The present invention relates to a refilling device for an article of an aerosol provision system from a reservoir and a method of refilling an article of an aerosol provision system.
Electronic aerosol provision systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally contain an aerosol-generating material, such as a reservoir of a source liquid containing a formulation, typically including nicotine, or a solid material such as a tobacco-based product, from which an aerosol is generated for inhalation by a user, for example through heat vaporization. Thus, an aerosol provision system will typically comprise an aerosol generator, e.g. a heating element, arranged to aerosolize a portion of aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol in an aerosol generation region of an air channel through the aerosol provision system. As a user inhales on the device and electrical power is supplied to the aerosol generator, air is drawn into the device through one or more inlet holes and along the air channel to the aerosol generation region, where the air mixes with the vaporized aerosol generator and forms a condensation aerosol. The air drawn through the aerosol generation region continues along the air channel to a mouthpiece, carrying some of the aerosol with it, and out through the mouthpiece for inhalation by the user.
It is common for aerosol provision systems to comprise a modular assembly, often having two main functional parts, namely an aerosol provision device and an article. Typically the article will comprise the consumable aerosol-generating material and the aerosol generator (heating element), while the aerosol provision device part will comprise longer-life items, such as a rechargeable battery, device control circuitry and user interface features. The aerosol provision device may also be referred to as a reusable part or battery section and the article may also be referred to as a consumable, disposable/replaceable part, cartridge or cartomiser.
The aerosol provision device and article are mechanically coupled together at an interface for use, for example using a screw thread, bayonet, latched or friction fit fixing. When the aerosol-generating material in an article has been exhausted, or the user wishes to switch to a different article having a different aerosol-generating material, the article may be removed from the aerosol provision device and a replacement article may be attached to the device in its place. Alternatively, some articles are configured such that, after the aerosol-generating material in the article has been exhausted, the article can be refilled with more aerosol-generating material, thereby allowing the article to be reused. In this example, the user is able to refill the article using a separate reservoir of aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating material used to refill the article may be the same or different to the previous aerosol-generating material in the article, thereby allowing the user to change to a different aerosol-generating material without purchasing a new article.
Refilling the article with aerosol-generating material extends the life of the article as its use is no longer limited by the volume or amount of aerosol-generating material that the article can hold. As a result, the use of the article may be limited by other factors, such as the life of individual components within the article. Continuous use of the article may therefore result in degradation or fault developing in components within the article. The article may therefore become less reliable, the operation of the article less predictable or the article may stop working entirely, each of which has a negative impact on the user experience.
Various approaches are described herein which seek to help address or mitigate some of the issues discussed above.
The disclosure is defined in the appended claims.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a refilling device for refilling an article for an aerosol provision device from a reservoir. The refilling device comprises an article interface configured to receive the article, a reservoir interface configured to receive the reservoir, and a motor coupled to the article interface. The motor is configured to move the article interface to engage with the reservoir interface such that, in use, aerosol-generating material is transferred from the reservoir to the article.
The article interface can be configured to engage with the reservoir interface such that reservoir interface moves with the article interface.
The refilling device can comprise a plunger configured, in use, to engage with the reservoir such that aerosol-generating material is transferred from the reservoir to the article. The article interface can be configured to engage with the reservoir interface such that reservoir interface moves with the article interface towards the plunger. The plunger can be stationary relative to the reservoir interface.
The refilling device can comprise a nozzle block between the article interface and the reservoir interface. The nozzle block can comprise one or more needles configured to facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material from the reservoir to the article via the nozzle block. The motor can be configured to move the article interface to engage with the reservoir interface by moving the article interface to engage with the nozzle block such that the nozzle block moves with the article interface; and moving the nozzle block, by moving the article interface, to engage with the reservoir interface such that the reservoir interface moves with the article interface and the nozzle block.
The motor can be configured to move the article interface between a first position and a second position, wherein, in use, aerosol-generating material is transferred from the reservoir to the article when the article interface is in the second position. The motor can be configured to move the article interface from the second position to the first position in response to the transfer of aerosol-generating material from the reservoir to the article. The article interface is configured to engage with the reservoir interface at a third position, where the third position is between the first position and the second position. The refiling device can comprise a reservoir stop configured to prevent the reservoir interface from moving between the third position and the first position.
The refilling device can comprise a nozzle block between the article interface and the reservoir interface, wherein the motor is configured to move the article interface to engage with the reservoir interface by moving the article interface from the first position to engage with the nozzle block at a fourth position between the first position and the third position such that the nozzle block moves with the article interface; and moving the nozzle block, by moving the article interface, to engage with the reservoir interface at the third position such that the reservoir interface moves with the article interface and the nozzle block.
The motor can be configured to move the reservoir interface towards a plunger by moving the article interface to the second position, wherein the plunger is configured to engage with the reservoir when the article interface is in the second position such that, in use, aerosol-generating material is transferred from the reservoir to the article. The refilling device can comprise a nozzle stop configured to prevent the nozzle block from moving between the fourth position and the first position.
The motor can be coupled to the article interface by a lead screw.
The refilling device can comprise refilling control circuitry configured to control the motor. The refilling control circuitry can be configured to control the motor in response to detecting the article has been received by the article interface and detecting the reservoir has been received by the reservoir interface. The refilling control circuitry is configured to alter a speed of the motor based on the location of the article interface between a first position and a second position, wherein, in use, aerosol-generating material is transferred from the reservoir to the article when the article interface is in the second position.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of refilling an article of an aerosol provision system. The method comprises receiving, by an article interface, the article, receiving, by a reservoir interface, a reservoir, and controlling a motor to move the article interface to engage with the reservoir interface such that, in use, aerosol-generating material is transferred from the reservoir to the article.
There is also provided a computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs the above method.
These aspects and other aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description. In this regard, particular sections of the description are not to be read in isolation from other sections.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:
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 articles and systems discussed herein which are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.
The present disclosure relates to aerosol provision systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description the term “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol provision system and electronic aerosol provision system.
As noted above, aerosol provision systems (e-cigarettes) often comprise a modular assembly including both a reusable part (aerosol provision device) and a replaceable (disposable) or refillable cartridge part, referred to as an article. Systems conforming to this type of two-part modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-part systems or devices. It is also common for electronic cigarettes to have a generally elongate shape. For the sake of providing a concrete example, certain embodiments of the disclosure described herein comprise this kind of generally elongate two-part system employing refillable cartridges. However, it will be appreciated the underlying principles described herein may equally be adopted for other electronic cigarette configurations, for example modular systems comprising more than two parts, as devices conforming to other overall shapes, for example based on so-called box-mod high performance devices that typically have a more boxy shape.
As described above, the present disclosure relates to (but it not limited to) refilling devices for articles of aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes and electronic cigarettes.
The aerosol provision device 20 and article 30 each comprise an interface 22, 24 such that the aerosol provision device 20 and article 30 are mechanically coupled for use. As described above, the interfaces may comprise a screw thread, bayonet, latched or friction fit fixing, wherein the interface 24 on the aerosol provision device 20 and the interface 24 on the article 30 each comprise a complementary fitting or fixture to enable the aerosol provision device 20 and article 30.
The article 30 comprises or consists of aerosol-generating material 32, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. An article 30 may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area 39, an aerosol-generating material transfer component 37, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece 35, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
An article 30 may also comprise an aerosol generator 36, such as a heating element, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material 32 to generate aerosol in use. The aerosol generator 36 may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor. It should be noted that it is possible for the aerosol generator 36 to be part of the aerosol provision device 20 and the article 30 then may comprise the aerosol-generating material storage area 39 for the aerosol-generating material 32 such that, when the article 30 is coupled with the aerosol provision device 20 via the interfaces 22, 24, the aerosol-generating material 32 can be transferred to the aerosol generator 36 in the aerosol provision device 20.
Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. The aerosol-generating material 32 may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavorants. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material 32 may comprise an “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material 32 may for example comprise from about 50 wt %, 60 wt % or 70 wt % of amorphous solid, to about 90 wt %, 95 wt % or 100 wt % of amorphous solid.
The aerosol-generating material comprises one or more ingredients, such as one or more active substances and/or flavorants, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials such as pH regulators, coloring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.
The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, and psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.
In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.
The aerosol provision device 20 includes a power source 14, such as a battery, configured to supply electrical power to the aerosol generator 36. The power source 14 in this example is rechargeable and may be of a conventional type, for example of the kind normally used in electronic cigarettes and other applications requiring provision of relatively high currents over relatively short periods. The battery 14 may be recharged through the charging port (not illustrated), which may, for example, comprise a USB connector.
The aerosol provision device 20 includes device control circuitry 28 configured to control the operation of the aerosol provision system 10 and provide conventional operating functions in line with the established techniques for controlling aerosol provision systems such as electronic cigarettes. The device control circuitry (processor circuitry) 28 may be considered to logically comprise various sub-units/circuitry elements associated with different aspects of the electronic cigarette's operation. For example, depending on the functionality provided in different implementations, the device control circuitry 28 may comprise power source control circuitry for controlling the supply of electrical power from the power source 14 to the aerosol generator 36, user programming circuitry for establishing configuration settings (e.g. user-defined power settings) in response to user input, as well as other functional units/circuitry associated functionality in accordance with the principles described herein and conventional operating aspects of electronic cigarettes. It will be appreciated the functionality of the device control circuitry 28 can be provided in various different ways, for example using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s) and/or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s)/circuitry/chip(s)/chipset(s) configured to provide the desired functionality.
The aerosol provision device 20 includes one or more air inlets 21. In use, as a user inhales on the mouthpiece 35, air is drawn into the aerosol provision device 20 through the air inlets 21 and along an air channel 23 to the aerosol generator 36, where the air mixes with the vaporized aerosol-generating material 32 and forms a condensation aerosol. The air drawn through the aerosol generator 36 continues along the air channel 23 to a mouthpiece 35, carrying some of the aerosol with it, and out through the mouthpiece 35 for inhalation by the user. Alternatively, the one or more air inlets 21 may be included on the article 30, such that the air channel 23 is entirely contained within the article 30.
By way of a concrete example, the article 30 comprises a housing (formed, e.g., from a plastics material), an aerosol-generating material storage area 39 formed within the housing for containing the aerosol-generating material 32 (which in this example may be a liquid which may or may not contain nicotine), an aerosol-generating material transfer component 37 (which in this example is a wick formed of e.g., glass or cotton fibers, or a ceramic material configured to transport the liquid from the reservoir using capillary action), an aerosol-generating area containing the aerosol generator 36, and a mouthpiece 35. Although not shown, a filter and/or aerosol modifying agent (such as a flavor imparting material) may be located in, or in proximity to, the mouthpiece 35. The aerosol generator 36 of this example comprises a heater element formed from an electrically resistive material (such as NiCr8020) spirally wrapped around the aerosol-generating material transfer component 37, and located in the air channel 23. The area around the heating element and wick combination is the aerosol-generating area of the article 30.
The article 30 illustrated in
The refilling orifice 34 and/or the refilling tube 33 may be sealable, for example with a cap, one-way valve or septum valve, in order to ensure that aerosol-generating material 32 does not leak out of the refilling orifice 34. In other words, the refilling orifice 34 can comprise a cap, one-way valve or septum valve. Although the refilling orifice 34 is illustrated in
The article 30 illustrated in
The article 30 illustrated in
The refilling device 40 illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The refilling device 40 also comprises one or more reservoir interfaces 46 configured to receive a reservoir 50. In the same fashion as described above in relation to the article interface 42, each of the reservoir interfaces 46 may comprise a slot, tray, opening or aperture on the refilling device 40 into or onto which the reservoir 50 is placed or coupled. Alternatively, each reservoir interface 46 may comprise a lead or other cable which is attachable or otherwise connectable to the reservoir 50. Although two reservoir interfaces 46 are illustrated in
As illustrated in
The refilling device 40 also comprises refilling control circuitry 48 configured to control the operation of the refilling device 40. In particular, the refilling control circuitry 48 is configured to facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from a reservoir 50 to the article 30. As described above in relation to the device control circuitry 28, the refilling control circuitry 48 can be provided in various different ways, for example using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s) and/or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s)/circuitry/chip(s)/chipset(s) configured to provide the desired functionality. For example, the refilling control circuitry 48 may comprise a microcontroller unit (MCU) or a system on chip (SoC).
The refilling device 40 also comprises a housing 400 which contains and encloses the components of the refilling device 40. As illustrated in
As described above, the reservoir 50 comprises aerosol-generating material 52 for transferring, by the refilling device 40, to the article 30 in order to refill or replenish the aerosol-generating material 32 in the aerosol-generating material storage area 39 of the article 30.
The reservoir 50 illustrated in
The reservoir 50 can have a volume of 10 ml or more, for example 20 ml, 50 ml or 100 ml. In other words, the reservoir is configured to contain 10 ml or more of aerosol-generating material 52 when the reservoir 50 is filled with aerosol generating material 52. At least one of the one or more reservoir interfaces 46 is then configured to receive a reservoir with a volume of 10 ml or more.
The reservoir 50 can also have a larger volume than the article 30. For example, the volume of the reservoir can be at least 5 times greater than the volume of the article, for example 10 times, 20 times or 50 times greater. In other words, the reservoir is configured to contain, when filled with aerosol-generating material 52, a volume of aerosol-generating material 52 at least 5 times greater than the aerosol-generating material storage area 39 of the article 30. This allows the same reservoir 50 to be used to refill the article at least 5 times. At least one of the one or more reservoir interfaces 46 is then configured to receive a reservoir with a volume at least 5 times greater than a volume of the article the article interface 42 is configured to receive.
The refilling device 40 illustrated in
In the same fashion, the refilling device 40 illustrated in
Although the connectors 31, 41, 47, 51 are described herein as physical electrical connectors between the article, the refilling device and the reservoir, in an alternative implementation one or more of the electrical connections between the respective components may be a wireless connection, such as NFC, RFID, or inductive coupling.
The refilling device 40 illustrated in
Although the refilling outlet 44 is illustrated in
Further, as described above, the refilling device 40 may be configured to receive different types, designs or configuration of article 30 using the same article interface 42. In this case, there may be multiple configurations of connectors 41 and/or refilling outlets 44 proximate to or in the article interface 42 in order to facilitate the same article interface 42 receiving different types, designs or configurations of article 30. Equally, there may be multiple configurations of connectors 47 and/or refilling inlets 45 proximate to or in each reservoir interface 46 in order to facilitate the same reservoir interface 46 receiving different types, designs or configurations of reservoir 50. Alternatively or in addition, the configuration of connectors 47 and/or refilling inlets 45 proximate to or in the one or more of the reservoir interfaces 46 may be different such that different reservoir types are received by different reservoir interfaces 46 of the same refilling device 40.
One or more of the refilling outlet 44, the refilling inlets 45, the reservoir outlet 55 and the duct 43 may also include a means of controlling the rate and/or direction of transfer of the aerosol-generating material 52, for example a ball valve, needle valve or diaphragm to control the rate of transfer and/or a one way valve such as a check valve or non-return valve to control the direction of transfer. For example, a one way valve may be located at or proximate to each of the refilling outlet 44, the refilling inlets 45 and the reservoir outlets 55 to ensure that aerosol-generating material 52 can only be transferred from the reservoir 50 to the refilling device 40 and from the refilling device 40 to the article 30, whilst a single ball valve or diaphragm may be located on or in the duct 43 of the refilling device 40 in order to control the flow rate of aerosol-generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 through the refilling device 40 and into the article 30. Equally, a ball valve or diaphragm may be located proximate to each refilling inlet 45 in order to independently control the rate of transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 into each of the refilling inlets 45 or from each of the refilling inlets 45 into the duct 43. For example, this allows the refilling control circuitry 48 to prevent a first aerosol-generating material 52 being transferred from a first reservoir 50 whilst a second aerosol-generating material 52 is being transferred from a second reservoir 50 to the article 30. This also allows the refilling control circuitry 48 to facilitate the transfer the first aerosol-generating material 52 from the first reservoir 50 and the second aerosol-generating material 52 from the second reservoir 50 simultaneously to the article 30, but at different transfer rates, thereby creating an aerosol-generating material 32 in the article 30 containing a mixture of the first aerosol-generating material 52 and the second aerosol-generating material 52 at different concentrations.
The refilling device 40 illustrated in
The device interface 49 can be configured to receive the aerosol provision device 20 in order to supply electrical power from the refilling device 40 to the aerosol provision device 20. This electrical power can be used, for example, to recharge the power source or battery 14 of the aerosol provision device 20 and to facilitate the transfer of electrical signals between the refilling control circuitry 48 and the device control circuitry 28. This allows the user to use the refilling device 40 as a means of charging the aerosol provision device 20 whilst the article 30 is being replenished with aerosol-generating material 32, thereby reducing the number of associated devices needed to operate and maintain the aerosol provision system 10. The device interface 49 may be a wired interface, such as using electrical connectors as described above, or a wireless interface such as inductive or capacitive coupling. The device interface 49 may also be configured to the transfer of data between the refilling control circuitry 48 and the device control circuitry 28. The refilling control circuitry 48 may be configured to read data from the aerosol provision device 20 and/or write data to the aerosol provision device 20, for example to perform a software update, thereby installing an updated version of software onto the device control circuitry 28.
As set out above, the refilling device 40 facilitates the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from a reservoir 50 couplable to the refilling device 40 to an article 30 couplable to the refilling device 40 in order to refill or replenish the article 30 so that it can be reused as part of the aerosol provision system 10. In particular, the refilling control circuitry 48 is configured to facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the article 30 in response to detecting that the article 30 has been received by the refilling device 40.
By way of a concrete example, when a reservoir 50 is received by one of the reservoir interfaces 47, the connectors 47 located proximate to or in the corresponding reservoir interface 46 mate with the connectors 51 on the reservoir 50 and the refilling inlet 45 located proximate to or in the corresponding reservoir interface 46 mates with the reservoir outlet 55. When an article 30 is received by the article interface 42, the connectors 41 located proximate to or in the article interface 42 mate with the connectors 31 on the article 30 and the refilling outlet 45 mates with the refilling orifice 34 on the device 30. The refilling control circuitry 48 is then configured to facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the article 30 by facilitating the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 into the duct 42 of the refilling device 40 via the reservoir outlet 51 and the refilling inlet 45, and from the duct 42 of the refilling device 40 into the aerosol-generating material storage area 39 of the article 30 via the refilling outlet 44, the refilling orifice 34 and the refilling tube 33.
In the examples where the refiling device 40 has a plurality of reservoir interfaces 46, the refilling control circuitry 48 is configured to selectively facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from a reservoir 50 received by one of the reservoir interfaces 46, for example in response to a determination that only one of the reservoir interfaces 46 has received a reservoir 50, or in response to a selection of a particular reservoir 50 from which aerosol-generating material 52 should be transferred, for example a user input or a determination based on one or more parameters of each of the reservoirs 50 stored on the respective reservoir control circuitry 58. In this case, the refilling control circuitry 48 is configured to receive, from a user of the refilling device 40, a selection of one or more reservoir interfaces 46 and selectively facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52, from each reservoir 50 connected to one of the one or more selected reservoir interfaces 46, to the article 30 when the article 30 is coupled to the refilling device. In other words, the refilling control circuitry 48 is configured to only transfer aerosol-generating material 52 from a reservoir 50 connected to a selected reservoir interface 46, and prevent aerosol-generating material 52 from being transferred from any other reservoir 50 connected to the refilling device 40.
Although not illustrated, in some examples, the refilling device 40 can comprise a tank, container or other such receptacle for storing aerosol-generating material 52 received from the reservoir 50, for example when a reservoir 50 is received by the reservoir interface 46 without an article 30 being received by the article interface 42, thereby allowing the reservoir 50 to be disconnected from the reservoir interface 46 before an article 30 is received by the article interface 42. In this case, the aerosol-generating material 52 is stored in the receptacle of the refilling device 40 until such a time that it can be transferred to an article 30 received by the article interface 42. In this case, control circuitry 48 of the refilling device 40 is configured to facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the receptacle, and subsequently and separately to facilitate the transfer of the aerosol-generating material 52 from the receptacle to the article 42.
The receptacle of the refilling device 40 can also be used to facilitate the mixing of aerosol-generating material 52 before it is transferred to the article 30. For example, if a first reservoir interface 46 receives a first reservoir 50 containing a first aerosol-generating material 52 and a second reservoir interface 46 receives a second reservoir 50 containing a second aerosol-generating material 52, then the refilling control circuitry 48 can be configured to facilitate the transfer of the first aerosol-generating material 52 from the first reservoir 50 into the receptacle, and facilitate the transfer of the second aerosol-generating material 52 from the second reservoir 50 into the receptacle. The first aerosol-generating material 52 and the second aerosol-generating material 52 can then be mixed in the receptacle, and the mixture of the first aerosol-generating material 52 and the second aerosol-generating material 52 transferred to the article 30.
The refilling device 40 illustrated in
The nozzle block 430 is configured to be removable from the refilling device 40. In other words, the nozzle block 430 can be removed and a new nozzle block inserted into the refilling device 40, for example if the nozzle block 430 becomes damaged or has reached the end of its usable life. Equally, this allows the nozzle block to be removed and cleaned, for example if the user wishes to refill the article 30 with a different flavor or type of aerosol generating material or if the nozzle block 430 becomes blocked thereby preventing the transfer of aerosol generating material from the reservoir 50 to the article 30. The refilling control circuitry 48 can be control to only facilitate the transfer of aerosol generating material from the reservoir 50 to the article 30 in response to detecting that a nozzle block 430 is fitted to the refilling device 40. For example, the refilling device 40 can comprise a nozzle block interface configured to receive the nozzle block 430, and the refilling control circuitry 48 can be configured to detect when the nozzle block 430 has been received by the nozzle block interface, for example using a sensor or contact switch.
The refilling device 40 illustrated in
The plunger 440 can be configured to be integrated with the reservoir interface 46. In other words, the plunger 440 forms part of the reservoir interface 46 such that the reservoir interface 46 comprises the plunger. In this case, the plunger 440 moves with the reservoir interface 46, although one or more portions of the plunger can be configured to be separately movable or actuated in order to engage with the reservoir 50 and displace a surface 53 of the reservoir and facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the article 30 as described above.
The nozzle block 430 illustrated in
It will be appreciated that an alternative device may be used to facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the article 30 via the nozzle block 430, such as a syringe. In this case, the nozzle block 430 can also comprise a three-way check valve to control the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 into and out of the syringe, and one or more needles, tubes or needle-free injectors to facilitate the transfer of aerosol generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the article 30, for example a needle or tube configured to engage with the reservoir outlet 55 on the reservoir and/or a needle or tube configured to engage with the refilling orifice 34 on the article 30.
The nozzle block 430 illustrated in
The nozzle block 430 can be configured to be integrated with either the article interface 42 or the reservoir interface 46. In other words, the nozzle block 430 forms part of the article interface 42 such that the article interface 42 comprises the nozzle block 430, or the nozzle block 430 forms part of the reservoir interface 46 such that the reservoir interface 46 comprises the nozzle block 430. In this case, the nozzle block 430 moves with the article interface 42 or the reservoir interface 46, although one or more portions of the nozzle block 430, such as the needles 431, 432 or syringe as described above can be configured to be separately movable or actuated in order to engage with the reservoir 50 and the article 30 in order to facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the article 30 via the nozzle block 430.
The refilling device 40 illustrated in
As illustrated in
The article interface 42 can be configured to engage with the reservoir interface 46 such that reservoir interface 46 moves with the article interface 42. As described above, the motor 450 is configured to move the article interface 42 to engage with the reservoir interface 46. A portion of the article interface 42 may contact a portion of the reservoir interface 46 such that further movement of the article interface 42 by the motor 450 causes the reservoir interface 46 to move with the article interface 42. For example, the motor 450 may be configured to move the article interface 42 upwards (in the positive y-direction) towards the reservoir interface 46 such that a portion of the top surface of the article interface 42 is in contact with a portion of the bottom surface of the reservoir interface 46. Further upwards movement of the article interface 42 by the motor 450 then causes the reservoir interface 46 to move upwards with the article interface 42. Alternatively, as the article interface 42 is moved by the motor 450 towards the reservoir interface 46, a latch or other coupling means on the article interface 42 engages with an equivalent coupling means on the reservoir interface 46, such that the reservoir interface 46 moves with the article interface.
As described above, the plunger 440 is configured, in use, to engage with the reservoir 50 such that aerosol-generating material 52 is transferred from the reservoir 50 to the article. The article interface 42 can be configured to engage with the reservoir interface 46 such that reservoir interface 46 moves with the article interface 42 towards the plunger 440. In other words, the motor 450 is configured to move the article interface 42 to engage with the reservoir interface 46 as described above, then further movement of the article interface 42 by the motor 450 causes the reservoir interface 46 to move towards the plunger 440. In this case, the plunger 440 engages with the surface the reservoir 50 and displaces the surface 53 of the reservoir 50 due to the reservoir interface 46 (containing the reservoir 50) moving with the article interface 42 towards the plunger 440, with the plunger remaining stationary. This causes aerosol-generating material 52 to be pushed out of the reservoir 50 and into the article 30. In other words, the plunger 440 is stationary relative to the reservoir interface 46.
As illustrated in
As described above, the refilling control circuitry 48 is configured to operate the motor 450, which is coupled to the article interface 42 to move the article interface 42 to engage with the reservoir interface 46. For example, the motor 450 can be configured to move the article interface 42 to engage with the reservoir interface 46 by moving the article interface 42 to engage with the nozzle block 430. This is illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated also illustrated in
The motor 440 is then configured to move the nozzle block 430, by moving the article interface 42, to engage with the reservoir interface 46 such that the reservoir interface 46 moves with the article interface 42 and the nozzle block 420. This is illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated also illustrated in
The motor 440 is then configured to move the reservoir 50 (by moving the article interface 42, which in turn moves the nozzle block 430 and the reservoir interface 46) to engage with the plunger 440. This is illustrated in
The plunger 440 may be fixed to a portion of the housing 400, such as the upper surface 420 to prevent the plunger 440 from moving. Accordingly, further upwards movement of the reservoir (by the motor moving the article interface 42 upwards, which in turn moves the nozzle block 430 and the reservoir interface 46 upwards) causes the plunger to displace the surface 53 of the reservoir 50 relative to the reservoir 50. In other words, the surface 53 of the reservoir 50 pushes against the plunger 440 and remains stationary with the plunger 440 whilst the remainder of the reservoir 50 is moved upwards. This relative movement of the surface 53 of the reservoir 50 compared to the remainder of the reservoir 50 reduces the volume of the portion 54 of the reservoir 50 containing the aerosol generating material 52. This pushes aerosol-generating material 52 out of the reservoir 50 through the reservoir outlet 55 and into the article 30 via the filling nozzle 431 and the refilling orifice 34 as described above. This is illustrated in
The motor can be configured to move the article interface 42 from the second position to the first position in response to the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the article 30. The refilling control circuitry 48 can be configured to detect the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the article 30, for example by measuring the position of the reservoir 50 or reservoir interface 46 relative to the plunger 440 (thereby indicating the distance that the surface 53 of the reservoir 50 has been displaced by the plunger 440), determining the location of the article interface (for example using one or more sensors) or determining the number of revolutions perform by the motor (for example using a counter).
In response to detecting the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the article 30, the refilling control circuitry 48 is configured to control the motor to move the article interface 42 in the opposite direction (i.e. the motor is reversed). In other words, the refilling control circuitry 48 is configured to control the motor to move the article interface 42 from the second position to the first position. The movement of the article interface 42, the nozzle block and the reservoir interface 46 as illustrated in
The refilling device 40 may comprise a reservoir stop, such as a ledge, protrusion or step, configured to prevent the reservoir interface 46 from moving between the third position, illustrated in
The refilling device 40 may comprise a nozzle stop, such as a ledge, protrusion or step, configured to prevent the nozzle block 430 from moving between the fourth position, illustrated in
The motor can therefore be configured to move the article interface 42 in a reciprocating motion. This reciprocating motion comprises a first direction where the article interface 42 (and the nozzle block 430 and the reservoir interface 46) moves towards the plunger 440 (in the positive y-direction in
The refilling control circuitry 48 can be configured to alter the speed of the motor 450 based on the location of the article interface 42 between the first location and the second position, thereby altering the speed at which the article interface 42 (and in turn the nozzle block 430 and the reservoir interface 46) moves. For example, the refilling control circuitry 48 can be configured to operate the motor 450 at first speed when the article interface 42 (and the nozzle block 430) is moved towards the reservoir interface 46, then operate the motor 450 at a second, slower speed when the reservoir interface 46 is moved towards the plunger 440. In other words, the plunger 440 engaging and pushing on the surface 53 of the reservoir 50 occurs at a slower speed than the article interface 42 and nozzle block moving towards the reservoir interface 46. This ensures that the transfer of aerosol generating material 52 from the reservoir to the article 30 occurs in a controlled fashion, whilst speeding up the overall process, since the components are moved to their required positions for the transfer of aerosol generating material 52 quicker.
The refilling control circuitry 48 can be configured to alter the speed of the motor 450 from the first speed to the second speed in response to detecting that the plunger 440 has engaged with the surface 53 of the reservoir 50. For example, the force required to move the article interface 42 will increase once the plunger 440 has engaged with the surface 53 of the reservoir 50. This increase in force will change the draw current of the motor 450. The refilling control circuitry 48 can be configured to alter the speed of the motor 450 from the first speed to the second speed in response to detecting this change in draw current of the motor 450. Alternatively, the reservoir interface 50 may be configured to receive a reservoir 50 of a particular size and shape. The distance the article interface 42 needs to move in order to for the surface 53 of the reservoir 50 to engage with the plunger 440 (e.g. from the first position to the second position) will therefore be fixed, and therefore the control circuitry 48 can be configured to alter the speed of the motor 450 from the first speed to the second speed in response to detecting that the article interface 42 has moved a given distance or that the motor 450 has performed a number of rotations that corresponds to the given distance.
Once the plunger 440 has displaced the surface 53 of the reservoir 50, the refilling control circuitry 48 can then be configured to reverse the direction of the motor 450 and operate the motor 450 at the first speed. The distance that the surface 53 of the reservoir 50 is displaced by the plunger 440 may be fixed such that a predetermined amount of aerosol generating material 52 is transferred from the reservoir 50. In this case, the reservoir 50 may be configured to store enough aerosol generating material 52 to perform multiple refills of the article 30. The refilling control circuitry 48 can be configured to record the position of the surface 53 of the reservoir 50 (or the number of rotations of the motor 450 performed when the surface 53 of the reservoir 50 is at the required position), such that surface 53 of the reservoir 50 can be returned to the same position to engage with the plunger to start the next refilling operation. Alternatively, if the reservoir 50 is configured to store enough aerosol generating material 52 to a single refill of the article 30, the refilling control circuitry 48 can be configured to reserve the direction of the motor 450 and operate the motor 450 at the first speed in response to the plunger 440 displacing the surface 53 of the reservoir 50 a known distance, the article interface 42 reaching the end of its available travel, or in response to a further increase in draw current of the motor 450 corresponding to the surface 53 of the reservoir 50 resisting further movement of the article interface 42.
As described above, when the direction of the motor 450 is reversed, the article interface 42 moves away from the plunger 440 (which in turn causes the nozzle block 430 and the reservoir interface 46 to move away from the plunger 440), such that the components return to their original positions as illustrated in
The method 500 illustrated in
As described above, the present disclosure relates to (but it not limited to) a refilling device 40 for refilling an article 30 of an aerosol provision system 10 from a reservoir 50. The refilling device 40 comprises an article interface 42 configured to receive the article 30, a reservoir interface 46 configured to receive the reservoir 50, and a motor 450 coupled to the article interface 42, wherein the motor 450 is configured to move the article interface 42 to engage with the reservoir interface 46 such that, in use, aerosol-generating material 52 is transferred from the reservoir 50 to the article 30.
Thus, there has been described a refilling device for an article of an aerosol provision system and a method of refilling an article of an aerosol provision system.
The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2112586.9 | Sep 2021 | GB | national |
The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application PCT/GB2022/052211 filed Aug. 30, 2022, which claims priority to GB Application No. 2112586.9 filed Sep. 3, 2021, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/GB2022/052211 | 8/30/2022 | WO |