Aerosol supply device

Abstract

An aerosol supply device includes: a communicator for communicating with an external device, the communicator including an antenna; and a power supply port for connection to a power supply wherein the antenna is at least partially included in the power supply port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an aerosol supply device and method. Background Art

[0002] Smoking products such as cigarettes, cigars, etc. burn tobacco to produce tobacco smoke during use. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these tobacco-burning products by releasing compounds without burning. Examples of such products are heating devices that release compounds by heating but not burning materials. The material can be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol supply device comprising: a communicator for communicating with an external device, the communicator comprising an antenna; and a power port for connecting to a power source, wherein the antenna is at least partially included in the power port.

[0004] The power supply port may include a housing at least partially surrounding the power connector, wherein the housing forms at least a portion of the antenna.

[0005] The aerosol supply device may comprise an antenna path connected to the power port, wherein the antenna path forms part of the antenna.The antenna path may follow a tortuous path.

[0006] The aerosol supply device may include a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may form part of the antenna. The antenna path may be printed on the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may include a power connector for receiving power from the power port and supplying power to the aerosol supply device.

[0007] The communicator may include a communicator processor, wherein the communicator processor is located on a printed circuit board.

[0008] The aerosol supply device may comprise a housing comprising an aperture, wherein the power port is located at the aperture.The housing may be formed from a metal or a metal alloy.

[0009] The power port may be located at a distal end of the aerosol supply device.

[0010] The communicator may be a Bluetooth low energy communicator.

[0011] The aerosol supply device may include an energy storage portion, wherein the power source is connected to the energy storage portion to allow the power source to charge the energy storage portion.

[0012] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method comprising communicating with an external device using an antenna of an aerosol supply device, the aerosol supply device comprising a power port for connecting to a power source, wherein the antenna is at least partially comprised in the power port. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 shows a front view of an aerosol supply system;

[0015] Figure 2 A printed circuit board is shown;

[0016] Figure 3 A side view of an aerosol supply system including a power port is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] As used herein, the term "aerosol generating material" is a material that can generate an aerosol, for example, when heated, radiated, or stimulated in any other way. The aerosol generating material can be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, which may or may not contain active substances and / or flavors. The aerosol generating material can include any plant-based material (such as a material containing tobacco), and can, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The aerosol generating material can also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. The aerosol generating material can be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, gel, wax, etc. The aerosol generating material can also be, for example, a combination or mixture of materials. The aerosol generating material can also be referred to as a "smokable material".

[0018] The aerosol generating material can include a binder and an aerosol forming agent. Optionally, an activating agent and / or a filler can 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 of plant material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0019] The aerosol generating material may include or may be an "amorphous solid". The amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid". In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid (such as a liquid) within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may, for example, include from about 50 wt%, 60 wt% or 70 wt% amorphous solid to about 90 wt%, 95 wt% or 100 wt% amorphous solid.

[0020] The aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol-generating film.The aerosol-generating film may comprise or may be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form fragments.The aerosol-generating sheet or fragments may contain substantially no tobacco.

[0021] According to the present disclosure, a "non-flammable" aerosol delivery system is a system in which the constituent aerosol generating materials of the aerosol delivery system (or components thereof) do not burn or ignite to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0022] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-flammable aerosol supply system, such as an electrically powered non-flammable aerosol supply system.

[0023] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vapor device or an electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not required.

[0024] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply 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.

[0025] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that uses a combination of aerosol generating materials to generate an aerosol, one or more of which can be heated. Each of these aerosol generating materials can 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 includes a liquid or gel aerosol generating material and a solid aerosol generating material. The solid aerosol generating material can include, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products.

[0026] Typically, the non-flammable aerosol supply system may include a non-flammable aerosol supply system and consumables for use with the non-flammable aerosol supply system.

[0027] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables that include an aerosol generating material and are configured for use with a non-flammable aerosol supply device. Throughout the disclosure, these consumables are sometimes referred to as articles.

[0028] In some embodiments, a non-flammable aerosol supply system, such as a non-flammable aerosol supply system thereof, may include a power source and a controller. For example, the power source may be an electrical power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source includes a carbon substrate that can be excited to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol generating material or a heat transfer material adjacent to the exothermic power source.

[0029] In some embodiments, a non-flammable aerosol supply system may include an area for receiving a consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0030] In some embodiments, consumables used with a non-flammable aerosol supply system may include an aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material delivery component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a shell, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0031] The aerosol generating device is capable of receiving an article containing an aerosol generating material for heating. An "article" herein is a component that includes or contains the aerosol generating material used (which is heated to volatilize the aerosol generating material), and optionally other components used. A user can heat the article to generate an aerosol after inserting the article into the aerosol supply device, and the user then inhales the aerosol. The article can, for example, have a predetermined or specific size, which is configured to be arranged in a heating chamber of the device that is designed to receive the article.

[0032] refer to Figure 1 The aerosol supply system 10 comprises an aerosol supply device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material. The aerosol supply system 10 also comprises a replaceable article 110 having an aerosol generating material. In summary, the aerosol forming device 100 can be used to heat the article 110 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium that is inhaled by a user of the device 100.

[0033] The aerosol-forming device 100 comprises a body 102. A housing is arranged around and contains the various components of the body 102. A product aperture 104 is formed at one end of the body 102, through which a product 110 can be inserted to be heated by an aerosol generator 116.

[0034] The device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 150, such as a button or a switch, which when pressed operates the device 100. For example, the user may turn on the device 100 by operating the switch 150.

[0035] The aerosol generator 116 defines a longitudinal axis that is aligned with the axis of the article 110 .

[0036] In use, the article 110 may be fully or partially inserted into the aerosol generator 116 , where the article may be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator 116 .

[0037] The device 100 includes a device for heating an aerosol generating material. The device includes an aerosol generating component, a controller (control circuit) and a power source. The device forms a part of the body 102. The aerosol generating component is configured to heat the aerosol generating material of the product 110 inserted through the product hole 104, so that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating material. The power source supplies power to the aerosol generating component, and the aerosol generating component converts the supplied electrical energy into thermal energy for heating the aerosol generating material. The power source can be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium batteries (such as lithium ion batteries), nickel batteries (such as nickel-cadmium batteries) and alkaline batteries.

[0038] The power source may be electrically coupled to the aerosol generating assembly to supply power to heat the aerosol generating material when required and under the control of the controller. The control circuit may be configured to enable and disable the aerosol generating assembly based on user input. The user input may be accomplished via a button press or opening a door of the device (e.g., a door covering a consumable receiving container). The control circuit may be configured to automatically enable and disable, for example, upon insertion of an article.

[0039] The aerosol generating assembly may include various components that heat the aerosol generating material via an induction heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating a conductive heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. The induction heating assembly may include an induction element (e.g., one or more induction coils) and a device for passing a varying current (such as an alternating current) through the induction element. The varying current in the induction element generates a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates the susceptor (heating element) appropriately positioned relative to the induction element, and generates eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has a resistance to the eddy current, and thus the eddy current flows against the resistance so that the susceptor is heated by Joule heating. In the case where the susceptor contains a ferromagnetic material (such as iron, nickel or cobalt), heat can also be generated by hysteresis losses in the susceptor, that is, heat is generated by the magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material due to the change in orientation due to alignment with the changing magnetic field. Compared with heating by, for example, conduction, in induction heating, heat is generated inside the susceptor, thereby allowing rapid heating. In addition, no physical contact is required between the induction element and the susceptor, thereby allowing for increased freedom of construction and application.

[0040] refer to Figure 2The aerosol supply device 100 comprises a printed circuit board 200. The printed circuit board 200 comprises a communicator processor 201, an antenna path 202 and a housing 203. The communicator processor 201 is a low power Bluetooth communicator processor 201 in this example.

[0041] The antenna path 202 is printed on the printed circuit board 200 and follows a zigzag path. The zigzag path of the antenna path 202 includes a plurality of turns. In this example, the antenna path 202 includes 8 turns. The length of the antenna path is 45 mm. In some examples, the antenna path 202 may have a length greater than 10 mm, greater than 20 mm, greater than 30 mm, and / or greater than 40 mm. In some examples, the antenna path 202 may have a length less than 80 mm, less than 70 mm, less than 60 mm, and / or less than 50 mm.

[0042] By having the antenna path 202 follow a zigzag path, the printed circuit board 200 can be smaller in size. For example, this allows more space inside the aerosol supply device 100, or allows the aerosol supply device 100 to be made smaller as well.

[0043] The antenna path 202 forms part of the antenna. The printed circuit board 200 forms part of the antenna, for example, the insulating material of the printed circuit board 200 forms part of the antenna. The antenna can be used for a Bluetooth communicator. This is achieved via the traces on the printed circuit board 200 and the insulating material inside the printed circuit board 200.

[0044] The antenna path 202 is connected to the housing 203 and the communicator processor 201. The antenna path 202 is connected to the housing 203 so that the housing 203 forms a part of the antenna.

[0045] The antenna allows the aerosol supply device 100 to communicate with an external device (not shown), wherein signals are transmitted and / or received via the antenna.

[0046] In some examples, the external device is a mobile device. Communication between the aerosol supply device 100 and the external device may, for example, permit settings of the aerosol supply device 100 to be adjusted at the external device, or allow a user to verify their age at the external device before using the aerosol supply device 100. The communicator processor 201 controls the antenna to transmit and receive signals.

[0047] The printed circuit board 200 may also include other circuit components, such as components configured to deliver power to a heating element of the aerosol supply device 100 or components configured to control a heating element or other components of the aerosol supply device 100. Alternatively, these other components may be found on multiple printed circuit boards within the aerosol supply device 100.

[0048] refer to Figure 3 , the aerosol supply device 100 includes a housing 102. The aerosol supply device 100 is surrounded by the housing 102. The housing is formed of metal or a metal alloy.

[0049] The hole 301 is formed in the housing 102 at the distal end of the body 102. The distal end of the body 102 is the end farthest from the mouth of the user when the aerosol supply device 100 is in use.

[0050] The hole 301 is configured to allow a user to access the power port 302. The power port 302 includes a power connector 303 and a housing 203. The housing 203 at least partially surrounds the power connector 303. In the present example, the housing 203 completely surrounds the power connector 303. When a power cable (not shown) is connected to the power port 302, the power cable is received by the housing 203 and held in place by an interference fit inside the housing. In the present example, the power connector 303 is a USB connector.

[0051] The location of housing 203 at aperture 301 may allow signals transmitted by the antenna to better reach external devices, and allow incoming signals from external devices to better be received by the antenna, wherein the signals pass through aperture 301 .

[0052] The power connector 303 is configured to receive power from the power port 302 and supply the power to the aerosol supply device 100. The power connector 303 is connected to a power storage unit (eg, a battery) configured to supply power to the aerosol supply device 100. The power supplied from the power connector 303 is used to charge the power storage unit.

[0053] In the embodiments described above, the aerosol supply device includes a heating device that is an induction heating device. In an embodiment, other types of heating devices are used, such as a resistive heating device. The configuration of the device is generally as described above, and therefore a detailed description will be omitted. In such a device, the aerosol generating component includes a resistive heating generator, which includes a component that heats the heating element via a resistive heating process. In this case, current is applied directly to the resistive heating component, and the current flow generated in the heating component causes the heating component to be heated by Joule heating. The resistive heating component includes a resistive material configured to generate heat when a suitable current passes through it, and the heating assembly includes electrical contacts for supplying current to the resistive material.

[0054] In an embodiment, the heating element itself forms the resistive heating component.In an embodiment, the resistive heating component transfers heat to the heating element, for example by conduction.

[0055] The various embodiments described herein are only used to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative samples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations on the scope of the invention defined by the claims or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments may be used and may be modified without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. In addition to those specifically described herein, the various embodiments of the present invention may appropriately include appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, parts, features, parts, steps, devices, etc., be composed of appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, parts, features, parts, steps, devices, etc., or be substantially composed of appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, parts, features, parts, steps, devices, etc. In addition, the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An aerosol supply device, comprising: a communicator for communicating with an external device, the communicator comprising an antenna; and Power port, for connecting to a power source, Wherein, the antenna is at least partially included in the power port.

2. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein: The power port includes a housing, The housing at least partially surrounds the power connector, Wherein, the housing forms at least a part of the antenna.

3. An aerosol supply device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising an antenna path connected to the power port, in, The antenna path forms part of the antenna.

4. The aerosol supply device according to claim 3, wherein: The antenna path follows a zigzag path.

5. An aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a printed circuit board.

6. The aerosol supply device according to claim 5, wherein: The printed circuit board forms a part of the antenna.

7. An aerosol supply device according to claim 5 or 6 when dependent on claim 3, wherein The antenna path is printed on the printed circuit board.

8. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein: The printed circuit board includes a power connector for receiving power from the power port and supplying power to the aerosol supply device.

9. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein: The communicator comprises a communicator processor, Wherein, the communicator processor is located on the printed circuit board.

10. An aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a housing, the housing comprising an aperture, wherein The power port is positioned at the aperture.

11. The aerosol supply device according to claim 10, wherein: The housing is formed of metal or a metal alloy.

12. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The power port is positioned at a distal end of the aerosol supply device.

13. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The communicator is a low power Bluetooth communicator.

14. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising an energy storage unit, wherein: The power port is connected to the energy storage portion to allow the power source to charge the energy storage portion.

15. A method comprising communicating with an external device using an antenna of an aerosol supply device, the aerosol supply device comprising a power port for connecting to a power source, wherein: The antenna is at least partially contained within the power port.

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