WO2024184184A1

WO2024184184A1 - Aerosol provision device comprising a user input element

Info

Publication number: WO2024184184A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/055234
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zhihuang Xiao
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2023-03-03
Filing date: 2024-02-29
Publication date: 2024-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-03
Also published as: TW202500036A; GB202303186D0

Abstract

An aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material, the aerosol provision device comprising: a processor configured to receive user input selection information, the user input selection information defining an unlocking user input; and a user input element configured to receive the unlocking user input from a user, wherein the processor is configured to unlock the aerosol provision device from a locked state in response to the unlocking user input being received by the user input element.

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE COMPRISING A USER INPUT ELEMENT

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device and an aerosol provision system.

Background

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are heating devices which release compounds by heating, but not burning, the material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary

In accordance with a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material, the aerosol provision device comprising: a processor configured to receive user input selection information, the user input selection information defining an unlocking user input; and a user input element configured to receive the unlocking user input from a user, wherein the processor is configured to unlock the aerosol provision device from a locked state in response to the unlocking user input being received by the user input element.

The unlocking user input may comprise a movement input. The unlocking user input may comprise a tapping input. The unlocking user input may comprise a puffing input.

The user input element may comprise a gyroscope. The user input element may comprise an accelerometer. The user input element may comprise a pressure sensor. The user input element may comprise a puff sensor.

The aerosol provision device may comprise a communicator. The communicator may be a Bluetooth communicator. The communicator may be configured to receive the user input selection information from a mobile device.

The user input selection information may be selected from predetermined user input options.

The processor may be configured to control the user input element to record a recorded user input. The user input selection information may be determined from the recorded user input.

The communicator may be configured to receive a recording signal, the processor configured to control the user input element to record the recorded user input in response to the communicator receiving the recording signal.

The processor may be configured to maintain the aerosol provision device in an unlocked state for a predetermined time period in response to the unlocking user input being received by the user input element. The processor may be configured to revert the aerosol provision device to the locked state after the predetermined time period.

The processor may be configured to maintain the aerosol provision device in an unlocked state for a predetermined number of uses in response to the unlocking user input being received by the user input element. The processor may be configured to revert the aerosol provision device to the locked state after the predetermined number of uses.

The predetermined number of uses may be a predetermined number of puffs.

The predetermined number of uses may be a predetermined number of sessions of use. The predetermined number of sessions of use may be one session of use. The processor may be configured to revert the aerosol provision device to the locked state in response to the session of use ending.

The processor may be configured to maintain the aerosol provision device in an unlocked state indefinitely in response to the unlocking user input being received by the user input element.

The processor may be configured to initiate a session of use of the aerosol provision device after unlocking the aerosol provision device from the locked state. The processor may be configured to prevent an aerosol generator from being energised when the aerosol provision device is in the locked state.

The aerosol provision device may comprise the aerosol generating material.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device as described above and an article, the article comprising the aerosol generating material.

According to a third aspect there is provided a mobile device comprising: a mobile processor configured to receive user input selection information, the user input selection information defining an unlocking user input of an aerosol provision device; and a device communicator configured to transmit the user input selection information to the aerosol provision device.

According to a fourth aspect there is provided a mobile device comprising a device communicator configured to transmit a recording signal to an aerosol provision device.

According to a fifth aspect there is provided method of operating an aerosol provision device, the method comprising: receiving user input selection information, the user input selection information defining an unlocking user input; receiving the unlocking user input from a user; and unlocking the aerosol provision device to activate an aerosol generator in response to the unlocking user input being received by the user input element.

The aerosol provision system may comprise any of the features described with respect to the aerosol provision. The method may comprise any of the features or steps described with respect to the aerosol provision device, the aerosol provision system and/or the mobile devices.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a front view of an aerosol provision system;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic of a system; and

Fig. 3 shows a method of operating an aerosol provision device. Detailed Description

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating material” is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants. Aerosol-generating material may include any plant based material, such as tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol-generating material also may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. Aerosol-generating material may for example be in the form of a solid, a liquid, a gel, a wax or the like. Aerosol-generating material may for example also be a combination or a blend of materials. Aerosol-generating material may also be known as “smokable material”.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active and/or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an “amorphous solid”. The amorphous solid may be a “monolithic solid”. 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 may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The aerosol-generating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially tobacco free. According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolgenerating material is not a requirement.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosolgenerating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non- combustible aerosol provision device.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosolgenerating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

An aerosol generating device can receive an article comprising aerosol generating material for heating. An “article” in this context is a component that includes or contains in use the aerosol generating material, which is heated to volatilise the aerosol generating material, and optionally other components in use. A user may insert the article into the aerosol generating device before it is heated to produce an aerosol, which the user subsequently inhales. The article may be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size that is configured to be placed within a heating chamber of the device which is sized to receive the article.

With reference to Fig. 1, an aerosol provision system 10 comprises an aerosol provision device 100 for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating material. The aerosol provision system 10 further comprises a replaceable article 110 comprising the aerosol generating material. In broad outline, the aerosol forming device 100 may be used to heat the article 110 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium, which is inhaled by a user of the device 100.

The aerosol forming device 100 comprises a body 102. A housing arrangement surrounds and houses various components of the body 102. An article aperture 104 is formed at one end of the body 102, through which the article 110 may be inserted for heating by an aerosol generator 116.

The device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 150, such as a button or switch, which operates the device 100 when pressed. For example, a user may turn on the device 100 by operating the switch 150. The aerosol generator 116 defines a longitudinal axis, which aligns with an axis of the article 110.

In use, the article 110 may be fully or partially inserted into the aerosol generator 116 where it may be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator 116.

The device 100 includes an apparatus for heating aerosol-generating material. The apparatus includes an aerosol generating assembly, a controller (control circuit), and a power source. The apparatus forms part of the body 102. The aerosol generating assembly is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material of an article 110 inserted through the article aperture 104, such that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating material. The power source supplies electrical power to the aerosol generating assembly, and the aerosol generating assembly converts the supplied electrical energy into heat energy for heating the aerosol-generating material. The power source may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium battery (such as a lithium-ion battery), a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), and an alkaline battery.

The power source may be electrically coupled to the aerosol generating assembly to supply electrical power when required and under control of the controller to heat the aerosol generating material. The control circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate the aerosol generating assembly based on a user input. The user input may be via a button press or opening a door of the device (for example, a door covering a consumable receiving receptacle). The control circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate automatically, for example on insertion of an article.

The aerosol generating assembly may comprise various components to heat the aerosol generating material via an inductive heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conducting heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. An induction heating assembly may comprise an inductive element, for example, one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying electric current, such as an alternating electric current, through the inductive element. The varying electric current in the inductive element produces a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating element) suitably positioned with respect to the inductive element, and generates eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and hence the flow of the eddy currents against this resistance causes the susceptor to be heated by Joule heating. In cases where the susceptor comprises ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel or cobalt, heat may also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e. by the varying orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of their alignment with the varying magnetic field. In inductive heating, as compared to heating by conduction for example, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating. Further, there need not be any physical contact between the inductive element and the susceptor, allowing for enhanced freedom in construction and application.

With reference to Fig. 2, a system 200 comprises the aerosol provision device 100 and a mobile device 202.

The aerosol provision device 100 further comprises a processor 106, a communicator 108, a user input element 112, a device energy storage 114 and the aerosol generator 116. The device energy storage 114 is a power source as described above.

In the present example, the user input element 112 is an accelerometer. In other examples, the user input element 112 may be at least one of a gyroscope, a pressure sensor and/or a puff sensor.

In the present example, the communicator 108 is a Bluetooth communicator.

The mobile device 202 comprises a mobile processor 204, a mobile communicator 206, a mobile user input element 208 and a display 210.

In the present example, the mobile communicator 206 is a Bluetooth communicator configured to communicate with the communicator 108.

In the present example, the mobile user input element 208 and the display 210 are implemented in a touchscreen.

With reference to Fig. 3, a method 300 of operating an aerosol provision device 100 comprises a user registration step 302, a user input selection step 304, a user input step 306, an unlocking step 308, an aerosol generation step 310 and a locking step 312.

In the user registration step 302, the user purchases the aerosol provision device 100. The user performs a registration process to confirm the user’s age meets an age requirement. The registration process may be performed at the mobile device 202, which may transmit and receive data via a network to perform the registration process. The user may download and install a mobile device application to the mobile device 202 to perform the registration process.

In the user registration step 302, the mobile device 202 pairs with the aerosol provision device 100 via the communicator 108 and the mobile communicator 206. This permits data to be communicated between the mobile device 202 and the aerosol provision device 100.

The aerosol provision device 100 is in a locked state. In the locked state the device processor 106 does not transmit energy from the device energy storage 114 to the aerosol generator 116. The aerosol generator 116 does not generate aerosol.

In the user input selection step 304, the user provides user input selection information. In the present example, the user selects the user input selection information from predetermined user input options to define an unlocking user input.

In the present example where the user input element 112 comprises an accelerometer, the user input selection information relates to a tapping input (e.g. a sequence of taps made by the user’s finger on the body 102 of the aerosol provision device 100, such as three taps, or a mixtures of taps and shakes, such as two taps followed by one shake of the aerosol provision device 100). The unlocking user input is therefore a tapping input. In other examples, the user input selection information may relate to a movement input (e.g. a movement pattern of the aerosol provision device in space, such as a number of rotations of the aerosol provision device) or a puffing input on the aerosol provision device 100. The unlocking user input is then a movement input or puffing input.

The mobile device 202 presents to the user a series of options of user inputs for unlocking the aerosol provision device 100 via the display 210. The user selects their preferred unlocking user input via the mobile user input element 208. Alternatively, the user may be able to design their own preferred unlocking user input via the mobile user input element 208 In other examples, rather than presenting a series of options, the mobile device 202 may present to the user options for characteristics of the unlock user input. For example, where the input is a tapping input, the characteristics may comprise a tapping frequency.

In other examples, the mobile device 202 may present to the user a defined unlocking user input. In such examples, the user input selection information may be information permitting the defined unlocking user input to be determined by the aerosol provision device 100. In such examples, the defined unlocking user input may vary each time the user wishes to unlock the aerosol provision device 100.

The mobile device 202 transmits the user input selection information to the aerosol provision device 100. In particular, the mobile communicator 206 transmits the user input selection information to the communicator 108. The processor 106 receives the user input selection information from the communicator. In other examples, the mobile device 202 may transmit the user input selection information to the aerosol provision device 100 indirectly e.g. via a network, to which the aerosol provision device 100 and the mobile device 200 may be connected.

The processor 106 determines from the user input selection information the unlocking user input. In the present example, the user input selection information simply defines which of a range of options of unlocking user inputs has been selected by the user. In other examples, the unlocking user input may be defined by another characteristic selected by the user, and the processor 106 may determine the unlocking user input from the characteristic.

In other examples, the user input selection information may not be input to the mobile device 202 by the user. The user may instead input the information directly to the aerosol provision device 100. In such examples, the aerosol provision device 100 may enter a recording mode, in which the user performs a desired unlocking user input which is sensed by the user input element. The desired unlocking user input may then be defined as the unlocking user input. In such examples, the aerosol provision device 100 may enter the recording mode in response to the communicator 108 receiving a recording signal, which may be sent by the mobile device 202. Alternatively, the user may be able to provide a direct input to the aerosol provision device 100 to cause the aerosol provision device 100 to enter the recording mode (e.g. in a user registration step) and the mobile device 202 may not be needed.

In the user input step 306, the user provides an input via the user input element 112. The processor 106 compares the input to the unlocking user input.

In the event that the input does not match the unlocking user input, the processor controls the aerosol provision device 100 to remain in the locked state.

In the event that the input matches the unlocking user input, the processor 106 unlocks the aerosol provision device 100 in the unlocking step 308. The aerosol provision device 100 enters the unlocked state, in which activation of the aerosol generator 116 is permitted.

In the aerosol generation step 310, the processor 106 controls the aerosol generator 116 to generate aerosol. The processor 106 controls the device energy storage 114 to provide power to the aerosol generator 116 to generate aerosol.

In the present example, the processor 106 is configured to initiate a session of use (in which aerosol generating material is heated and the user may take a plurality of inhales) in response to the aerosol provision device 100 entering the unlocked state. In other examples, a further user input (e.g. a button press) is required to cause aerosol generation.

In the locking step 312 the processor 106 returns the aerosol provision device 100 to the locked state. In the present example, the processor 106 returns the aerosol provision device 100 to the locked state after a predetermined number of uses, which is at the end of the session of use (i.e. the predetermined number of uses is a single session of use). In other examples, the device processor may return the aerosol provision device to the locked state after a predetermined time period expires. In other examples, the locking step 312 may not take place and the aerosol provision device 100 may remain in the unlocked state.

In the above described embodiments, the aerosol provision device comprises a heating arrangement that is an inductive heating arrangement. In embodiments, other types of heating arrangement are used, such as resistive heating. The configuration of the device is generally as described above and so a detailed description will be omitted. In such arrangements the aerosol generating assembly comprises a resistive heating generator including components to heat the heating element via a resistive heating process. In this case, an electrical current is directly applied to a resistive heating component, and the resulting flow of current in the heating component causes the heating component to be heated by Joule heating. The resistive heating component comprises resistive material configured to generate heat when a suitable electrical current passes through it, and the heating assembly comprises electrical contacts for supplying electrical current to the resistive material.

In embodiments, the heating element forms the resistive heating component itself. In embodiments the resistive heating component transfers heat to the heating element, for example by conduction.

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 utilised 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.

Claims

1. An aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material, the aerosol provision device comprising: a processor configured to receive user input selection information, the user input selection information defining an unlocking user input; and a user input element configured to receive the unlocking user input from a user, wherein the processor is configured to unlock the aerosol provision device from a locked state in response to the unlocking user input being received by the user input element.

2. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking user input comprises a movement input.

3. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the unlocking user input comprises a tapping input.

4. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the unlocking user input comprises a puffing input.

5. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the user input element comprises a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a pressure sensor and/or a puff sensor.

6. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 5 and comprising a communicator, wherein the communicator is configured to receive the user input selection information from a mobile device

7. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the user input selection information is selected from predetermined user input options.

8. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the processor is configured to control the user input element to record a recorded user input, wherein the user input selection information is determined from the recorded user input.

9. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the processor is configured to maintain the aerosol provision device in an unlocked state for a predetermined time period or predetermined number of uses in response to the unlocking user input being received by the user input element

10. An aerosol provision device according to claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to revert the aerosol provision device to the locked state after the predetermined time period or predetermined number of uses.

11. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the processor is configured to maintain the aerosol provision device in an unlocked state indefinitely in response to the unlocking user input being received by the user input element.

12. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the processor is further configured to initiate a session of use of the aerosol provision device after unlocking the aerosol provision device from the locked state.

13. An aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 12 and an article, the article comprising the aerosol generating material.

14. A mobile device comprising: a mobile processor configured to receive user input selection information, the user input selection information defining an unlocking user input of an aerosol provision device; and a device communicator configured to transmit the user input selection information to the aerosol provision device.

15. A method of operating an aerosol provision device, the method comprising: receiving user input selection information, the user input selection information defining an unlocking user input; receiving the unlocking user input from a user; and unlocking the aerosol provision device to activate an aerosol generator in response to the unlocking user input being received by the user input element.