Patent Application
20220369722
The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery system comprising a device for receiving an aerosol forming substrate.
Aerosol delivery systems are used widely to deliver aerosols to users. In particular, some aerosol delivery systems are used to deliver aerosols that may contain nicotine and/or other pharmacologically active substances.
Nicotine containing aerosols that are not derived from the combustion of tobacco may be delivered by aerosol delivery systems such as e-cigarettes and “heat not burn” devices (also referred to as electronic nicotine delivery systems, or “ENDS”). These systems typically contain a device part, an aerosol forming substrate and a component to convert/convey the aerosol forming substrate to the user in the form of an aerosol. Typically, the aerosol is delivered in the form of a condensation aerosol (when the aerosol forming substrate is heated). However, it is also possible to form an aerosol via other means such as via vibrational, mechanical or electrostatic means etc.
It would be desirable to provide aerosol delivery systems that are more responsive to aspects of the systems status, as well as to the desires of the user.
Accordingly, in a first aspect there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising an aerosol delivery device, the device being configured to receive an aerosol forming substrate, the device comprising an outer housing, a mouthpiece, an electrical power source, an aerosol generating component and a controller, wherein a portion of at least one of the mouthpiece and the outer housing is configured to move between respective first and second positions in response to the controller detecting a change in one or more operational parameters of the device.
In a second aspect there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising an aerosol delivery device, the device comprising an outer housing enclosing an electrical power source, wherein a portion of the outer housing is configured to be deformable such that it can be repositioned from a first position to a second position without impacting the operation of the system.
Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed/described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed/described in detail in the interests of brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of apparatus and methods discussed herein which are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.
As used herein, the terms “aerosol delivery device/system”, “vapour provision device/system”, “electronic vapour provision device/system”, “aerosol provision device/system”, “electronic aerosol provision device/system” and similar terms are intended to include non-combustible aerosol and vapour provision systems (non-combustible smoking articles) such electronic smoking articles including:
electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes that create vapour or aerosol from aerosol forming substrates by heating or other techniques such as vibration,
heating devices that release compounds from aerosol forming substrates without burning such as tobacco heating products, and
hybrid systems that provides aerosols via a combination of aerosol forming substrates, for example hybrid systems containing liquid or gel or solid substrates or combinations thereof. The term “aerosol” is intended to refer to particulate matter (solid or liquid) dispersed in gas. In the context of the term “vapour”, it is understood that an aerosol is formed via the condensation of vapour. However, unless core to the aspects being described, the terms “vapour” and “aerosol” are used interchangeably.
As used herein, “mouthpiece” generally refers to the portion of the system at which generated aerosol exits the system. It will be appreciated that in most cases a user's lips will engage with the mouthpiece during use; however, it is envisaged that in some embodiments aerosol can be ejected from the system such that inhalation of the aerosol is possible without such engagement.
In some embodiments, the aerosol or vapour delivery system is a non-combustible smoking article such as an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device. The aerosol delivery system may comprise one or more components, such as an aerosol generating component (e.g. heater, piezo system) and an aerosol forming substrate. The aerosol delivery system generally comprises a device comprising an electrical power source, and in some embodiments the system comprises a heater supplied with power from the electrical power source, an aerosol forming substrate such as a liquid or gel, an outer housing and a mouthpiece (which may be detachable from the system). The aerosol forming substrate may be contained in a substrate container comprising a mouthpiece. The substrate container may be combined with or comprise the heater (or other aerosol generating component as appropriate).
In some embodiments, the aerosol or vapour delivery system is a heating product which releases one or more compounds by heating, but not burning, an aerosol forming substrate. The aerosol forming substrate is an aerosolisable substrate material which may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the product is a tobacco heating product. The tobacco heating product generally comprises a device comprising an electrical power source and may comprise a heater supplied with power from the electrical power source, and an aerosol forming substrate such as a solid or gel material. The heating product may also comprise a filter capable of filtering the aerosol generated by heating the aerosolisable substrate.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol or vapour provision system is a hybrid system for providing an aerosol by heating, but not burning, a combination of aerosol forming substrates. The aerosol forming substrate may comprise for example solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate. The solid substrate may be, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco.
The aerosol or vapour may be produced or released from a variety of substrates in various ways depending on the nature of the device, system or product. These include heating to cause evaporation, heating to release compounds, and vibration of a liquid or gel to create droplets. The aerosol forming substrate, which may be one or more different materials within one system, may generally be referred to as an aerosol forming substrate material, an aerosolisable substrate, an aerosolisable substrate material, or similar term. The substrate material may be a solid, a liquid or a gel, and may or may not comprise or include tobacco, and may or may not produce an aerosol or vapour containing nicotine. For example, the aerosol forming substrate may comprise a vapour or aerosol generating agent or a humectant, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin or diethylene glycol.
In particular, embodiments of the disclosure are concerned with aerosol provision systems comprising two separable parts that are connected together in use, namely a device part that may be reusable and a consumable component that may be disposable or single use and which may contain aerosol forming substrate.
The aerosol delivery device 100 may contain an area 105 for receipt of an aerosol forming substrate. Where the aerosol forming substrate forms part of a detachable mouthpiece 150, said area may simply be a cavity sized so as to accommodate the mouthpiece 150 containing the aerosol forming substrate. The area 105 typically also accommodates part of the aerosol generating component 103 so as to facilitate interaction with the aerosol forming substrate.
In use, aerosol forming substrate is received within the device 100. The user then activates the aerosol generating component substantially simultaneously with drawing air through the device via the mouthpiece (which forms part of the air outlet). Upon sensing activation by the controller 101, controller 101 directs power to be supplied from the power source 102 to the aerosol generating component. This results in aerosol being entrained in the air flowing through the airflow path and thus being available for inhalation by the user.
Whilst some aerosol delivery systems may be able to react to some aspects of the system's status, e.g. when there is a “low” battery, one or more LEDs on a device may flash to alert the user, generally said systems are relatively fixed in their structural configuration. Thus, whilst notifications such as LEDs etc. may be able to convey information to the user, they do not contribute to the way in which the system is used or held by the user.
According to a first aspect, a portion of at least one of the mouthpiece 150 and the outer housing 110 is configured to move between respective first and second positions in response to the controller 101 detecting a change in one or more operational parameters of the device 100. As a result, when an operational parameter of the device 100 changes, the user is notified of the change via a physical movement of a portion of one (or both) of the mouthpiece and outer housing. This can be advantageous as the movement can result in a configuration of the device which is more related to the new operational status of the device. Although more specific embodiments will be described in more detail below, one illustrative example of this might be when the aerosol generating component 103 has reached a temperature which is outside its operating window, e.g. it is too hot, or too cool. In response to detecting such a change, controller 101 can direct movement of (for example) the mouthpiece such that it is moved to a position whereby it is no longer accessible to the user, for example, it could be retracted to a position within the outer housing 110. This would mean that the user would not only be aware that an operational parameter of the device had changed such that the device 100 was no longer suitable for use, but also that the user might be inhibited from using the device as a result of the movement of the mouthpiece. This is arguably an improved situation compared to currently practiced forms of notification, e.g. via LED flashing, since it could be that the user will not notice the flashing. By requiring physical movement, the operational status change is more noticeable. In one embodiment, the controller can be configured to direct a particular movement in response to a particular change in operational parameter.
In one embodiment, the change in operational parameter relates to the operational readiness state of the device 100. In this regard, “operational readiness state” refers to controller 101 being in a status such that upon receipt of an input from the user relating to activation of the aerosol generating component 103, controller 101 directs power to the aerosol generating component 103. Thus, controller 101 can assume states which are not representative of “operational readiness” and states which are representative of “operational readiness”. Examples of states which are not representative of “operational readiness” comprise the controller 101 being off (not being supplied with power), in a lower power mode (such as asleep or standby), or in a “locked” state (whereby activation inputs are effectively ignored by the controller 101). Examples of states which are representative of “operational readiness” comprise the controller 101 being on (being supplied with power), in a higher power mode (such as awake), or in an “unlocked” state (whereby activation inputs are acted upon by the controller 101). Further, the controller being configured to impart a particular power profile to the aerosol generating component can be considered to be an operational readiness state of the device, and thus transition between multiple power profile configurations can represent a change in the operational readiness state of the device. Thus, the transition from any one of these states to another one of these states, or to a state which is not representative of “operational readiness”, represents a change in the operational readiness state of the device. In one embodiment, the transition is from one operational readiness state to another operational readiness state. In one embodiment, the transition is from one operational readiness state to a state which is not an operational readiness state.
In a further embodiment, where controller 101 detects a change in temperature of one or more components of the device 100, controller 101 directs the movement of the mouthpiece 150 and/or the outer housing 110 from a first position to a second position. The one or more components of the device 100 may be the aerosol generating component 103 (e.g. heater), the power source 102 (e.g. battery), the mouthpiece (such as an inner surface of the airflow path through the mouthpiece), the outer housing 110 (such as an outer surface of the outer housing 110) and/or one or more electronic components within the device (e.g. the controller 101). In ease case, a defined temperature window may be deemed acceptable for operational purposes and controller 101 is configured to detect a change from inside the accepted temperature window to outside the temperature window and to direct movement based on that change. For example, the temperature window of the aerosol generating component 103 will be dependent on the type of aerosol generating component 103 and the type of aerosol forming substrate. An exemplary window would be made up of a lower temperature below vaporization of volatile components within the aerosol forming substrate does not efficiently occur, and a maximum temperature above which the aerosol forming substrate may degrade (e.g. via combustion). Exemplary windows in this regard may be 100 to 400° C., 150 to 350° C., or 200 to 350° C. With respect to the power source, suitable temperature windows can be defined based on the operational and safety considerations of the power source in question, which the skilled person is aware of. With respect to an inner surface of the airflow path, it is understood that aerosols formed via condensation can contain residual heat which some users may find uncomfortable for inhalation. Accordingly, measuring the temperature of the surfaces of the airflow path serve as a proxy for the temperature of the aerosol. Of course, the temperature of the aerosol could be directly measured and it is considered that the temperature of the aerosol would be an “operational parameter” of the device. Exemplary temperature windows can be selected based on the desires of the user, and could be programmed into the controller 101. With respect to exemplary temperature windows for the outer surface of the outer housing 110 and/or one or more electronic components within the device (e.g. the controller 101), the skilled person is able to select these based on considerations such as safe operating temperatures of the electronics and temperatures above which holding the outer housing 110 in the hand of the user may become uncomfortable. Temperature can be monitored in a number of ways, depending on the component to be monitored. For example, electronic temperature sensors could be used to monitor the temperature of specific components. Additionally, or alternatively, where a material's resistance is dependent on its temperature, it may be possible to infer the temperature of the component based on its resistance when current is passed through it. The person skilled in the art is aware of suitable electronics and associated software to monitor the resistance of a component and infer its temperature based on changes in its resistance. Such an approach may be particularly useful in the context of measuring the temperature of heaters used as the aerosol generating component.
In a further embodiment, where controller 101 detects a change in the power status of the electrical power source, controller 101 directs the movement of the mouthpiece 150 and/or the outer housing 110 from a first position to a second position. The power status of the electrical power source includes the voltage state of the power source, the age of the power source, and/or the number of charge cycles experienced by the power source. Thus, it will be appreciated that the power status of the power source (e.g. battery) may change from being within an acceptable operating window to outside of that window. For example, the voltage of the battery may drop below an acceptable level, the power source may have been in use for a longer than desired period of time, and/or the number of re-charge/discharge cycles may be such that performance of the power source is impaired. Thus, in the context of the power source status, the window can comprise an electronic parameter (voltage, current etc.), a time based parameter (hours, days etc.), or an integer based on recharge/discharge cycles. Appropriate windows can be selected by the skilled person depending on the power source in question and other components of the device (such as the type of aerosol generating component).
In a further embodiment, where controller 101 detects a change in the state of the aerosol forming substrate, controller 101 directs the movement of the mouthpiece 150 and/or the outer housing 110 from a first position to a second position. The change in the state of the aerosol forming substrate includes the presence (or absence) of an aerosol forming substrate in the device, the amount of aerosol forming substrate present in the device, the age of the aerosol forming substrate present in the device, and/or an identifying characteristic of the aerosol forming substrate in the device. With regard to the state of the aerosol forming substrate, this may be related to a physical parameter of the aerosol forming substrate, such as its content of a certain constituent. For example, it may be that with repeated exposure of the aerosol forming substrate to the energy from the aerosol forming component (such as heat) the aerosol forming substrate discolors. This discoloration could be detection by an optical sensor and an acceptable operating window set for the color of the aerosol forming substrate. If the detected color of the aerosol forming substrate were to change to be outside of the acceptable window, this could act as the trigger for the controller to direct movement of the mouthpiece/outer housing (or portion thereof). Suitable optical sensors may be available from, for example, MICRO-EPSILON, UK & Ireland Ltd. With regard to the amount of aerosol forming substrate present in the device, it may be that device 110 is equipped with the means to detect the amount (including none) of aerosol forming substrate in the device 110. This could be achieved via sensors (e.g. optical sensors which can detect amount of substrate via a degree of light absorption through the substrate), or by inferring the absence of the substrate due to a lack of cooling imparted to the aerosol forming component. In the latter case, the aerosol forming substrate acts as an energy sink for energy produced by the aerosol forming component 103. When no substrate is available to act as such an energy sink, a parameter of the aerosol forming component, such as its temperature, may increase and that increase can be detected as explained above. Thus, an acceptable operating window can be set for either the temperature of the heater, or indeed the output of the optical sensor. When the controller 101 detects a change from inside the acceptable operating window to outside the window (or vice versa), the controller 101 can direct movement of the mouthpiece 150/outer housing 110 (or portions thereof) from the first position to the second position. With respect to the age of the aerosol forming substrate present in the device, and/or an identifying characteristic of the aerosol forming substrate in the device, the device 110 may be configured to monitor an identifier of the aerosol forming substrate and log how long the aerosol forming component has been in the device/what type of aerosol forming component is present. Clearly, an acceptable “age” window can be set for various aerosol forming components and the skilled person can ensure that for particular substrates the age window is correspondingly set. Thus, when a substrate material is identified as being present in the device 110 for a period which is outside the acceptable window for that substrate, the controller 101 can direct movement of the mouthpiece 150/outer housing 110 (or portions thereof). Likewise, where the identifier relates to a type of aerosol forming substrate (such as flavor, manufacturer, brand, etc.) the controller 101 can detect a change in the identifier and direct movement of mouthpiece 150/outer housing 110 (or portions thereof). The identifier could be present in the aerosol forming substrate by way of an RFID chip, or other identifier that can be readily detected by a sensor.
In a further embodiment, where controller 101 detects a change in the state of the aerosol generating component, controller 101 directs the movement of the mouthpiece 150 and/or the outer housing 110 from a first position to a second position. The change in the state of the aerosol generating component includes the integrity of the connection with the power source, the age of the aerosol generating component, the cumulative period of activation of the aerosol generating component, an electrical characteristic of the aerosol generating component and/or the cumulative number of activations of the aerosol generating component. As explained above, each of these states may have an acceptable operating window which can be detected by the controller 101. For example, for the integrity of the electrical connection of the aerosol generating component with the power source and an electrical characteristic of the aerosol generating component, the controller could check for an acceptable voltage window across the aerosol generating component. Where the detected voltage (or similar parameter based on V=IR) was outside of the window (implying improper connection, or too high resistance resulting from prolonged use), then the controller 101 can direct movement of the mouthpiece 150 and/or the outer housing 110 from a first position to a second position. Similarly, for the age of the aerosol generating component and the cumulative period of activation of the aerosol generating component (both of which may need to be limited for optimizing performance of the aerosol generating component) the controller 101 can detect the time for which the aerosol generating component has been present in the device and/or the number of activations that the aerosol generating component has been subjected to. This could be monitored, for example, via a unique identifier on the aerosol forming component which is readable by sensor on insertion into the device 110 and subsequent activation, e.g. RFID chip, barcode etc.
Accordingly, it will be apparent that where controller 101 detects a change in an operational parameter of the device 110, controller 101 directs the movement of the mouthpiece 150 and/or the outer housing 110 from a first position to a second position.
In the context of the present disclosure, movement from a first position to a second position includes rotation and/or translation of a portion of either of the mouthpiece 150 or the outer housing 110. For example, the mouthpiece 150 (or portion thereof) may translate from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 150 (or portion thereof) may rotate from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment, movement of the mouthpiece between the first and second positions is effected both rotation and translations, e.g. via a screwing action. In one embodiment, in the first position the majority of the mouthpiece 150 extends beyond the outer housing 110, and in the second position the majority of the mouthpiece 150 is contained within the outer housing 110. This may be desirable, for example, where access to the mouthpiece is to be restricted as a result of:
Further, and optionally in combination with the movement of the mouthpiece 150 (or a portion thereof), a portion of the outer housing 110 may translate from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment, a portion of the outer housing 110 may rotate from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment, in the first position a portion of the outer housing 110 may partially or completely cover an aperture (such as the air inlet or air outlet) of the device and in the second position the said portion of the outer housing 110 may not cover an aperture (such as the air inlet or air outlet) of the device. This may be desirable, for example, where insertion of the mouthpiece (or aerosol forming substrate) is to be prevented as a result of:
It will be appreciated that the controller may be configured to direct movement of a portion of at least one of the mouthpiece and the outer housing in response to the controller detecting a change in two, three, four, five or more of the operational parameters of the device. By combining the requirement for change across multiple operational parameters, it is possible to enable a high degree of customization of a particular device.
It will also be appreciated that movement of a portion of at least one of the mouthpiece and the outer housing may be desired by the user for reasons other than restriction of use in certain circumstances. For example, where the aerosol forming substrate forms part of the mouthpiece, it may be desirable for the mouthpiece to be moved in response to a particular type of aerosol forming substrate. This may be required where certain components of that substrate require less heating than other substrates. An example may be where menthol is present in the substrate. It may be desirable for the controller to detect this (via the identifier) and move the mouthpiece further from the aerosol generating component so as to reduce the temperature transfer to the substrate and prolong the residence time of the menthol within the substrate. Similarly, it may be that the device detects that the airflow through the device is at a temperature outside of the operating window. In such a circumstance, a portion of the outer housing 110 could be moved so as to reveal more of the air inlet, thus allowing a greater volume of airflow through the device thereby providing for a cooler aerosol (since for the same heat generated by the aerosol generating component there is a greater volume of air).
The movement of the mouthpiece/outer housing (or portions thereof) may be effected in a number of ways. For example, via shape memory materials, bimetallic components (such as strips or laminates), or via an actuator (electronic actuators or mechanical actuators, e.g. spring biased coverings).
With regard to shape memory materials, suitable examples include shape memory alloys, shape memory polymers, shape memory ceramics and shape memory gels. Shape memory materials are able to undergo a shape change as a result in the change in the crystal structure of the material (from austentite to martensite in the context of shape memory alloys). Generally, the change in the crystal structure is induced as a result of temperature change, but other ways of inducing a change in structure are possible, such as via light or via passing an electrical current through the material. Shape memory materials may be classed as “one-way” meaning that the shape change is irreversible, or “two-way” meaning that the shape change is reversible. Both types of material, as well as combinations thereof, are envisaged in the systems described herein.
As mentioned above, transition between the various shapes or forms of a shape memory material is generally actuated by heat, which can be generated by passing an electrical current through the material. In the case of shape memory polymers or ceramics, electrically conductive particles can be incorporated into the material so as to facilitate Joule heating resulting from the flow of electrical current through the material. It is also envisaged that heat could be induced in the material via induction by placing a suitable shape memory material in an alternating magnetic field. Alternatively, the shape memory material may be located in proximity to a heat source within the device such that movement occurs when heat radiated from that source increases the temperature of the shape memory material to above its transition temperature. The heat source may be a conventional heater or could be an infrared light source. Following the removal of the heat source, the material will, if a “two-way” material, revert back to its original position. Relaxation of the shape memory material back to its original position (the first position) is generally dependent on the rate at which the induced temperature is or can be dissipated from the material. If desired, the material can be prevented or inhibited from reverting back to its original shape/form, such as via latches etc. This could be useful a means of locking the device if the temperature of a component is exceeded. Alternatively, movement back to the first position could be prevented indefinitely, for example by utilizing a “one way” material. This might be important in instances of tampering (such as by inserting aerosol forming components that are non-certified/old etc.).
Different shape memory materials can have different shape transition conditions, such as temperature, i.e. the transition temperature is generally specific to the material. Thus, the skilled person will appreciate that suitable shape memory materials can be selected based on the specific application within the aerosol delivery system required. A thorough description of shape memory alloys is given in “Shape memory alloys: a state of art review”, Naresh et al, IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 149 (2016) 012054, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. A thorough description of shape memory polymers is given in “Shape memory polymers”, Behl et al, Materials today, pages 20-28, volume 10, issue 4, April 2007, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
In one embodiment, the shape memory material is selected from materials having a transition temperature of greater than 40° C., greater than 50° C., greater than 60° C., greater than 70° C., greater than 80° C., greater than 90° C., greater than 100° C. In one embodiment, the shape memory material is selected from materials having a transition temperature of less than 500° C., less than 450° C., less than 400° C., less than 350° C., less than 300° C., less than 250° C., less than 200° C. An example of a suitable shape memory alloy is nitinol. The transition temperature of the shape memory alloy can be varied by varying the alloy constituents/ratio of constituents appropriately. For example, nitinol SM495 has a transition temperature of from 50 to 80° C., whereas nitinol SM500 has a transition temperature of from 30 to 50° C. The skilled person is able to select shape memory materials based on the desired transitions temperatures.
With regard to actuation, this could be achieved via electric motors connected to the respective portions of the mouthpiece/outer housing so as to move that portion from the first position to the second position. Likewise, biased actuators (such as latched springs) could be used which would be released from their biased state following the detection of change in operational parameter by the controller. In some implementations, the actuators themselves may be formed from shape memory materials.
In a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising an aerosol delivery device, the device comprising an outer housing enclosing an electrical power source, wherein a portion of the outer housing is configured to be deformable such that it can be repositioned from a first position to a second position without impacting the operation of the system.
In the context of the present disclosure, “deformable” is considered to mean that the profile of a portion of the outer housing can be modified such that a distance and/or surface angle between two points on a surface of the outer housing may be varied. It may be that the portion of the outer housing that is configured to be deformable is comprised of a single surface, or alternatively multiple surfaces separated by one or more flexible connections between the surfaces.
Where the portion of the outer housing that is configured to be deformable is comprised of a single surface, deformation would include stretching, compressing and/or bending the surface. Examples of suitable surfaces include surfaces formed from thermoplastic materials, shape memory materials, pliable materials and/or one or more malleable materials. In the case of thermoplastic materials, the material may be chosen from a material which deforms at or around the skin temperature of a user. As a result, the user is able to grip the outer housing and deform the surface of the outer housing as so desired. Such an embodiment allows for a single shape outer housing to be manufactured, but for the user to then be able to determine the shape of the outer housing based on ergonomics. A similar effect can be achieved where the surface is formed from a shape memory material (as described above), a malleable material (such as aluminum) and/or a pliable material (such as a silicone sheet). An illustrative example of such an embodiment is shown in
Where the portion of the outer housing that is configured to be deformable is comprised of multiple surfaces, the two points on the surface are divided by one or more flexible connections. Typically, the flexible connection would be a joint, such as a hinge, ball and socket, pivot, gliding, saddle and or planar joint. However, other flexible connections are envisaged, such as a flexible membrane having the ability to facilitate movement of one surface relative to the other (akin to webbing). In this embodiment, the ability of the surfaces themselves to be deformed is less critical (although not excluded) since the flexible connection serves to facilitate movement of the surfaces relative to each other.
As will be appreciated, since the outer housing is configured to be deformed it may, as a surface or collection of surfaces, lack the structural integrity associated with rigid, non-deformable housings. As a result, in one embodiment the device contains an internal skeleton which supports the outer housing and facilitates its deformation. Thus, in some embodiments, supporting parts of the skeleton may be reconfigurable, whereas other parts of the supporting skeleton may not be reconfigurable. For example, in one embodiment where the portion of outer housing configured to be deformable is formed from a single surface (such as a silicone sheet) or multiple surfaces, the surfaces to be deformed (either alone or relative to each other) in that portion is/are supported by one or more supporting arms. Each arm may have the ability to extend, retract and/or rotate in response to a user directed force (such as gripping) and may be resiliently biased against the underside of the outer housing surface. For example,
In one embodiment, the internal components of device that are essential for the operation of the aerosol delivery system (such as the power source, controller etc.) are located within a protected environment within the device. In other words, the deformation of a portion of the outer housing of the device does not lead to the destruction or functional impairment of the internal components. This may be achieved by the protective environment defining a flexible space within which the components are located. Alternatively, the protective environment may be a fixed spatial volume within the outer housing, and the outer housing may not be deformed to the extent that the volume is decreased.
In the context of the present disclosure, “without impacting the operation of the system” means that neither the operational state (e.g. on/off, standby, active) nor the physical state (e.g. lid open closed, switch/button moved) is affected by the deformation of the outer housing (or portion thereof). This does not mean, however, that the deformation of the outer housing cannot be linked to a user defined state. For example, it may be that the outer housing is pre-configured to take a certain shape following manufacture. The controller may then contain a range of pre-programmed outer housing profile shapes that can be selected based on a user's preference. The user preferences may be associated with a particular flavor or type of aerosol forming substrate inserted into the aerosol delivery device.
Access to the controller and thus selection of the outer housing profile shapes can be via a smart device, such as a phone or tablet linked to the controller via a wireless or wired communication link. The user can then select the desired outer housing shape profile and the controller will direct the deformation by, for example, driving one or more supporting arms to retract/extend etc. so as to deform the outer housing surface(s), and/or directing current through a portion of the outer housing formed from shape memory material so as to drive a change in shape.
The controller of the aerosol delivery system may also be able to detect a particular outer housing shape and associate that with a particular user. Thus, the controller may be able to detect that a particular user is using (or will use) the aerosol delivery system and deform the outer housing to a stored outer housing profile associated with that user. Identification of a particular user may be via biometric identification on the aerosol delivery device, or via a paired smart device which has the ability to identify a user.
In order to address various issues and advance the art, this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and to teach the claimed invention(s). It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. other than those specifically described herein, and it will thus be appreciated that features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims. The disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1912834.7 | Sep 2019 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2020/052116 | 9/4/2020 | WO |
