO2024017894A1; US20250288021A1

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device comprising: a housing; a cavity in the housing for receiving an aerosol-generating article; a heating arrangement for heating the aerosol-generating article in the cavity; a power supply for supplying power to the heating arrangement; control circuitry that controls the supply of power from the power supply to the heating arrangement; a first button located on the housing and connected to the control circuitry; and a second button located on the housing and connected to the control circuitry, wherein the first button has a different size and/or shape to the second button, wherein the first button is configured to activate a first function of the device, and wherein the second button is configured to activate a second function of the device, and wherein the first function is different to the second function.

Description

AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE COMPRISING TWO INTERFACE BUTTONS

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising a housing and a first button and a second button located on the housing. The first button has different size or shape to the second button and can be used to activate different functions of the aerosolgenerating device.

Aerosol-generating devices configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco containing substrate, are known in the art. Typically, an inhalable aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a heater to a physically separate aerosol-forming substrate or material, which may be located within, around ordownstream of the heat source. An aerosol-forming substrate may be a component part of a separate aerosol-generating article configured to engage with the aerosol-generating device. During use, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate by heat transfer from the heat source and entrained in air drawn through the aerosol-generating article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the consumer.

It can be desirable to provide different modes of operation of an aerosol-generating device. For example, it may be desirable to provide different heating profiles so that the user can choose to generate different amounts of aerosol at different times. In particular, the device may have a ‘normal’ mode in which aerosol is generated and a ‘boost’ mode in which aerosol is generated at a faster rate or in greater volume by increasing the temperature of the heater or by activating more portions of the heater simultaneously.

It would be desirable to provide an aerosol generating device that allows a user to easily and intuitively switch between different functions, particularly during use of the device to generate aerosol.

According to this disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating device comprising: a housing; a cavity in the housing for receiving an aerosol-generating article; a heating arrangement for heating the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is in the cavity; a first button located on the housing; and a second button located on the housing.

The first button may have a different size and/or shape to the second button. The first button may be configured to activate a first function of the device. The second button may be configured to activate a second function of the device, wherein the first function is different to the second function.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply for supplying power to the heating arrangement. The power supply may comprise a battery. The power supply may comprise a plurality of batteries. The battery or batteries may comprise a rechargeable battery, such as a lithium ion battery. The aerosol-generating device may comprise control circuitry that controls the supply of power from the power supply to the heating arrangement. The control circuitry may comprise a microcontroller. The first button may be connected to the microcontroller. The second button may be connected to the microcontroller.

Providing buttons of different size and/or shape allows for intuitive control by the user. For example, a larger button can be used for turning the device on and off and for activating a default heating mode. A smaller button can be used for additional functions, such as boosting aerosol production. Alternatively, the smaller button can be used for turning the device on and off and for activating a default heating mode and a larger button can be used for additional functions, such as boosting aerosol production.

The control circuitry may be configured to supply power to the heating assembly in different modes. In a first mode, the control circuitry may be configured to supply power to the heating assembly to achieve a first heating profile. In a second mode, the control circuitry may be configured to supply power to the heating assembly to achieve a second heating profile. The first heating profile may be different to the second heating profile. As used herein, the term “heating profile” refers to a changing temperature of the heating assembly, or a portion of the heating assembly, or a changing power supplied to the heating assembly, over a period of time corresponding to a single use session, or a portion of a single use session, of the aerosolgenerating device.

The control circuitry may be configured to switch between different modes in response to actuation of the first or second button by a user. The control circuitry may be configured to switch the device on in response to actuation of the first or second button by a user. The control circuitry may be configured to switch the device off in response to actuation of the first or second button by a user. Depression of the first or second button for at least a predetermined time may be required to turn the device on or off.

In one example, the first function is a first mode of operation in which the aerosol-generating article is heated to generate an aerosol. The second function may be a second mode of operation, in which the aerosol-generating article is heated to produce aerosol at a greater rate than in the first mode. The first mode of operation may correspond to a ‘normal’ mode of operation and the second mode of operation may correspond to a ‘boost’ mode of operation. The control circuitry may supply more power to the heating arrangement in the second mode than in the first mode. In one example the first button is larger than the second button. This allows the larger button to be used to initiate normal operation of the device, and the smaller button to be used to change to a boost mode when the user desires. By providing a larger button to activate for what is likely to be the usual operating mode and a smaller button to transition to what is likely to be a less common operating mode, the user is provided with intuitive and easy to operate controls.

The first button may be configured to activate more than one function of the device. The particular function activated by actuation of the first button may be dependent on a number of times that the first button is actuated or on a duration of actuation of the first button. The second button may be configured to activate more than one function of the device. The particular function activated by actuation of the second button may be dependent on a number of times that the second button is actuated or on a duration of actuation of the second button.

The microcontroller may be configured to detect activation of the first button for a predetermined length of time and in response activate the first function. The microcontroller may be configured to detect activation of the second button for a predetermined length of time and in response activate the second function. The second button may be a dedicated ‘boost mode’ button. Actuation of the second button may cause the microcontroller to transition from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation. Actuation of the second button may cause the microcontroller to transition from the second mode of operation to the first mode of operation. This provides a simple an intuitive way to enter and exit a boost mode of operation.

Alternatively, it may be the first button that is the “boost mode” button. Actuation of the first button may cause the microcontroller to transition from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation. Actuation of the first button may cause the microcontroller to transition from the second mode of operation to the first mode of operation.

The device may have a pre-heating mode in which the heating assembly is heated to a predetermined temperature below a temperature at which significant aerosol is generated from the aerosol-generating article. The microcontroller may be configured to transition from a pre-heating mode to a heating mode in which aerosol is generated in response to actuation of the first or second button.

The microcontroller may have a low power mode, and one or more operating modes which uses more power than the low power mode. The microcontroller may be configured to detect activation of the first button and/or the second button, and in response transition from the low power mode to the operating mode. The microcontroller may have an initial operating mode that is different to a pre-heating mode or a heating mode. The microcontroller may be configured to transition from the initial operating mode to a pre-heating mode or a heating mode in response to actuation or plural activations of the first and/or second buttons. The microcontroller may not transition directly from the low power mode to a pre-heating mode or a heating mode.

In one example, the microcontroller may be configured to transition from low power mode to an initial operating mode in response to a first actuation of the first button. The device may then transition from the initial operating mode to a first heating mode in response to a second actuation of the first button. When in the first heating mode, the device may transition to a second heating mode, which may be a higher power mode than the first heating mode, in response to a first actuation of the second button. The device may transition from the second heating mode to the first heating mode in response to a second actuation of the second button or in response to a further actuation of the first button.

The microcontroller may transition from any operating mode or heating mode to the low power mode in response to continual actuation of the first button for a first predetermined period. The microcontroller may transition from any operating mode or heating mode to the low power mode in response to continual actuation of the second button for a first predetermined period.

The microcontroller may automatically transition from first heating mode and/or the second heating mode to an initial operating mode after a predetermined period of operating in the first heating mode and/or second heating mode. This may prevent or mitigate against heating of an aerosol-generating article for longer than is desirable. For example, an aerosol-generating article may be designed to heated for a maximum period of six minutes in a first heating mode, or five minutes in a second heating mode, after which the probability of generating undesirable aerosol constituents with continued heating rises. The microcontroller may automatically discontinue heating of an aerosol generating article in the cavity of the device after a predetermined time. The control circuitry may include one or more sensors for sensing removal or replacement of an aerosol generating article.

The microcontroller may have a configuration mode in which operating parameters of the device may be set through an interface on a connected device, such as smartphone running a dedicated app. The microcontroller may transition from the initial operating mode to a configuration mode in response to actuation of the first button or the second button for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times. The microcontroller may transition from the initial operating mode to a configuration mode in response to simultaneous actuation of the first and second buttons for a predetermined period of time.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a display. The display may be connected to the control circuitry. The display may comprise a plurality of light sources, such as LEDs.

The display may indicate an operational state of the aerosol-generating device. For example, the display may indicate the current operating mode of the device. The light sources may flash or emit light of different colours to provide information to a user.

The display may indicate a status of one of more components of the aerosol-generating device. For example, the display may indicate a charge state of a battery. The display may indicate a completion of a pre-heating process. The display may indicate an overheating status of the heating arrangement.

The display may comprise an annular outer illuminating ring and an inner illuminating element or elements within the outer illuminating ring. The outer illuminating ring may be illuminated independently of the inner illuminating element or elements and so may convey different information. The outer illuminating ring may comprise plural light sources. The plural light sources may be illuminated independently.

The housing may comprise a semi-opaque or diffusive cover layer on at least a portion of the display. The semi-opaque or diffusive cover layer may cover the inner illuminating element or elements.

The device may also include a haptic feedback element that provides haptic feedback during some mode of operation or during transition from one mode of operation to another. The housing may have a size and shape that allows it to be easily gripped in one hand of a user.

The housing may have a plurality of faces. The first button and the second button may be provided on the same face of the housing as one another.

The housing may be generally cuboid. The housing may have a length, a width and a thickness. The length may be in a longitudinal direction, the width may be in a first transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the thickness in a second transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the first transverse direction. The housing may have a length greater than its width and thickness. The housing may have a width greater than its thickness.

The housing may have first and second end faces extending in a transverse plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

The housing may have an opening in a first end face providing access to the cavity. An aerosol-generating article may be inserted into the cavity through the opening.

Some or all of the display may be provided on the first end face.

The housing may comprise a gripping surface extending in a longitudinal direction between the end faces. The first button and the second button may be provided on the gripping surface. In use, a user’s hand may grip the gripping surface without contacting the first end face.

The first button and the second button may be provided on a face of the housing orthogonal to the end faces. The first button and the second button may be aligned with one another in the longitudinal direction. The first button and the second button may be provided on the gripping surface closer to the first end face than the second end face. The second button may be provided closer to the first end face than the first button. This may allow the user’s index finger, or index and middle finger, to operate both first and second buttons easily when gripping the device with the first end face facing toward a user’s mouth.

The gripping surface may comprise two opposing planar faces orthogonal to the second transverse direction. The two opposing planar faces are separated by the thickness of the housing. The two opposing planar faces may be joined by curved faces at opposite sides of the housing in the first transverse direction. This provides a comfortable surface to grip in the palm and fingers of one hand. The first and second buttons may be provided on one of the curved faces. This may provide the buttons in a natural position for one or more of the user’s fingertips when gripping the device. The user’s fingers can wrap comfortably around the curved faced and actuate the first and second buttons.

The first and second buttons may be provided on the curved face furthest from the aperture.

The housing may comprise a further switch, button or interface element on the curved surface closest to the aperture. This may provide a further switch, button or interface element in a natural position for a user’s thumb when gripping the device. The further switch, button or interface element may be used to operate a shutter for the aperture. The further interface element may be a rotatable knob or dial.

The device may comprise an end face button or switch on the first end face. The end face button or switch may be provided in the display. The end face button or switch may be used to activate further function of the aerosol generating device.

The housing may comprise a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion and the second housing portion may be separable. The first housing portion may contain at least a part of the power supply. The first housing portion may comprise the display. The first housing portion may comprise the first and second buttons. The second housing portion may contain the cavity and the heating arrangement. The second housing portion may be generally cylindrical. The first housing portion may comprise a channel complementary to the shape of the second housing portion.

The provision of separable first and second housing portions may allow for a modular design in which different heating arrangements may be used with the same control circuitry and power supply.

The length of the housing may be between 60mm and 100mm, preferably between 70mm and 80mm and more preferably between 71 mm and 74mm.

The width of the housing may be between 25mm and 50mm, preferably between 30mm and 40mm and more preferably around 35mm.

The thickness of the housing may be between 13mm and 25mm, preferably between 16mm and 22mm and more preferably between 18mm and 20mm.

The heating arrangement may be an inductive heating arrangement. The heating arrangement may comprise one or more inductions coils and one or more inductively heated susceptor elements. The one or more induction coils may be connected to the control circuitry. The one or more susceptor elements may be provided as part of, or in proximity to, the internal surface of the cavity, so as to efficiently transfer heat to the aerosol-generating article.

The one or more induction coils may be provided around the cavity. The one or more induction coils may be helical coils. The one or more induction coils may have a magnetic axis that is parallel to the longitudinal direction. In one embodiment, the one or more induction coils consists of two inductions coils spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. The first and second coils may be substantially identical or may be different to one another. For example they may have a different number of coil turns. In another embodiment, the one or more induction coils consists of a single inductions coil. The single induction coil may have a variable pitch between successive turns of the coil. The one or more inductions coils may be formed from copper.

The one or more susceptor elements may comprise a tubular susceptor element that surrounds at least a portion of the cavity. The one or more susceptors may comprise an iron tube. The iron tube may have a coating, for example formed from nickel and/or phosphorous.

The heating arrangement may comprise one or more temperature sensors connected to the control circuitry. The control circuitry may be configured to control the supply of power to the heating arrangement based, at least in part, on signals from the one or more temperature sensors.

In preferred embodiments, the power supply comprises a battery. For example, the power supply may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a lithium based battery, for example a lithium-cobalt (LCO), a lithium-iron-phosphate, (LFP), a lithium-nickel- manganese-cobalt (NMC), a lithium-nickel-cobalt-aluminium (NCA) or a lithium-polymer battery (LiPo). The power supply may alternatively be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. Preferably, the power supply is rechargeable. The power supply may have a capacity that allows for the storage of enough energy for multiple uses of the aerosol-generating device.

If there are separable housing portions, a battery may be provided in each of the housing portions.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating device” is used to describe a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol. Preferably, the aerosol-generating device is a smoking device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs thorough the user's mouth. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article is a smoking article that generates an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs through the user's mouth. More preferably, the aerosol-generating article is a smoking article that generates a nicotine-containing aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs through the user's mouth.

The aerosol-generating device is preferably a “heat-not-burn” device. The control circuitry is configured to control the supply of power to the heating arrangement so that aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-generating article is heated to a temperature at which volatile compounds are released but at which combustion of the aerosol-forming substrate does not occur.

According to the present disclosure there is also provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device as described herein and an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that, when heated, releases volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming substrate” denotes a substrate consisting of or comprising an aerosol-forming material that is capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating to generate an aerosol.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a plug of tobacco. The tobacco plug may comprise one or more of: powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips or sheets containing one or more of: tobacco leaf, fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenised tobacco, extruded tobacco and expanded tobacco. Optionally, the tobacco plug may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavour compounds, to be released upon heating of the tobacco plug. Optionally, the tobacco plug may also contain capsules that, for example, include the additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavour compounds. Such capsules may melt during heating of the tobacco plug. Alternatively, or in addition, such capsules may be crushed prior to, during, or after heating of the tobacco plug.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a mouthpiece positioned downstream of the tobacco plug. The mouthpiece may be located at a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The mouthpiece may comprise a cellulose acetate filter plug.

The aerosol generating article may be cylindrical. The aerosol generating article may have a length of between 70mm and 80mm, and preferably approximately 75mm. The aerosol generating article may have a diameter of between 5mm and 8mm, and preferably approximately 6.7mm. The aerosol generating article may have a weight of between 580mg and 620mg. The aerosol generating article may have a resistance to draw (RTD) of between 30 and 40 mmWG.

The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there Is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

EX1 . An aerosol-generating device comprising: a housing; a cavity in the housing for receiving an aerosol-generating article; a heating arrangement for heating the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is in the cavity; a first button located on the housing; and a second button located on the housing.

EX2. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX1 , wherein the first button has a different size and/or shape to the second button.

EX3. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX1 or EX2, wherein the first button is configured to activate a first function of the device.

EX4. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX3, wherein the second button is configured to activate a second function of the device, wherein the first function is different to the second function.

EX5. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX 1 to EX4, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a power supply for supplying power to the heating arrangement.

EX6. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX5, wherein the power supply comprises one or more batteries.

EX7. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX5 or EX6, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises control circuitry that controls the supply of power from the power supply to the heating arrangement.

EX8. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX7, wherein the control circuitry comprises a microcontroller, and wherein the first button is connected to the microcontroller and the second button is connected to the microcontroller. EX9. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX7 or EX8, wherein the control circuitry is configured to supply power to the heating assembly in different modes.

EX10. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX9, wherein, in a first mode, the control circuitry is configured to supply power to the heating assembly to achieve a first heating profile, and in a second mode, the control circuitry is configured to supply power to the heating assembly to achieve a second heating profile, the first heating profile being different to the second heating profile.

EX11. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX9 or EX10, wherein the control circuitry may be configured to switch between different modes in response to actuation of the first or second button by a user.

EX12. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX7 to EX11 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to switch the device on in response to actuation of the first or second button by a user.

EX13. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX7 to EX12, wherein the control circuitry is configured to switch the device off in response to actuation of the first or second button by a user.

EX14. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX12 or EX13, wherein depression of the first or second button for at least a predetermined time is required to turn the device on or off.

EX15. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX3 to EX14, wherein the first function is a first mode of operation in which the aerosol-generating article is heated to generate an aerosol.

EX16. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX4 to EX15, wherein the second function is a second mode of operation, in which the aerosol-generating article is heated to produce aerosol at a greater rate than in the first mode.

EX17. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX1 to EX16, wherein the first button is larger than the second button.

EX18. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX1 to EX17, wherein the first button is configured to activate more than one function of the device.

EX19. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX18, wherein the particular function activated by actuation of the first button is dependent on a number of times that the first button is actuated or on a duration of actuation of the first button.

EX20. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX1 to EX19, wherein the second button is configured to activate more than one function of the device.

EX21 . An aerosol-generating device according to example EX20, wherein the particular function activated by actuation of the second button depends on a number of times that the second button is actuated or on a duration of actuation of the second button. EX22. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX8 to EX21 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to detect activation of the first button for a predetermined length of time and in response activate the first function.

EX23. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX8 to EX22, wherein the microcontroller is configured to detect activation of the second button for a predetermined length of time and in response activate the second function.

EX24. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX1 to EX23, wherein the second button may be a dedicated ‘boost mode’ button.

EX25. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX8 to EX24, wherein actuation of the second button causes the microcontroller to transition from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.

EX26. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX8 to EX25, wherein actuation of the second button causes the microcontroller to transition from the second mode of operation to the first mode of operation.

EX27. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX1 to EX26, wherein the device has a pre-heating mode in which the heating assembly is heated to a predetermined temperature below a temperature at which significant aerosol is generated from the aerosol-generating article.

EX28. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX27, wherein the microcontroller is configured to transition from a pre-heating mode to a heating mode in which aerosol is generated in response to actuation of the first or second button.

EX29. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX8 to EX29, wherein the microcontroller has a low power mode, and one or more operating modes that uses more power than the low power mode.

EX30 An aerosol-generating device according to example EX29, wherein the microcontroller is configured to detect activation of the first button and/or the second button, and in response transition from the low power mode to an operating mode.

EX31. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX8 to EX30, wherein the microcontroller has an initial operating mode that is different to a pre-heating mode or a heating mode, and wherein the microcontroller is configured to transition from the initial operating mode to a pre-heating mode or a heating mode in response to actuation or plural activations of the first and/or second buttons.

EX32. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX31 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to transition from a low power mode to an initial operating mode in response to a first actuation of the first button.

EX33. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX32, wherein the device transitions from the initial operating mode to a first heating mode in response to a second actuation of the first button. EX34. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX25, wherein when in the first heating mode, the device transitions to a second heating mode, which is a higher power mode than the first heating mode, in response to a first actuation of the second button.

EX35. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX34, wherein the device transitions from the second heating mode to the first heating mode in response to a second actuation of the second button or in response to a further actuation of the first button.

EX36. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX8 to EX35, wherein the microcontroller automatically transitions from a first heating mode and/or a second heating mode to an initial operating mode after a predetermined period of operating in the first heating mode and/or second heating mode.

EX37. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX8 to EX36, wherein the microcontroller automatically discontinues heating an aerosol generating article in the cavity of the device after a predetermined time.

EX38. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX7 to EX 37, wherein the control circuitry includes one or more sensors for sensing removal or replacement of an aerosol generating article.

EX39. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX8 to EX 38, wherein the microcontroller has a configuration mode in which operating parameters of the device may be set through an interface on a connected device, such as smartphone running a dedicated app.

EX40. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX 39, wherein the microcontroller transitions from the initial operating mode to a configuration mode in response to actuation of the first button or the second button for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times.

EX41 . An aerosol-generating device according to example EX 39 or EX40, wherein the microcontroller transitions from the initial operating mode to a configuration mode in response to simultaneous actuation of the first and second buttons for a predetermined period of time.

EX42. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding example, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a display.

EX43. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX42, wherein the display comprises a plurality of light sources, such as LEDs.

EX44. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX42 or EX43, wherein the display indicates an operational state of the aerosol-generating device.

EX45. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX42, EX43 or EX44, wherein the display indicates a status of one of more components of the aerosol-generating device.

EX46. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX42 to EX45, wherein the display indicates a completion of a pre-heating process. EX47. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX42 to EX46, wherein the display comprises an annular outer illuminating ring and an inner illuminating element or elements within the outer illuminating ring.

EX48. An aerosol-generating device according to EX47, wherein the outer illuminating ring may be illuminated independently of the inner illuminating element or elements and so may convey different information.

EX49. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX47 or EX48, wherein the outer illuminating ring comprises plural light sources, and wherein the plural light sources may be illuminated independently.

EX50. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX42 to EX49, wherein the housing comprises a semi-opaque or diffusive cover layer on at least a portion of the display.

EX51. An aerosol-generating device according to EX50, wherein the semi-opaque or diffusive cover layer covers the inner illuminating element or elements.

EX52. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising a haptic feedback element that provides haptic feedback during one or more modes of operation or during transition from one mode of operation to another.

EX53. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the housing has a size and shape that allows it to be easily gripped in one hand of a user.

Ex54. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the housing has a plurality of faces, and wherein the first button and the second button are provided on the same face of the housing as one another.

EX55. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the housing is generally cuboid.

EX56. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the housing has a length, a width and a thickness, wherein the length is in a longitudinal direction, the width is in a first transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the thickness is in a second transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the first transverse direction, and wherein the housing has a length greater than its width and thickness and a width greater than its thickness.

EX57. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX56, wherein the housing has first and second end faces extending in a transverse plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, wherein the housing has an opening in a first end face providing access to the cavity, and wherein an aerosol-generating article may be inserted into the cavity through the opening.

EX58. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX57, wherein some or all of the display is provided on the first end face. EX59. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX57 or EX58, wherein the housing comprises a gripping surface extending in a longitudinal direction between the end faces, and wherein the first button and the second button are provided on the gripping surface.

EX60. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX57, EX58 or EX59, wherein the first button and the second button are provided on a face of the housing orthogonal to the end faces.

EX61 . An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX56 to EX60, wherein the first button and the second button are aligned with one another in the longitudinal direction.

EX62. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX59, EX60 or EX61 , wherein the first button and the second button are provided on the gripping surface closer to the first end face than the second end face.

EX63. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX57 to EX62, wherein the second button is provided closer to the first end face than the first button.

EX64. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX59 to EX63. Wherein the gripping surface comprises two opposing planar faces orthogonal to the second transverse direction, wherein the two opposing planar faces are separated by the thickness of the housing and wherein the two opposing planar faces are joined by curved faces at opposite sides of the housing in the first transverse direction.

EX65. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX64, wherein the first and second buttons are provided on one of the curved faces.

EX66. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX65, wherein the first and second buttons are provided on the curved face furthest from the aperture.

EX67. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX64, EX65 or EX66, wherein the housing comprises a further switch, button or interface element on the curved surface closest to the aperture.

EX68. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX67, wherein the further switch, button or interface element may be used to operate a shutter for the aperture.

EX69. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX67 or EX68, wherein the further interface element may be a rotatable knob or dial.

EX70. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX57 to EX69, wherein the device comprises an end face button or switch on the first end face.

EX71 . An aerosol-generating device according to example EX70, wherein the end face button or switch is provided in the display.

EX72. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the housing comprises a first housing portion and a second housing portion, and wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion are separable. EX73. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX72, wherein the first housing portion contains at least a part of the power supply, the display, and the first and second buttons.

EX74. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX72 or EX73, wherein the second housing portion contains the cavity and the heating arrangement.

EX75. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX72 to EX74, wherein the first housing portion comprises a channel complementary to a shape of the second housing portion.

EX76. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein a length of the housing is between 60mm and 100mm, preferably between 70mm and 80mm and more preferably between 71 mm and 74mm.

EX77. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein a width of the housing is between 25mm and 50mm, preferably between 30mm and 40mm and more preferably around 35mm.

EX78. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein a thickness of the housing is between 13mm and 25mm, preferably between 16mm and 22mm and more preferably between 18mm and 20mm.

EX79. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the heating arrangement is an inductive heating arrangement.

EX80. An aerosol-generating device according to any example EX79, wherein the heating arrangement comprises one or more inductions coils and one or more inductively heated susceptor elements

EX81 . An aerosol-generating device according to any example EX80, wherein the one or more susceptor elements are provided as part of, or in proximity to, the internal surface of the cavity.

EX82. An aerosol-generating device according to any example EX80 or EX81 , wherein the one or more induction coils are provided around the cavity.

EX83. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX80, EX81 or EX82, wherein the one or more induction coils are helical coils.

EX84. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX80 to EX83, wherein the one or more induction coils may have a magnetic axis that is parallel to the longitudinal direction.

EX85. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX80 to EX84, wherein the one or more induction coils consists of two induction coils spaced apart in the longitudinal direction.

EX86. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX80 to EX84, wherein the one or more induction coils consists of a single induction coil and wherein the single induction coil preferably has a variable pitch between successive turns of the coil. EX87. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX80 to EX86, wherein the one or more susceptor elements comprise a tubular susceptor element that surrounds at least a portion of the cavity.

EX88. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the heating arrangement comprises one or more temperature sensors connected to the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry may be configured to control the supply of power to the heating arrangement based, at least in part, on signals from the one or more temperature sensors.

EX89. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX5 to EX88, wherein the power supply is a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a lithium based battery, for example a lithium-cobalt (LCO), a lithium-iron-phosphate, (LFP), a lithium- nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC), a lithium-nickel-cobalt-aluminium (NCA) or a lithium-polymer battery (LiPo).

EX90. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX5 to EX88, wherein the power supply is charge storage device such as a capacitor.

EX91. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX5 to EX90, wherein the power supply is rechargeable.

EX92. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX5 to EX91 , wherein the power supply has a capacity that allows for the storage of enough energy for multiple uses of the aerosol-generating device.

EX93. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating article is a smoking article that generates a nicotine-containing aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs through the user's mouth.

EX94. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX5 to EX93, wherein the control circuitry is configured to control the supply of power to the heating arrangement so that aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-generating article is heated to a temperature at which volatile compounds are released but at which combustion of the aerosolforming substrate does not occur.

EX95. An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples and an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.

EX96. An aerosol-generating system according to example EX95, wherein the aerosolforming substrate comprises a plug of tobacco.

EX97. An aerosol-generating system according to example EX96, wherein the tobacco plug comprises one or more of: powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips or sheets containing one or more of: tobacco leaf, fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenised tobacco, extruded tobacco and expanded tobacco. EX98. An aerosol-generating system according to example EX96 or EX97, wherein the tobacco plug contains additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavour compounds, to be released upon heating of the tobacco plug.

EX99. An aerosol-generating system according to example EX95, EX96, EX97 or EX98, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a mouthpiece positioned downstream of the tobacco plug.

EX100. An aerosol-generating system according to example EX99, wherein the mouthpiece is located at a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article.

EX101. An aerosol-generating system according to example EX99 or EX100, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a cellulose acetate filter plug.

EX102. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of examples EX95 to EX101 , wherein the aerosol generating article is cylindrical and has a length of between 70mm and 80mm, and preferably approximately 75mm.

EX103. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of examples EX95 to EX102, wherein the aerosol generating article is cylindrical and has a diameter of between 5mm and 8mm, and preferably approximately 6.7mm.

EX104. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of examples EX95 to EX103, wherein the aerosol generating article has a weight of between 580mg and 620mg.

EX105. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of examples EX95 to EX104, wherein the aerosol generating article has a resistance to draw (RTD) of between 30 and 40 mmWG.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an aerosol-generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is perspective view illustrating a user gripping the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 illustrates a transition between different operating modes of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 5 illustrates an alternative transition between different operating modes of the aerosolgenerating device of Figure 1 .

Figure 1 shows an aerosol-generating device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises a housing 12 comprising a first housing portion 16 and second housing portion 14. The second housing portion 14 is configured for removable attachment to the first housing portion 16. A first electrical contact 62 is positioned on the first housing portion 16 and a second electrical contact 52 is positioned on the second housing portion 14. The first electrical contact 52 and the second electrical contact 62 are arranged to contact each other when the second housing portion 14 is attached to the first housing portion 16. The first electrical contact 52 and the second electrical contact 62 may each comprise a plurality of electrical contacts, such as a positive power connection, a negative power connection and one or more data connections.

The aerosol-generating device 10 also comprises control circuitry 19 and a first power supply 20 positioned within the second housing portion 16. The first power supply 20 is an electrical power supply comprising a rechargeable battery. A charging electrical contact, in the form of a USB-C connector, may be included at an end of the first housing portion 16 and configured to receive a supply of power from an external device. The control circuitry 19 is configured to control the supply of power received from an external device for recharging the first power supply 20.

The second housing portion 14 defines a chamber 28 in the form of a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article 80 and an opening 36 positioned at an end of the cavity. The opening 36 is positioned at a first end of the second housing portion 14. When an aerosol-generating article 80 is received within the cavity, the aerosol-generating article 80 and the aerosolgenerating device 10 together form an aerosol-generating system.

The aerosol-generating device 10 further comprises an electric heating arrangement 22, 23 and, in this embodiment, a controller 18 is positioned within the second housing portion 14. The electric heating arrangement comprises an inductor coil wound around the cavity and a tubular susceptor element 23 within the inductor coil 22 and surrounding the cavity. The controller 18 is configured to control a supply of power from the first power supply 20 to the inductor coil 22 via the first electrical contact 52 and the second electrical contact 62 when the first housing portion 16 is attached to the second housing portion 14. During use, the power supplied to the inductor coil 22 generates a varying magnetic field that inductively heats the susceptor 23, which in turn heats the aerosol-generating article 80 received within the cavity to generate an aerosol.

The controller 18 may comprise an additional power supply, such as a battery or supercapacitors, so that the second housing portion can be separated from the second housing portion and used separately.

Two buttons 24, 26 are provided on the first housing portion 16. The buttons 24, 26 are each connected to the control circuitry 19. The first and second buttons are used to select the operating mode of the device. A display 30 is provided on a first end surface of the device. The display provides an indication of the status and operating mode of the device.

Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the device of Figure 1 and shows the external appearance of the device. Figure 3 shows the device in a user’s hand, with an aerosol-generating article inserted, illustrating how the device would be gripped in use.

The device has a generally cuboid shape but with a curved gripping surface that contacts the user’s palm and fingers. The device fits comfortably into a single hand. The device has a length, a width and a thickness, where the length is greater than the width and the width is greater than the thickness. The device has two end faces on the top and bottom ends. The cavity 36 is accessible from a first end face and the aerosol-generating article 80 is inserted into the cavity from the first end face. The display 30 is also position on the first end face. The display comprises an outer display ring 32 and an inner display 34, positioned within the outer display ring. The outer display ring and inner display 34 each comprise a plurality of LEDs that can be independently illuminated by the control circuitry 19 to indicate a device status or operating mode, as will be described. The LEDs may flash or blink to indicate different status.

Between the two end faces is the gripping surface of the housing. The gripping surface comprises two generally planar surfaces extending in the length and width directions of the device and two curved surfaces connecting the planar surfaces and extending in the length and thickness directions of the device.

The first and second buttons 24, 26 are provided on the curved surface adjacent to the display 30 and furthest from the cavity 36 (e.g. in the direction of the width of the device). The first button 24 is larger than the second button 26. The buttons are aligned with one another in the length direction. In this position the buttons can be easily actuated by the user’s fingers, as seen in figure 3. Both buttons may be actuated by the user’s index finger, or the user may choose to actuate the first button with their middle finger and the second button with their index finger.

In operation, the first and second buttons are used to transition between operating modes of the device. Figure 4 is a diagram of one example of operating modes and the transition between those modes.

The device starts in a standby mode or low power mode 100. In order to wake the device, the use presses the first button 24 or the second button 26. This button press is indicated by the number 1 in Figure 4. The button causes an interrupt signal to be sent to the microcontroller to wake it. The device then enters a ready mode 200 from which the user can select other modes. The ready mode may be indicated by an initial illumination of the display (e.g. by illumination of outer ring 32 of the display and/or the inner display). The extent to which the ring is illuminated may indicate battery charge status.

If no button is pressed within a predetermined time period, the device returns to standby mode 100. Transitions that result from a timeout are indicated by a T in Figure 4. The display is then deactivated.

To use the device to generate aerosol an aerosol-generating article is inserted into the device. The device must first enter a pre-heating mode 300 to bring the article up to a pre-heating temperature before the user can puff on the device. To enter pre-heating mode the user actuates the first button 24 or the second button 26. The pre-heat mode is then entered. The outer display 32 may gradually illuminate around its circumference to indicate the progress of pre-heating. When pre-heating is complete the outer ring display 34 may be fully illuminated around its circumference so that the user knows the device has entered a heating mode 310 in which it can be used. The device may also provide a vibration to indicate it is ready to use. The user can then puff on the aerosol-generating article to withdraw aerosol from the article.

To abort the pre-heating mode the user may press and hold the first button 24 or the second button. This is indicated by 1’ in Figure 4. If the first button is held for a predetermined length of time (e.g. 2 seconds) or more the device returns to the ready mode. The outer display may be switched off, for example when the timeout (T) has elapsed.

The heating mode will automatically terminate after a predetermined length of time (e.g. 5 minutes) (indicated by T1 ) and the device returns to ready mode. If the user wishes to abort the heating mode early, they can press and hold the first button 24 or the second button 26 for more than a predetermined length of time (e.g. two seconds). The device will then return to ready mode.

The user may enter boost mode from the heating mode by pressing the second button 26. The boost mode provides more power to the heating arrangement and so boost aerosol production. The inner display may emit red light to indicate the boost mode is in progress. The device may also vibrate. To exit boost mode the user can press the second button again. The device will then return to normal heating mode.

The boost mode will automatically terminate after 4 minutes (indicated by T2), and the device returns to ready mode. If the user wishes to abort the boost mode early, they can press and hold the first button 24 or the second button 26 for more than a predetermined length of time (e.g. two seconds). The device will then return to ready mode.

The device can also have a configuration mode in which the device settings can be altered and device information accessed by a user on a connected device, such as a smartphone. To enter the configuration mode the user can press and hold both the first and second button together. The inner and outer displays may then flash to show that the configuration mode is entered. The device exits the configuration mode based on a timeout T3. If no device connection is made within a predetermined time or if the connected device disconnects, the aerosolgenerating device will return to ready mode.

Figure 5 is a diagram of another example of operating modes and the transition between those modes. This example is similar to that described with reference to Figure 4. However, in this example the second button 26 is used to initiate the boost mode at the beginning of the heating cycle, rather than after the heating cycle has started.

In this example, (as in Figure 4) either the first button 24 or the second button 26 is used to transition from the standby mode 100 to the ready mode 200. When in the ready mode, the user presses the second button 26 for a predetermined length of time (e.g. two seconds) to begin boost pre-heating 305 and then subsequently enter the boost mode 320. If the user presses the first button 24 or the second button 26 for a predetermined length of time (e.g. two seconds) at any point in the pre-heating or boost mode, heating will stop and the device will transition to the ready mode 200. Once in the ready mode 200, if none of the buttons are pressed for the timeout period (T), the device will transition to the standby mode 100.

In this example, after the user has pressed the second button 26 and boost pre-heating has started, the boost mode is entered after the temperature has reached a predetermined threshold and/or after a predetermined pre-heating time. Then, the boost mode will be activated for a predetermined length of time after which heating will stop and the device will transition to the ready mode. In addition, when the device is in the heating mode 310 the second button 26 can be pressed to enter the boost mode 320. In the example of Figure 5, the boost pre-heating mode 305 may take less time than the normal pre-heating mode 300.

The transitions illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 are just one example of operation of an aerosolgenerating device in accordance with this disclosure. The control circuitry may be configured to respond in a different manner to actuation of the buttons and may provide different visual or haptic indications to the user. For example, to transition between any two modes, a button may need to be actuated for a predetermined period. If the button is not actuated for long enough, then no transition takes place. Alternatively, or in addition, a button may need to be actuated a plurality of times within a predetermined period in order to effect a transition between two operating modes.

Claims

1 . An aerosol-generating device comprising: a housing; a cavity in the housing for receiving an aerosol-generating article; a heating arrangement for heating the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is in the cavity; a power supply for supplying power to the heating arrangement; control circuitry that controls the supply of power from the power supply to the heating arrangement; a first button located on the housing and connected to the control circuitry; and a second button located on the housing and connected to the control circuitry, wherein the first button has a different size and/or shape to the second button, wherein the first button is configured to activate a first function of the device, and wherein the second button is configured to activate a second function of the device, and wherein the first function is different to the second function.

2. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 wherein the first function is a first mode of operation in which the aerosol-generating article is heated to generate an aerosol.

3. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the second function is a second mode of operation, in which the aerosol-generating article is heated to produce aerosol at a different rate or in a different manner than in the first mode.

4. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 3 wherein in the second mode of operation aerosol is generated at a greater rate or in greater volume than in the first mode of operation.

5. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 3 or 4 wherein actuation of the second button causes the control circuitry to transition from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.

6. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein actuation of the second button causes the control circuitry to transition from the second mode of operation to the first mode of operation

7. The aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the control circuitry comprises a microcontroller having a low power mode and an operating mode which uses more power than the low power mode.

8. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 7, wherein the microcontroller is configured to detect activation of the first button and/or the second button, and in response transition from the low power mode to the operating mode.

9. The aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing has a plurality of faces, and the first button and the second button are provided on the same face of the housing as one another.

10. The aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing has a length, a width and a thickness, the length being in a longitudinal direction, the width being a first transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the thickness being in a second transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the first transverse direction, wherein the housing has a length greater than its width and thickness and a width greater than its thickness, wherein the housing has first and second end faces extending in a transverse plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and a gripping surface extending in a longitudinal direction between the end faces, wherein the first button and the second button are provided on the gripping surface.

11. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 10, wherein the first button and the second button are aligned with one another in the longitudinal direction.

12. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the first button and the second button are provided on the gripping surface closer to the first end face than the second end face and wherein the second button is provided closer to the first end face than the first button.

13. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the housing has an opening in a first end face, the opening providing access to the cavity.

14. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, comprising a display on the first end face.

15. An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims and an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a plug of tobacco or tobacco material.