WO2024179969A1

WO2024179969A1 - Aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: WO2024179969A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/054778
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charanjit Nandra; David Rushforth; Connor BRUTON
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2023-02-27
Filing date: 2024-02-26
Publication date: 2024-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2025-08-27
Also published as: GB202302826D0; CN121001609A

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol provision device comprising: a housing comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; a visual communication element arranged on the distal end portion; and, an audio communication element arranged in or on the housing; wherein the visual communication element is arranged to provide a visual indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device; and wherein the audio communication element is arranged to provide an audio indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device.

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device, an aerosol-generating system, a method of providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, and aerosol provision means.

Background

Aerosol-generating systems are known. Common systems use heaters which are activated by a user to create an aerosol by an aerosol provision device from an aerosol generating material which is then provided for inhalation by the user. The device may be activated by a user at the push of a button or merely by the act of inhalation. Modem systems can use consumable elements containing the aerosol generating material. There are many aspects that a user may wish to track over the lifetime of the device. Ease of understanding and tracking these allows the user to adapt their usage to the conditions of the device and therefore improves the lifetime of the device and the user experience with the device.

Modern electronic aerosol-generating systems and aerosol provision devices and the like have been introduced as alternatives to other older systems, such as systems relying on combustion of material to provide an aerosol. Reduced confidence when trying modern systems for older system users is known.

The present invention is directed toward solving some of the above problems.

Summary

Aspects of the invention are defined in the accompanying claims.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device comprising: a housing comprising a proximal and a distal end portion; a visual communication element arranged on the distal end portion; and, an audio communication element arranged in or on the housing; wherein the visual communication element is arranged to provide a visual indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device; and wherein the audio communication element is arranged to provide an audio indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device.

Such a system is able to provide users with indications in relation to relevant operational concerns. The present system uses indications that are both visual and audio. While one indication may be possible, the combination is extremely user friendly for handheld devices and have been found to integrate well into such devices. The visual indication may be advantageous in loud environments (factories, music arenas, etc.) wherein an audio signal may be lost to background noise. The audio indication may be advantageous in an example wherein the user has in an example wherein the user is not in sight of the device but is within audio distance, or in the example that the user may be partially sighted or in low lighting conditions. Both may be advantageous in cold weather when the user may be wearing gloves and therefore not responsive to haptic indications.

In an example, the visual communication element is arranged to provide a visual indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status. Each of these are highly relevant characteristics of the device and may inform the user on how best to approach continued use of their device. In particular, in modem devices the status of the firmware of the device is highly important. By informing the user whether the firmware is up to date, updating or out of date, the user can approach use of their device or updating their device accordingly. The more complex such devices become, the more important and relevant up to date firmware is for the device to function as intended by the manufacturer. As such, for optimum performance, the user may be informed when the firmware requires updating and arrange such update accordingly.

In an example, the audio communication element is arranged to provide an audio indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status. As for the above, up to date firmware is highly relevant to maintain performance level throughout the lifetime of the device. Furthermore, audio communications may be useful for indicating use characteristics that may be relevant at any time for the user, particularly during non-use periods wherein the user may not have the device nearby. If a user keeps their device in a bag or the like, the user may not see a visual cue. As such, an audio cue during non-use periods or for alarm like events may be particularly useful.

In an example, power source condition comprises at least one of operating; not operating; activatable; and, not activatable; charging status comprises at least one of charging; not charging; chargable; and not chargable; aerosol generating material consumable condition comprises at least one of consumable lifetime; sessions remaining in consumable; and, sessions provided by consumable; hardware status comprises at least one of operational; and, not operational; and, firmware status comprises at least one of up to date; out of date; and updating.

Each of these are highly relevant for a user of such an aerosol provision device. The user may be informed of usual day-to-day concerns such as power source level (i.e. how charged is the battery or the like) as well as rarer more pressing concerns such as whether the power source is faulty in some way and requires repair or replacement (i.e. not chargable is a condition wherein the device could not be charged even if desired and therefore indicates an error state for the device). With this information, the user is well informed as to the situation of the device from a mechanical, electrical, computational (firmware) and overall functioning level. The user is therefore highly prepared for actions that may be required (charging the power source, replacing a component, removing and supplying a consumable or aerosol generating material, connecting to a network and updating the firmware or the like).

The communication element may be an interactive screen. This may provide a human machine interface (HMI) or the like for interacting with the device. This may provide information to the user via a visual display. The user may be able to interact with this visual indications via touching the interactive screen.

The communication elements may be used to provide audio and visual indications according to the combustion of the aerosol generating material located inside the device. This may be in the form of illustrating burn down of a consumable or aerosol generating material or providing a sound associated with combustion (or other use) of an aerosol generating material or the like.

The communication element may be elongate. This may further increase familiarity of the device for users of older or more traditional systems. In particular, and in combination or not with an elongate element, the communication elements may illustrate bum down of a consumable. The remaining use time for the consumable in the device may be represented on the visual communication element. As this is reduced, a burning down visual indication may be shown. This increases the familiarity of the newer aerosol provision device system for users of older or more traditional combustible systems. This advantageously emulates the existing habits or rituals the users have become accustomed to when using older or more traditional systems. As such, the confidence of these users is increased by the provision of this information. Users of older systems may not be familiar with checking e-liquid levels (e.g.) or the like and therefore this system may be beneficial for such users.

Similarly, the audio indication may be a crackling and/or a popping and/or a spitting sound. This may be a pre-recorded audio segment that is used to emulate the sounds produced during the burning of, for example, a normal combustible device such as a cigarette or a cigar. The precise audio provided by a combustible device may depend on the structure, condition and status of the aerosol generating material within the combustible device. For example, a first cigarette of a first material may provide a different audio soundscape to a second cigarette of a second material. The audio communication element may be able to provide a variety of audio signals according to user choice or based on a detection of the aerosol generating material within the device. This may further increase familiarity for users of older or more traditional devices and thereby increase their confidence of use, reducing the likelihood of such users reverting to those older devices.

Similarly, the visual indication may be based on a detection of the type of aerosol generating material within the device. The visual indication may be one of: burning embers; emitting of vapour; and, burning down of an aerosol generating material consumable. The colours of the embers may vary depending on the aerosol generating material used in the device. In this way, the indications are used so as to clearly provide vast amounts of data to a user for processing accordingly. This can improve user confidence with the device and increase the lifetime of the device as the user can respond proactively to repairs being required.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosolgenerating system for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: aerosol provision device comprising: a housing comprising a proximal and a distal end portion; a visual communication element arranged on the distal end portion; and, an audio communication element arranged in or on the housing; wherein the visual communication element is arranged to provide a visual indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device; and wherein the audio communication element is arranged to provide an audio indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of providing an indication to a user, the method comprising: providing an aerosol provision device with a housing comprising a proximal and a distal end portion, a visual communication element arranged on the distal end portion and an audio communication element arranged in or on the housing, providing, by the visual communication element, a visual indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device; and, providing, by the audio communication element, an audio indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device.

The method disclosed herein may be a method of providing an aerosol to a user from an aerosol provision device.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided aerosol provision means comprising: a housing comprising a proximal and a distal end portion; visual communication means arranged on the distal end portion; and, audio communication means arranged in or on the housing; wherein the visual communication means is arranged to provide a visual indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision means; and wherein the audio communication means is arranged to provide an audio indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision means. Description of Drawings

The present teachings will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following figures:

Figure l is a schematic view of an aerosol provision device according to an example;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of an aerosol provision system according to an example; and, Figure 3 is a flow diagram according to an example.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description of the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the invention covers all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description

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.

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 / device and electronic aerosol provision system / device. Furthermore, and as is common in the technical field, the terms "aerosol" and "vapour", and related terms such as "vaporise", "volatilise" and "aerosolise", may generally be used interchangeably. Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of an example of an aerosol provision device 100 according to the present invention. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises an aerosol provision device housing 110. The aerosol provision device housing 110 has distal end 111 and a proximal end 112. The housing 110 may be a broadly cylindrical shape, with a longer longitudinal portion than a corresponding transverse portion, this is not however required for the benefits of the devices disclosed herein. The housing 110 may have a cross section that is not circular, it may be of any cross section, while for example maintaining an elongate longitudinal portion. The device 100 has a visual communication element 120 arranged on the distal end portion 111. The visual communication element 120 may be arranged near or towards the distal end portion 111. The visual communication element 120 is arranged to provide a visual indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device 100. The device 100 also has an audio communication element 130 arranged in or on the housing 110. In the example shown, the audio communication element 130 is arranged in the housing 110. The audio communication element 130 is arranged to provide an audio indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device 100.

In the example shown there is a control portion 150 connected to the communication elements 120, 130. The control portion 150 may contain a detector (or detectors), control circuitry and other electronics for receiving signals from aspects of the device 100 that are to be indicated to the user. For example, the device 100 disclosed herein may be arranged to disclose to the user via an audio signal that the heater (heating elements or the like) of the device 100 is not functioning properly. For this to occur, the device 100 may have a thermal detector assessing the performance of the heating elements and an electrical detector detecting the supply of electrical power to the heating elements. In the event that the electrical detector or the thermal detector detect a change in performance, the control circuitry may receive signals from these, compare the signals against known correctly functioning levels and assess whether the device 100 is functioning as expected. In the event that the signals from the detectors indicate an issue, the control circuitry may send a signal to the audio and/or visual communication element 120, 130 to provide an indication to the user accordingly.

The visual communication element 120 being arranged on the distal end 111 of the device 100 is highly advantageous for increasing the familiarity of the device 100 to users of older or more traditional combustible devices. The visual communication element 120 may light up in a way that is reminiscent of a lit cigarette.

This arrangement may be able to provide information for the user in a manner that is nonintrusive but highly informative. The communications from the communication elements 120, 130 may additionally increase familiarity for users more used to older or more traditional combustible systems to increase the confidence of use of newer systems, for example, by emulating the existing habits or rituals the users have become accustomed to when using older or more traditional systems.

The visual communication element 120 may be able to provide a visual indication that is reminiscent of burning down of a cigarette as the aerosol generating material in the device 100 is depleted. The visual communication element 120 along some length of the distal portion 111 of the device 100 enable showing the depletion as may be seen in a typical disposable combustible product. Encouraging users of such older systems to use newer reuseable systems may also reduce the total devices disposed and therefore provide an environmental benefit.

Provision of indications at the distal portion 111 of the housing 110 is a user friendly location for providing information to the user as it is highly visible for the user. As such, the use of visual indications at the distal end 111 of the device 100 is synergistic in providing data readily to the user as well as increasing the confidence of users of older systems as indications mimic the effects associated with combustible products. Visual indications are particularly useful in loud environments wherein the user may not be able to detect audio indications.

The audio communication element 130 may provide audio indications to a user in relation to use characteristics of the device 100. An audio indication may be particularly useful in situations that are low light or for users with limited visibility (for whom the visual communication element 120 may not be highly useful). Audio indications may also be useful for use in scenarios such as cold weather when users may be wearing additional layers over their hands or the like that may dampen, for example other indications such as haptic indications. Audio indications enable a user to, for example, initiate use of the device 100 in a pocket during cold weather or the like (prior to bringing to the mouth of a user). As such, audio indications are highly useful and synergistic with visual indications as the two are complementary and account for the other’s shortcomings. Emergency indications may be performed via audio as audio indications may be the most reliable form of indication. The user may not be in the same room as the device 100 and therefore be unlikely to notice visual indications, however the user may receive audio indications. As such, audio indications are very useful for indications that may occur (such as expiry of lifetime of components, or urgent repairs required, or other similar emergency issues) during periods of non use.

The audio communication element 130 may provide indications of use characteristics such as the device 100 being in use. Such an audio communication element 130 may provide an indication in the style of a crackle sound effect or the like. This sound effect is an artificially producted, e.g. pre-recorded, audio file that may be provided by a speaker or the like as part of the audio communication element 130. The sound file may be a crackle as this is a sound that is commonly made when aerosol generating material is heated to provide an aerosol. Other sounds may include the popping or spitting sound of material being heated. The sounds chosen and used may be those that emulate the sounds produced during the use of older products, such as combustible products. This may increase the familiarity of new users to modern devices. This, in turn, may increase the likelihood of user’s continuing to use such modern devices, should they choose to.

This may be synergistic with visual indications that emulate the visuals produced during the use of older products, such as combustible products. This may be embers burning or flickering or the like. Each of these increases the familiarity of the user with the new device. Together, the visual communication element 120 and the audio communication element 130 can provide a realistic impression of the use of older or more traditional products. This advantageously emulates the existing habits or rituals the users have become accustomed to when using older or more traditional systems.

In general, the communication elements may provide indication forms for different matters or aspects of data. The visual communication element may be arranged to provide a visual indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status. Similarly, the audio communication element may be arranged to provide an audio indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status.

In a specific example, audio indications may be used for powering up (relevant in circumstances wherein the device incorrectly begins powering up when not in a user’s hand, thereby improving safety), and visual indications may be used to indicate operating conditions, such as heater temperature, consumable condition and lifetime. In combination, the communication arrangement may be a highly effective and reliable system for communicating issues to the user. Audio indications may be used for alarm statuses (e.g. emergencies) as well, as mentioned above this can be advantageous if such a status occurs when the user is distanced from the device (such as in another room) such that the visual communication would not be received by the user but an audio indication would be received by the user. The volume of the audio indication may be adjusted based on the severity of the indication, such as very loud indications for alarm statuses (such as power shortages, heater repair being required or the like) and less loud indications for normal in use indications such as the crackling audio files during use.

Issues, problems or use characteristics to be communicated to the user may include battery condition (what charge level the battery has, what lifetime remains on the battery), charging status (whether the device is charging successfully or not); consumable condition (how much uses remain in the consumable used in use in the device, whether the consumable is out of date or has been recalled); heater activation status (whether the heater is on or off); boost status (whether the boost condition is on or off); session status (whether the session is in a beginning, middle or end point); operational time (the amount of active time remaining in battery, or the amount of time that the device has been active for users to track and control their usage).

Similarly, indications may be related to at least one of: power source condition (what condition the battery is in, operational, non operational, faulty, etc); charging status (high efficiency charging, low efficiency charging, intermittent charging due to error, no charging due to error); heater condition (operational as expected, operational though unexpected, non operational though expected, non operational though unexpected); heater status (on or off); boost status (on or off); control circuitry status (functioning as expected or not); hardware status (operational, not operational, broken or faulty etc), and firmware status (up to date, out of date, updating etc).

These can in the main indicate to the user whether the device is operating as expected, i.e. working, or not as expected, i.e. faulty or broken. Errors can be indicated to the user via the component status as to whether a component needs replacement or repair. The power source may be battery or capacitor or any other suitable power source.

Statuses of the device may include operating (i.e. presently functioning to provide an aerosol or “on”), not operating (i.e. not presently functioning to provide an aerosol or “off’), activatable (i.e. functioning such that the device could provide an aerosol if requested) and not activatable (i.e. functioning such that the device could not provide an aerosol if requested). Not activatable may indicate a locked state of the device or a faulty condition of the device (wherein the user may request activation but this cannot be provided due to the fault or error that requires the user’s attention).

The visual communication element 120 may in an example be an interactive screen. The screen may be able to provide indications with which the user may interact by interacting with the screen. For example, the screen may show burn down of a combustible product during use and the user may be able to flick away a burnt end of the combustible product shown on the screen by flicking the screen. The screen detects the interaction of the user and replicates it within the images shown on the screen. This further increases familiarity for users of older or more traditional combustible systems with the newer re-useable systems.

The indications provided by the communication elements 120, 130 may therefore relate to combustion of aerosol generating material. Indications may relate to audio crackling files or visual fire or embers. The visual may relate to burning of paper or cigarette material not just aerosol generating material.

In an example, during use of the device 100 the user may insert aerosol generating material into the device 100. Control circuitry 150 may recognise the aerosol generating material. The audio and visual indications may then be based on recognition of the aerosol generating material. In this way, a more authentic experience can be replicated by the device 100 of older devices. Again, this increases the familiarity of the device for new users. In an example therefore, a first aerosol generating material (e.g. tobacco) has a first visual indication and a first audio indication while a second aerosol generating material (e.g. menthol) has a second visual indication and a second audio indication.

The audio indications relating to combustion of aerosol generating material may include crackling, spitting, popping, the rushing of air into or from aerosol generating material. The visual indications relating to combustion of aerosol generating material may include burning embers, emitting of vapour, burning down of an aerosol generating material consumable or the like.

The audio files may be aerosol generating material dependent to increase familiarity and thus emulating the existing habits or rituals the users have become accustomed to when using older or more traditional systems. The audio files are different because use of different aerosol generating materials sounds different due to moisture content, differing structural fibres, differing densities, differing oil contents etc. As such, it is advantageous to have accurate replications of the in use sounds of various aerosol generating material. Furthermore, the device 100 may allow the user to chose the sounds provided by the device 100 during use. This may allow the user to personalise the device 100 to provide audio indications that relate to the use of cigarettes, cigars or pipes.

The visual communication element 120 may be a human machine interface or the like for allowing the user to interact with data provisions on the device. This may provide the various data to the user in a user-friendly manner.

Any combination of visual and audio indications may be used as is useful for a user to convey information about the device 100. As noted above, one may be reserved (e.g. audio) for emergency indications to the user. In this way, the user always associates one form of indication as requiring some immediate action. This improves user interaction with the alarm function disclosed herein and the user is not likely to ignore the indications as may happen if the indication (e.g. visual) is regularly used and a slightly different form of that indication

(e.g. a specific colour) indicates a serious or severe problem.

The system may note use characteristics via a combination of control circuitry which is in communication with the various aspects to be communicated to a user alongside detectors where relevant. The detectors may be any of a timer; a gyroscope; a magnetometer; a housing-located capacitor; a heat sensor; an accelerometer; electrical sensors; an altimeter; a light gate; and, a pressure sensor. Each of these may help provide an assessment of the relevant aspects to be communicated to a user (e.g. whether the heater is operating as expected or the power source is charging as expected).

Figure 2 shows an example of an aerosol-generating system 200. The aerosol -generating system 200 is similar to the aerosol provision device 100 of Figure 1. In the specific example of Figure 2, the control circuitry and detector arrangements 250 are external to the aerosol provision device 210 of the aerosol-generating system 200 of Figure 2. The visual communication element 220 arranged on the distal end portion 211 of the aerosol provision device 210. The audio communication element 230 is arranged in the housing of the aerosol provision device 210.

The circuitry 250 may interact remotely with the aerosol provision device 210 via any communication method. Such an arrangement reduces the cost of the aerosol provision device 210 by providing the circuitry 250 separately to the device 210. The aerosolgenerating system 200 may therefore have an increased lifetime when compared to the aerosol provision device 100 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a method 300 of use of an aerosol provision device. The method 300 is shown as a flow chart. In the method 300, the device may start in a default state 302, which may be a fully charged, fully operational arrangement as for example would be the case with a brand new device. Alternatively, the default operating state may be use condition of a previously used device as would be the case for a user’s device that has been used at least once. The battery may or may not be fully charged but the lifetime of the components within the device would be at least partially diminished due to use. When a user attempts to use, is using, or is not using, the device, the device detects use characteristics of the device. This may be as described above using one or more detectors to assess the various use characteristics described above. The device detects the characteristics using a detector (which may contain a number of individual sensors/detectors). The detector may detect 304 the use characteristics via any standard mechanism (e.g. voltmeter for assessment of a battery).

The detector sends a signal accordingly to control circuitry 306. The control circuitry may receive regular signals from the detector or detectors as to use characteristics and only provide indications to the user as deemed relevant. A user may not require permanently informing that the battery is working efficiently as an example. Rather, a preferred method may be that the user is informed when the battery begins to not work efficiently, i.e. when user input is required. However, consumable lifetime and sessions remaining may be continually (or semi continually, i.e. at regular close intervals) informed to a user so that the user has an up to date understanding of the remaining use in the device.

When such an indication is deemed suitable for communication to the user, the control circuitry may provide an indication to the user 308 via the audio communication element and visual communication element which may be as per the above description.

This method provides a user-friendly, indication process for the user that does not overload the user with information but keeps the user regularly informed as to the relevant matters at any one time during the lifetime of the device. The method offers a balance between overloading the user and providing the user with little to no warning ahead of relevant use events (e.g. running out of battery power, or aerosol generating material or the breakdown of a component within the device). With clear indications for users in a variety of situations, the user is well informed and prepared during usage of the device. The method also increases user familiarity for users of older or more traditional combustible-type products.

The detector detecting the use characteristics as noted above may be a series of detectors. The detector may be one instrument or an array of instruments. The detector as disclosed herein may include a series of instruments that operate simultaneously or together to provide an accurate and informed assessment of the various use characteristics within the device at any one moment. These are used to ensure correct and relevant indications are provided to the user.

The aerosol provision device may comprise heating arrangements or the like for providing an aerosol from a consumable - the consumable may contain an aerosol generating material or the like. The control circuitry may control the heating arrangement (or the like) according to use requests from a user. The activation and lifetime of various components are detected by detectors in the device and provided to control circuitry that links to the communication element or elements on the device for informing a user.

The device and system herein are described as comprising several components that enable several advantages. The components may be disclosed as on-board the device or within the system. The components may be distributed and therefore not necessarily be located onboard the device. The functionality of the device can be provided by communicatively connected components, and such communication may be wireless, enabling such distribution. At which point it is reasonable to foresee that a distributed array of components will operate in the manner of the devices and systems disclosed herein. Components of the device or system may be contained in a further device such as a smartphone, computer, or remote server or the like.

The method and device disclosed herein enable the user to be informed as suitable as to conditions within the device. This improves the user experience of the device, the lifetime of the device and the safety of general use of the device.

The devices and systems disclosed herein may be used with consumables comprising aerosol generating material. Such consumables may be solid or liquid and may be cartridges or the like.

In a particular example, the device disclosed herein may operate with a flavour pod which is replaceable in the device - this may be referred to as a consumable. The flavour may be any of tobacco and glycol and may include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamon, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, j asmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof.

When combined with an aerosol generating medium, the aerosol provision device as disclosed herein may be referred to as an aerosol provision system.

Thus there has been described an aerosol provision device comprising: a housing comprising a proximal and a distal end portion; a visual communication element arranged on the distal end portion; and, an audio communication element arranged in or on the housing; wherein the visual communication element is arranged to provide a visual indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device; and wherein the audio communication element is arranged to provide an audio indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device.

The aerosol provision system may be used in a tobacco industry product, for example a noncombustible aerosol provision system.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product comprises one or more components of a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a heater and an aerosolizable substrate.

In one embodiment, the aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette also known as a vaping device.

In one embodiment the electronic cigarette comprises a heater, a power supply capable of supplying power to the heater, an aerosolizable substrate such as a liquid or gel, a housing and optionally a mouthpiece. In one embodiment the aerosolizable substrate is contained in or on a substrate container. In one embodiment the substrate container is combined with or comprises the heater.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a heating product which releases one or more compounds by heating, but not burning, a substrate material. The substrate material is an aerosolizable material which may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the heating device product is a tobacco heating product.

In one embodiment, the heating product is an electronic device.

In one embodiment, the tobacco heating product comprises a heater, a power supply capable of supplying power to the heater, an aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material.

In one embodiment the heating product is a non-electronic article.

In one embodiment the heating product comprises an aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material, and a heat source which is capable of supplying heat energy to the aerosolizable substrate without any electronic means, such as by burning a combustion material, such as charcoal.

In one embodiment the heating product also comprises a filter capable of filtering the aerosol generated by heating the aerosolizable substrate.

In some embodiments the aerosolizable substrate material may comprise an aerosol or aerosol generating agent or a humectant, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin or diethylene glycol.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a hybrid system to generate aerosol by heating, but not burning, a combination of substrate materials. The substrate materials may comprise for example solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate. The solid substrate may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco. In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for a superior electronic aerosol provision system. 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 teach the claimed features. 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 and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. An aerosol provision device comprising: a housing comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; a visual communication element arranged on the distal end portion; and, an audio communication element arranged in or on the housing; wherein the visual communication element is arranged to provide a visual indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device; and wherein the audio communication element is arranged to provide an audio indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device.

2. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1, wherein the visual communication element is arranged to provide a visual indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status.

3. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the audio communication element is arranged to provide an audio indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status.

4. An aerosol provision device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein power source condition comprises at least one of: operating; not operating; activatable; and, not activatable; charging status comprises at least one of: charging; not charging; chargable; and not chargable; aerosol generating material consumable condition comprises at least one of: consumable lifetime; sessions remaining in consumable; and, sessions provided by consumable; hardware status comprises at least one of: operational; and, not operational; and, firmware status comprises at least one of: up to date; out of date; and updating.

5. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein, in response to intended use of the aerosol provision device, the audio communication element is arranged to provide an audio indication relating to combustion of aerosol generating material, and the visual communication element is arranged to provide a visual indication relating to combustion of aerosol generating material.

6. An aerosol provision device according to claim 5, wherein the audio indication relating to combustion of aerosol generating material is at least one of: crackling and popping; and, the visual indication relating to combustion of aerosol generating material is at least one of: burning embers; emitting of vapour; and, burning down of an aerosol generating material consumable.

7. An aerosol-generating system for providing an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: aerosol provision device comprising: a housing comprising a proximal and a distal end portion; a visual communication element arranged on the distal end portion; and, an audio communication element arranged in or on the housing; wherein the visual communication element is arranged to provide a visual indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device; and wherein the audio communication element is arranged to provide an audio indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device.

8. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 7, wherein the visual communication element is arranged to provide a visual indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status.

9. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the audio communication element is arranged to provide an audio indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status.

10. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein power source condition comprises at least one of: operating; not operating; activatable; and, not activatable; charging status comprises at least one of: charging; not charging; chargable; and not chargable; aerosol generating material consumable condition comprises at least one of: consumable lifetime; sessions remaining in consumable; and, sessions provided by consumable; hardware status comprises at least one of: operational; and, not operational; and, firmware status comprises at least one of: up to date; out of date; and updating.

11. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein, in response to intended use of the aerosol provision device, the audio communication element is arranged to provide an audio indication relating to combustion of aerosol generating material, and the visual communication element is arranged to provide a visual indication relating to combustion of aerosol generating material.

12. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 11, wherein the audio indication relating to combustion of aerosol generating material is at least one of: crackling and popping; and, the visual indication relating to combustion of aerosol generating material is at least one of: burning embers; emitting of vapour; and, burning down of the aerosol generating material consumable.

13. A method of providing an indication to a user, the method comprising: 1 providing an aerosol provision device with a housing comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, a visual communication element arranged on the distal end portion and an audio communication element arranged in or on the housing, providing, by the visual communication element, a visual indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device; and, providing, by the audio communication element, an audio indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the visual communication element provides a visual indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status; and, the audio communication element is arranged to provide an audio indication related to at least one of the following use characteristics: power source condition; charging status; aerosol generating material consumable condition; heater activation status; boost status; session status; operational time; hardware status; and firmware status.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein power source condition comprises at least one of: operating; not operating; activatable; and, not activatable; charging status comprises at least one of: charging; not charging; chargable; and not chargable; aerosol generating material consumable condition comprises at least one of: consumable lifetime; sessions remaining in consumable; and, sessions provided by consumable; hardware status comprises at least one of: operational; and, not operational; and, firmware status comprises at least one of: update; out of date; and updating.

16. The method of any of claims 13 to 15, further comprising, in response to intended use of the aerosol provision device, the audio communication element provides an audio indication relating to combustion of aerosol generating material, and the visual communication element provides a visual indication relating to combustion of aerosol generating material.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the audio indication relating to combustion of aerosol generating material is at least one of: crackling and popping; and, the visual indication relating to combustion of aerosol generating material is at least one of: burning embers; emitting of vapour; and, burning down of an aerosol generating material consumable.

18. Aerosol provision means comprising: a housing comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; visual communication means arranged on the distal end portion; and, audio communication means arranged in or on the housing; wherein the visual communication means is arranged to provide a visual indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision means; and wherein the audio communication means is arranged to provide an audio indication to the user in relation to use characteristics of the aerosol provision means.