EP4652877A1

EP4652877A1 - Aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: EP4652877A1
Application number: EP24177718.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrew Thornton; James Sheridan
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2024-05-23
Filing date: 2024-05-23
Publication date: 2025-11-26
Also published as: WO2025242832A1

Abstract

An aerosol provision device (100), for use with an aerosol generating material, the aerosol provision device (100) comprising: at least one electrically powered component (124); a power source receiving portion (112); a removable primary power source (114) configured to supply the at least one electrically powered component (124) with electrical power when fully received by the power source receiving portion (112); and a secondary power source (132) configured to supply the at least one electrically powered component (124) with electrical power when the primary power source (114) has been removed from the power source receiving portion (112) to an extent such that it is electrically disconnected from the rest of the aerosol provision device (100).

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device, an aerosol provision system, and a method of controlling the supply of power to an electrically powered component of an aerosol provision 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 alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are heating devices which release compounds by heating, but not burning, the material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol provision device, for use with an aerosol generating material, the aerosol provision device comprising:

at least one electrically powered component;
a power source receiving portion;
a removable primary power source configured to supply the at least one electrically powered component with electrical power when fully received by the power source receiving portion; and
a secondary power source configured to supply the at least one electrically powered component with electrical power when the primary power source has been removed from the power source receiving portion to an extent such that it is electrically disconnected from the rest of aerosol provision device.

The secondary power source may be configured to supply the at least one electrically powered component with electrical power when the primary power source has been entirely removed from the power source receiving portion.
The secondary power source may be configured to supply the at least one electrically powered component with electrical power when the primary power source is still partially received within the power source receiving portion but electrically disconnected from the rest of the aerosol provision device.
The secondary power source may be configured not to supply the at least one electrically powered component with electrical power when the primary power source is electrically connected to the rest of the aerosol provision device.
The device may comprise a sensor configured to detect when the primary power source has been removed to an extent that it is electrically disconnected from the rest of the aerosol provision device.
The sensor may be configured to detect the presence of an electrical circuit made with the primary power source.
The sensor may form part of a controller.
The device may comprise a heating arrangement and the electrically powered component may be a component separate to the heating arrangement.
The electrically powered component may comprise a user interface.
The user interface may be configured to output information indicating that the primary power source has been removed when the primary power source is electrically disconnected from the aerosol provision device.
The information may also include instructions on how to replace primary power source, or a code (e.g. a quick-response code, i.e. a QR code) which when scanned with a suitable device (e.g. a user's smart phone) may direct the user to information (e.g. online instructions) on how to replace primary power source. In some examples, the code may be manually input by a user into a suitable device. The code may comprise a web-address.
The user interface may comprise a display.
The display may comprise any one or combination of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Thin film transistor liquid-crystal display (TFT LCD), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display, or a Polymer Light Emitting Diode (PLED) display.
The display may be curved or may be flat.
The user interface may in addition, or alternatively, generate haptic feedback for a user.
The user interface may comprise a speaker or buzzer.
The user interface may in addition, or alternatively, comprise at least one, e.g. a plurality of, LEDs.
The secondary power source may comprise at least one of: a capacitor and a battery.
The secondary power source may be configured to be charged by the primary power source when the primary power source is fully received by the power source receiving portion (i.e. when the primary power source is electrically connected to the rest of the device).
The aerosol provision device may be configured to be connected to an external power supply for charging the primary power source, and the secondary power source may be configured to be charged directly by the external power supply.
The secondary power source may be configured to be charged directly by the external power supply when the device is connected to an external power supply and to be charged by the primary power source when the device is not connected to the external power supply.
The power source receiving portion may comprise an opening through which the removable primary power source is received and the device may further comprise:

a cover arranged to move between a closed position in which the opening is closed and an open position in which the opening is open;
at least one sensor configured to determine the position of the cover; and
a user interface configured to output information to a user. The sensor may determine the cover is in an open position, and the user interface may be configured to provide an output to the user indicating that the cover is in the open position.

The power source receiving portion may comprise an electrical connector comprising a plurality of electrical terminals, and the removeable primary power source may comprise a plurality of corresponding electrical terminals each arranged to engage with the electrical terminals of the electrical connector when the removeable primary power source is fully received by the power source receiving portion.
The plurality of electrical terminals on the removeable primary power source may have any suitable arrangement. The electrical terminals may be spatially distributed on the removable primary power source in any suitable manner. At least one of the electrical terminals may be formed by an outer casing of the removeable primary power source. The electrical terminals of the electrical connector of the power source receiving portion may similarly be distributed in any appropriate manner. They may be distributed in a manner corresponding to the electrical terminals of the removable power source.
The secondary power source may only provide the at least one electrically powered component with electrical power when the primary power source has been electrically disconnected from the device.
The primary power source may comprise at least one of: a battery, a supercapacitor, and a lithium ion capacitor.
The power source receiving portion may comprise a cavity defined within the device.
The cavity may be defined by a housing of the device.
The power source receiving portion may be dimensioned to receive the entire removable power source such that no part of the removable power source extends out of the power source receiving portion when it is entirely contained therein.
The aerosol provision device may comprise a heating arrangement arranged to heat the aerosol generating material. The heating arrangement may be a part of the device itself, or part of an article received within the device.
The at least one electrically powered component may be a further component which is not the heating arrangement.
The at least one electrically powered component may comprise a controller.
The aerosol generating material may be part of an article.
The aerosol provision device may comprise an article receiving portion configured to receive the article.
The article may comprise a heating arrangement arranged to heat the aerosol generating material
The removable primary power source may provide power to the heating arrangement, and/or any other suitable electrical component of the device or article receive therein.
The secondary power source may be configured not to provide sufficient power to cause operation of the heating arrangement.
The secondary power source may only provide sufficient power to power an electrically powered component (e.g. a user interface or controller) other than the heating arrangement.
The secondary power source may only provide sufficient power to power a controller and/or user interface.
The secondary power source may be a Li-ion capacitor or supercapacitor.
The secondary power source may have a power of less than 1000mAh, e.g. less than 750mAh, e.g. less than 500mAh.
The primary power source and/or the secondary power source may comprise a power generator. The power generator may convert any suitable form of energy into any other suitable form of energy (e.g. electrical power) for consumption by the device and/or article. The power generator may, for example, be configured to convert kinetic energy into electrical power
According to another aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising:

an aerosol generating material; and
the aerosol provision device of any embodiment of the first aspect described above.

Any of the features of the various embodiments set out above may equally be applied to this aspect.
According to another aspect, there is provided a method of controlling the supply of power to an electrically powered component of an aerosol provision device, the aerosol provision device comprising a removable primary electrical power source and a secondary power source, the method comprising:

determining whether the removable primary power source has been electrically disconnected from the aerosol provision device; and
when it is determined that the removable primary power source has been electrically disconnected, providing the electrically powered component with electrical power from the secondary power source.

Any of the features of the various embodiments set out above may equally be applied to this aspect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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

Figure 1 is a schematic side-on view of an aerosol provision device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional front-on view through the aerosol provision device shown in Figure 1, with the primary power source electrically connected to the device;
Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional front-on view through the aerosol provision device shown in Figure 1, with the primary power source electrically disconnected from the device
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device shown in Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device as shown in Figure 3; and
Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an aerosol provision device.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating material" is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants. Aerosol-generating material may include any plant based material, such as tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol-generating material also may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. Aerosol-generating material may for example be in the form of a solid, a liquid, a gel, a wax or the like. Aerosol-generating material may for example also be a combination or a blend of materials. Aerosol-generating material may also be known as "smokable material".
The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active and/or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.
The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an "amorphous solid". The amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid". In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.
The aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The aerosol-generating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially tobacco free.
According to the present disclosure, the aerosol provision system may comprise a "non-combustible" aerosol provision system which is a system where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.
In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.
Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.
In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
In some embodiments, the consumable (or article) for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
An aerosol provision device can receive an article comprising aerosol generating material for heating. An "article" in this context is a component that includes or contains in use the aerosol generating material, which is heated to volatilise the aerosol generating material, and optionally other components in use. A user may insert the article into the aerosol provision device before it is heated to produce an aerosol, which the user subsequently inhales. The article may be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size that is configured to be placed within a heating chamber of the device which is sized to receive the article.
Figure 1 shows a side-on view of an aerosol provision device 100 (hereinafter "device 100") for use with, e.g. for generating aerosol from, an aerosol generating material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The device 100 may be a non-combustible aerosol provision device 100. Figure 2 shows a schematic side-on cross-sectional view through the aerosol provision device 100 of Figure 1. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, in broad outline, the device 100 may be used to heat an article 110 which comprises an aerosol generating material. Heating of the article 110 may generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium which is inhaled by a user of the device 100. The article 110 may be a replaceable article. The article 110 and the device 100 together form an aerosol provision system 101.
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the device 100 may define a proximal end 116, and a distal end 118. In some embodiments, the article 110 may be inserted into the device 100 at the proximal end 116, and a user may place their mouth around an exposed end of the article 110. As such, the proximal end 116 may also be referred to as the mouth end.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device 100 comprises a body 102. The body 102, sometimes referred to as a housing 102, houses the various components of the device 100. An article aperture 104 may be formed at one end of the body 102, through which the article 110 may be inserted for heating by a heating arrangement 108.
The heating arrangement 108 may comprise an inductive heating arrangement and/or a resistive heating arrangement. An inductive heating arrangement may, for example, comprise a susceptor (e.g. in the form of a cylindrical tube) surrounded by at least one inductor coil. A resistive heating arrangement may, for example, comprise one or more resistive tracks. In other embodiments, the article 110 may comprise part or all of the heating arrangement 108. In the case of an inductive heating arrangement, the article 110 may comprise a susceptor, and the device 100 may comprise the inductive coil. In the case of a resistive heating arrangement, the article 110 may comprise one or more electrically resistive heater tracks which may be electrically connected to the device 100 when the article 110 is received by the device 100.
In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the article aperture 104 may be formed at the proximal end 116. In other embodiments, the article aperture 104 may be located elsewhere on the device 100. In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise an article receiving portion 107 configured to receive the article 110. The article receiving portion 107 may be in the form of a cavity within the device 100 suitably dimensioned to receive the article 110.
As depicted in Figures 1 and 2, the article 110 may define a mouthpiece 111 which is arranged at the proximal end 116 when the article 110 is inserted into the device 100. In other embodiments, the device 100 may define the mouthpiece. As will be appreciated, a user may place their mouth over the mouthpiece 111 during use and inhale an aerosol which is generated by heating of the article 110.
The device 100 may comprise an air inlet (not shown), arranged at any suitable position, configured to allow air to pass into the device 100, e.g. into the device 100 and through to the article 110 contained therein. The air inlet may have any suitable form that allows air to flow into the device 100. An airflow path may be defined between the air inlet and the article 110 when inserted into the device 100. In some embodiments, an airflow path may be defined between the air inlet and the article aperture 104. The air inlet may allow air to flow into the article receiving portion 107.
In use, the article 110 may be fully or partially inserted into the device 100 where it may be heated by the heating arrangement 108.
As depicted in Figures 1 and 2, in some embodiments, the device 100 may include a user-operable control element 150, such as a button or switch, which operates the device 100 when pressed. For example, a user may turn the device 100 ON and/or OFF (e.g. so as to cause the generation of an aerosol or stop the generation of an aerosol) by operating the user-operable control element 150. In some embodiments, the user-operable control element 150 may control other functionality of the device 100, e.g. it may control an operational mode of the device 100.
As shown in Figures 2, the device 100 also comprises a power source receiving portion 112 comprising an opening 113 through which a removable primary power source 114 may be inserted into, and removed from, the power source receiving portion 112. The removable primary power source 114 may comprise a battery or any other suitable power source. In some embodiments, the removable primary power source 114 comprises at least one of: a battery, a super capacitor, a lithium ion capacitor or a power generator. As discussed above, the power generator may convert one type of energy into another type of energy for consumption by the device 100 and/or article. For example, the power generator may convert kinetic power into electrical power. In such embodiments, the power generator may comprise an actuation member, e.g. a rotatable handle, which can be moved by a user so as to input kinetic energy into the power generator. The same may apply to the secondary power source 132 discussed below.
The power source receiving portion 112 may comprise a cavity defined within the device 100 which is sized and shaped to receive the removable power source 114. The cavity may be defined by the body 102 of the device 100. The power source receiving portion may be dimensioned to receive the entire removable primary power source 114 such that no part of the removable primary power source 114 extends out of the power source receiving portion 112 when it is entirely contained therein.
The removable primary power source 114 supplies power for consumption by a component of the device 100. In embodiments, the removable primary power source 114 may provide power to the heating arrangement 108, and/or any other suitable electrically powered component of the device 100 or article 110 received therein. The removable primary power source 114 may supply power directly to the heating arrangement 108. In other embodiments, the removable primary power source 114 may supply power to the heating arrangement 108 via a controller 122 and/or a suitable switching arrangement.
As depicted in Figure 2, in some embodiments, the device 100 may further comprise a cover 120 arranged to move between a closed position in which the opening 113 is closed and an open position in which the opening 113 is open. Figure 2 shows the device 100 in a state where the cover 120 is in the closed position. The cover 120 may be movably attached to the housing 102 of the device 100 and the cover 120 may be arranged to move between the open and closed positions whilst remaining attached to the housing 102. The cover 120 may be movably attached via a hinge 130. In other embodiments, the cover 120 may be movably attached by other means. In some embodiments, the cover 120 may be slidably attached to the housing 102. In some embodiments, the cover 120 may be rotatably attached to the housing 102. Embodiments where the cover 120 is movably attached to the housing 102 may have the advantage that the cover 120 is less likely to be lost (e.g. because the cover 120 has been removed from the device 100 and then misplaced).
The cover 130 may allow access to the power source receiving portion 112, and thus the removable primary power source 114 arranged therein. As such, the cover 130 may allow a user to remove the removable primary power source 114 from the device 100. By enabling the removable primary power source 114 to be removed from the device 100, the user may be able to swap out a discharged removable primary power source 114 with a charged one. As such, the user may be able to operate the device 100 with a spare power source whilst the discharged removable primary power source 114 is recharged. User convenience may therefore be increased. Further, rechargeable power sources such as batteries are known deteriorate over time (e.g. demonstrating a reduction in storage capacity). The ability to easily remove (and hence replace) the removable primary power source 114 may increase the longevity of the device 100 by allowing a deteriorated removable primary power source 114 to be replaced. As such, the device 100 may be made more sustainable.
In some embodiments, the cover 120 may be removably attached to the body 102 (e.g. using clips), and in the open position, the cover 120 may be separated from the body 102. Embodiments where the cover 120 is removably attached to the body 102 may have the advantage that the cover 120 and/or power source receiving portion 112 may be easier to access e.g. to clean.
As illustrated in Figure 2, the device 100 comprises an electrically powered component 124. The electrically powered component 124 may be in addition to the heating arrangement 108. As will be explained in more detail below with reference to later Figures, the electrically powered component 124 may comprise (or be connected to) a user interface 126.
The removable primary power source 114 is configured to supply the at least one electrically powered component 124 with electrical power when (the removable primary power source 114) is fully received by the power source receiving portion 112. In being fully received by the power source receiving portion 114, this is intended to mean that the removable primary power source 114 is received within the power source receiving portion 114 to an extent that the removable primary power source is electrically connected to the device 100.
The removable primary power source 114 may supply the at least one electrically powered component 124 with power directly when it is fully received by the power source receiving portion 112. In other embodiments, the primary power source 114 may supply the electrically powered component 124 with power indirectly. For example, the primary power source 114 may supply power to a secondary power source 132 (which will be discussed in more detail below) which then supplies power to the electrically powered component 124. Whilst the secondary power source 132 may then supply power to the at least one electrically powered component 124, power nonetheless may ultimately come from the primary power source 114. In embodiments, the removable primary power source 114 is additionally configured to supply the heating arrangement 108 with electrical power when fully received by the power source receiving portion 112.
As mentioned above, the device 100 comprises a secondary power source 132. The secondary power source 132 is configured to supply the at least one electrically powered component 124 with electrical power when the removable primary power source 114 has been removed from the power source receiving portion 112 to an extent such that it is electrically disconnected from the rest of aerosol provision device 100. As such, the at least one electrically powered component 124 may continue to operate even after the primary power source 114 has been disconnected. Where the electrically powered component comprises a user interface 126, this may allow the user interface 126 to continue to operate, e.g. to provide information to a user of the device 100. This may improve the ease of use of the device 100 and ensure that the device 100 remains at least partially operational when the removable primary power source 114 has been removed.
In some embodiments, the secondary power source 132 may be configured not to supply the at least one electrically powered component 124 with electrical power when the primary power source 114 is electrically connected to the rest of the aerosol provision device 100. This may be achieved through suitable control by the controller 122, which may direct power to the various components of the device 100. Only supplying power from the secondary power source 132 to the at least one electrically powered component 124 when the removable primary power source 114 has been electrically disconnected may ensure that the secondary power source 132 is not unnecessarily discharged of power. A reduction in the amount of times that the secondary power source 132 is discharged may improve its longevity, as repeated discharging and charging may impact storage capacity of the secondary power source 132.
The secondary power source 132 may comprise a capacitor and/or a battery.
In some embodiments, the removable primary power source 114 may provide power to the heating arrangement 108, and/or any other suitable electrical component (such as electrically powered component 124) of the device 100 or article 110 received therein, when the removable primary power source 114 is fully received by the device 100, e.g. when it is received to a point at which it is electrically connected to the device 100.
In some embodiments, the secondary power source 132 may be configured not to provide sufficient power to power the heating arrangement 108, and may only provide sufficient power to power an electrically powered component 124 other than the heating arrangement. The electrically powered component 124 may be a component which draws significantly less power than the heating arrangement 108. This may ensure that the device 100 remains at least partially functional, e.g. permitting operation of the user interface 126, whilst simultaneously preventing full operation of the device 100.
Where the electrically powered component 124 comprises a user interface 126, the secondary power source 132 may only provide sufficient power to power a user interface 126 (and the controller 122 where necessary to control operation of the user interface 126).
By providing a secondary power source 132 configured to supply the at least one electrically powered component with electrical power when the removable primary power source 114 has been removed from the power source receiving portion to an extent such that it is electrically disconnected from the rest of the aerosol provision device, the advantages of a removable primary power source 114 discussed above may be maintained, but other ancillary electrical components may continue to be provided with power in the event that the primary power source 114 is removed. Where the electrically powered component 124 is a user interface 126, the user interface 126 can be used to provide information to a user which may relate to the primary power source 114 having been removed.
As illustrated by Figure 2, in some embodiments, the power source receiving portion 112 comprises an electrical connector 134 comprising a plurality of electrical terminals 136, and the removable primary power source 114 comprises a plurality of corresponding electrical terminals 138 each arranged to engage with the electrical terminals 136 of the electrical connector 134 when the removable primary power source 114 is fully received by the power source receiving portion 112, as shown in Figure 2. The electrical terminals 136, 138 provide an electrical connection between the removable primary power source 114 and the device 100. As shown in Figure 2, when the removable primary power source 114 is fully received by the power source receiving portion 114, the removable primary power source 114 is in electrical connection with the device 100 via engagement between the electrical terminals 136, 138.
Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the device 100 illustrating the situation where the removable primary power source 114 has been partially removed from the power source receiving portion 112 to such an extent that the electrical terminals 138 of the primary power source 114 are no longer engaged with the electrical terminals 136 of the electrical connector 134. In order to achieve this, the cover 120 may first be moved into the open position, as shown in Figure 3, by pivoting the cover 120 about the pivot 130. In order to facilitate this, in some embodiments, it may be necessary to remove the article 110 (not shown in Figure 3), from the article receiving portion 107, by pulling the article 110 out through the opening 104.
Once the cover 120 has been moved into the open position, as shown, a user may then at least partially remove the removable primary power source 114 from the power source receiving portion 112. As shown in Figure 3, once the removable primary power source 114 has been removed by a sufficient amount from the power source receiving portion 112, the terminals 138 on the removable primary power source 114 separate from the terminals 136 of the connector 134 on the device 100, and as a result, the removable primary power source 114 is no longer electrically connected to the device 100.
At this point, the secondary power source 132 may supply electrical power to the at least one electrically powered component 124. This supply of power may be via the controller 122. As discussed previously, the secondary power source 132 may not supply power to the heating arrangement 108, and thus the heating arrangement 108 may be inoperative. This may be achieved by having a secondary power source 132 which does not have sufficient power to operate the heating arrangement 108, and/or it may be achieved by suitable programming of the controller 122. For example, when the controller 122 determines that the removable primary power source 114 has been electrically disconnected, it may prevent the supply of any power to the heating arrangement 108.
In some embodiments, as illustrated by Figures 2 and 3, the device 100 may comprise a sensor 128 configured to detect when the primary power source 114 has been removed to an extent that it is electrically disconnected from the rest of the aerosol provision device 100. The controller 122 may be configured to determine whether the primary power source 114 is electrically disconnected from the rest of the device 100 based on an output (or state) of the sensor 128.
The sensor 128 may be configured to detect the presence of an electrical circuit made with the primary power source 114. In some embodiments, the sensor 128 may be an ammeter.
In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the sensor 128 may be configured to detect the position of the primary power source 114 with respect to the power source receiving portion 112 and/or the electrical connector 134.
The sensor 128 may comprise any suitable known sensor. In embodiments, the sensor 128 may comprise a contact switch, an electrical circuit which is opened and closed in dependence on the position of the cover, a proximity sensor, a Hall effect sensor or any other suitable sensor type. As depicted in Figures 2 and 3, in embodiments where the sensor 128 is configured to detect the position of the primary power source 114 with respect to the power source receiving portion 112, and in particular with respect to the electrical connector 134, the sensor 128 may be located proximal to the electrical connector 134 of the power source receiving portion 112. Such an arrangement may enable the sensor to more readily detect the position of the primary power source 114 relative to the electrical connector 134.
Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of the aerosol provision system 101 comprising the device 100 and article 1110 shown schematically in Figures 1 to 3. As shown in Figure 4, the device 100 may comprise a user interface 126, which may form part, or all, of the electrically powered component 124. In some embodiments, the user interface 126 may be configured to output information indicating that the primary power source 114 has been removed when the primary power source 114 is electrically disconnected from the aerosol provision device 100. As illustrated by Figure 4 the user interface 126 may comprise a display 127. As depicted, the user interface 126 may be arranged on a body 102 of the device 100. Figure 4 depicts the device 100 in the state whereby the cover 120 is in the closed position, the removable primary power source 114 (whilst not visible) is fully received in the power source receiving portion 112 and an article 110 is received by the device 100 in a manner in which the mouthpiece 111 projects from the proximal end 116 of the device 100. In this state, the system 101 may be used to generate aerosol for inhalation by a user. This corresponds to the schematic view shown in Figure 2.
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the device 100 when the article 110 has been removed therefrom, when the cover 120 has been moved into the open position, and the removable primary power source 114 has been at least partially removed from the power source receiving portion 112, through the opening 113 thereof. This corresponds to the schematic view shown in Figure 3. When in this state, the removable primary power source 114 is electrically disconnected from the rest of the device 100. As such, the secondary power source 132 (not visible in this Figure) supplies the at least one electrically powered component 124, in the form of the user interface 126, specifically the display 127 thereof, with electrical power. In such embodiments, the display 127 may thus be used to output information to a user. For example, as depicted, the display may output information indicating that the removable primary power source 114 has been disconnected. This may ensure that a user is fully aware of the state of the device 100.
The information output on the display 127 may in addition, or alternatively, include instructions on how to replace the primary power source 114. This may ensure that a user can return the device 100 into a full functional state, without necessarily having to find original instruction manuals.
The display 127 may comprise an LED or LCD display. The user interface 126 may in addition, or alternatively, generate audio feedback and/or haptic feedback for a user. The user interface 126 may in addition, or alternatively, comprise at least one, e.g. a plurality of, LEDs.
In any of the embodiments described herein, the secondary power source 132 may be configured to be charged by the primary power source 114 when the primary power source is fully received by the power source receiving portion 112.
In some embodiments, the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise a charging element (not shown) such that the device 100 is configured to be connected to an external power supply (not shown) for charging the primary power source 114. The charging element may charge using a physical electrical connection, or a contactless electrical connection, e.g. using inductive charging. The secondary power source 132 may be configured to be charged directly by the external power supply.
In the embodiments described above, the provision of a secondary power source 132 configured to supply the at least one electrically powered component 124 (e.g. a display 127) with electrical power, when the removable primary power source 114 has been removed to an extent such that it is electrically disconnected from the device 100, may mean that the device 100 can remain at least partially functional and/or provide useful information/indications to a user.
Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 of controlling the supply of power to an electrically powered component of an aerosol provision device. The aerosol provision device referred to in the method of Figure 6 may be an aerosol provision device 100 as described in any of the embodiments discussed above.
At step 201, it is determined whether the removable primary power source 114 has been electrically disconnected from the aerosol provision device 100. In some embodiments, this determination is made using sensor 128. If the removable primary power source 114 is not electrically disconnected (i.e. is connected) then the method returns to step 201. If the removable primary power source 114 has been electrically disconnected, then the method proceeds to step 203, where the electrically powered component 124, which may be a user interface 126, e.g. a display 127 thereof, is provided with electrical power from the secondary power source 132.
Any of the features of the embodiments of the system 101 described above may also be implemented in method form in the method described above. For example, method step 203 may comprise powering the user interface 124 to output information indicating that the removable primary power source 114 has been removed.
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 may be utilised and modifications may be 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 may be claimed in future.

Claims

An aerosol provision device, for use with an aerosol generating material, the aerosol provision device comprising:
at least one electrically powered component;

a power source receiving portion;

a removable primary power source configured to supply the at least one electrically powered component with electrical power when fully received by the power source receiving portion; and

a secondary power source configured to supply the at least one electrically powered component with electrical power when the primary power source has been removed from the power source receiving portion to an extent such that it is electrically disconnected from the rest of the aerosol provision device.
The aerosol provision device of claim 1, comprising a sensor configured to detect when the primary power source has been removed to an extent that it is electrically disconnected from the rest of the aerosol provision device.
The aerosol provision device of any preceding claim, wherein the electrically powered component comprises a user interface.
The aerosol provision device of claim 3, wherein the user interface is configured to output information indicating that the primary power source has been removed when the primary power source is electrically disconnected from the aerosol provision device.
The aerosol provision device of claim 3 or 4, wherein the user interface comprises a display.
The aerosol provision device of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary power source comprises at least one of: a capacitor and a battery.
The aerosol provision device of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary power source is configured to be charged by the primary power source when the primary power source is fully received by the power source receiving portion.
The aerosol provision device of any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to be connected to an external power supply for charging the primary power source, and wherein the secondary power source is configured to be charged directly by the external power supply.
The aerosol provision device of any preceding claim, wherein the power source receiving portion comprises an opening through which the removable primary power source is received, wherein the device further comprises:
a cover arranged to move between a closed position in which the opening is closed and an open position in which the opening is open;

at least one sensor configured to determine the position of the cover; and

a user interface configured to output information to a user;

wherein when the sensor determines the cover is in an open position, the user interface is configured to provide an output to the user indicating that the cover is in the open position.
The aerosol provision device of any preceding claim, wherein the power source receiving portion comprises an electrical connector comprising a plurality of electrical terminals, and wherein the removable primary power source comprises a plurality of corresponding electrical terminals each arranged to engage with the electrical terminals of the electrical connector when the removable primary power source is fully received by the power source receiving portion.
The aerosol provision device of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary power source only provides the at least one electrically powered component with electrical power when the primary power source has been electrically disconnected from the device.
The aerosol provision device of any preceding claim, wherein the primary power source comprises a battery.
The aerosol provision device of any preceding claim, further comprising a heating arrangement arranged to heat the aerosol generating material, wherein the at least one electrically powered component is a further component which is not the heating arrangement.
An aerosol provision system comprising:
an aerosol generating material; and

the aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim.
A method of controlling the supply of power to an electrically powered component of an aerosol provision device, the aerosol provision device comprising a removable primary electrical power source and a secondary power source, the method comprising:
determining whether the removable primary power source has been electrically disconnected from the aerosol provision device; and

when it is determined that the removable primary power source has been electrically disconnected, providing the electrically powered component with electrical power from the secondary power source.