Patent Application
20240398034
The present invention relates to an aerosol delivery device that may form part of an aerosol delivery system including the device and an aerosol-forming article.
The smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally thought that a significant amount of the potentially harmful substances are generated through the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion of the tobacco and the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself.
Conventional combustible smoking articles, such as cigarettes, typically comprise a cylindrical rod of tobacco comprising shreds of tobacco which is surrounded by a wrapper, and usually also a cylindrical filter axially aligned in an abutting relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod. The filter typically comprises a filtration material which is circumscribed by a plug wrap. The wrapped tobacco rod and the filter are joined together by a wrapped band of tipping paper that circumscribes the entire length of the filter and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod. A conventional cigarette of this type is used by lighting the end opposite to the filter, and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker receives mainstream smoke into their mouth by drawing on the mouth end or filter end of the cigarette.
Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products. There have been proposed various aerosol delivery systems (or “substitute smoking systems”) in order to avoid the smoking of tobacco.
Such aerosol delivery systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine.
Aerosol delivery systems include electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol (also referred to as a “vapour”) that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or flavourings without, or with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.
In general, aerosol delivery systems are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and with combustible tobacco products. Some aerosol delivery systems (or smoking substitute systems) use aerosol-forming articles (also referred to as a “consumables”) that are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end.
The use of aerosol delivery systems has grown rapidly in the past few years as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit tobacco smoking.
There are a number of different categories of aerosol delivery systems, each utilizing a different aerosol delivery approach.
One approach for an aerosol delivery system is the so-called Heated Tobacco (“HT”) approach in which tobacco (rather than an “e-liquid”) is heated or warmed to release vapour. HT is also known as “heat not burn” (“HNB”). The tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco. The vapour may contain nicotine and/or flavourings. In the HT approach the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. the tobacco does not undergo combustion.
A typical HT aerosol delivery system may include a device and a consumable. The consumable may include the tobacco material. The device and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating element of the device, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes components in the tobacco material to be released as vapour. A vapour may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.
As the vapour passes through the consumable (entrained in the airflow) from the location of vaporisation to an outlet of the consumable (e.g. a mouthpiece), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user. The aerosol will normally contain the volatile compounds.
In HT aerosol delivery systems, heating as opposed to burning the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking. Consequently, the HT approach may reduce the odour and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.
An alternative to HT aerosol delivery systems is the so-called “vaping” approach, in which a vaporisable liquid, typically referred to (and referred to herein) as “e-liquid”, is heated by a heating element to produce an aerosol/vapour which is inhaled by a user. The e-liquid typically includes a base liquid as well as nicotine and/or flavourings. The resulting vapour therefore also typically contains nicotine and/or flavourings. The base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine.
A typical vaping aerosol delivery system includes a mouthpiece, a power source (typically a battery), a tank for containing e-liquid, as well as a heating element. In use, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating element, which heats the e-liquid to produce an aerosol (or “vapour”) which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.
Vaping aerosol delivery systems can be configured in a variety of ways. For example, there are “closed system” vaping aerosol delivery systems, which typically have a sealed tank and heating element. The tank is pre-filled with e-liquid and is not intended to be refilled by an end user. One subset of closed system vaping aerosol delivery systems include a device which includes the power source, wherein the device is configured to be physically and electrically coupled to a consumable including the tank and the heating element. The consumable may also be referred to as a cartomizer. In this way, when the tank of a consumable has been emptied, the consumable is disposed of. The device can be reused by connecting it to a new, replacement, consumable. Another subset of closed system vaping aerosol delivery systems are completely disposable, and intended for one-use only.
There are also “open system” vaping aerosol delivery systems which typically have a tank that is configured to be refilled by a user. In this way the system can be used multiple times.
Both types of systems typically include a heating element to generate an aerosol from an aerosol former. The heating element must be heated to a high temperature to generate an aerosol having particularly desired characteristics. The heating of the heating element requires significant power. Where such systems are powered by rechargeable power sources, the power drawn by the heater can have a significant effect on the length of time the device is able to operate before the power source needs to be recharged.
The present disclosure has been devised in the light of the above considerations.
At its most general, the present invention relates to control of the heating element of an aerosol delivery device so as to provide a period after each puff of the device in which the temperature of the heating element is lowered for a predetermined time period.
According to a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol delivery device comprising a controller operatively connected or connectable to a heating element for heating an aerosol former, the controller configured to reduce the temperature of the heating element from a first temperature to a second temperature, subsequent to the end of a puff on the device by a user, and to maintain the heating element at the second temperature for a predetermined time period.
In normal use of an aerosol delivery device, a user will typically take a number of puffs (i.e. inhales) spaced by a number of pauses (i.e. periods in which there is no inhalation). The start of each pause, immediately following the end of a puff, represents a period of time in which it is unlikely that another puff will occur. As such, although reducing the temperature of the heating element presents some risk that the heating element will not be at a suitable temperature for generating aerosol, performing the reduction of temperature in the time period following the puff may minimise that risk. In this way, the power consumption of the heating element may be reduced without detriment (or with minimal detriment) to the user experience.
Optional features will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect.
The controller may be configured to perform the temperature reduction and temperature maintenance after each puff in a series of at least two consecutive puffs. For example, the controller may be configured to reduce the temperature of the heating element from the first temperature to the second temperature (and maintain the temperature at the second temperature for a period of time) following each of first and second consecutive puffs.
The controller may be configured to reduce the temperature of the heating element from the first temperature to the second temperature immediately following the end of the puff. The time period between the end of the puff and the (i.e. start of the) reduction in temperature may be less than 3 seconds, or less than 2 second, or less than 1 second.
The predetermined time period may be between 0.5 seconds and 10 seconds, or between 0.5 second and 7 seconds. The predetermined time period maybe about 5 seconds.
The controller may be configured to control a power supply to the heating element. The reduction in temperature may be performed by restricting the power supply to the heating element (e.g. partly reducing or fully preventing the supply of power to the heating element). For example, the controller may be configured to apply pulse width modulation to the power supply to the heating element, and the reduction in temperature may be performed by reducing the duty cycle of the power supply.
The first temperature may be an aerosol generating temperature for generating an aerosol from the aerosol former that has desired characteristics (for inhalation). The first temperature may, for example, be between 330° C. and 360° C. The first temperature may be between 340° C. and 350° C., and may be about 345° C.
The second temperature may be above 50° C., or above 100° C. The second temperature may be less than 300° C., or less than 275° C., or less than 250° C., or less than 200° C., or less than 150° C., or less than 100° C. The second temperature may be below a minimum temperature for generating an aerosol from the aerosol former.
In some embodiments, the second temperature may be equal to or greater than 5° C. lower than the first temperature. The second temperature may be more than 20° C. lower than the first temperature, or more than 50° C. lower, or more than 100° C. lower.
The controller may be configured to increase the temperature of the heating element after the predetermined time period has elapsed (i.e. after maintenance of the heating element at the second temperature).
The controller may be configured to increase the temperature of the heating element to the first temperature after the predetermined time period has elapsed.
Alternatively, the controller may be configured to increase the temperature of the heating element to a third temperature after the predetermined time period has elapsed. The third temperature may be lower than the first temperature (i.e. between the first and second temperatures).
The third temperature may be lower than an aerosol generating temperature. In other words, the third temperature may not be suitable for generating an aerosol (or at least generating an aerosol having desired characteristics) from the aerosol former. Alternatively, the third temperature may be an aerosol generating temperature (but may e.g. not be an optimal temperature for generating an aerosol having desired characteristics).
The third temperature may be less than 330° C., or less than 300° C., or less than 250° C., or less than 200° C. The third temperature may be greater than 100° C., or greater than 200° C., or greater than 250° C., or greater than 300° C.
The third temperature may be referred to as a priming temperature. Thus, the third temperature may be such that the power supply is capable of heating the heating element from the third temperature to the first temperature in less than 2 seconds, or e.g. less than 1 second. In this way, the delay in temperature increase may be imperceptible to a user.
In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to increase the temperature of the heating element from the third temperature to the first temperature upon the initiation of a puff.
The device may comprise a sensor. The device may comprise a puff sensor (e.g. airflow sensor). The puff sensor may be a pressure sensor or an acoustic sensor. The puff sensor may be configured to detect a user puffing (i.e. inhaling) from the device (or from an aerosol-forming article engaged with the device). The puff sensor may be configured to produce a signal indicative of puff state. The puff sensor may be configured to produce a signal indicative of a characteristic of the puff (e.g. flow rate, length of time, etc.). The puff sensor may be configured to produce a signal indicative of the start and/or end of a puff.
Accordingly, the controller may be configured to reduce the temperature of the heating element from the first temperature to the second temperature in response to a signal from the puff sensor indicative of the end of a puff.
The device may comprise a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the heating element. Additionally or alternatively, the device (e.g. the controller) may be configured to determine the temperature of the heating element. For example, the device maybe configured to determine the temperature of the heating element based on an electrical resistance of the heating element.
Accordingly, the controller may be configured to control the temperature of the heating element based on a measured temperature from the temperature sensor or from resistance of the heating element. Reducing and/or increasing the temperature of the heating element to a particular desired temperature (e.g. first, second, or third temperature) may thus comprise altering the power supply to the heating element to reduce/increase the temperature until the measured temperature passes (e.g. exceeds or falls below) the desired temperature. To achieve this, the controller may thus compare the measured temperatures with the desired (first, second or third) temperature.
Maintaining the temperature at the second temperature may comprise maintaining the temperature within a temperature range that includes the second temperature (i.e. but having upper and lower limits that are close to the second temperature).
The device may be configured such that the predetermined time period and/or the second temperature may be adjustable by a user. In other words, the predetermined time period and/or the second temperature may be settable (e.g. user settable) parameters.
The device may comprise a memory. The memory may be e.g. non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions, which, when implemented, may cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of a method.
The memory may be configured to store one or more parameters (e.g. the predetermined time period and/or the second temperature). The controller may be configured to retrieve one or more parameters from the memory and control the heating element based on a value of the parameter. For example, the controller may be configured to retrieve a stored predetermined time period value from the memory and control the heating element so as to have a predetermined time period dictated by the stored predetermined time period value. Similarly, the controller may be configured to retrieve a stored second temperature value from the memory and control the heating element so as to have a second temperature dictated by the stored second temperature value.
The device may comprise a user interface for receipt of a user input. The controller may be configured to store and/or update a parameter value in the memory based on a user input received via the user interface. The parameter value may e.g. be representative of the predetermined time period and/or second temperature.
The device may be configured for engagement with an aerosol-forming article. For example, the device may be configured for engagement with (i.e. the article may be in the form of) a heated tobacco (HT) consumable (or heat-not-burn (HNB) consumable). In this respect, the device may be referred to as a heat-not-burn device or a heated tobacco device. In this case, the aerosol former may be carried by a substrate. The terms “heated tobacco” and “heat-not-burn” are used interchangeably herein to describe a consumable that is of the type that is heated rather than combusted (or are used interchangeably to describe a device for use with such a consumable).
The device may alternatively be a vaping device configured for engagement with a vaping consumable, such as a pod. In this case, the aerosol former may be in the form of e.g. an e-liquid contained in the tank of the consumable.
The device may comprise the heating element. The heating element may form part of a heater of the device. The heating element may be in the form of a rod that extends from a body of the device. The heating element may extend from an end of the body that is configured for engagement with the aerosol-forming article.
In other embodiments, for example, where the device is configured for engagement with a vaping consumable (e.g. pod), the heating element may form part of the consumable and the controller may be operatively connectable to the heating element via the engagement with the consumable.
The heater (and thus the heating element) may be rigidly mounted to the body of the device. The heating element may be elongate so as to define a longitudinal axis and may, for example, have a transverse profile (i.e. transverse to a longitudinal axis of the heating element) that is substantially circular (i.e. the heating element may be generally cylindrical). Alternatively, the heating element may have a transverse profile that is rectangular (i.e. the heater may be a “blade heater”). The heating element may alternatively be in the shape of a tube (i.e. the heater may be a “tube heater”). The heating element may take other forms (e.g. the heating element may have an elliptical transverse profile). The shape and/or size (e.g. diameter) of the transverse profile of the heating element may be generally consistent for the entire length (or substantially the entire length) of the heating element.
The heating element may be between 15 mm and 25 mm long, e.g. between 18 mm and 20 mm long, e.g. around 19 mm long. The heating element may have a diameter of between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, e.g. a diameter between 2 mm and 2.3 mm, e.g. a diameter of around 2.15 mm.
The heating element may be formed of ceramic. The heating element may comprise a core (e.g. a ceramic core) comprising Al203. The core of the heating element may have a diameter of 1.8 mm to 2.1 mm, e.g. between 1.9 mm and 2 mm. The heating element may comprise an outer layer (e.g. an outer ceramic layer) comprising Al2O3. The thickness of the outer layer may be between 160 μm and 220 μm, e.g. between 170 μm and 190 μm, e.g. around 180 μm. The heating element may comprise a heating track, which may extend longitudinally along the heating element. The heating track may be sandwiched between the outer layer and the core of the heating element. The heating track may comprise tungsten and/or rhenium. The heating track may have a thickness of around 20 μm.
The heating element may be in the form of an infra-red (IR) heating element and may comprise a halogen lamp.
The heating element may be located in the cavity of the device, and may extend (e.g. along a longitudinal axis) from an internal base of the cavity towards an opening of the cavity. The length of the heating element (i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the heater) may be less than the depth of the cavity. Hence, the heating element may extend for only a portion of the length of the cavity.
The heating element may be configured for insertion into an aerosol-forming article (e.g. a HT consumable) when an aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity. In that respect, a distal end (i.e. distal from a base of the heating element where it is mounted to the device) of the heating element may comprise a tapered portion, which may facilitate insertion of the heating element into the aerosol-forming article. The heating element may fully penetrate an aerosol-forming article when the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity. That is, the entire length, or substantially the entire length, of the heating element may be received in the aerosol-forming article.
The heating element may have a length that is less than, or substantially the same as, an axial length of an aerosol-forming substrate forming part of an aerosol-forming article (e.g. a HT consumable). Thus, when such an aerosol-forming article is engaged with the device, the heating element may only penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate, rather than other components of the aerosol-forming article. The heating element may penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate for substantially the entire axial length of the aerosol-forming-substrate of the aerosol-forming article. Thus, heat may be transferred from (e.g. an outer circumferential surface of) the heating element to the surrounding aerosol-forming substrate, when penetrated by the heating element. That is, heat may be transferred radially outwardly (in the case of a cylindrical heating element) or e.g. radially inwardly (in the case of a tube heater).
Where the heater is a tube heater, the heating element of the tube heater may surround at least a portion of the cavity. When the portion of the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity, the heating element may surround a portion of the aerosol-forming article (i.e. so as to heat that portion of the aerosol-forming article). In particular, the heating element may surround an aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article. When the heating element is activated, heat may be transferred radially inwardly from the inner surface of the heating element to heat the aerosol-forming substrate.
As noted above, where the device is configured for engagement with a vaping consumable (e.g. a pod), the heater may form part the consumable. In such embodiments, the device may comprise means for operatively connecting the device to the heater of the consumable. For example, the device may comprise one or more device connectors for (e.g. electrically) connecting the device to one or more corresponding heater connectors of the consumable. The connectors (i.e. of both the device and the consumable) may be in the form of electrically conductive elements (e.g. plates) that contact when the consumable is engaged with the device.
The device may comprise a power source or may be connectable to a power source (e.g. a power source separate to the device). The power source may be electrically connectable to the heater. In that respect, altering (e.g. toggling) the electrical connection of the power source to the heater may control a state of the heater. For example, toggling the electrical connection of the power source to the heater may toggle the heater between an activated state and a deactivated off state. The power source may be a power store. For example, the power source may be a battery or rechargeable battery (e.g. a lithium ion battery).
As set forth above, the device may comprise a user interface (UI). In some embodiments the UI may include input means to receive operative commands from the user. The input means of the UI may allow the user to control at least one aspect of the operation of the device. As noted above, the input means may be used by a user to adjust the predetermined time period and/or the second temperature.
In some embodiments the UI may additionally or alternatively comprise output means to convey information to the user. In some embodiments the output means may comprise a light to indicate a condition of the device (and/or the aerosol-forming article) to the user. The condition of the device (and/or aerosol-forming article) indicated to the user may comprise a condition indicative of the operation of the heater. For example, the condition may comprise whether the heater is in an off state or an on state (or e.g. when the heater is being maintained at the second temperature). In some embodiments, the UI may comprise at least one of a button, a display, a touchscreen, a switch, a light, and the like. For example, the output means may comprise one or more (e.g. two, three, four, etc.) light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) that may be located on the body of the device.
The device may comprise a wireless interface configured to communicate wirelessly (e.g. via Bluetooth (e.g. a Bluetooth low-energy connection) or WiFi) with an external device. The external device may be a mobile device. For example, the external device may be a smart phone, tablet, smart watch, or smart car. An application (e.g. app) may be installed on the external device (e.g. mobile device). The application may facilitate communication between the device and the external device via the wired or wireless connection. The device may be configured to receive instructions via the wireless interface for setting the predetermined time period and/or second temperature parameters.
The wireless or a wired interface may be configured to transfer signals between the external device and the controller of the device. In this respect, the controller may control an aspect of the device in response to a signal received from an external device. Alternatively or additionally, an external device may respond to a signal received from the device (e.g. from the controller of the device).
In a second aspect, there is provided a system (e.g. an aerosol delivery system) comprising a device according to the first aspect and an aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate, which may be at an upstream end of the aerosol-forming article. The article may be in the form of a smoking substitute article, e.g. heated tobacco (HT) consumable (also known as a heat-not-burn (HNB) consumable).
As used herein, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are intended to refer to the flow direction of the vapour/aerosol i.e. with the downstream end of the article/consumable being the mouth end or outlet where the aerosol exits the consumable for inhalation by the user. The upstream end of the article/consumable is the opposing end to the downstream end.
The aerosol-forming substrate is capable of being heated to release at least one volatile compound that can form an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be located at the upstream end of the article/consumable. The first temperature may be suitable for releasing the at least one volatile compound. The second temperature may not be suitable (i.e. may be below a suitable temperature) for releasing the at least one volatile compound.
In order to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporised/aerosolised and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled. Suitable chemical and/or physiologically active volatile compounds include the group consisting of: nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opiates and opioids, cathine and cathinone, kavalactones, mysticin, beta-carboline alkaloids, salvinorin A together with any combinations, functional equivalents to, and/or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.
The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise plant material. The plant material may comprise least one plant material selected from the list including Amaranthus dubius, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry), Argemone mexicana, Amica, Artemisia vulgaris, Yellow Tees, Galea zacatechichi, Canavalia maritima (Baybean), Cecropia mexicana (Guamura), Cestrum noctumum, Cynoglossum virginianum (wild comfrey), Cytisus scoparius, Damiana, Entada rheedii, Eschscholzia califomica (California Poppy), Fittonia albivenis, Hippobroma longiflora, Humulus japonica (Japanese Hops), Humulus lupulus (Hops), Lactuca virosa (Lettuce Opium), Laggera alata, Leonotis leonurus, Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort), Leonurus sibiricus (Honeyweed), Lobelia cardinalis, Lobelia inflata (Indian-tobacco), Lobelia siphilitica, Nepeta cataria (Catnip), Nicotiana species (Tobacco), Nymphaea alba (White Lily), Nymphaea caerulea (Blue Lily), Opium poppy, Passiflora incamata (Passionflower), Pedicularis densiflora (Indian Warrior), Pedicularis groenlandica (Elephant's Head), Salvia divinorum, Salvia dorrii (Tobacco Sage), Salvia species (Sage), Scutellaria galericulata, Scutellaria lateriflora, Scutellaria nana, Scutellaria species (Skullcap), Sida acuta (Wireweed), Sida rhombifolia, Silene capensis, Syzygium aromaticum (Clove), Tagetes lucida (Mexican Tarragon), Tarchonanthus camphoratus, Tumera diffusa (Damiana), Verbascum (Mullein), Zamia latifolia (Maconha Brava) together with any combinations, functional equivalents to, and/or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.
The plant material may be tobacco. Any type of tobacco may be used. This includes, but is not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Maryland Tobacco, dark-air cured tobacco, oriental tobacco, dark-fired tobacco, perique tobacco and rustica tobacco. This also includes blends of the above mentioned tobaccos.
The tobacco may comprise one or more of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenised tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut rag tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco (e.g. slurry recon or paper recon).
The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gathered sheet of homogenised (e.g. paper/slurry recon) tobacco or gathered shreds/strips formed from such a sheet.
The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more additives selected from humectants, flavourants, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and binders.
The flavourant may be provided in solid or liquid form. It may include menthol, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour (including e.g. citrus, cherry etc.), vanilla, spice (e.g. ginger, cinnamon) and tobacco flavour. The flavourant may be evenly dispersed throughout the aerosol-forming substrate or may be provided in isolated locations and/or varying concentrations throughout the aerosol-forming substrate.
The aerosol-forming substrate may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the article/consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. It may have a diameter of between 5 and 10 mm e.g. between 6 and 9 mm or 6 and 8 mm e.g. around 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15 mm e.g. between 11 and 14 mm such as around 12 or 13 mm.
The article/consumable may comprise at least one filter element. There may be a terminal filter element at the downstream/mouth end of the article/consumable.
The or at least one of the filter element(s) (e.g. the terminal filter element) may be comprised of cellulose acetate or polypropylene tow. The at least one filter element (e.g. the terminal filter element) may be comprised of activated charcoal. The at least one filter element (e.g. the terminal element) may be comprised of paper. The or each filter element may be at least partly (e.g. entirely) circumscribed with a plug wrap e.g. a paper plug wrap.
The terminal filter element (at the downstream end of the article/consumable) may be joined to the upstream elements forming the article/consumable by a circumscribing tipping layer e.g. a tipping paper layer. The tipping paper may have an axial length longer than the axial length of the terminal filter element such that the tipping paper completely circumscribes the terminal filter element plus the wrapping layer surrounding any adjacent upstream element.
In some embodiments, the article/consumable may comprise an aerosol-cooling element which is adapted to cool the aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate (by heat exchange) before being inhaled by the user.
The article/consumable may comprise a spacer element that defines a space or cavity between the aerosol-forming substrate and the downstream end of the consumable. The spacer element may comprise a cardboard tube. The spacer element may be circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer.
In some embodiments the system may be in the form of a vaping system (i.e. rather than a heated tobacco system as described above). In such a system, the aerosol-forming article (i.e. consumable) may be in the form of a vaping consumable. The vaping system may be configured such that the consumable can be received and retained in the cavity of the device (i.e. so as to be engaged with the device). The consumable may be retained by way of e.g. an interference fit, screwing one onto (or onto) the other, a bayonet fitting, or by way of a snap engagement mechanism.
The consumable may comprise a tank, which may define a reservoir for the storage of an aerosol former. The aerosol former may be in the form of an e-liquid (stored in the reservoir).
The consumable may be a “single-use” consumable. That is, upon exhausting the e-liquid in the tank, the intention may be that the user disposes of the entire consumable. Alternatively, the e-liquid may be the only part of the system that is truly “single-use”. For example, the tank may be refillable with e-liquid or another component of the system (internal to the device or external to the device e.g. a refillable cartomizer) may define a reservoir for the e-liquid.
As set forth above, the consumable may comprise a heater (i.e. instead of the heater forming part of the device) configured to heat and vaporise the e-liquid. The consumable may comprise a porous wick that conveys e-liquid from the tank to a heating element of the heater. The heating element may be a heating filament that is wound (e.g. helically) around at least a portion of the porous wick, such that when the heating element is heated (e.g. by the action of electrical current passing through the heating element), heat may be transferred from the heating element to the e-liquid conveyed by the wick. This transfer of heat may vaporise the e-liquid and the resultant vapour may be entrained in an airflow passing through the consumable.
The consumable may further comprise one or more heater connectors for connecting the heater (of the consumable) to the device. The heater connectors may be in the form of electrically conductive element or contacts (e.g. metal plates) and may be disposed on an in-use device-facing surface of the consumable. The heater connectors may be electrically connected to the heater of the consumable, such that electricity supplied via the heater connectors may pass to the heater. In other words, a voltage applied across the heater connectors may generally correspond to a voltage applied across the heating element of the heater.
The heater connectors may be arranged such that they contact corresponding device connectors of the device when the consumable is engaged with the device. Thus, electricity may be supplied from the power source to the heating element, via in-contact heater and device connectors. In this way, the heater forming part of the consumable may operate (and interact with e.g. a controller) as otherwise described above with respect to a heater forming part of the device.
According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of controlling a heating element of an aerosol delivery device, the method comprising reducing the temperature of the heating element from a first temperature to a second temperature, subsequent to the end of a puff on the device by a user, and maintaining the heating element at the second temperature for a predetermined time period.
The method may comprise repeating the temperature reduction and temperature maintenance following each puff in a series of at least two puffs. The method may comprise repeating the temperature reduction and temperature maintenance for each puff in a heating session. A heating session may be defined as the time between activation of the heating element (e.g. by a user) and deactivation of the heating element (e.g. by a user or a controller of the device).
The method may comprise reducing the temperature of the heating element immediately following the puff. The time period between the end of the puff and the (i.e. start of) the reduction in temperature may be less than 3 seconds, or less than 2 second, or less than 1 second.
The predetermined time period may be as described above with respect to the first aspect. The first and second temperatures may be as described above with respect to the first aspect.
The method may comprise increasing the temperature of the heater after the predetermined time period has elapsed (i.e. after maintenance of the heater at the second temperature).
The method may comprise increasing the temperature of the heater to the first temperature after the predetermined time period has elapsed.
The method may comprise increasing the temperature of the heater to a third temperature after the predetermined time period has elapsed. The third temperature may be as described above with respect to the first aspect.
The method may comprise increasing the temperature of the heater from the third temperature to the first temperature upon initiation of a puff.
According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of using the system according to the second aspect, the method comprising inserting the aerosol-forming article into the device; and heating the article using the heater of the device.
In some embodiments the method may comprise inserting the article into a cavity within a body of the device and penetrating the article with the heating element of the device upon insertion of the article.
The invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.
The skilled person will appreciate that except where mutually exclusive, a feature or parameter described in relation to any one of the above aspects may be applied to any other aspect. Furthermore, except where mutually exclusive, any feature or parameter described herein may be applied to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature or parameter described herein.
So that the invention may be understood, and so that further aspects and features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.
In the illustrated system (which may, for example, be a vaping system) the heater 104 forms part of the consumable 102 and is configured to heat the aerosol former 103. The heater 104 is electrically connectable to the power source 105, for example, when the consumable 102 is engaged with the device 101. Heat from the heater 104 vaporises the aerosol former 103 to produce a vapour. The vapour subsequently condenses to form an aerosol, which is ultimately inhaled by the user.
The system 100 further comprises a power source 105 that forms part of the device 101. In other embodiments the power source 105 may be external to (but connectable to) the device 101. The power source 105 is electrically connectable to the heater 104 such that it is able to supply power to the heater 104 (i.e. for the purpose of heating the aerosol former 103). Thus, control of the electrical connection of the power source 105 to the heater 104 provides control of the state of the heater 104. The power source 105 may be a power store, for example a battery or rechargeable battery (e.g. a lithium ion battery).
The system 100 further comprises an I/O module comprising a connector 106 (e.g. in the form of a USB port, Micro USB port, USB-C port, etc.). The connector 106 is configured for connection to an external source of electrical power, e.g. a mains electrical supply outlet. The connector 106 may be used in substitution for the power source 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 embodiments, the device may not include a power source, and the power source of the system may instead comprise the connector 106 and an external source of electrical power (to which the connector 106 provides electrical connection).
In some embodiments, the connector 106 may be used to charge and recharge the power source 105 where the power source 105 includes a rechargeable battery.
The system 100 also comprises a user interface (UI) 107. Although not shown, the UI 107 may include input means to receive commands from a user. The input means of the UI 107 allows the user to control at least one aspect of the operation of the system 100. The input means may, for example, be in the form of a button, touchscreen, switch, microphone, etc.
The UI 107 also comprises output means to convey information to the user. The output means may, for example, comprise lights (e.g. LEDs), a display screen, speaker, vibration generator, etc.
The system 100 further comprises a controller 108 that is configured to control at least one function of the device 101. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 108 is a component of the device 101, but in other embodiments may be separate from (but connectable to) the device 101. The controller 108 is configured to control the operation of the heater 104 and, for example, may be configured to control the voltage applied from the power source 105 to the heater 104. The controller 108 may be configured to toggle the supply of power to the heater 104 between an on state, in which the full output voltage of the power source 105 is applied to the heater 104, and an off state, in which the no voltage is applied to the heater 104.
The control of the heater 104 by the controller 108 will be described in further detail below with respect to
Although not shown, the system 100 may also comprise a voltage regulator to regulate the output voltage from the power source 105 to form a regulated voltage. The regulated voltage may then be applied to the heater 104.
In addition to being connected to the heater 104, the controller 108 is operatively connected to the UI 107. Thus, the controller 108 may receive an input signal from the input means of the UI 107. Similarly, the controller 108 may transmit output signals to the UI 107. In response, the output means of the UI 107 may convey information, based on the output signals, to a user. The controller also comprises a memory 109, which is a non-volatile memory. The memory 109 includes instructions, which, when implemented, cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of a method.
The systems 100, 100′ of
The device 201 and the consumable 202 are configured such that the consumable 202 can be engaged with the device 201.
The device 201 comprises a body 209 and cap 210. In use the cap 210 is engaged at an end of the body 209. Although not apparent from the figures, the cap 210 is moveable relative to the body 209. In particular, the cap 210 is slideable and can slide along a longitudinal axis of the body 209.
The device 201 comprises an output means (forming part of the UI of the device 201) in the form of a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 211 arranged linearly along the longitudinal axis of the device 201 and on an outer surface of the body 209 of the device 201. A button 212 is also arranged on an outer surface of the body 209 of the device 201 and is axially spaced (i.e. along the longitudinal axis) from the plurality of LEDs 211.
The aerosol-forming substrate 213 is substantially cylindrical and is located at an upstream end 217 of the consumable 202, and comprises the aerosol former of the system 200. In that respect, the aerosol-forming substrate 213 is configured to be heated by the device 201 to release a vapour. The released vapour is subsequently entrained in an airflow flowing through the aerosol-forming substrate 213. The airflow is produced by the action of the user drawing on a downstream 218 (i.e. terminal or mouth) end of the consumable 202.
In the present embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate 213 comprises tobacco material that may, for example, include any suitable parts of the tobacco plant (e.g. leaves, stems, roots, bark, seeds and flowers). The tobacco may comprise one or more of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenised tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut rag tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco (e.g. slurry recon or paper recon). For example, the aerosol-forming substrate 213 may comprise a gathered sheet of homogenised (e.g. paper/slurry recon) tobacco or gathered shreds/strips formed from such a sheet.
In order to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate 213 comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporised/aerosolised and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled. The aerosol-forming substrate 213 may further comprise one or more additives. For example, such additives may be in the form of humectants (e.g. propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine), flavourants, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and/or binders.
The terminal filter element 214 is also substantially cylindrical, and is located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate 213 at the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202. The terminal filter element 214 is in the form of a hollow bore filter element having a bore 219 (e.g. for airflow) formed therethrough. The diameter of the bore 219 is 2 mm. The terminal filter element 214 is formed of a porous (e.g. monoacetate) filter material. As set forth above, the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202 (i.e. where the terminal filter 214 is located) forms a mouthpiece portion of the consumable 202 upon which the user draws. Airflow is drawn from the upstream end 217, thorough the components of the consumable 202, and out of the downstream end 218. The airflow is driven by the user drawing on the downstream end 218 (i.e. the mouthpiece portion) of the consumable 202.
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 bore filter element, such that it has a bore 220 extending axially therethrough. In this way, the upstream filter 215 may act as an airflow restrictor. The upstream filter element 215 is formed of a porous (e.g. monoacetate) filter material. The bore 220 of the upstream filter element 215 has a larger diameter (3 mm) than the terminal filter element 214.
The spacer 216 is in the form of a cardboard tube, which defines a cavity or chamber between the upstream filter element 215 and the terminal filter element 214. The spacer 216 acts to allow both cooling and mixing of the vapour/aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate 213. The spacer has an external diameter of 7 mm and an axial length of 14 mm.
Although not apparent from the figure, the aerosol-forming substrate 213, upstream filter 215 and spacer 216 are circumscribed by a paper wrapping layer. The terminal filter 214 is circumscribed by a tipping layer that also circumscribes a portion of the paper wrapping layer (so as to connect the terminal filter 214 to the remaining components of the consumable 202). The upstream filter 215 and terminal filter 214 are circumscribed by further wrapping layers in the form of plug wraps.
Returning now to the device 201,
The device 201 comprises a heater 204 comprising heating element 223. The heater 204 forms part of the body 209 of the device 201 and is rigidly mounted to the body 209. In the illustrated embodiment, the heater 204 is a rod heater with a heating element 223 having a circular transverse profile. In other embodiments the heater may be in the form of a blade heater (e.g. heating element with a rectangular transverse profile) or a tube heater (e.g. heating element with a tubular form).
The heating element 223 of the heater 204 projects from an internal base of the cavity 222 along a longitudinal axis towards the opening 221. As is apparent from the figure, the length (i.e. along the longitudinal axis) of the heating element is less than a depth of the cavity 222. In this way, the heating element 223 does not protrude from or extend beyond the opening 221.
When the consumable 202 is received in the cavity 222 (as is shown in
The device 201 further comprises an electronics cavity 224. A power source, in the form of a rechargeable battery 205 (a lithium ion battery), is located in electronics cavity 224.
The device 201 includes a connector (i.e. forming part of an IO module of the device 201) in the form of a USB port 206. The connector may alternatively be, for example, a micro-USB port or a USB-C port for examples. The USB port 206 may be used to recharge the rechargeable battery 205.
The device 201 includes a controller (not shown) located in the electronics cavity 224. The controller comprises a microprocessor mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The USB port 206 is also connected to the controller 208 (i.e. connected to the PCB and microcontroller).
The controller 208 is configured to control at least one function of the device 202. 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 accomplished by the controller toggling the electrical connection of the rechargeable battery 205 to the heater 204. The controller 208 may apply pulse width modulation to a power supply supplied to the heater 204, and may alter the power supply to the heater 204 by altering the duty cycle of the modulated power supply.
For example, the controller 208 is configured to control the heater 204 in response to a user depressing the button 212. Depressing the button 212 may cause the controller to allow a voltage (from the rechargeable battery 205) to be applied to the heater 204 (so as to cause the heating element 223 to be heated). As is also described below with respect to
The controller is also configured to control the LEDs 211 in response to (e.g. a detected) a condition of the device 201 or the consumable 202. For example, the controller may control the LEDs to indicate whether the device 201 is in an on state or an off state (e.g. one or more of the LEDs may be illuminated by the controller when the device is in an on state).
The device 201 comprises a further input means (i.e. in addition to the button 212) in the form of a puff sensor 225. The puff sensor 225 is configured to detect a user drawing (i.e. inhaling) at the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202. The puff sensor 225 may, for example, be in the form of a pressure sensor, flowmeter or a microphone. The puff sensor 225 is operatively connected to the controller 208 in the electronics cavity 224, such that a signal from the puff sensor 225, indicative of a puff state (i.e. drawing or not drawing), forms an input to the controller 208 (and can thus be responded to by the controller 208).
The device 301 and the consumable 302 (i.e. a pod) are configured such that the consumable 302 can be engaged with the device 301.
The consumable 302 includes a tank 327. The tank 327 defines a reservoir for the storage of an aerosol-former, which in this embodiment, is in the form of e-liquid.
In this present embodiment, the consumable 302 is a “single-use” consumable. That is, upon exhausting the e-liquid in the tank 327, the intention is that the user disposes of the whole consumable 302. In other embodiments, the e-liquid (i.e. aerosol former) may be the only part of the system that is truly “single-use”. In such embodiments, the tank may be refillable with 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 in the device or stored in another component that is itself not single-use (e.g. a refillable cartomizer).
In the illustrated system 300, a heater 304 is located in the consumable 302 and is configured to heat and vaporise the e-liquid (stored in the tank 327). Although not shown, the heater 304 comprises a porous wick and a resistive heating element. The porous wick conveys e-liquid from the tank 327 to the heating element. The heating element is a heating filament that is helically wound around a portion of the porous wick, such that when the heating element is heated (e.g. by the action of electrical current passing through the heating element), heat is transferred from the heating element to the e-liquid conveyed by the wick. This transfer of heat vaporises the e-liquid and the resultant vapour is entrained in an airflow passing through the consumable 302 (i.e. driven by a user drawing on a downstream end 318 of the consumable 302). Between the vaporisation point at the coil and the downstream end 318 (i.e. the mouth end), the vapour condenses into an aerosol, and is subsequently inhaled by the user.
Like the previously described embodiment, the device 301 comprises a power source in the form of a rechargeable battery (not shown) and a connector in the form of a USB port (not shown). The device 301 further comprises controller (also not shown). The rechargeable battery, connector and controller are similar (and operate in a similar manner) to the corresponding components of the embodiment described above with respect to
The consumable 302 includes a pair of heater electrical contacts 328 disposed on a device-facing end surface of the consumable 302. The heater electrical contacts 328 are electrically connected to the heater 304 in the consumable 302, such that a voltage applied across the heater electrical contacts 328 generally corresponds to a voltage applied across the resistive heating element of the heater 304.
When the consumable 302 is engaged with the device 301, the heater electrical contacts 328 are brought into electrical contact with corresponding device electrical contacts (not shown) on the device 301. The device electrical contacts are electrically connected (directly or indirectly) to the rechargeable battery. The controller may thus be configured to control the voltage applied across the device electrical contacts from the rechargeable battery. By controlling the voltage applied across the device electrical contacts, the voltage applied to the heater 304 is correspondingly controlled.
The device 301 includes an output means (forming part of the UI of the system 300) in the form of a single light-emitting diode (“LED”) 311. The LED 311 is operatively connected to the controller, such that controller can control the illumination of the LED 311. The controller is configured to illuminate the LED when then the heater 304 is active.
The device 301 also includes an input means in the form of a puff sensor (not shown). The puff sensor is the same as that described above with respect to the embodiment shown in
The method begins at block 401 with the detection of the end of a puff on the device by a user. The occurrence of the end of the puff may be determined by the end of a signal from a puff sensor indicative of the presence of a puff. In response to the detection of the end of the puff, at block 402 the method comprises reducing the heating element from a first temperature (the temperature of the heating element during the puff) to a second temperature. At block 403, the temperature is maintained for a predetermined time period and subsequently, at block 404 the temperature of the heating element is increased to a third temperature. The temperature of the heating element is maintained at the third temperature until the start of a further (subsequent) puff is detected at blog 405. In response to this detection, the temperature of the heating element is increased to the first temperature at block 406.
At time t0 the temperature of the heating element is the ambient (environmental) temperature TA (e.g. 25° C.). At t1, the user activates the device, which causes the controller to increase the temperature of the heating element to a priming temperature (or third temperature) T3, which may be approximately 250° C. This temperature T3 may be above a minimum aerosol generating temperature at which an aerosol is able to be generated from an aerosol former by the heating element. Alternatively, the priming temperature may be chosen such that the heating element is able to be heated from the priming temperature to a first temperature T1 (i.e. the temperature during a puff) within a particular time period.
At time t2 the user initiates a puff 501a (inhale) on the device, which is detected by a puff sensor of the device. In response to the detection of the start of the puff 501a, the controller controls a power supply to the heating element to increase the temperature of the heating element from the priming temperature T3 to a first temperature T1. The first temperature T1 is a temperature at which an aerosol having desired properties may be generated from the aerosol former. The first temperature T1 is maintained for the duration of the puff 501a (from time t2 to time t3).
At time t3 the end of the puff 501a is detected and, in response, the method of
At time t4, after the predetermined time period 500, the temperature of the heating element is increased again to the priming (third) temperature T3. This ensures that, when a user takes a subsequent puff 501b, the heating element is at a temperature at which it is either capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosol former, or can be heated to such a temperature within a desired time period (i.e. a time period small enough so as not to be noticeable by a user).
At time t5, the user takes a second puff 501b, which is longer than the first puff 501a. The end of this puff is detected at t6 and the method of
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.
Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.
Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “have”, “comprise”, and “include”, and variations such as “having”, “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/−10%.
The words “preferred” and “preferably” are used herein refer to embodiments of the invention that may provide certain benefits under some circumstances. It is to be appreciated, however, that other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different circumstances. The recitation of one or more preferred embodiments therefore does not mean or imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, or from the scope of the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21199098.1 | Sep 2021 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/074945 | 9/8/2022 | WO |
