Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
  • A24F40/51—Arrangement of sensors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
  • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
  • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
  • A24F40/53—Monitoring, e.g. fault detection
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/60—Devices with integrated user interfaces
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/30—Devices using two or more structurally separated inhalable precursors, e.g. using two liquid precursors in two cartridges

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to aerosol provision systems such as nicotine delivery systems (e.g. electronic cigarettes and the like).
• nicotine delivery systems e.g. electronic cigarettes and the like.
• Aerosol provision systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally contain an aerosol precursor material/aerosoliable material, such as a reservoir of a source fluid or liquid containing a formulation, typically including nicotine, or a solid material such as a tobacco-based product, from which an aerosol/vapour is generated, e.g. through heat vaporisation.
• An aerosol source for an aerosol provision system may thus comprise a vaporiser, e.g., a heating element, arranged to vaporise a portion of the aerosoliable material.
• Such devices are usually provided with one or more air inlet holes located away from a mouthpiece end of the system.
• air is drawn in through the inlet holes and past the aerosol source.
• There is a flow path connecting between the aerosol source and an opening in the mouthpiece so that air drawn past the aerosol source continues along the flow path to the mouthpiece opening, carrying some of the aerosol from the aerosol source with it.
• the aerosol-carrying air exits the aerosol provision system through the mouthpiece opening for inhalation by the user.
• Some aerosol provision systems may also include a flavour element in the flow path through the system to impart additional flavours or otherwise modify the aerosol.
• a flavour element may, for example, include a portion of tobacco arranged in the air path between the vapour generation chamber and the mouthpiece so that vapour I condensation aerosol drawn through the devices passes through the portion of tobacco before exiting the mouthpiece for user inhalation.
• the aerosol precursor material/aerosolisable material and the flavour element typically be consumed at different rates, which may increase the complexity for a user of maintaining the aerosol provision system in a state which delivers an expected aerosol to the user.
• an aerosol provision system comprising: a first part comprising a reservoir for storing an aerosolisable material; a sensor for detecting a level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir of the first part, wherein the sensor is configured to output sensor information relating to the level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir; a vaporiser, located downstream of the reservoir, for vaporising the aerosolisable material; a second consumable part, for holding flavouring material, located downstream of the vaporiser; and control circuitry configured to process the sensor information from the sensor to determine an amount of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir, and configured to generate a signal when the amount of the aerosolisable material is determined as reaching, or falling below, a predetermined amount; wherein the signal is an indication to replace the second consumable part.
• a method of generating a signal for use with an aerosol provision system configured to generate vapour from an aerosolisable material using a vaporiser, wherein the method comprises: detecting, using a sensor, a level of aerosolisable material in a reservoir from a first part of the aerosol provision system; outputting sensor information from the sensor to control circuitry of the aerosol provision system, wherein the sensor information relates to the level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir; processing the sensor information at the control circuitry to determine an amount of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir; and generating a signal at the control circuity when the amount of the aerosolisable material is determined as reaching, or falling below, a predetermined amount, wherein the signal is an indication to replace a second consumable part, for holding flavouring material, from the aerosol provision system, wherein the second consumable part is located downstream of the vaporiser and is configured to receive the vapour generated by vaporiser.
• Figure 1 schematically shows an aerosol provision system including a reusable part; a first part comprising aerosoliable material; a second part for holding flavouring material; and a sensor, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure
• Figure 2 schematically shows an aerosol provision system including a reusable part; a first part comprising aerosoliable material; a second part for holding flavouring material; and a plurality of sensors, in accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure
• Figure 3 schematically shows an aerosol provision system including a reusable part; a first part comprising aerosoliable material; a second part for holding flavouring material; and a sensor, in accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure
• Figure 4 shows a methodology for implementing the aerosol provision system from Figures 1-3 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
• the present disclosure relates to an aerosol provision system, such as e-cigarettes, including hybrid devices.
• aerosol provision system such as e-cigarettes
• the term “e- cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with vapour provision system I device and electronic vapour provision system I device.
• vapour and “aerosol”, and related terms such as “vaporise”, “volatilise” and “aerosolise”
• Aerosol provision systems often, though not always, comprise a modular assembly including both a reusable, part and a replaceable (disposable) consumable part.
• the replaceable part will comprise the aerosol precursor material (also called aerosolisable material) and the vaporiser, while the reusable part will comprise the power supply (e.g. rechargeable battery), an activation mechanism (e.g. button or puff sensor), and control circuitry.
• the power supply e.g. rechargeable battery
• an activation mechanism e.g. button or puff sensor
• control circuitry e.g. rechargeable battery
• these different parts may also comprise further elements depending on functionality.
• the cartridge part may also comprise an additional aerosol modifying element/aerosol flavouring material, e.g. a portion of tobacco, provided as a second part or "pod".
• the element insert or flavouring material may itself be removable from the first, disposable cartridge, part so it can be replaced separately from the first, cartridge, part, for example to change flavour or because the usable lifetime of the element insert is less than the usable lifetime of the vapour generating components of the first, cartridge, part.
• the reusable device part will often also comprise additional components, such as a user interface for receiving user input and displaying operating status characteristics.
• a consumable part and control unit are mechanically (and sometimes also electrically) coupled together for use, for example using a screw thread, latching or bayonet fixing with appropriately engaging electrical contacts.
• a cartridge may be removed from the control unit and a replacement cartridge attached in its place.
• Devices conforming to this type of two-part modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-part devices or multi-part devices.
• FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view through an example aerosol provision system 1 in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.
• the aerosol provision system 1 comprises two main components, namely a reusable part 2 (sometimes referred to as a device part or aerosol provision device) and a replaceable I disposable consumable part.
• the reusable part 2 comprises components that are intended to have a longer lifetime than the consumable part.
• the reusable part 2 is intended to be used, sequentially, with multiple consumable parts.
• the consumable part comprises components that are consumed when forming an aerosol for delivery to the user during use of the aerosol provision system 1.
• the replaceable/disposable consumable part is formed of a cartridge 4 forming more generally a first part, and a removable pod 8 forming more generally a second part 8.
• the first part/cartridge 4 comprises a reservoir for storing an aerosol precursor material/aerosolisable material, which may be a fluid, and may be more specifically a liquid aerosol precursor such as an e-liquid (sometimes referred to as source liquid), which is vaporised to form an aerosol, while the second part/removable pod 8 contains a portion of tobacco or a tobacco-based product (hereinafter referred to as tobacco material 84) which is arranged to modify the aerosol generated from the e-liquid of the first part 4 (specifically, in the example arrangement of Figure 1, the aerosol generated from the e-liquid is drawn through the removable pod 8 and flavour and/or nicotine is imparted to the aerosol).
• tobacco material 84 a portion of tobacco or a tobacco-based product
• the aerosol that is delivered to the user is generated via the consumable part firstly by vaporising aerosoliable material to generate an aerosol, and secondly by passing the generated aerosol through the tobacco pod 8 to modify the aerosol, wherein it is the modified aerosol that is delivered to the user.
• the removable pod 8 is described as containing tobacco material 84, but it should be appreciated that the removable pod 8 may contain other materials which modify the properties or composition of the aerosol (herein sometimes referred to as aerosol modifying material or aerosol flavouring material), for example, other plant-based materials or liquid-soaked matrices.
• the removable pod 8 described herein contains tobacco material 84, and may sometimes be referred to a tobacco pod 8.
• the reusable part 2 and the cartridge/first part 4 are releasably coupled together at a first interface 6.
• the cartridge 4 may be removed from the reusable part 2 and a replacement cartridge 4 attached to the reusable part 2 in its place.
• the interface 6 provides a structural, electrical and air path connection between the reusable part 2 and cartridge 4 and may be established in accordance with conventional techniques, for example based around a screw thread, latch mechanism, or bayonet fixing with appropriately arranged electrical contacts and openings for establishing the electrical connection and air path between the two parts as appropriate.
• the specific manner by which the cartridge 4 mechanically mounts to the reusable part 2 is not significant to the principles described herein.
• the interface 6 in some implementations may not support an electrical connection between the cartridge 4 and the reusable part 2.
• a vaporiser may be provided in the reusable part 2 rather than in the cartridge 4, or the transfer of electrical power from the reusable part 2 to the cartridge 4 may be wireless (e.g. based on electromagnetic induction), so that an electrical connection between the reusable part 2 and the cartridge 4 is not needed.
• the cartridge/first part 4 and the tobacco pod/second part 8 are releasably coupled together at a second interface 7.
• the second interface 7 is broadly at the opposite end of the cartridge 4 to the first interface 6.
• the tobacco pod/second part 8 is able to be replaced, e.g., when the tobacco material no longer imparts flavour or nicotine to the aerosol generated from the cartridge 4.
• Providing a tobacco pod 8 which is releasably coupled to the cartridge 4 enables the tobacco pod 8 to be switched independently of the cartridge 4.
• the interface 7 provides a structural and air path connection between the cartridge 4 and tobacco pod 8. Any suitable coupling mechanism, such as any of those described above, may be used to couple the tobacco pod 8 to the cartridge 4.
• the first, cartridge, part 4 comprises a cartridge housing 42 formed of a plastics material.
• the cartridge housing 42 supports other components of the cartridge and provides the mechanical interface 6 with the reusable part 2.
• the cartridge housing 42 is generally circularly symmetric about a longitudinal axis along which the cartridge 4 couples to the reusable part 2.
• the cartridge 4 has a length of around 4 cm and a diameter of around 1.5 cm.
• a reservoir 44 that, in the described example, contains a liquid aerosol precursor material.
• the liquid aerosol precursor material may be conventional, and may be referred to as e-liquid.
• the source liquid may contain nicotine and/or other active ingredients, and/or a one or more flavours.
• flavour and “flavourant” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers.
• the source liquid may contain no nicotine.
• the cartridge 4 described above comprises a liquid aerosol precursor material, in other implementations, the aerosol precursor material may be a solid or a gel.
• the liquid reservoir 44 in this example has an annular shape with an outer wall defined by the cartridge housing 42 and an inner wall that defines an air path 52 through the cartridge 4.
• the reservoir 44 is closed at each end with end walls 44A;44B to contain the source liquid.
• the reservoir 44 may be formed in accordance with conventional techniques, for example it may comprise a plastics material and be integrally moulded with the cartridge housing 42.
• the cartridge 4 further comprises a vaporiser 48 configured to vaporise the source liquid, and which is located downstream of the reservoir 44.
• the vaporiser in the example of Figure 1 comprises a heater 48 which is provided in conjunction with a wick 46 located towards an end of the reservoir 44.
• the wick 46 extends transversely across the cartridge air path 52 with its ends extending into the reservoir 44 of e-liquid through openings in the inner wall of the reservoir 44.
• the openings in the inner wall of the reservoir are sized to broadly match the dimensions of the wick 46 to provide a reasonable seal against leakage from the liquid reservoir into the cartridge air path without unduly compressing the wick, which may be detrimental to its fluid transfer performance.
• the wick 46 and heater 48 are arranged in the cartridge air path 52 such that a region of the cartridge air path 52 around the wick 46 and heater 48 in effect defines a vaporisation region for the cartridge 4.
• E-liquid in the reservoir 44 infiltrates the wick 46 through the ends of the wick extending into the reservoir 44 and is drawn along the wick by surface tension I capillary action (i.e. wicking).
• the heater 48 in this example comprises an electrically resistive wire coiled around the wick 46. In use electrical power may be supplied to the heater 48 to vaporise an amount of e-liquid (vapour precursor material) drawn to the vicinity of the heater 48 by the wick 46.
• the heater 48 comprises a nickel chrome alloy (Cr20Ni80) wire and the wick 46 comprises a glass fibre bundle, but it will be appreciated the specific vaporiser configuration is not significant to the principles described herein. Indeed, in other implementations, alternative vaporisers (e.g., a vibrating mesh, LED heaters, etc.) may be used within the first part/cartridge 4.
• alternative vaporisers e.g., a vibrating mesh, LED heaters, etc.
• the specific type of vaporiser will be selected based on a number of criteria, including the type of aerosol precursor material to be vaporised.
• a cartridge which includes a vaporiser is sometimes referred to as a “cartomiser”.
• the rate at which e-liquid is vaporised by the vaporiser (heater) 48 will depend on the amount (level) of power supplied to the heater 48 during use.
• electrical power can be applied to the heater 48 to selectively generate vapour from the e-liquid in the first part/cartridge 4, and furthermore, the rate of vapour generation can be changed by changing the amount of power supplied to the heater 48, for example through pulse width and/or frequency modulation techniques.
• the tobacco pod/second part 8 in this example is coupled to an end of the first part/cartridge 4 opposite the interface 6, and is effectively located downstream of the vaporiser 48.
• the tobacco pod 8 comprises a pod housing 82 and tobacco material 84 contained within the pod housing 82.
• the tobacco pod housing 82 is formed from a plastics material.
• the cartridge 4 may include a recessed feature at the interface 7 into which a part of the tobacco pod 8 is inserted and held by friction fit, or alternatively the tobacco pod housing 82 may include engagement features for coupling to the cartridge 4 via interface 7 (and equally the cartridge 4 is provided with corresponding engagement features for coupling to the tobacco pod housing 82). It should be appreciated that the tobacco pod 8 is directly coupled to cartridge 4 but is indirectly coupled to the reusable part 2 via cartridge 4.
• the housing 82 is formed so as to define an inner volume in which the tobacco material 84 can be housed.
• the housing 82 comprises an inlet 86 in a wall of the housing 82 which fluidly communicates with the air path 52 of the cartridge 4 when the tobacco pod 8 is coupled to the cartridge 4 via interface 7, and an outlet 50 positioned opposite the inlet 86.
• Air that flows along air path 52 (and in which the vaporised source liquid is entrained) passes into the inner volume of the tobacco pod 8 and interacts with the tobacco material 84.
• the tobacco material 84 may impart some flavouring and/or nicotine to the aerosol that enters via inlet 86, and subsequently modifies the composition of the aerosol.
• the modified aerosol is delivered to the user via outlet 50.
• the outlet 50 may be referred to as a mouthpiece outlet 50.
• the shape and dimensions of the tobacco pod 8 are set such that the housing 82 is broadly flush with the housing 42 when the tobacco pod 8 and cartridge 4 are engaged.
• the housing 82 of the tobacco pod 8 is shaped for an ergonomic fit with a typical user’s mouth, although in other implementations as separate mouthpiece element may be provided which couples to the tobacco pod 8 and/or the cartridge 4.
• the reusable part 2 comprises an outer housing 12 with an opening that defines an air inlet 28 for the aerosol provision system 1 , a battery 26 for providing operating power for the aerosol provision system 1, a controller (or sometimes referred to as control circuitry) 20 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the aerosol provision system 1 , a first user input button 14, and a second user input button 24.
• the reusable part 2 additionally includes an inhalation sensor (puff detector) 16, which in this example comprises a pressure sensor located in a pressure sensor chamber 18.
• the pressure sensor is and pressure sensor chamber 18 may not be present in other implementations.
• the outer housing 12 may be formed, for example, from a plastics or metallic material and in this example has a circular cross-section generally conforming to the shape and size of the cartridge 4 so as to provide a smooth transition between the two parts at the interface 6.
• the reusable part has a length of around 8 cm so the overall length of the e- cigarette when the cartridge part and reusable part are coupled together is around 12 cm.
• the overall shape and scale of an electronic cigarette implementing an embodiment of the disclosure is not significant to the principles described herein.
• the air inlet 28 connects to an air path 30 through the reusable part 2.
• the reusable part air path 30 in turn connects to the cartridge air path 52 across the interface 6 when the reusable part 2 and cartridge 4 are connected together.
• the pressure sensor chamber 18 containing the pressure sensor 16 is in fluid communication with the air path 30 in the reusable part 2 (i.e. the pressure sensor chamber 18 branches off from the air path 30 in the reusable part 2).
• the battery 26 in this example is rechargeable and may be of a conventional type, for example of the kind normally used in aerosol provision systems and other applications requiring provision of relatively high currents over relatively short periods.
• the battery 26 may be recharged through a charging connector in the reusable part housing 12, for example a USB connector.
• the battery 26 may be, for example, a lithium ion battery.
• the user input button 14 in this example is a mechanical button, for example comprising a spring mounted component which may be pressed by a user to establish an electrical contact.
• the input button 14 may be considered to provide a manual input mechanism for the reusable part 2, but the specific manner in which the button is implemented is not significant.
• different forms of mechanical button or touch-sensitive button e.g. based on capacitive or optical sensing techniques may be used in other implementations.
• the specific manner in which the button is implemented may, for example, be selected having regard to a desired aesthetic appearance.
• the user input button 14 in the example of Figure 1 provides the function of turning the device on and off.
• power from the battery 26 is provided to the control circuitry 20 and any other components of the reusable part 2 as required, but aerosol generation is not enabled. Rather, the device is in standby with respect to aerosol generation.
• the pressure sensor 16 and control circuitry 20 are provided with power sufficient to enable a detection of a change in pressure (signifying a user inhalation).
• the control circuitry 20 is configured to supply power to the heater 48 to cause the source liquid to be vaporised.
• aerosol generation activation mechanisms are known, and devices employing such mechanisms are generally referred to as “puff actuated” devices.
• aerosol generation may be initiated via a user input button.
• the user input button 14 may provide the dual functionality of turning the device on and off, and enabling aerosol generation.
• the user input button 14 may be depressed for a first time period (e.g., 1 second) to turn the device on or off, and when the device is in the on state, the user input button 14 may be held down (depressed) for a second time period greater than the first time period to supply power to the heater 48.
• a first time period e.g. 1 second
• the user input button 14 may be held down (depressed) for a second time period greater than the first time period to supply power to the heater 48.
• the button When the button is in the depressed state, the user can inhale at the mouthpiece opening 50 to inhale generated aerosol.
• Such aerosol generation activation mechanisms are known, and devices employing such mechanisms are generally referred to as “button actuated” devices.
• the control circuitry 20 is suitably configured I programmed to control the operation of the aerosol provision system 1 to provide functionality in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure as described further herein, as well as for providing conventional operating functions of the aerosol provision system in line with the established techniques for controlling such systems.
• the control circuitry 20 may be considered to logically comprise various sub-units I circuitry elements associated with different aspects of the aerosol provision system's operation and may be implemented by provision of a (micro)controller, processor, ASIC or similar form of control chip.
• the control circuitry 20 may be arranged to control any functionality associated with the system 1.
• the functionality may include the charging or re-charging of the battery 26, the discharging of the battery 26 (i.e.
• control circuitry 20 for providing power to the heater 48), in addition to other functionality such as controlling visual indicators (e.g., LEDs) I displays, communication functionality for communicating with external devices, etc.
• the control circuitry 20 may be mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB). Note also that the functionality provided by the control circuitry 20 may be split across multiple circuit boards and I or across components which are not mounted to a PCB, and these additional components and I or PCBs can be located as appropriate within the aerosol provision device. For example, functionality of the control circuit 20 for controlling the (re)charging functionality of the battery 26 may be provided separately (e.g. on a different PCB) from the functionality for controlling the discharge of the battery 26.
• the aerosol provision system 1 is also provided with a sensor 70 for detecting a level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44 of the cartridge/first part 4.
• the sensor 70 is configured to output sensor information relating to the level of the aerosolisable material, such as a source liquid, in the reservoir 44.
• the sensor 70 may comprise one or more sensors that are operable to detect the level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44.
• the sensor may comprise an optical sensor.
• the optical sensor may comprise a optical emitter configured to output a light source (e.g. visible light, infra-red light, and/or ultra-violet light) directed towards the surface of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44, which is then detected by a corresponding optical receiver from the optical sensor 70.
• a light source e.g. visible light, infra-red light, and/or ultra-violet light
• the senor 70 can output sensor information which effectively relates to the level of the aerosolisable material, such as a source liquid, currently in the reservoir 44.
• the sensor 70 in accordance with some embodiments may equally comprise an acoustic sensor.
• the acoustic sensor may comprise an audio emitter, or speaker, configured to output an audio source directed towards the surface of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44, which is then detected by a corresponding audio receiver, or microphone, from the acoustic sensor 70.
• the sensor 70 can output sensor information which effectively relates to the level of the aerosolisable material, such as a source liquid, currently in the reservoir 44.
• the senor 70 may alternatively/additionally comprise at least one of a capacitive sensor, resistive sensor, and/or an inductive sensor for respectively outputting a capacitance/resistance/impedance value related to the level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44. In that respect, any such capacitance/resistance/impedance value will be impacted by the relative amount of aerosolisable material to air that is present in the reservoir 44.
• each sensor(s) 70 may be provided to allow the level of liquid inside the reservoir to be accurately determined, and such to allow sensor information to be output therefrom which effectively relates to the remaining level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44.
• the exact position of each sensor(s) 70 will depend on the type of sensor 70 used to detect the level of aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44.
• each sensor may be located for instance in, or on a wall of, the reservoir 44, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1 for instance, where the sensor 70 is shown as located on the outer wall of the reservoir 44.
• the senor 70 may at least partially cover an opening from a wall of the reservoir 44 for delivering the aerosolisable material from the reservoir 44 to the vaporiser 48.
• This wall in accordance with some very particular embodiments, may be the inner wall of the reservoir 44.
• a plurality of sensors 70a;70b...70n located on a wall of the reservoir 44, such as for instance distributed along a length of the reservoir 44 which extends between the two end walls 44A;44B.
• sensors 70a;70b...70n located on a wall of the reservoir 44, such as for instance distributed along a length of the reservoir 44 which extends between the two end walls 44A;44B.
• Figure 2 Such an embodiment is shown in Figure 2. With the provision of more sensors 70, this may serve to further increase the effectiveness of the sensors to output accurate sensor information relating to the level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44.
• any of the provided sensor(s) 70;70a;70b...70n may be for instance any of the sensors described herein, such as an optical sensor; an acoustic sensor; a capacitive sensor; a resistive sensor; and/or an inductive sensor as required, and/or any other sensor(s) capable of outputting sensor information relating to the level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44.
• each sensor 70 is configured to output sensor information relating to the remaining level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44.
• the output sensor information is configured to be output to control circuitry 20 of the aerosol provision system
• a wired connection is provided between the sensor(s) 70 and the control circuitry 20, and which extends across the interface 6 between the first part 4 and the reusable part
• the senor 70 is shown as located in the first part 4. In accordance with other embodiments however, the reusable part
• each sensor 70 in accordance with these embodiments may, for instance, be located at the interface 6 between the first part 4 and the reusable part 2. In this way, each sensor 70 is still proximal enough the first part 4 to detect the level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44.
• the first part 4 may comprise a window 72 for allowing light from the sensor 70 to enter and exit the fluid reservoir 44, wherein the window 72 faces the reusable part 2, and wherein the window is located adjacent the sensor 70.
• a window 72 for allowing light from the sensor 70 to enter and exit the fluid reservoir 44, wherein the window 72 faces the reusable part 2, and wherein the window is located adjacent the sensor 70.
• Figure 3 By locating the sensor(s) 70 in the reusable part 2, this obviates the need for a sensor 70 to be provided in each first part 4, noting this first part 4 may be a consumable first part 4.
• each sensor 70 is configured to output sensor information relating to the level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44.
• the control circuitry 20 is configured to process the sensor information from the sensor(s) 70 to determine an amount of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44, and is configured to generate a signal when the amount of the aerosolisable material is determined as reaching, or falling below, a predetermined amount.
• the generated signal may be an indication to replace the second consumable part 8.
• the quantity of aerosolisable material provided in the first part 4 is carefully selected, primarily with a view to decreasing the cost of goods as much as reasonably possible having regard to certain regulations.
• the quantity of flavouring material 84 in the second part 8 is selected based on similar considerations. In that regard as well, it has been found that the second part 8 generally requires replacement more frequently than the first part 4 in order to provide a satisfactory aerosol to the user.
• a predetermined number of second parts 8 may end up being entirely consumed before a first part 4 with a reservoir 44 full of aerosolisable material is entirely consumed. In accordance with some embodiments, this predetermined number may be 2, 3, 4 or 5.
• the generated signal may be an indication to replace the second consumable part 8 when the amount of the aerosolisable material from the reservoir 44 is determined as reaching, or falling below, a predetermined amount.
• the predetermined amount corresponds to the reservoir 44 from the first part 4 being at least one of 3/4; 2/3; 1/2; 1/3; or 1/4 full with aerosolisable material.
• these fractions may depend on the predetermined number of second parts 8 which may be consumed before a first part 4 with a reservoir 44 full of aerosolisable material is entirely consumed, (e.g. the 3/4 full fraction corresponding to four second parts 8 being consumed for every single entire consumption of the first part 4).
• the signal may be at least one of: an optical signal, an acoustic signal, and a haptic signal, which can be used to provide an indication to the user that the second part 8 requires changing.
• the aerosol provision system 1 may further comprise any one or combination of an optic element (such as an LED), an acoustic element (such as a speaker) and a haptic feedback element (such as a vibrator).
• an optic element such as an LED
• an acoustic element such as a speaker
• a haptic feedback element such as a vibrator
• the predetermined amount may be a first predetermined amount
• the signal may be a first signal
• the control circuitry 20 may be further configured to generate a second signal when the amount of the aerosolisable material is determined as reaching, or falling below, a second predetermined amount, wherein the second predetermined amount is less than the first predetermined amount.
• the second signal facilitates the aerosol provision system 1 to be able to react to another second part 8 being nominally consumed after an earlier second part 8 has been consumed, and/or to react to the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44 reaching, or falling below, a low/empty amount.
• the second signal may be a second indication to replace the second consumable part (again).
• the second predetermined amount may correspond to the reservoir 44 being at least one of 1/2 or 1/3 full with aerosolisable material (which might be in respective embodiments where four or three second parts 8 are consumed for every single entire consumption of the first part 4).
• Any such second signal to replace the second consumable part 8 may, if required, also be to at least one of: an optical signal, an acoustic signal, and a haptic signal, which can be used to provide an indication to the user that the second part 8 requires changing.
• the second signal may be a command to disable the operation of the aerosol provision system 1 and/or the vaporiser 48.
• the operation of the aerosol provision system 1 and/or the vaporiser 48 may be then be disabled until the control circuitry 20 determines (from the sensor information from the sensor 70) an amount of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir as reaching, or exceeding, a predetermined minimum amount, and/or determines that the reservoir 44 is full with aerosolisable material.
• control circuitry 20 may be further configured to generate a third signal when the amount of the aerosolisable material is determined as reaching, or falling below, a third predetermined amount, wherein the third predetermined amount is less than the second predetermined amount.
• the third signal may comprise a command to (such as yet again, or for a third time) replace the second consumable part 8, and/or to disable the operation of the vaporiser.
• the method 400 initially comprises detecting, using the sensor(s) 70;70a;70b...70n, a level of aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44 from the first part 4 of the aerosol provision system 1 (step 402).
• Sensor information is then output from the sensor(s) 70 to the control circuitry 20 of the aerosol provision system 1, wherein the sensor information relates to the level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44 (step 404).
• the sensor information is then processed at the control circuitry 20 to determine an amount of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44 (step 406). It will be appreciated that such processing of the sensor information may further utilise additional information relating to the physical dimensions of the reservoir 44, and/or additional information relating to the position of each sensor 70 in the reservoir 70, to determine the amount of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44. In accordance with some embodiments, such additional information relating to the physical dimensions of the reservoir 44, and/or the position of each sensor 70 in the reservoir 70, may be pre-stored in a memory of the control circuitry 20, or appreciably in some embodiments the additional information may be output from the sensor 70, alongside the sensor information.
• control circuitry 20 is then configured to generate a signal to replace the second consumable part 8 when the amount of the aerosolisable material is determined as reaching, or falling below, a predetermined amount (step 408).
• the predetermined amount may correspond to the reservoir 44 from the first part being at least one of 3/4; 2/3; 1/2; 1/3; or 1/4 full with aerosolisable material.
• these fractions may depend on the predetermined number of second parts 8 which may be consumed before a first part 4 with a reservoir 44 full of aerosolisable material is entirely consumed, (e.g. the 3/4 full fraction corresponding to four second parts 8 being consumed for every single entire consumption of the first part 4).
• the aerosol provision system detects the level of aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44 using a sensor(s) 70 to ultimately provide an accurate indication as to the remaining amount of aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44.
• a sensor(s) 70 to ultimately provide an accurate indication as to the remaining amount of aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44.
• Such estimation techniques noting they are only an estimate, may therefore be less accurate in their indication as to how much aerosoliable material has actually been consumed, which in the context of an aerosol provision system can be important.
• an aerosol provision system comprising: a first part comprising a reservoir for storing an aerosolisable material; a sensor for detecting a level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir of the first part, wherein the sensor is configured to output sensor information relating to the level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir; a vaporiser, located downstream of the reservoir, for vaporising the aerosolisable material; a second consumable part, for holding flavouring material, located downstream of the vaporiser; and control circuitry configured to process the sensor information from the sensor to determine an amount of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir, and configured to generate a signal when the amount of the aerosolisable material is determined as reaching, or falling below, a predetermined amount; wherein the signal is an indication to replace the second consumable part.
• a method of generating a signal for use with an aerosol provision system configured to generate vapour from an aerosolisable material using a vaporiser, wherein the method comprises: detecting, using a sensor, a level of aerosolisable material in a reservoir from a first part of the aerosol provision system; outputting sensor information from the sensor to control circuitry of the aerosol provision system, wherein the sensor information relates to the level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir; processing the sensor information at the control circuitry to determine an amount of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir; and generating a signal at the control circuity when the amount of the aerosolisable material is determined as reaching, or falling below, a predetermined amount, wherein the signal is an indication to replace a second consumable part, for holding flavouring material, from the aerosol provision system, wherein the second consumable part is located downstream of the vaporiser and is configured to receive the vapour generated by vaporiser.
• an aerosol provision system 1 comprising a first part 4 comprising a reservoir 44 for storing an aerosolisable material, and a sensor 70 for detecting a level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44.
• the sensor 70 is configured to output sensor information relating to the level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44.
• the aerosol provision system further comprises a vaporiser 48 for vaporising the aerosolisable material; and a second consumable part 8, for holding flavouring material, located downstream of the vaporiser 48.
• the aerosol provision system 1 is configured to process the sensor information to determine an amount of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44, and generate a signal to replace the second consumable part 8 when the amount of the aerosolisable material is determined as reaching, or falling below, a predetermined amount.
• the first part 4 may be integrated with the reusable part 2.
• the cartridge housing 42 of the first part 4 may in some embodiments be formed in conjunction with, or is the same as, the outer housing 12 of reusable part 2.
• the reservoir 44 may be refilled with aerosolisable material when the reservoir 44 is depleted, for example via a closable opening into reservoir 44.
• the signal from the control circuitry 20 may indicate to the user that reservoir 44 is, or is nearly, depleted and requires refilling.
• the aerosol provision system 1 may further comprise an orientation sensor 74 for determining the orientation of the first part 4, and hence the orientation of the level of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44.
• an orientation sensor 74 in accordance with a particular embodiment for instance, may comprise one or more accelerometers. With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, the orientation sensor 74 is shown as located in the reusable part 2, though as noted above any such orientation sensor 74 may be located as appropriate anywhere in the aerosol provision system 1.
• the orientation sensor 74 would be configured to output orientation sensor information, to the control circuitry 20, relating to the orientation of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir 44. In that way, the control circuitry 20 would be then configured to process the sensor information from each sensor 70, and the orientation sensor information from the orientation sensor 74, to determine an amount of the aerosolisable material in the reservoir.
• the presence of any such orientation sensor 74 is not expressly essential, noting the orientation of the liquid insider the reservoir 44 may additionally/alternatively be determined by positioning an appropriate number of sensors 70 inside the reservoir 44 as required, which can detect the orientation of liquid inside the reservoir 44 at any required angle/orientation.

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• 2020
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• 2021
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