WO2019012359A1

WO2019012359A1 - Wrap-around activation switch for aerosol-generating devices

Info

Publication number: WO2019012359A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/054721
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tony Reevell
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2017-07-10
Filing date: 2018-06-26
Publication date: 2019-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2020-01-10

Abstract

A wrap-around switch (30) for an aerosol-generating device (10) may be engaged from any radial direction by a user. The switch (30) may be pressed to activate the device (10) and release an aerosol. The switch may be operatively coupled to a control circuit (124) that is operatively coupled to an aerosolizer (122). The control circuit may be configured to activate an aerosolizer to release the aerosol from an aerosol-generating substrate. The switch may be disposed adjacent to an outer surface of the device and flush or sub-flush with the outer surface. The switch may be flexible.

Description

WRAP-AROUND ACTIVATION SWITCH FOR AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICES

This disclosure relates to activation switches. In particular, this disclosure relates to wraparound activation switches for aerosol-generating devices.

Handheld aerosol-generating devices, such as cartomizer electronic cigarettes, are known, which utilize liquid to be evaporated or tobacco material to be heated to generate an inhalable aerosol. These devices may provide an alternative experience to conventional combustion cigarettes. Some devices may adopt a similar look and feel to conventional cigarettes, which may be familiar, easy to handle, portable, and easy to manufacture. In particular, some devices are shaped with a rotationally symmetric cylindrical body and have an internal breath- activated switch to activate the generation, or release, of the inhalable aerosol.

Various devices utilize an external button switch disposed in a single location on an outer surface to activate the generation, or release, of aerosol, which may provide manual control as an alternative to breath-activated switches. Various electronic cigarettes have a controller portion including a battery, a control circuit, and the external button and a cartomizer portion including a liquid store, a wick, and a heater coil. The use of the external button may feel unnatural to some users and may require extra steps to activate. For example, users may have to orient the device before pressing the external button.

It would be desirable to provide users with an improved experience with aerosol- generating devices that does not require rotational orientation before activation. It would also be desirable to facilitate activation of the device without looking for the activation switch. It would further be desirable to prevent unintended activation.

This disclosure provides a wrap-around switch that may be engaged from any radial direction. The switch may be pressed to activate the device and generate, or release, an aerosol. The switch may be operatively coupled to a control circuit that is operatively coupled to an aerosolizer. The control circuit may be configured to activate an aerosolizer to generate, or release, the aerosol from an aerosol-generating substrate. The switch may be disposed adjacent to an outer surface of the device and flush or sub-flush with the outer surface. The switch may be disposed on a controller portion distal to a mouth portion of the device. The switch may be flexible.

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a device including a housing having an outer surface surrounding a longitudinal axis. The device also includes a flexible wrap-around switch disposed adjacent to the outer surface and wrapping around the longitudinal axis at least 90 degrees. The switch comprises a flexible capacitive switch configured to be pressed by a user. The device further includes an aerosolizer to generate aerosol from an aerosol-generating substrate. The device includes a control circuit configured to activate the aerosolizer in response to the switch being pressed by the user. In one or more aspects, the switch is disposed flush with the outer surface.

In one or more aspects, the switch is disposed sub-flush with the outer surface.

In one or more aspects, the wrap-around switch includes an electrical contact switch.

In one or more aspects, the switch includes an outer electrical conductor configured to flex to electrically couple to an inner electrical conductor when the switch is pressed by the user. In one or more aspects, the switch wraps around the longitudinal axis at least 90 degrees.

In one or more aspects, the switch includes an outer electrical conductor configured to flex and an inner electrical conductor capacitively coupled to the outer electrical conductor to define a capacitance that changes as the outer electrical conductor flexes.

In one or more aspects, the switch includes a flexible spacer between the outer and inner electrical conductors.

In one or more aspects, the flexible spacer includes open spaces to allow electrical contact between the outer and inner electrical conductors when the switch is pressed.

In one or more aspects, the flexible spacer insulates the outer and inner electrical conductors even when the switch is pressed. In one or more aspects, a distance between the outer and inner conductors varies in response to a varying pressing force applied to the switch by the user.

In one or more aspects, the control circuit is further configured to vary the generation of aerosol in response to varying the distance.

In one or more aspects, the control circuit is further configured to vary a temperature of the aerosol-generating substrate in response to varying the distance.

In one or more aspects, wherein the control circuit is further configured to energize the aerosolizer with varying voltage in response to varying the distance. ln one or more aspects, the device further includes a mouth portion and a controller portion distal to the mouth portion. The mouth portion and the controller portion may at least partially define the housing. The controller may be coupled to the controller portion and the aerosol- generating substrate is coupled to the mouth portion. Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a controller for an aerosol-generating substrate. The controller includes an aerosolizer to generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate. The controller also includes a wrap-around switch surrounding a longitudinal axis and configured to be engaged by a user. The switch includes at least one of an electrical contact switch, a capacitive touch switch, and a flexible capacitor switch. The controller further includes a control circuit operatively coupled to the switch and configured to activate the aerosolizer in response to the switch being pressed by the user.

Utilizing the wrap-around switch allows users to simply pick up the device in any rotational orientation and activate the device by pressing the switch in from any radial direction, or any side of the outer surface. Users may not need to rotate the device to look for and find the switch, particularly when the switch is distinguishable from the outer surface through tactile means, such as being sub-flush compared to the outer surface. Being sub-flush may also prevent unintended activation.

The terms "proximal," "distal," "side," "outer," "inner," and otherterms are used to describe relative positions or orientations of the device. The terms "longitudinal," "axial," "radial," and "lateral" may be used with reference to a substantially cylindrical device. When describing components according to the present invention, these terms are used irrespective of the orientation of the container being described.

The term "aerosol-generating substrate" refers to a device or substrate that releases, upon heating, volatile compounds that may form an aerosol to be inhaled by a user. Suitable aerosol generating substrates may include plant-based material. For example, the aerosol generating substrate may include tobacco or a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds, which are released from the aerosol generating substrate upon heating. In addition, or alternatively, an aerosol generating substrate may include a non-tobacco containing material. The aerosol generating substrate may include homogenized plant-based material. The aerosol generating substrate may include at least one aerosol former. The aerosol generating substrate may include other additives and ingredients such as flavorants. Preferably, the aerosol generating substrate is a liquid at room temperature. For example, the aerosol forming substrate may be a liquid solution, suspension, dispersion or the like. In some preferred embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate includes glycerol, propylene glycol, water, nicotine and, optionally, one or more flavorants. Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate includes nicotine.

The term "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device including an aerosol generating substrate. Preferably, the aerosol-generating device also includes an aerosolizer, such as an atomizer or heater.

The term "tobacco" refers to a substance including tobacco, which includes tobacco blends or flavored tobacco, for example.

This disclosure relates to a wrap-around switch that may be engaged from any radial direction. Although reference is made herein to a switch on handheld aerosol-generating devices, such as electronic cigarettes, the switch may be used on any handheld or portable device for activation or other user input. Various other applications will become apparent to one of skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure.

The wrap-around switch may be used with any suitable aerosol-generating device. The device may be elongate and extend along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end or proximal end portion to a distal end or distal end portion. An example of an aerosol-generating device is a cartomizer electronic cigarette. Cartomizer electronic cigarettes may include a controller portion and a mouth portion. The mouth portion may also be described as a cartomizer portion. The controller portion may be coupled to the mouth portion. The controller portion may be integrated with or separably coupled to the mouth portion. The controller portion may be disposed distal to the mouth portion.

The mouth portion may include one or more of a liquid store, a wick, and an aerosolizer. The aerosol-generating substrate may be initially stored in the liquid store. The wick may draw the aerosol-generating substrate out of the liquid store and dispose at least some of the aerosol- generating substrate adjacent to the aerosolizer. In some embodiments, a wick may not be needed. For example, the aerosol-generating substrate may be non-liquid.

The aerosolizer may include a heater, a heater coil, or any suitable means for generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosolizer may receive electrical energy or power to release aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate. In some embodiments, the aerosolizer is a heater that varies in temperature depending on the electrical energy received. For example, the heater may rise in temperature in response to a higher voltage received. The aerosolizer may be disposed adjacent to the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the aerosolizer may be disposed adjacent to the liquid store, the wick, or both.

The controller portion may include one or more of a battery, a control circuit, the wraparound switch, and optionally the aerosolizer. The aerosolizer may be considered part of the mouth portion, the controller portion, or both. In some embodiments, part of the aerosolizer may be disposed in the mouth portion and part of the aerosolizer may be disposed in the controller portion. For example, an inductive aerosolizer may include a susceptor in the mouth portion and a heater coil inductively couplable to the susceptor in the controller portion.

The control circuit of the controller portion may be operatively coupled to the switch, the battery, or both. The control circuit may be configured to activate the aerosolizer in response to the switch being pressed by the user.

The control circuit may deliver electrical energy or power from the battery to the aerosolizer in response to the switch. Any suitable control means may be used to deliver electrical energy or power form the battery to the aerosolizer in response to the switch. The control circuit may be configured to vary the amount of energy or power delivered to the aerosolizer in response to varying engagement of the switch by the user.

The mouth portion of the device may be configured to at least partially, or entirely, receive an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generation substrate may be contained in a liquid store. The aerosol-generating substrate may include nicotine and may release nicotine as an aerosol. Once released, a user may inhale the aerosol through the mouth portion.

The device may include an outer surface that defines the shape or body of the device along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the outer surface defines a cylindrical shape. The outer surface may define a constant diameter along at least part of the mouth portion, controller portion, or both. The outer surface may extend a device length along the longitudinal axis. The outer surface may surround the longitudinal axis along the device length.

The outer surface may be at least partially defined by the mouth portion, the controller portion, or both. The mouth portion and the controller portion may each define part of a housing that at least partially defines the outer surface. Each portion may extend a separate length of the device. However, one or more components of a portion may overlap with, or extend into, the other portion. In some embodiments, part of the mouth portion may be inserted into the controller portion, or vice versa. The switch may be disposed distal to the mouth portion. The switch may be disposed adjacent to the outer surface and may, in particular, be disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the controller portion.

The switch may wrap-around the device to any suitable extent. The switch may wrap around the longitudinal axis at least about 90 degrees, at least about 180 degrees, or at least about 270 degrees. Preferably, the switch wraps around the longitudinal axis 360 degrees and surrounds the longitudinal axis.

The switch may extend an axial length parallel to the longitudinal axis along the device length. The axial length may be at least about 10%, at least about 12.5%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, or at least about 33% of the device length. The axial length may be at most about 90%, at most about 80%, at most about 75%, or at most about 66% of the device length. The controller portion may have a controller length at least about 33%, at least about 50%, or at least about 66% of the device length. The switch may extend at least partially along the length of the controller portion. The switch may extend only partially along the length of the controller portion.

The switch may define a lateral width. The lateral width may be an outer diameter. In some embodiments, the switch is disposed flush or level with the outer surface. For example, the outer diameter of the switch may be about the same as an outer diameter of the outer surface. In some embodiments, the switch is disposed sub-flush to or recessed below the outer surface. For example, the outer diameter of the switch may be less than the outer diameter of the outer surface. The difference in diameters may provide a discontinuity that is sufficient to be felt or perceived by the touch of the user. The difference in diameters may also reduce the likelihood of unintended activation of the switch.

The switch may be engaged by the user between an open state and a closed state. Engagement by the user may include pressing, touching, or otherwise interfacing with the switch, which may change a detectable property of the switch, such as electrical conductivity, resistance, or capacitance. The control circuit may detect the change in a binary manner, such as on/off or open/closed. The control circuit may detect a plurality of levels of the switch being on or closed. For example, the control circuit may detect different capacitances as the user presses with more or less force on the switch. The control circuit may release aerosol in a manner that is proportional to the force of the user (for example, greater force on the switch corresponds to a greater amount or rate of aerosol being released). Any suitable type of wrap-around switch may be used as the switch. The switch may be flexible. The flexible switch may flex, deform, compress, or buckle when pressed by the user. The switch may be considered open while unflexed and closed while flexed.

The switch may include an outer electrical conductor. The outer electrical conductor may be described as an outer layer. The outer electrical conductor may define an outer surface of the switch or the outer diameter of the switch. The outer electrical conductor may be flexible. When the user presses the switch, the outer electrical conductor may flex inwardly toward the longitudinal axis. Only part of the outer electrical conductor may flex inwardly toward the longitudinal axis while the remaining part of the outer electrical conductor maintains a nominal or unpressed outer diameter.

Any suitable flexible conductor may be used. In some embodiments, the flexible conductor may include a thin metallic film to provide flexibility and electrical conduction. Non-limiting examples of flexible conductors include aluminium, copper, steel, other alloys, or plastics films coated in metal or conductors (such as carbon). The flexible conductor may be transparent. For example, a transparent conducting oxide layer (TCO) such as zinc oxide may be used to provide a transparent conducting film.

The switch may include an inner electrical conductor. The inner electrical conductor may be described as an inner layer. The inner electrical conductor may define an inner surface of the switch or inner diameter of the switch. The inner electrical conductor may or may not be flexible. When the user presses the switch, the outer electrical conductor may flex toward the inner electrical conductor.

A distance between the outer and inner electrical conductors may be defined in the nominal or unpressed shape of the switch, in which the switch may be in an open state. When pressed by the user, the distance between the outer and inner conductors may vary in response to varying pressing force applied to the switch by the user. The distance the conductor is moved when pressed to close a switch may be small to mitigate fatigue. In some embodiments, the conductor is moved less than or equal to about 1 mm. The varying distance may be detected by the control circuit and used to vary the generation, or release, of aerosol from the aerosol- generating substrate. In some embodiments, a smaller distance between the conductors (for example, farther travel of the outer flexible conductor toward the inner flexible conductor) may correspond to a higher temperature provided by the aerosolizer to heat the aerosol-generating substrate, a higher voltage provided by the control circuit to the aerosolizer, or a greater the generation, or release, of aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate. The switch may include a flexible spacer disposed between the outer and inner electrical conductors. The flexible spacer may provide a spring-like response. The flexible spacer may return the outer electrical conductor to the nominal or unpressed outer diameter in the absence of pressing by the user. The flexible spacer may or may not allow electrical contact between the outer and inner electrical conductors when the switch is pressed. The flexible spacer may be formed as a mesh. The flexible spacer may include open pores, spaces, or gaps to allow electrical contact or coupling. The electrical contact or coupling may be direct or indirect. The flexible spacer may be at least partially formed of an insulating material.

The switch may be configured as an electrical contact switch. The electrical contact switch may include outer and inner electrical conductors that electrically contact one another to close the switch when the user presses the switch. The user may press on the outer electrical conductor to close the switch. The outer electrical conductor may be moved toward the inner electrical conductor to contact the outer and inner electrical conductors. Closing the switch may activate the device. The control circuit may detect the electrical contact between outer and inner electrical conductors and activate the device. In some embodiments, the closed switch may complete an electrical circuit to deliver electrical energy or power to the aerosolizer.

The electrical contact switch may include the flexible spacer. The flexible spacer may include open spaces to allow the outer and inner electrical conductors to make electrical contact through the spaces. When the switch is not pressed, the outer electrical conductor may return to a nominal or unpressed shape, which may be facilitated by the flexible spacer. The spring or return force of the switch returning, or reverting, to the nominal shape may be sufficient to keep the conductors apart when not pressed while also allowing contact of the conductors when pressed with intentional force.

The flexible spacer may be formed of a rubber material, foam material (for example, polyurethane foam), or any other suitable material capable of reverting to a nominal shape.

The outer and inner electrical conductors may be separated by any suitable distance to electrically isolate the conductors. In some embodiments, the conductors are separated by greater than or equal to about 0.2 mm. In some embodiments, the conductors are separated by less than or equal to about 1 mm. The conductors may be separated about 0.2 mm to about 1 mm.

The spacer may include a material with open pores, spaces, or gaps. The electrical conductors may make contact within the spaces. The spaces may be circular (for example, like the numerous holes formed in a block of swiss cheese), rectangular (for example, in a mesh), or other shape. In some embodiments, the spaces may have a width of greater than or equal to about 1 mm. In some embodiments, the spaces may have a width of less than or equal to about 5 mm. The width of the spaces may be about 1 mm to about 5 mm. The spacer may be formed of a mesh or other similar material.

In some embodiments, the electrical contact switch may include a substantially rigid or incompressible spacer. The spacer may be semi-rigid or semi-compressible. The outer electrical conductor may still flexto make contact with the inner electrical conductor within the open spaces around the substantially rigid or semi-rigid spacer. The spacer may be formed of a plastic material (for example, polypropylene), paper, wax paper, thin film polymers, or any other suitable substantially rigid or semi-rigid material.

The spacer, whether flexible or inflexible, may wrap-around the device to any suitable extent. The spacer may wrap around the longitudinal axis at least about 90 degrees, at least about 180 degrees, or at least about 270 degrees. Preferably, the switch wraps around the longitudinal axis 360 degrees and surrounds the longitudinal axis.

The switch may be configured as a capacitive switch. The capacitive switch may be arranged as a cylindrical capacitor. The capacitive switch may include outer and inner electrical conductors that form opposing capacitive plates separated by a dielectric and a distance. The dielectric may be air or other insulating material. The capacitive switch may be a capacitive touch switch activated by touch from the user or other human body. The distance between outer and inner electrical conductors may be fixed.

The capacitive switch may be a flexible capacitive switch activated by pressing from the user to flex the switch. In a flexible capacitive switch, the user may press on the outer electrical conductorto flex and close the switch. A change in the capacitance of the switch may be detected, for example, by the control circuit. In some embodiments, the switch may be closed to varying degrees. The pressing force of the user may vary or otherwise change the distance between the outer and inner electrical conductors. For example, greater pressing force by the user, or harder press, may correspond to a smaller distance between the outer and inner electrical conductors. The varying distance may be detected as a varying capacitance by the control circuit and may activate the aerosolizer by varying amounts. For example, a smaller the distance may correspond to greater amounts of aerosol being generated by the device. Th e flexible capacitive switch may include the flexible spacer. The flexible spacer may be at least partially formed of a dielectric material and may function as a dielectric for a capacitor formed with the outer and inner electrical conductors. The flexible spacer may not include open spaces and may electrically isolate the outer and inner electrical conductors. When the switch is not pressed, the outer electrical conductor may return to a nominal or unpressed shape, which may be facilitated by the flexible spacer.

The flexible spacer may be formed of a rubber material, foam material (for example, polyurethane foam), or any other suitable material capable of reverting to a nominal shape. Preferably, the material reverts to the nominal shape quickly. The spacing of the outer and inner electrical conductors forming the flexible capacitive switch may be greater than the spacing of the electrical contact switch, which may facilitate detection of the change in capactiance. In some embodiments, the conductors are separated by greater than or equal to about 1 mm. In some embodiments, the conductors are separated by less than or equal to about 2 mm. The conductors may be separated between about 1 mm and about 2 mm. The flexible outer conductor, when pressed, may flex across the full spacing (for example, about 1 mm to about 2 mm).

The switch may include a conductive polymer. In some embodiments, the switch may be formed of a polymeric foil impregnated with carbon black. The conductive polymer may be pressure sensitive. The change in pressure may be detected as a change in resistance. Preferably, resistance change in the conductive polymer is detectable due to similar pressing force as the electrical contact switch or flexible capacitive switch described herein.

The schematic drawings are not necessarily to scale and are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. The drawings depict one or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawing fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Referring now to the drawings, in which some aspects of the present invention are illustrated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device 10 including an example of the switch 30. As illustrated, the device 10 may include a mouth portion 12 defining a proximal portion of the device and a controller portion 14 defining a distal portion of the device. The portions 12, 14 may each define part of a housing that at least partially defines an outer surface. The controller portion 14 may include a wrap-around switch 30. The switch 30 may be disposed adjacent to and flush (or level) with the outer surface of the controller portion 14. The switch 30 may have a generally cylindrical shape that is rotationally symmetric. The switch 30 may be flexible or inflexible.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a device 20 including an example of the switch 32. As illustrated, the device 20 may include a mouth portion 12 defining a proximal portion of the device and a controller portion 16 defining a distal portion of the device. The controller portion 16 may include a wrap-around switch 30. The switch 30 may be disposed adjacent to and sub-flush to (or below the level of) an outer surface of the controller portion 16. The switch 30 may have a generally cylindrical shape that is rotationally symmetric. The switch 30 may be flexible or inflexible. FIG. 3 is a schematic elevation view of a device 100 including an example of the switch

130. As illustrated the device 100 may include a mouth portion 112 and a controller portion 114. The mouth portion 112 and the controller portion 114 may be integrally formed together or separable. The mouth portion 112 may include an aerosol-generating substrate 120 and an aerosolizer 122 that may be activated to release an aerosol from the substrate. The aerosolizer 122 may be a heater or heater coil. The mouth portion 112 may define an air inlet 128 at an end portion opposite to the controller portion 114 to allow a user to inhale aerosol therethrough. The controller portion 114 may include a control circuit 124 and a power source 126. The control circuit 124 may manage delivery of energy or power from the power source 126 to the aerosolizer 122 in response to user engagement with the switch 130. The power source 126 may be a battery. The switch 130 may be disposed distal to the mouth portion 112 (for example, closer to the controller portion 114 than the mouth portion 112). The switch 130 may be disposed on the controller portion 114. The switch 130 may surround a longitudinal axis 150 that extends through the mouth portion 112 and the controller portion 114 (for example, the switch 130 may extend entirely around the longitudinal axis 150). The air inlet 128 may be aligned to the axis 150. The switch 130 may be flexible or inflexible. The switch 130 may be flush or sub-flush to an outer surface of the device 100.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of the switch 200. The switch 200 may include a flexible spacer 210 disposed between an outer electrical conductor 212 and an inner electrical conductor 214. The switch 200 may surround a longitudinal axis 250 (extending into the paper, illustrated as a dot). As illustrated, the switch 200 may be in a nominal or unpressed shape, when the switch is open. When open, the outer electrical conductor 212 may be electrically isolated from the inner electrical conductor 214. The flexible spacer 210 may be at least partially formed of insulating material and provide the space between the electrical conductors 212, 214.

The switch 200 may be pressed by a user in any direction as seen in the pressed shapes 202, 204, 206 (user engagement, or press, illustrated by an arrow), when the switch is closed. In any of the pressed shapes 202, 204, 206, the outer electrical conductor 212 may be electrically coupled to the inner electrical conductor 214. The flexible spacer 210 may include open spaces that allow the electrical conductors 212, 214 to touch therethrough.

The outer electrical conductor 212 may be flexible. In any of the pressed shapes 202, 204, 206, the outer electrical conductor 212 may flex and electrically couple to the inner electrical conductor 214. The electrical coupling may be direct or indirect. Only a portion of the outer electrical conductor 212 may contact the inner electrical conductor 214.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of the switch 300. The switch 300 may include a flexible spacer 310 disposed between an outer electrical conductor 312 and an inner electrical conductor 314. The switch 300 may surround a longitudinal axis 350 (extending into the paper, illustrated as a dot). As illustrated, the switch 300 may be in a nominal or unpressed shape, when the switch is open. When open, the outer electrical conductor 312 may be electrically isolated from, but capacitively coupled to, the inner electrical conductor 314. The flexible spacer 310 may be at least partially formed of insulating material and provide the space between the electrical conductors 312, 314 and function as a dielectric for a capacitor. The switch 300 may be pressed by a user in any direction as seen in the pressed shapes

302, 304, 306 (user engagement, or press, illustrated by an arrow), in which the switch may be considered closed. When the switch is closed, an aerosol-generating device may release aerosol. In any of the pressed shapes 302, 304, 306, the capacitance between the outer electrical conductor 312 and the inner electrical conductor 314 may differ from the unpressed shape of the switch 300. The difference in capacitance may depend on the difference in distance between the electrical conductors 312, 314, which in turn may depend on the pressing force by the user. The varying capacitance may be measured and used to vary the amount or rate of aerosol released by the aerosol-generating device. The flexible spacer 310 may not include open spaces and may electrically isolate the electrical conductors 312, 314 even when pressed. The outer electrical conductor 312 may be flexible. In any of the pressed shape 302, 304,

306, the outer electrical conductor 312 may flex and change the capacitance between the inner electrical conductor 314 and the outer electrical conductor 312. Only a portion of the outer electrical conductor 312 may flex when pressed by the user.

The specific embodiments described above are intended to illustrate the invention. However, other embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims, and it is to be understood that the specific embodiments described above are not intended to be limiting.

All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term "and/or" means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements. As used herein, "have", "having", "include", "including", "comprise", "comprising" or the like are used in their open ended sense, and generally mean "including, but not limited to". It will be understood that "consisting essentially of, "consisting of, and the like are subsumed in "comprising," and the like.

The words "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A device comprising:

a housing comprising an outer surface surrounding a longitudinal axis;

a flexible wrap-around switch disposed adjacent to the outer surface and wrapping around the longitudinal axis at least 90 degrees, the switch comprising a flexible capacitive switch configured to be pressed by a user;

an aerosolizer to generate aerosol from an aerosol-generating substrate; and a control circuit configured to activate the aerosolizer in response to the switch being pressed by the user.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the switch is disposed flush with the outer surface.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the switch is disposed sub-flush with the outer surface.

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wrap-around switch comprises an electrical contact switch.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the switch comprises an outer electrical conductor configured to flex to electrically couple to an inner electrical conductor when the switch is pressed by the user.

6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch wraps around the longitudinal axis at least 90 degrees.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the switch comprises an outer electrical conductor configured to flex and an inner electrical conductor capacitively coupled to the outer electrical conductor to define a capacitance that changes as the outer electrical conductor flexes.

8. The device according to any one of claims 5 or 7, wherein the switch comprises a flexible spacer between the outer and inner electrical conductors.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the flexible spacer comprises open spaces to allow electrical contact between the outer and inner electrical conductors when the switch is pressed.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the flexible spacer insulates the outer and inner electrical conductors even when the switch is pressed.

1 1 . The device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein a distance between the outer and inner conductors varies in response to a varying pressing force applied to the switch by the user.

12. The device according to claim 1 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to vary the generation of aerosol in response to varying the distance.

13. The device according to any one of claims 1 1 or 12, wherein the control circuit is further configured to vary a temperature of the aerosol-generating substrate in response to varying the distance.

14. The device according to any one of claims 1 1 to 13, wherein the control circuit is further configured to energize the aerosolizer with varying voltage in response to varying the distance.

15. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a mouth portion and a controller portion distal to the mouth portion, wherein the mouth portion and the controller portion at least partially define the housing, wherein the controller is coupled to the controller portion and the aerosol-generating substrate is coupled to the mouth portion.

A controller for an aerosol-generating substrate, the controller comprising:

an aerosolizer to generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate;

a wrap-around switch surrounding a longitudinal axis and configured to be engaged by user, the switch comprising at least one of an electrical contact switch, a capacitive touch switch, and a flexible capacitor switch; and

a control circuit operatively coupled to the switch and configured to activate the

aerosolizer in response to the switch being pressed by the user.