JP2022526324A - Smoking substitute system - Google Patents

Abstract

The smoking substitute device includes a heater, a battery that energizes the heater, an output means, and a controller, and the controller is a smoking substitute device, i) a standby operation mode in which the heater is deactivated, or ii. ) When the heater is operating in activated standard operating mode, when it receives user input, it measures the amount of energy stored in the battery and, via the output means, measures the amount of stored energy. It is configured as shown to the user. [Selection diagram] FIG. 4

Description

[1] The present invention relates to, but is not limited to, a smoking substitute system, and more particularly, to a smoking substitute system including a smoking substitute device, and a method of operating the device.

[2] Tobacco smoking is generally regarded as exposing smokers to potentially harmful substances. It is generally believed that significant amounts of potentially harmful substances are produced through the burning of tobacco and / or the heat caused by the burning of tobacco, as well as the components of the burning tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself. There is.

[3] Traditional combustible smoking articles, such as cigarettes, typically include a columnar tobacco rod containing tobacco strips surrounded by a wrapper, usually axially in contact with the rolled tobacco rod. Also includes a columnar filter aligned with. The filter usually contains a filter material circumscribed by a plug wrap. The rolled tobacco rod and filter are bundled together by a rolled strip of chip paper circumscribing the entire length of the filter and adjacent portions of the rolled tobacco rod. Traditional cigarettes of this type are used by igniting an end opposite the filter to burn a cigarette rod. Smokers receive mainstream smoke into their mouth by inhaling at the mouth end or filter end of the cigarette.

[4] Combustion of organic materials such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products. Various smoking substitution systems (or "substitute smoking systems") have been proposed to avoid smoking tobacco.

[5] Such smoking substitution systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapy for people who want to quit smoking and overcome their dependence on nicotine.

[6] Smoking substitution systems include an electronic system that allows the user to simulate smoking behavior by producing an aerosol (also known as "steam"), which is passed through the mouth and into the lungs. Inhaled (inhaled) and then exhaled. Inhaled aerosols usually have nicotine and / or flavoring without the odor and health risks associated with conventional smoking, or with less odor and health risks.

[7] In general, smoking substitution systems are intended to provide a substitute for smoking habits while providing users with the same experience and satisfaction that they have experienced with traditional smoking and flammable tobacco products. ing. Some smoking substitute systems use smoking substitutes (also known as "consumables"), which are designed to resemble traditional cigarettes and have a circle with a mouthpiece at one end. It has a columnar shape.

[8] The popularity and use of smoking substitution systems has grown rapidly over the past few years. Originally marketed as an aid to addicted smokers who want to quit smoking, consumers are increasingly seeing smoking substitution systems as a desirable lifestyle accessory.

[9] There are several different categories of smoking substitution systems, each utilizing a different smoking substitution approach.

[10] One approach for smoking substitution systems is the so-called heat-not-burn tobacco (“HT”) approach, in which the tobacco (not the “e-liquid”) is heated or heated. Release steam. HT is also known as "non-combustion heating type" ("HNB"). The tobacco may be a leaf tobacco or a reconstituted tobacco. The vapor can contain nicotine and / or flavor. In the HT approach, the intent is that the tobacco is heated without being burned, i.e. the tobacco is not burned.

[11] A typical HT smoking substitution system can include devices and consumables. Consumables can include tobacco material. Devices and consumables may be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, the heating element of the device may apply heat to the tobacco material, and the airflow through the tobacco material causes the components in the tobacco material to be released as vapor. The vapor may also be formed from carriers in the tobacco material, which carriers may include, for example, propylene glycol and / or vegetable glycerin, as well as volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapor may be accompanied by a stream of air inhaled through the cigarette.

[12] As steam passes through the consumables (accompanied by an air stream) from the place of evaporation to the outlet of the consumables (eg, mouthpiece), the steam cools, condenses, and is inhaled by the user. To form an aerosol for. Aerosols usually contain volatile compounds.

[13] In the HT smoking substitution system, we believe that heating, in contrast to burning tobacco material, reduces or reduces the amount of more harmful compounds normally produced during smoking. Has been. As a result, the HT approach can reduce the odor and / or health risks that can occur through tobacco burning, tobacco burning, and pyrolytic degradation.

[14] Commonly available HT smoking substitute devices can include batteries that store sufficient energy for a single use, for example the energy stored in a battery is sufficient to heat a single consumable. However, it may be necessary to recharge each time it is used. In some devices, the battery may be of high capacity, so the energy stored in the battery may be sufficient for multiple uses before it needs to be recharged. These devices may indicate to the user the amount of energy remaining in the battery when the heating element is not operating, for example when the heating element is not drawing current from the battery. This can be inconvenient for the user.

[15] In order to enhance the user experience and improve the functionality of the HT smoking surrogate system, an improved design of the smoking surrogate system, in particular the HT smoking surrogate system, is needed.

[16] The present disclosure has been devised in view of the above issues.

[17] Most commonly, the invention has a controller configured to indicate to the user the amount of energy stored in the battery, whether the heater is operating or inactive. Regarding smoking substitute devices. This allows the user to know the amount of energy remaining in the battery, which is advantageous in that it may allow the user to schedule the next charge cycle.

[18] According to the first aspect of the present invention, a smoking substitute device including a heater, a battery for energizing the heater, an output means, and a controller is provided, and the controller is a smoking substitute device. i) The amount of energy stored in the battery when receiving user input while the heater is operating in the deactivated standby mode of operation or ii) the heater is operating in the activated standard operating mode. Is configured to measure and indicate to the user the amount of the stored energy via the output means.

[19] The amount of energy stored in a battery may be separately known as the charge or remaining charge of the battery. The stored energy can be consumed with each use of the device to which the heater is energized. The output means measures the amount of energy stored in the battery, for example, when the device is operating, or when it detects a dialogue between the user and the device, periodically, or when it receives user input. One or more visual, audio, and tactile outputs can be provided to automatically indicate to the user.

[20] More specifically, when the device is put into standby mode, the controller can continue to operate, for example, in standby mode, with the controller in a heater or heating element deactivated. , Can receive user input. In standard operating mode, the heater may be activated to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to form the aerosol.

[21] During standby mode and / or standard mode, the user can measure the amount of energy stored in the battery and provide a device that includes a controller that may be configured to indicate to the user the state of the battery. You can continue to better understand the information about, for example, the user can get information such as an estimate of the remaining usable time or the number of consumables that can be consumed before the battery is depleted. In addition, more versatile devices may be provided that intelligently monitor the battery energy status of the device, whether the device's heater is operating or inactive. For example, the controller may be configured to measure and indicate the energy state of the battery when the battery is still energized, i.e., during standard operating mode. In a further example, the controller may be configured to measure and indicate the energy state of the battery when the battery is not supplying power to the heater, i.e. in standby mode. A device is provided that has the ability to keep informed the user about the battery energy status regardless of the operation of the heater.

[22] The features of the optional selection will be described below. These are applicable alone or in any combination with any aspect.

[23] Optionally, the controller is configured to warn the user via the output means when the stored energy is measured to be below a predetermined threshold. Optionally, a predetermined threshold indicates that the stored energy of the battery is inadequate and corresponds to a condition in which the battery requires immediate charging. Optionally, a predetermined threshold can include multiple predetermined thresholds, each threshold having a different amount of stored energy, eg, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 5% of the total amount of energy that can be stored in the battery. Represents 20%. Optionally, the output means is configured to warn the user when the stored energy is measured to be less than each of a plurality of predetermined thresholds by different outputs. The user can be positively aware of the urgency of recharging the battery, which is advantageous in reducing the risk of insufficient stored energy.

[24] Optionally, the controller is configured to terminate energization of the heater when the stored energy is measured to be below a predetermined threshold. For example, the controller may not be able to start heating the consumables or may end heating while the consumables are being heated. In any case, the controller can continue to operate to receive user input. This is advantageous in preventing the stored energy of the battery from being completely exhausted.

[25] Optionally, the output means provides the user with i) one or more light emitters that provide visual instructions, ii) a voice indicator that provides voice instructions, and iii) tactile instructions. Includes one or more of the tactile outputs. Optionally, the user may select one or more of visual, audio, and tactile instructions to output instructions for the energy stored in the battery. This is advantageous in that it enables output in a desired shape according to the user's preference.

[26] Optionally, the output means comprises a plurality of illuminants configured to indicate the amount of energy stored in the battery by one or more lighting patterns. For example, the controller may be configured to light multiple light emitters or LEDs in different patterns, each pattern indicating a different energy level of the battery. In another example, the controller may be configured to blink one or more of the plurality of LEDs when indicating that the stored energy level of the battery has been measured to be below a predetermined threshold. This helps the user get clear instructions when the device is operating at low power and when it is operating at sufficient power, so the decision to charge the device can be made on time. ..

[27] Optionally, the plurality of illuminants comprises four illuminants that provide the lighting pattern, in which the four illuminants are configured to indicate the amount of stored energy at 25% intervals. Will be done. For example, the controller may turn on or blink one or more of a plurality of light emitters or LEDs when indicating the stored energy level of the battery. That is, the controller can turn on or blink a single LED when the stored energy is measured to be 1% to 25% of the total capacity of the battery, and the controller can turn on or blink the stored energy when the stored energy is the total capacity of the battery. Two LEDs can be turned on or blinking when measured to be 26% to 50%, and the controller can measure the stored energy to be 51% to 75% of the total capacity of the battery, 3 One LED can be turned on or blinking, and the controller can turn on or blink all four LEDs when the stored energy is measured to be 76% to 100% of the total capacity of the battery. This is advantageous in that it allows the user to be able to clearly indicate the approximate level of stored energy.

[28] The one or more light emitters may be one or more of incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, and light emitting diodes. Optionally, one or more light emitters include light emitting diodes (LEDs). The use of LEDs has the advantage of reducing the space and energy required to operate and extending the life of the device.

[29] Optionally, the device constitutes a non-combustion heating (HNB) device. It is advantageous that such a configuration is particularly suitable for HNB devices due to its high energy consumption.

[30] The device can include an elongated body. The end of the elongated body may be configured to engage the aerosol-forming article. For example, the body may be configured to engage a heated tobacco (HT) consumable (or non-combustible heated (HNB) consumable) or e-cigarette consumable. The terms "heat-not-burn tobacco" and "non-combustible heated" are used interchangeably herein to describe the type of consumables that are heated rather than burned (or such consumables). Used indistinguishably to describe devices for use with the product). The device can include a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the consumable (ie, engage with the consumable). The aerosol-forming article may be of the type comprising an aerosol-forming body (eg, carried by an aerosol-forming substrate).

[31] The device can include a heater that heats the aerosol-forming article. The heater can include a heating element, which may be in the form of a rod extending from the body of the device. The heating element can extend from the end of the body configured to engage the aerosol-forming article. In one embodiment, the heater of the device is configured to be disabled in response to detecting that the stored energy has been measured to be below a predetermined threshold.

[32] The heater (and thus the heating element) may be tightly attached to the body. The heating element can be elongated to demarcate the longitudinal axis and can have, for example, a substantially circular transverse profile (ie, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the heating element). , The heating element may be substantially cylindrical). Alternatively, the heating element can have a rectangular transverse profile (ie, the heater may be a "blade heater"). Alternatively, the heating element may be in the form of a tube (ie, the heater may be a "tubular heater"). The heating element may take other forms (eg, the heating element may have an oval transverse profile). The shape and / or size (eg, diameter) of the transverse profile of the heating element may be generally consistent over the entire length (or substantially the entire length) of the heating element.

[33] The heating element may be 15 mm to 25 mm in length, for example 18 mm to 20 mm in length, for example about 19 mm in length. The heating element can have a diameter of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, for example 2 mm to 2.3 mm, for example about 2.15 mm.

[34] The heating element may be made of ceramic. The heating element can include a core containing Al2O3 (eg, a ceramic core). The core of the heating element can have a diameter of 1.8 mm to 2.1 mm, for example 1.9 mm to 2 mm. The heating element can include an outer layer containing Al2O3 (eg, an outer ceramic layer). The thickness of the outer layer may be 160 μm to 220 μm, for example 170 μm to 190 μm, for example about 180 μm. The heating element can include a heating track, which can extend longitudinally along the heating element. The heating track may be sandwiched between the outer layer of the heating element and the core. The heating track can include tungsten and / or rhenium. The heating truck can have a thickness of about 20 μm.

[35] The heating element may be located in the cavity (of the device) and can extend from the inner base of the cavity towards the opening of the cavity (eg, along the longitudinal axis). The length of the heating element (ie, the length along the longitudinal axis of the heater) can be less than the depth of the cavity. Therefore, the heating element can extend over only a portion of the length of the cavity. That is, the heating element does not have to extend through (or beyond) the opening of the cavity.

[36] The heating element may be configured to be inserted into the aerosol-forming article (eg, HT consumables) when the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity. In that respect, the distal end of the heating element (ie, distal from the base of the heating element attached to the device) can include a tapered portion, thereby allowing the heating element to be inserted into the aerosol-forming article. Can be facilitated. When the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity, the heating element can completely penetrate the aerosol-forming article. That is, the entire length or substantially the entire length of the heating element may be accepted by the aerosol-forming article.

[37] The heating element can have a smaller or substantially the same length as the axial length of the aerosol-forming substrate that forms part of the aerosol-forming article (eg, HT consumables). Thus, when such an aerosol-forming article is engaged to the device, the heating element can penetrate only the aerosol-forming substrate and not the other components of the aerosol-forming article. The heating element can penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate over substantially the axial length of the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article. Therefore, heat can be transferred from the heating element (eg, its outer peripheral surface) to the surrounding aerosol-forming substrate when penetrated by the heating element. That is, heat can be transferred radially outward (in the case of a columnar heating element) or, for example, radially inward (in the case of a tubular heater).

[38] If the heater is a tubular heater, the heating element of the tubular heater can surround at least a portion of the cavity. When a portion of the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity, the heating element can surround the portion of the aerosol-forming article (ie, heat that portion of the aerosol-forming article). In particular, the heating element can surround the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article. That is, when the aerosol-forming article is engaged with the device, the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article may be located adjacent to the inner surface of the (tubular) heating element. When the heating element is activated, heat is transferred radially inward from the inner surface of the heating element to heat the aerosol-forming substrate.

[39] The cavity can include a (eg, circumferential) wall (or walls), and the (tubular) heating element can extend around at least a portion of this wall. In this way, the wall may be located between the inner surface of the heating element and the outer surface of the aerosol-forming article. The wall of the cavity (or walls) may be formed from a heat conductive material (eg, metal) to allow heat transfer from the heating element to the aerosol-forming article. Thus, heat can be conducted from the heating element through the cavity wall (or walls) to the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article received in the cavity.

[40] In some embodiments, the heater can form part of an aerosol-forming article for use with the device. In such cases, the device may not include a heater. Conversely, the aerosol-forming article can include a heater. Such configurations are suitable, for example, for e-cigarette systems, in which the aerosol-forming article comprises a tank containing an aerosol-forming body (eg, liquid). In such embodiments, the device can include means for connecting the device to a heater of an aerosol-forming article engaged with the device. For example, the device can include one or more device connectors that connect the device (eg, electrically) to the corresponding heater connector of the aerosol forming article. The connector (ie, the connector for both the device and the aerosol-forming article) may be in the form of a conductive element (eg, a plate) that comes into contact when the aerosol-forming article is engaged with the device.

[41] In some embodiments, the device can include a cap placed at the end of the body configured to engage the aerosol-forming article. If the device includes a heater with a heating element, the cap can at least partially enclose the heating element. The cap may be movable between an open position where access to the heating element is provided and a closed position where the cap at least partially surrounds the heating element. The cap may be slidably engaged with the body of the device and may be slidable between the open and closed positions.

[42] The cap can define at least a portion of the device cavity. That is, the cavity may be completely defined by a cap, or each of the cap and body may define a portion of the cavity. If the cap completely defines the cavity, the cap can include an opening for receiving the heating element into the cavity (when the cap is in the closed position). The cap can include an opening into the cavity. The openings may be configured to receive at least a portion of the aerosol-forming article. That is, the aerosol-forming article may be inserted into the cavity (engaged with the device) through the opening.

[43] The cap may be configured such that when the aerosol-forming article is engaged with the device (eg, received in the cavity), only a portion of the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity. That is, a portion of the aerosol-forming article (the portion that is not accepted by the cavity) may protrude from the opening (ie, extend beyond the opening). This (protruding) portion of the aerosol-forming article may be the end of the aerosol-forming article (eg, the oral end), which may be accepted by the user's mouth for the purpose of inhaling the aerosol formed by the device. ..

[44] The device may include a power source or may be connectable to a power source (eg, a power source separate from the device). The power source may be electrically connectable to the heater. In that respect, changing the electrical connection of the power supply to the heater (eg, toggle) can affect the condition of the heater. For example, the heater can be toggled between the on and off states by toggling the electrical connection of the power supply to the heater. The power supply may be a power store. For example, the power source may be a battery or a rechargeable battery (eg, a lithium ion battery).

[45] The device can include input connections (eg, USB port, Micro USB port, USB-C port, etc.). The input connection may be configured to connect to an external power source such as a power supply. The input connection may optionally be used as a substitute for an internal power source (eg, a battery or a rechargeable battery). That is, the input connection may be electrically connectable to the heater (to provide power to the heater). Therefore, in some embodiments, the input connection may form at least a portion of the device's power supply.

[46] If the power source includes a rechargeable power source (such as a rechargeable battery), the input connection may be used to charge and recharge the power source.

[47] The device can include a user interface (UI). In some embodiments, the UI can include input means for receiving action commands from the user. The input means of the UI can allow the user to control at least one form of operation of the device. For example, the UI allows the user to understand the amount of energy stored in the battery during standby mode, when the heater is inactive, and standard operating mode, where the heater is active. be able to. In some embodiments, the input means may include a power button for switching the device between an on state and an off state.

[48] In some embodiments, the UI may additionally or otherwise include output means for communicating information to the user. In some embodiments, the output means may also include a light to indicate to the user the condition of the device (and / or aerosol-forming article). The state of the device (and / or aerosol-forming article) shown to the user can include a state indicating the operation of the heater. For example, the state can include whether the heater is in the off state or in the on state. In some embodiments, the UI unit can include at least one of a button, a display, a touch screen, a switch, a light, and the like. For example, the output means may include one or more (eg, two, three, four, etc.) light emitting diodes (“LEDs”), which may be located in the body of the device.

[49] The device may further include a puff sensor (eg, an air flow sensor), which forms part of the input means of the UI. The puff sensor may be configured to detect that the user has inhaled at the end (ie, the end (mouth side end)) of the aerosol-forming article. The puff sensor may be, for example, a pressure sensor or a microphone. The puff sensor may be configured to produce a signal indicating the state of the puff. The signal can indicate, for example, in the form of a binary signal that the user has inhaled (aerosol from an aerosol-forming article). Alternatively, or in addition, the signal can indicate the characteristics of the suction (eg, the flow rate of the suction, the length of time of the suction, etc.).

[50] The device may include or be connectable to a controller, the controller may be configured to control at least one function of the device. The controller can include a microcontroller, which may be mounted, for example, on a printed circuit board (PCB). The controller can also include memory, such as non-volatile memory. The memory can contain an instruction, which, when executed, can cause the controller to perform a specific task or step of the method. If the device contains an input connection, the controller may be connected to the input connection.

[51] The controller may be coupled to a heater and a battery (power source) and is configured to control the operation of the heater (and, for example, a heating element). In some embodiments, the controller is a battery when the smoking substitute device is operating in one of a standby mode in which the heater is deactivated and a standard operating mode in which the heater is activated. The amount of energy stored in the battery may be measured and configured as shown to the user. In addition, the controller may be configured to control evaporation of the aerosol-forming portion of the aerosol-forming article engaged with the device. The controller may be configured to control the voltage applied to the heater by the power source. For example, the controller may be configured to toggle between applying the full output voltage (of the power source) to the heater and not applying the voltage to the heater. Alternatively, or in addition, the control unit may implement a more complex heater control protocol.

[52] The device may further include a voltage regulator for adjusting the output voltage supplied by the power supply to form a regulated voltage. The adjustment voltage may then be applied to the heater. In some embodiments, the voltage regulator may be used to control the supply of voltage to the heater when the amount of energy stored in the battery is found to be below a predetermined threshold. For example, if the stored energy is found to be below a predetermined threshold, the voltage regulator is configured to supply a zero voltage to the heater.

[53] In some embodiments, if the device includes a UI, the controller may be operably connected to one or more components of the UI. The controller may be configured to receive command signals from UI input means. The controller may be configured to control the heater in response to a command signal. For example, the controller may be configured to receive "on" and "off" command signals from the UI, and the heater may be controlled to be in the corresponding on or off state in response.

[54] The controller may be configured to send an output signal to a component of the UI. The UI may be configured to convey information to the user via an output means in response to such an output signal (received from the controller). For example, if the device contains one or more LEDs, the LEDs may be operably connected to the controller. Therefore, the controller may be configured to control the lighting of the LEDs (eg, in response to an output signal). For example, the controller may be configured to control the lighting of the LEDs according to the state of the heater (eg, on or off). In another example, the controller (i) indicates the amount of energy stored in the battery, and (ii) when the stored energy is measured to be below a predetermined threshold, the user uses a different lighting pattern. It may be configured to control the lighting of the LED so as to warn.

[55] If the device includes a sensor (eg, a puff / airflow sensor), the controller may be operably connected to the sensor. The controller may be configured to receive a signal from the sensor (eg, indicating the condition of the device and / or the engaged aerosol-forming article). The controller may be configured to control the form of the heater or output means based on the signal from the sensor.

[56] In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to measure the amount of energy stored in the battery and indicate to the user. In addition, the controller is also configured to deactivate the heater of the device when the energy stored in the battery falls below a predetermined threshold.

[57] The device provides a wireless interface configured to communicate wirelessly (eg, via Bluetooth® (eg, Bluetooth low energy connection) or Wi-Fi®) with an external device. Can include. Similarly, the input connection may be configured to make a wired connection to the external device in order to provide communication between the device and the external device.

[58] The external device may be a mobile device. For example, the external device may be a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, or smart car. An application (eg, an app) may be installed on an external device (eg, a mobile device). The application can facilitate communication between the device and the external device over a wired or wireless connection.

[59] The wireless or wired interface may be configured to carry a signal between the external device and the controller of the device. In this respect, the controller can control the morphology of the device in response to the signal received from the external device. Alternatively, or in addition, the external device can respond to a signal received from the device (eg, the controller of the device).

[60] In a second aspect, a system (eg, a smoking substitute system) comprising the device according to the first aspect and an aerosol-forming article is provided. The aerosol-forming article can include an aerosol-forming substrate at the upstream end of the aerosol-forming article. The article may be in the form of a smoking substitute, such as a heated tobacco (HT) consumable (also known as a non-combustible heated (HNB) consumable).

[61] As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are intended to refer to the direction of vapor / aerosol flow, that is, the downstream end of the article / consumable is due to the aerosol being inhaled by the user. The mouth end or exit that exits the consumables. The upstream end of the article / consumable is the end opposite to the downstream end.

[62] The aerosol-forming substrate can be heated to release at least one volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be located at the upstream end of the article / consumable.

[63] To produce an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least one volatile compound, such volatile compound being intended to be vaporized / aerosolized and upon inhalation by the user. Can provide a distraction effect and / or a medicinal effect. Suitable chemically and / or physiologically active volatile compounds are nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opiates and opioids, cathinone and cathinone. A group consisting of (cathinone), kavalactones, mysticin, beta-carboline alkaloids, salvinorin A (salvinorin A), any combination, functional equivalents, and / or synthetic alternatives described above. Include with things.

[64] Aerosol-forming substrates can include plant materials.植物材料は、Ａｍａｒａｎｔｈｕｓ ｄｕｂｉｕｓ、Ａｒｃｔｏｓｔａｐｈｙｌｏｓ ｕｖａ－ｕｒｓｉ（クマコケモモ）、Ａｒｇｅｍｏｎｅ ｍｅｘｉｃａｎａ、Ａｍｉｃａ、Ａｒｔｅｍｉｓｉａ ｖｕｌｇａｒｉｓ、Ｙｅｌｌｏｗ Ｔｅｅｓ（イエローティー）、Ｇａｌｅａ ｚａｃａｔｅｃｈｉｃｈｉ、Ｃａｎａｖａｌｉａ ｍａｒｉｔｉｍａ（Ｂａｙｂｅａｎ（ベイビーン））、Ｃｅｃｒｏｐｉａ ｍｅｘｉｃａｎａ（Ｇｕａｍｕｒａ（グアムラ）） 、Ｃｅｓｔｒｕｍ ｎｏｃｔｕｍｕｍ、Ｃｙｎｏｇｌｏｓｓｕｍ ｖｉｒｇｉｎｉａｎｕｍ（ｗｉｌｄ ｃｏｍｆｒｅｙ（ワイルドコンフリー））、Ｃｙｔｉｓｕｓ ｓｃｏｐａｒｉｕｓ、ｄａｍｉａｎａ（ダミアナ）、Ｅｎｔａｄａ ｒｈｅｅｄｉｉ、Ｅｓｃｈｓｃｈｏｌｚｉａ ｃａｌｉｆｏｍｉｃａ（Ｃａｌｉｆｏｒｎｉａ Ｐｏｐｐｙ（ハナビシソウ））、Ｆｉｔｔｏｎｉａ ａｌｂｉｖｅｎｉｓ、Ｈｉｐｐｏｂｒｏｍａ ｌｏｎｇｉｆｌｏｒａ、Ｈｕｍｕｌｕｓ ｊａｐｏｎｉｃａ（Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ Ｈｏｐｓ（カナムグラ)), Humulus lupurus (Hops), Lactuca virosa (Letuce Opium (wild lettuce)), Laggera alata, Leonortis leonurus, Leonurus cardiaca (Moserwort) cardinalis, Lobelia infrata (Indian-tobacco), Lobelia sifilitica, Nepeta cataria (Catnip), Leonurus (Leonurus), Leonurus (Leonurus), Leonurus (Leonurus), Leonurus (Leonurus) )), Opium poppy, Passiflora incamata (Passionflower), Pedicularis densiflora (Indian Warrior), Pedicularis planta ant's Head (elephant head), Salvia divinorum, Salvia doriri (Tobacco Sage), Salvia spp. , Sida acata (Wireweed), Sida rhombifolia, Sirene capensis, Syzygium aromaticum (Clove), Skullcaps anathanatha (Choji), Skullcaps (Mexicana) , At least one plant material selected from the list including Skullcap, Zamia latifolia (Maconha Brava), any combination, functional equivalents, and / or synthetic alternatives described above. Can be included with.

[65] The plant material may be tobacco. Any type of tobacco may be used. This includes, but is not limited to, iron tube dried tobacco, Burleigh potatoes, Maryland tobacco, dark air dried tobacco, oriental tobacco, dark fire dried tobacco, peric tobacco, and rustica tobacco. It also includes the tobacco blends mentioned above.

[66] Tobacco includes leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, puffed tobacco, homogeneous tobacco, chopped tobacco, extruded tobacco, chopped rug tobacco, and / or reconstituted tobacco (eg, slurry recon or paper). It can include one or more of the recon).

[67] The aerosol-forming substrate can include a collection sheet of homogeneous (eg, paper / slurry recon) tobacco, or collection pieces / strips formed from such sheets.

[68] Aerosol-forming substrates can include one or more additives selected from wetting agents, flavoring agents, fillers, aqueous / non-aqueous solvents, and binders.

[69] The flavoring agent may be provided in solid or liquid form. Flavoring agents can include menthol, licorice, chocolate, fruit flavors (including, for example, citrus, cherries, etc.), vanilla, spices (eg, ginger, cinnamon, etc.), and tobacco flavors. The flavoring agent may be uniformly dispersed throughout the aerosol-forming substrate or may be provided at distant locations and / or at various concentrations throughout the aerosol-forming substrate.

[70] The aerosol-forming substrate may be formed in a substantially columnar shape so that the article / consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. Aerosol-forming substrates can have a diameter of 5-10 mm, such as 6-9 mm or 6-8 mm, such as about 7 mm. Aerosol-forming substrates can have an axial length of 10-15 mm, for example 11-14 mm, such as about 12 or 13 mm.

[71] Articles / consumables can include at least one filter element. The end filter element may be located downstream / mouth end of the article / consumable.

[72] The filter element or at least one filter element (eg, the terminal filter element) may be composed of cellulose acetate or polypropylene tow. At least one filter element (eg, the terminal filter element) may be composed of activated carbon. At least one filter element (eg, a terminal element) may be composed of paper. The filter elements or each filter element may be circumscribed at least partially (eg, entirely) by a plug wrap, such as a paper plug wrap.

An circumscribed chip layer, such as a chip paper layer, can be used to connect end filter elements (downstream ends of articles / consumables) to upstream elements to form articles / consumables. The chip paper can have an axial length that is longer than the axial length of the end filter element, so the chip paper is completely undulating the end filter element and the wrap layer surrounding any adjacent upstream element.

[74] In some embodiments, the article / consumable comprises an aerosol cooling element adapted to cool the aerosol produced (by heat exchange) from the aerosol-forming substrate before it is inhaled by the user. be able to.

[75] Articles / consumables can include spacer elements that define a space or cavity between the aerosol-forming substrate and the downstream end of the consumable. The spacer element can include a paper cylinder. The spacer element may be circumscribed by a (paper) wrap layer.

[76] In some embodiments, the system may be in the form of an e-cigarette system (ie, not the heat-not-burn tobacco system described above). In such systems, the consumables may be in the form of e-cigarette consumables. The e-cigarette system may be configured to be able to receive and hold (ie, engage) consumables in the cavity of the device. Consumables may be held by, for example, interference fitting, screwing, bayonet fitting, or snap engagement mechanisms.

[77] Consumables can include a tank, which can define a reservoir for storage of aerosol-forming bodies. The aerosol-forming body may be in the form of an e-liquid (stored in a reservoir).

[78] Consumables may be "disposable" consumables. That is, when the e-liquid in the tank is exhausted, the intention may be for the user to dispose of the entire consumable. Alternatively, the e-liquid may be the only part of the system that is truly "disposable". For example, the tank may be refillable with an e-liquid, or another component of the system (inside the device or outside the device, eg, a refillable cartomizer) may define a reservoir for the e-liquid. can.

[79] As mentioned above, consumables can include a heater configured to heat and evaporate the e-liquid (ie, not a heater that forms part of the device). The consumable can include a porous wick that transfers the e-liquid from the tank to the heating element of the heater. The heating element may be a heating filament wound around at least a portion of the porous wick (eg, spirally), thus heating when the heating element is heated (eg, due to the action of an electric current through the heating element). Heat can be transferred from the element to the e-liquid transmitted by the wick. This heat transfer allows the e-liquid to evaporate, and the resulting vapor can be accompanied by an air stream passing through the consumables.

[80] The consumable may further include one or more heater connectors for connecting the heater (consumable heater) to the device. The heater connector may be in the form of a conductive element or contact (eg, a metal plate) and may be placed on the surface of the consumable facing the device in use. The heater connector may be electrically connected to a consumable heater so that electricity supplied through the heater connector can flow to the heater. In other words, the voltage applied to the heater connector can generally correspond to the voltage applied to the heating element of the heater.

[81] The heater connector may be arranged to contact the corresponding device connector of the device when the consumable is engaged with the device. The device connector may be connected (eg, electrically) to the power source (eg, battery) of the device. Thus, electricity may be supplied from the power source to the heating element via the connector of the heater and device in contact. In this way, the consumable heater forming portion can operate (eg, interact with the controller) as described separately above with respect to the heater forming portion of the device.

[82] According to a third aspect of the invention, a method of using the system according to the second aspect is provided, in which an aerosol-forming article is inserted into the device and a heater of the device is used. Includes heating the article.

[83] In some embodiments, the method can include inserting the article into a cavity within the body of the device and, when inserting the article, penetrating the article into the heating element of the device. ..

[84] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a smoking substitute device having a heater, a battery for energizing the heater, and an output means, wherein the smoking substitute device is used. , I) Receiving user input and the energy stored in the battery when the heater is operating in the deactivated standby mode of operation, or ii) the heater is operating in the activated standard operating mode. It includes measuring the amount of the stored energy and showing the amount of the stored energy to the user via the output means.

[85] Optionally, the indications indicate the amount of energy stored in the battery and via one or more lighting patterns when the stored energy is measured to be below a predetermined threshold. Includes providing warnings to users.

[86] Optionally, the method further comprises terminating the energization of the heater when the stored energy is measured to be below a predetermined threshold.

[87] The invention includes such combinations unless the combination of embodiments and preferred features described is expressly unacceptable or explicitly avoided.

[88] Those skilled in the art may appreciate that the features or parameters described in connection with any one of the above embodiments may apply to any other embodiment, except where they are mutually exclusive. Will be recognized. Further, except as mutually exclusive, any feature or parameter described herein may apply to any aspect and / or any other feature or parameter described herein. It may be combined with a parameter.

[89] For embodiments that illustrate the principles of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that the invention can be understood and further aspects and features thereof can be recognized. I will discuss it in more detail.
[90] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a smoking substitution system. [91] FIG. 1B is a schematic view of a modification of the smoking substitution system of FIG. 1A. [92] FIG. 2A is a front view of a first embodiment of a smoking substitution system in which consumables are engaged with a device. [93] FIG. 2B is a front view of a first embodiment of a smoking substitution system in which consumables are detached from the device. [94] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the consumables of the first embodiment of the smoking substitution system. [95] FIG. 2D is a detailed view of the end of the device of the first embodiment of the smoking substitution system. [96] FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the smoking substitution system. [97] FIG. 3A is a front view of a second embodiment of a smoking substitution system in which consumables are engaged with the device. [98] FIG. 3B is a front view of a second embodiment of a smoking substitution system in which consumables are detached from the device. [99] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method of operating the device.

[100] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will be discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures. Further embodiments and embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

[101] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram providing a schematic overview of the smoking substitution system 100. The system 100 includes a substitute smoking device 101 and an aerosol-forming article in the form of a consumable 102, the consumable 102 including an aerosol-forming body 103. The system is configured to evaporate the aerosol-forming body by heating the aerosol-forming body 103 (forming the vapor / aerosol for inhalation by the user).

[102] In the system shown, the heater 104 is configured to form part of the consumables 102 and heat the aerosol-forming body 103. The heat from the heater 104 evaporates the aerosol-forming body 103 to generate steam. The vapor then condenses to form an aerosol, which is finally aspirated by the user. In some embodiments, the heater 104 is configured to be deactivated / disabled if the stored energy of the battery is found to be below a predetermined threshold.

[103] The system 100 further includes a power source 105, which forms part of the device 101. In other embodiments, the power supply 105 may be located outside the device 101 (although it may be connectable to the device 101). The power source 105 is electrically connectable to the heater 104 so that the power source 105 can supply power to the heater 104 (ie, for the purpose of heating the aerosol forming body 103). Therefore, by controlling the electrical connection of the power source 105 to the heater 104, control of the state of the heater 104 is provided. The power source 105 may be a power store, such as a battery or a rechargeable battery (eg, a lithium ion battery). Therefore, in one exemplary embodiment, the power source 105 may be a battery used to energize the heater 104.

[104] The system 100 further includes an I / O module including a connector 106 (eg, in the form of a USB port, a Micro USB port, a USB-C port, etc.). The connector 106 is configured to connect to an external power source, such as a power supply port. The connector 106 may be used as a substitute for the power supply 105. That is, the connector 106 may be electrically connectable to the heater 104 so as to supply electricity to the heater 104. In such an embodiment, the device does not have to include a power source, instead the power source of the system may include a connector 106 and an external power source (where the connector 106 provides an electrical connection).

[105] In some embodiments, the connector 106 may be used to charge and recharge the power source 105 if the power source 104 comprises a rechargeable battery.

[106] The system 100 also includes a user interface (UI) 107. Although not shown, the UI 107 may include input means for receiving commands from the user. The input means of the UI 107 allows the user to control at least one form of operation of the system 100. The input means may be in the form of, for example, a button, a touch screen, a switch, a microphone, or the like.

[107] UI 107 also includes output means for communicating information to the user. The output means can include, for example, a light (eg, an LED), a display screen, a speaker, a vibration generator, and the like.

[108] The system 100 further includes a controller 108 and a memory 109 operably coupled to the controller 108, the controller 108 being configured to control at least one function of the device 101. In the embodiments shown, the controller 108 is a component of the device 101, but in other embodiments it may be separate from the device 101 (but connectable to the device 101). The controller 108 is configured to measure and indicate to the user the energy stored in the battery in response to receiving user input via the user interface (UI) 107 during standby and standard modes. To. The controller 108 is further configured to control the operation of the heater 104, for example the controller 108 is a battery-powered heater in response to detecting that the stored energy has been measured to be below a predetermined threshold. It may be configured to terminate the energization of 104. The controller 108 may be further configured to control the operation of the heater 104, for example, to control the voltage applied from the power source 105 to the heater 104. The controller 108 toggles the supply of power to the heater 105 between an on state where the total output voltage of the power source 105 is applied to the heater 104 and an off state where no voltage is applied to the heater 104. May be configured.

[109] Although not shown, the system 100 can also include a voltage regulator for adjusting the output voltage from the power source 105 to form a regulated voltage. The adjustment voltage may then be applied to the heater 104.

[110] In addition to being connected to the heater 104, the controller 108 is operably connected to the UI 107. Therefore, the controller 108 can receive the input signal from the input means of the UI 107. Similarly, the controller 108 can transmit an output signal to the UI 107. In response, the output means of the UI 107 can convey information to the user based on the output signal.

[111] Further, the system also includes an output 110 coupled to a controller 108 in the smoking substitute device 101. The output 110 may be a tactile device, an audio output device, or any other similar output device mounted within the device, (i) indicating the amount of energy stored in the battery, and (ii) the energy level. It may be configured to warn the user when it is measured to be below a predetermined threshold. The output 110 may be configured to provide instructions / warnings to the user via one of tactile or voice feedback.

[112] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the system 100 of FIG. 1A. In the system 100'of FIG. 1B, the heater 104 forms part of the device 101 rather than the consumables 102. In this modification, the heater 104 is electrically connectable to the power source 105.

[113] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a heated tobacco (HT) smoking substitute system 200. The system 200 is an example of the systems 100, 100'described in connection with FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B. The system 200 includes an HT device 201 configured to measure the amount of energy stored in the battery during standby and standard operating modes and to indicate to the user, and an HT consumables 202. The above description of FIGS. 1A and 1B is also applicable to the system 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B and will therefore not be repeated.

[114] The device 201 and the consumables 202 are configured so that the consumables 202 can be engaged with the device 201. FIG. 2A shows the device 201 and the consumables 202 engaged, and FIG. 2B shows the device 201 and the consumables 202 disconnected.

[115] Device 201 includes a body 209 and a cap 210. In use, the cap 210 is engaged at the end of the body 209. Although not clear from these figures, the cap 210 is movable with respect to the body 209. In particular, the cap 210 is slidable and can slide along the longitudinal axis of the main body 209.

[116] The device 201 is an output means (part of the UI of the device 201) in the form of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 211 linearly arranged on the outer surface of the body 209 of the device 201 along the longitudinal axis of the device 201. Includes). The button 212 is also located on the outer surface of the body 209 of the device 201 and is axially (ie, along the longitudinal axis) isolated from the plurality of LEDs 211.

[117] FIG. 2C shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the consumables 202 of the system 200. Consumables 202 are generally similar to cigarettes. In that respect, the consumables 202 have a substantially columnar shape with a diameter of 7 mm and an axial length of 70 mm. Consumables 202 include an aerosol-forming substrate 213, an end filter element 214, an upstream filter element 215, and a spacer element 216. In other embodiments, the consumables may further include a cooling element. The cooling element can cool the vapor by exchanging heat with the vapor formed by the aerosol-forming substrate 213 to facilitate the condensation of the vapor.

[118] The aerosol-forming substrate 213 is substantially columnar, located at the upstream end 217 of the consumables 202, and includes the aerosol-forming body of the system 200. In that respect, the aerosol-forming substrate 213 is configured to be heated by the device 201 to release vapor. The released vapor is then entrained in an air stream flowing through the aerosol-forming substrate 213. The air flow is created by the action of the user inhaling at the downstream end 218 (ie, the end or mouth end) of the consumable 202.

[119] In the present embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate 213 comprises a tobacco material, the tobacco material comprising, for example, any suitable portion of a tobacco plant (eg, leaves, stems, roots, skins, seeds, and flowers). be able to. Tobacco is of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, puffed tobacco, homogeneous tobacco, chopped tobacco, extruded tobacco, chopped rug tobacco, and / or reconstituted tobacco (eg, slurry recon or paper recon). It can include one or more. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate 213 can include a collection sheet of homogeneous (eg, paper / slurry recon) tobacco, or collection pieces / strips formed from such sheets.

[120] To produce an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate 213 comprises at least one volatile compound, such a volatile compound is intended to be vaporized / aerosolized and when inhaled. The user can be provided with a distraction effect and / or a medicinal effect. The aerosol-forming substrate 213 can further comprise one or more additives. For example, such additives may be in the form of wetting agents (eg, propylene glycol and / or vegetable glycerin), flavoring agents, fillers, aqueous / non-aqueous solvents, and / or binders.

[121] The terminal filter element 214 is also substantially columnar and is located at the downstream end 218 of the consumables 202, downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate 213. The end filter element 214 is in the form of a hollow filter element in which holes 219 (eg, for airflow) are formed. The diameter of the hole 219 is 2 mm. The terminal filter element 214 is formed from a porous (eg, monoacetate) filter material. As mentioned above, the downstream end 218 of the consumables 202 (ie, where the end filter 214 is located) forms the mouthpiece portion of the consumables 202 that the user inhales. Airflow is drawn in from the upstream end 217 through the components of the consumables 202 and exits from the downstream end 218. The air flow is driven by the user sucking in at the downstream end 218 (ie, the mouthpiece portion) of the consumables 202.

[122] The upstream filter element 215 is located axially adjacent to the aerosol-forming substrate 213 between the aerosol-forming substrate 213 and the terminal filter element 214. Like the terminal filter 214, the upstream filter element 215 is in the form of a hollow filter element, with holes 220 extending axially through the hollow filter element. In this way, the upstream filter 215 can act as an air flow limiter. The upstream filter element 215 is formed from a porous (eg, monoacetate) filter material. The hole 220 of the upstream filter element 214 has a larger diameter (3 mm) than the terminal filter element 214.

[123] Spacer 216 is in the form of a paper cylinder and defines a cavity or chamber between the upstream filter element 215 and the terminal filter element 214. The spacer 216 acts to allow both vapor / aerosol cooling and mixing from the aerosol-forming substrate 213. The spacer has an outer diameter of 7 mm and an axial length of 14 mm.

[124] Although not apparent from these figures, the aerosol-forming substrate 213, upstream filter 215, and spacer 216 are circumscribed by a paper wrap layer. The end filter 214 is circumscribed by the chip layer, which also circumscribes a portion of the paper wrap layer (to connect the end filter 214 to the remaining components of the consumable 202). The upstream filter 215 and the terminal filter 214 are circumscribed by an additional layer of wrap in the form of a plug wrap.

[125] With reference to device 201 again, FIG. 2D shows a detailed view of the end of device 201 configured to engage consumables 202. The cap 210 of the device 201 includes an opening 221 into the internal cavity 222 defined by the cap 210 (more obvious from FIG. 2D). The openings 221 and cavities 222 are formed to receive at least a portion of the consumables 202. When the consumables 202 are engaged with the device 201, a portion of the consumables 202 is received into the cavity 222 through the opening 221. After engagement (see FIG. 2B), the downstream end 218 of the consumables 202 projects from the opening 221 and thus also from the device 201. The opening 221 includes a laterally arranged notch 226. When the consumables 202 are received in the opening 221 these notches 226 remain open and can be used, for example, to hold a cover for covering the ends of the device 201.

[126] FIG. 2E shows a cross-sectional view of a central longitudinal plane through device 201. The device 201 is shown with the consumables 202 engaged.

[127] The device 201 includes a heater 204, the heater 204 comprising a heating element 223. The heater 204 forms part of the body 209 of the device 201 and is tightly attached to the body 209. In the embodiments shown, the heater 204 is a rod heater and the heating element 223 has a circular transverse profile. In other embodiments, the heater may be in the form of a blade heater (eg, a heating element having a rectangular transverse profile) or a tubular heater (eg, a heating element having a tubular shape).

[128] The heating element 223 of the heater 204 projects from the internal base of the cavity 222 toward the opening 221 along the longitudinal axis. As is clear from this figure, the length of the heating element (ie, the length along the longitudinal axis) is smaller than the depth of the cavity 222. In this way, the heating element 223 does not protrude from or extend beyond the opening 221.

[129] When the consumables 202 are received in the cavity 222 (shown in FIG. 2E), the heating element 223 penetrates into the aerosol-forming substrate 213 of the consumables 202. In particular, the heating element 223, when inserted, extends over almost the entire axial length of the aerosol-forming substrate 213. Therefore, when the heater 204 is activated, heat is radially transferred from the outer peripheral surface of the heating element 223 to the aerosol-forming substrate 213.

[130] Device 201 further includes an electronic device cavity 224. A power source in the form of a rechargeable battery 205 (lithium ion battery) is located in the electronic device cavity 224.

[131] Device 201 includes a connector in the form of USB port 206 (ie, forming part of the IO module of device 201). For example, the connector may otherwise be, for example, a micro USB port or a USB-C port. The USB port 206 may be used to recharge the rechargeable battery 205.

[132] Device 201 includes a controller (not shown) located in the electrical device cavity 224. The controller includes a microcontroller mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The USB port 206 is also connected to the controller 208 (ie, connected to the PCB and microcontroller). The controller 208 is configured to control various functions of the device 201. For example, the controller 208 is configured to measure and indicate to the user the amount of energy stored in the battery in response to receiving user input via the user interface (UI). In the embodiments shown, the controller 208 is configured to measure and indicate the amount of energy stored in the battery during standby mode, i.e., when the heater 204 of device 201 is inactivated. May be done. The standby mode is a mode in which the heater 204 is deactivated. However, the device 201 is not operating but is still on.

[133] In addition, in the embodiments shown, the controller 208 has energy stored in the battery in response to receiving user input via the user interface (UI) during standard operating mode. Is measured and configured as shown to the user. During the standard operating mode, the heater 204 of the device 201 is active, i.e., during the standard operating state, the battery continuously powers the heater 204. Therefore, the controller 208 is configured to measure the amount of energy stored in the battery of the device 201 and show it to the user regardless of whether the heater 204 is active or inactive.

[134] The controller 208 not only indicates to the user the amount of energy remaining in the battery, but also provides a warning to the user if the stored energy of the battery falls below a predetermined threshold. A predetermined threshold is an indication that the battery of device 201 needs immediate charging. The warning indicates to the user to stop using the device 201 in order to avoid turning off the device 201.

[135] The controller 208 is connected to a plurality of LEDs (not shown). The plurality of LEDs are configured to at least (i) indicate the amount of energy stored in the battery and (ii) warn the user when the stored energy is measured to be below a predetermined threshold. .. In the example shown, controller 208 indicates (i) the amount of energy stored in the battery and / or (ii) warns the user when the stored energy is measured to be below a predetermined threshold. May be configured to control the lighting pattern of the LEDs to provide separate lighting. For example, the controller 208 may be configured to turn on one or more of the LEDs to indicate different levels of energy stored in the battery, eg, at 25% intervals. In another example, the controller 208 is configured to blink one or more of the LEDs to warn the user that the stored energy has been measured to be below a predetermined threshold. It's okay.

[136] Controller 208 may be further connected to output 110. Output 110 also indicates the amount of energy stored in the battery and alerts the user by one of tactile and / or voice feedback when the energy level is measured to be below a predetermined threshold. It is composed of. The output 110 may be a tactile device or an audio output device. Further, the output 110 indicates (i) the amount of energy stored in the battery and (ii) is separate to provide a warning to the user when the energy level is measured to be below a predetermined threshold. It may be configured to provide feedback so that the user can easily distinguish between the two.

[137] Controller 208 is configured to control other functions of device 201. For example, the controller 208 is configured to control the operation of the heater 204. Such control of the operation of the heater 204 may be achieved by the controller toggled the electrical connection of the rechargeable battery 205 to the heater 204. For example, the controller 208 is configured to control the heater 204 in response to the user pressing the button 212. By pressing the button 212, the controller may allow a voltage (from the rechargeable battery 205) to be applied to the heater 204 (the heating element 223 is heated). In another example, the controller 208 is configured to terminate the energization of the heater 204 by the battery in response to detecting that the stored energy has been measured to be less than a predetermined threshold. For example, if device 201 is in operating mode and controller 208 receives user input to measure the amount of energy stored in the battery, controller 208 will determine the amount of energy stored in the battery. To detect. If the amount of energy stored in the battery is found to be below a predetermined threshold, the controller 208 terminates the supply of power from the battery to the heater 204 until the device 208 is fully charged. To achieve this, the controller 208 compares the measured energy level of the battery with a predetermined threshold energy level stored in memory.

[138] The controller 208 is also configured to control the LED 211 in response to a (eg, detected) state of the device 201 or consumables 202. For example, the controller can control the LEDs to indicate whether the device 201 is on or off (eg, when the device is on, one or more of the LEDs , May be lit by the controller).

[139] Device 201 includes additional input means (ie, in addition to button 212) in the form of puff sensor 225. The puff sensor 225 is configured to detect that the user has inhaled (ie, inhaled) at the downstream end 218 of the consumables 202. The puff sensor 225 may be in the form of, for example, a pressure sensor, a flow meter, or a microphone. The puff sensor 225 is operably connected to the controller 208 in the electrical device cavity 224, so a signal from the puff sensor 225 indicating the puff state (ie, sucking or not sucking) forms an input to the controller 208. (Therefore, it may be reacted by controller 208).

[140] FIGS. 3A and 3B show the e-cigarette smoking substitution system 300. The system 300 is an example of the systems 100, 100'of FIGS. 1A and 1B and includes the e-cigarette device 301 and the e-cigarette consumables 302. The above description of FIGS. 1A and 1B is also applicable to the systems of FIGS. 3A and 3B and will not be repeated.

[141] The device 301 and the consumables 302 are configured to allow the consumables 302 to engage the device 301. FIG. 3A shows the device 301 and the consumables 302 engaged, and FIG. 3B shows the device 301 and the consumables 302 disconnected. During engagement, a portion of the consumables 302 is received in the cavity 322 of the device 301. The consumables 302 are held within the device 301 via an interference fit (although in other embodiments, the devices and consumables may be engaged by screwing, bayonet fitting, or snap engagement mechanisms. good).

[142] Consumables 302 include tank 327. The tank 327 defines a reservoir for storage of the aerosol-forming body, and in this embodiment, the aerosol-forming body is in the form of an e-liquid.

[143] In this embodiment, the consumable item 302 is a "disposable" consumable item. That is, when the e-liquid in the tank 327 is exhausted, the intention is for the user to dispose of the entire consumable 302. In other embodiments, the e-liquid (ie, aerosol-forming body) may be the only part of the system that is truly "disposable." In such embodiments, the tank may be refillable with an e-liquid, or the e-liquid may be stored in a non-consumable component of the system. For example, the e-liquid may be stored in a tank located within the device, or in another component that is not disposable in itself (eg, a refillable cartomizer).

[144] In the system 300 shown, the heater 304 is located at the consumables 302 and is configured to heat and evaporate the e-liquid (stored in tank 327). Although not shown, the heater 304 includes a porous wick and a resistance heating element. The porous wick transfers the e-liquid from the tank 327 to the heating element. The heating element is a heating filament spirally wound around a portion of the porous wick, and thus when the heating element is heated (eg, due to the action of an electric current passing through the heating element), from the heating element, the wick. Heat is transferred to the e-liquid transmitted by. This heat transfer causes the e-liquid to evaporate and the resulting vapor is entrained in the airflow through the consumables 302 (ie, driven by the user sucking in at the downstream end 318 of the consumables 302). Between the evaporation point of the coil and the downstream end 318 (ie, the mouth end), the vapor condenses into an aerosol, which is then inhaled by the user.

[145] Similar to the embodiments described above, the device 301 includes a power supply in the form of a rechargeable battery (not shown) and a connector in the form of a USB port (not shown). Device 302 further includes a controller (also not shown). The rechargeable battery, connector, and controller are similar (similarly behaved) to the corresponding components of the embodiments described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1E.

[146] Consumables 302 include a pair of heater electrical contacts 328 located on the end face of consumables 302 facing the device. The heater electrical contact 328 is electrically connected to the heater 304 in the consumable 302, so the voltage applied to the heater electrical contact 302 is generally the voltage applied to the resistance heating element of the heater 304. handle.

[147] When the consumable 302 is engaged with the device 301, the heater electrical contact 328 makes electrical contact with the corresponding device electrical contact (not shown) of the device 301. The device electrical contacts are electrically connected (directly or indirectly) to a rechargeable battery. Therefore, the controller may be configured to control the voltage applied to the device electrical contacts from the rechargeable battery. By controlling the voltage applied to the device electrical contacts, the voltage applied to the heater 304 is controlled accordingly.

[148] The device 302 includes a single light emitting diode (“LED”) 311 in the form of an output means (which forms part of the UI of the system 300). The LED 311 is operably connected to the controller so that the controller can control the lighting of the LED 311. The controller is then configured to turn on the LED when the heater 304 is activated.

[149] Device 301 also includes input means in the form of a puff sensor (not shown). The puff sensor is the same as described above with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-1E.

[150] FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of a method of measuring the amount of energy stored in a battery and showing it to the user.

[151] As shown in FIG. 4, the method 400 includes one or more blocks performed by controller 208 of device 201. Method 400 may be described in the general context of controller executable instructions. In general, controller executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions that perform specific functions or perform specific abstract data types.

[152] The order in which Method 400 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of described method blocks may be combined in any order to carry out Method 400. You can do it. In addition, individual blocks may be removed from Method 400 without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Further, the method 400 may be implemented with any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[153] At block 401, controller 208 is configured to receive user input for measuring the amount of energy stored in the battery. Although not explicitly disclosed in block 401, controller 208 is configured to receive user input in standby mode in which heater 204 is deactivated or in standard mode in which heater 204 is activated. To.

[154] At block 402, controller 208 is configured to measure the energy stored in the battery. To achieve this, the controller 208 is connected to the battery via one or more sensors (not shown) that indicate the amount of energy stored in the battery.

[155] At block 403, controller 208 is configured to indicate to the user the amount of energy stored in the battery detected at block 402. In the embodiments shown, the controller 208 is configured to indicate to the user the amount of energy in the battery via a plurality of LEDs. In another embodiment, the controller 208 may be configured to indicate to the user the amount of energy stored in the battery via the output 110.

[156] The plurality of LEDs includes four LEDs 211 that provide the lighting pattern, in which the four LEDs are configured to indicate the amount of stored energy at 25% intervals. In the embodiments shown, the controller lights or flashes one or more of a plurality of light emitters or LEDs when indicating the stored energy level of the battery. That is, the controller turns on or blinks a single LED when the stored energy is measured to be 1% to 25% of the total capacity of the battery, and the controller has the stored energy from 26% to 26% of the total capacity of the battery. When measured to be 50%, the two LEDs are lit or blinking, and the controller is lit or blinking the three LEDs when the stored energy is measured to be 51% to 75% of the total capacity of the battery. The controller turns on or blinks all four LEDs when the stored energy is measured to be 76% to 100% of the total capacity of the battery.

[157] Although not explicitly disclosed in the flow chart, the controller 208 is further configured to warn the user when the stored energy is measured to be below a predetermined threshold. Further, when it is detected that the stored energy has been measured to be less than a predetermined threshold, this method discloses the step of terminating the energization of the heater 204 by the battery. This prevents the device 201 from being completely depleted of the stored energy of the battery and completely shut off.

[158] The features disclosed in the above description, or the claims below, or in the accompanying drawings, are in their particular form, or means of performing the disclosed function, or to obtain the disclosed results. The method or process is appropriately expressed and may be utilized to realize the invention in a wide variety of forms thereof, either separately or in any combination of such features.

[159] Although the invention has been described with exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those of skill in the art given this disclosure. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the invention described above are considered to be exemplary rather than limiting. Various changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the gist and scope of the invention.

[160] To avoid any doubt, all theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purpose of improving the reader's understanding. We do not want to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[161] All item names used herein are for structural purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[162] Throughout the specification, including the scope of the claims that follow, the words "have," "comprise," and "include," and "having," unless otherwise required by the context. , "Comprises," "comprising," and "incuring," although variations will be understood to imply including the described perfect or step, or a group of perfect or step. It does not exclude any other perfect or step, or group of perfect or step.

[163] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" shall include multiple references unless expressly indicated otherwise. Please note. As used herein, the range may be expressed as "about" one particular value and / or "about" another particular value. When such a range is represented, another embodiment includes from one particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, by using the prefix "about", it will be appreciated that when a value is expressed as an approximation, a particular value forms another embodiment. The term "about" associated with the numerical value is optional and means, for example, ± 10%.

[164] The words "preferred" and "preferred" are used herein to refer to embodiments of the invention that can provide a particular benefit under some circumstances. Will be done. However, it should be understood that other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different circumstances. Accordingly, reference to one or more preferred embodiments does not imply or imply that the other embodiments are not useful and exclude other embodiments from the scope of the present disclosure or claims. It is not intended.

Claims (14)

With a heater,
A battery that energizes the heater and
Output means and
A smoking substitute device that includes a controller and
User input when the controller is operating the smoking substitute device in i) standby mode in which the heater is deactivated, or ii) in standard operating mode in which the heater is activated. Upon receipt, a smoking substitute device configured to measure the amount of energy stored in the battery and indicate the amount of stored energy to the user via the output means. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to warn the user via the output means when the stored energy is measured to be less than a predetermined threshold. The device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined threshold value indicates that the stored energy of the battery is insufficient, and corresponds to a state in which the battery requires immediate charging. The device of claims 2 and 3, wherein the controller is configured to terminate energization of the heater when the stored energy is measured to be less than the predetermined threshold. The output means is one of i) one or more light emitters that provide visual instructions, ii) a voice indicator that provides voice instructions, and iii) tactile outputs that provide tactile instructions to the user. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising one or more. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the output means includes a plurality of light emitters configured to indicate the amount of the energy stored in the battery by one or a plurality of lighting patterns. Described device. The plurality of illuminants include four illuminants that provide the lighting pattern, wherein the four illuminants are configured to indicate the amount of stored energy at 25% intervals in the lighting pattern. Item 5. The device according to any one of Items 1 to 6. The device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the one or more light emitters include a light emitting diode (LED). The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the device constitutes a non-combustion heating type (HNB) device. The smoking substitute device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
Smoking substitute system including aerosol-forming articles. A method of operating a smoking substitute device having a heater, a battery for energizing the heater, and an output means.
The smoking substitute device receives user input while i) the heater is operating in the deactivated standby mode of operation, or ii) the heater is operating in the activated standard operating mode.
Measuring the amount of energy stored in the battery and
A method comprising showing the amount of the stored energy to the user via the output means. The indication indicates the amount of the energy stored in the battery and, when the stored energy is measured to be below a predetermined threshold, to the user via one or more lighting patterns. 11. The method of claim 11, comprising providing a warning. 12. The method of claim 12, wherein the predetermined threshold value indicates that the stored energy of the battery is insufficient and corresponds to a state in which the battery requires immediate charging. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising terminating the energization of the heater when the stored energy is measured to be less than the predetermined threshold.

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