Aerosol supply device

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol supply device comprising: a housing; a battery; and a cable configured to supply electrical energy to the battery and including a first end fixed relative to the housing and a second end removably coupled to the housing at a first position and a second position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an aerosol supply device. Background Technology

[0002] Some tobacco industry products generate aerosols that are inhaled by the user during use. For example, tobacco heating devices heat the aerosol-generating matrix (such as tobacco) to form the aerosol by heating rather than burning the matrix. Such tobacco industry products typically include a mouthpiece through which the aerosol reaches the user's mouth. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, an aerosol supply device is provided, comprising: a housing; a battery; and a cable configured to supply electrical energy to the battery, and including a first end fixed relative to the housing and a second end removably coupled to the housing in a first position and a second position.

[0004] Optionally, the second end of the cable may be coupled to the housing at any given time in either the first or second position, but not simultaneously in both positions.

[0005] Optionally, the second end of the cable is removably coupled to the housing in the first position, such that after the second end of the cable has been coupled to the housing in the first position, the second end of the cable can be disconnected from the housing in the first position to remove the second end of the cable from the housing.

[0006] Optionally, the second end of the cable is removably coupled to the housing in the second position, such that after the second end of the cable has been coupled to the housing in the second position, the second end of the cable can be disconnected from the housing in the second position to remove the second end of the cable from the housing.

[0007] Optionally, when the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing at the first position of the second end of the cable, the cable is coupled to the housing at the first position of the cable. Optionally, the first position of the cable is the retracted position.

[0008] Optionally, when the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing in the second position of the second end of the cable, the cable is coupled to the housing in the second position of the cable. Optionally, when the cable is in the second position of the cable, the cable is configured to provide a handle.

[0009] Optionally, the second end of the cable can be discoupled from the housing, such that at a given time, the cable is not coupled to the housing in either the first or second position. The second end of the cable can be configured to be removably coupled to an external device (such as a plug or socket), for example, to connect the cable of the aerosol supply device to a power source (such as AC power), for example, to recharge the battery therefrom.

[0010] Optionally, when the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing in at least one of the first and second positions, the cable is configured to allow the user to hold the handle of the device.

[0011] Optionally, when the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing in the first position, the cable is configured as a first handle for the user to hold the device, and when the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing in the second position, the cable is configured as a second handle for the user to hold the device. Optionally, the first handle is different from the second handle. Optionally, the first handle has a first orientation relative to the housing, and the second handle has a second orientation relative to the housing that is different from the first orientation. Optionally, the first handle has a first handle loop size and / or shape, and the second handle has a second handle loop size and / or shape that is different from the first handle loop size and / or shape.

[0012] Optionally, when the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing in the first position, the cable is in a retracted position, and when the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing in the second position, the cable is configured to allow the user to hold the handle of the device.

[0013] Alternatively, when the cable is in the retracted position, the cable is configured to be substantially adjacent to and abutting the housing.

[0014] Optionally, a first position is spaced apart from a first end of the cable fixed relative to the housing by a first gap, at which a second end of the cable is removably coupled to the housing. Optionally, a second position is spaced apart from the first end of the cable fixed relative to the housing by a second gap, at which a second end of the cable is removably coupled to the housing. Optionally, the first gap is greater than the second gap. Optionally, the second gap is approximately 50% of the first gap. Optionally, the second gap is less than approximately 50% of the first gap.

[0015] Alternatively, when the cable is in the retracted position, the cable is configured to be retracted relative to the housing. In this position, the cable can be arranged generally flat, adjacent to and abutting the housing, such that the cable is approximately flush with the housing.

[0016] Optionally, the housing includes a channel configured to receive at least a portion of the cable when the second end of the cable is in the first position.

[0017] Optionally, the housing includes a channel configured to receive a cable in the retracted position.

[0018] Alternatively, the channel can be generally long and narrow.

[0019] Alternatively, the channel is recessed into the housing, such that, optionally, when the second end of the cable is positioned in the first position, the cable can be substantially flush with the outer surface of the housing.

[0020] Optionally, the channel has a generally rectangular cross-sectional profile.

[0021] Alternatively, when the cable is in the retracted position, the cable is configured to be wound or coiled inside the housing, for example, around the rotor.

[0022] Alternatively, when the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing such that the cable is configured for a user to hold the handle of the device, at least a portion of the cable is spaced apart from the housing.

[0023] Optionally, at least a portion of the cable is spaced apart from the housing to form a loop for the user to grip the device.

[0024] Optionally, when the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing in the second position, the second end of the cable is spaced from the first end of the cable by a distance less than the length of the cable. Optionally, when the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing in the second position, the cable is thus configured to form a loop shape. Optionally, the loop shape defines a retention space. Optionally, a retention space is defined between the cable and the housing.

[0025] Optionally, the size of the holding space can be designed to receive one or more fingers of the user's hand from the aerosol supply device, allowing the user to hold the aerosol supply device via the cable. Optionally, the cable can thus function as a handle when the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing in the second position.

[0026] Optionally, the second position of the second end of the cable is on the main surface of the housing. Therefore, when the second end of the cable is removably coupled to the housing in the second position, the handle ring shape is set in a plane parallel to the main surface of the housing.

[0027] Optionally, the cable is integrated with the aerosol supply device.

[0028] Alternatively, the cable is generally long and thin.

[0029] Optionally, the cable includes a wire portion. The wire portion may be generally elongated. The wire portion may have a generally flat rectangular cross-sectional profile. The wire portion may have a generally circular, elliptical, square, or triangular cross-sectional profile. The wire portion may include one or more wires disposed within an outer sheath. The outer sheath may be generally flexible. The outer sheath may include an elastomeric material. The outer sheath may include a thermoplastic elastomer. The outer sheath may include one or more of polyvinyl chloride, nylon, fluororubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomers, silicone, rubber, and copolymers.

[0030] Optionally, the second end of the cable includes an electrical connector.

[0031] Optionally, the electrical connector is a USB Type A, USB Type B, USB Type C, mini USB, micro USB, or Lightning connector.

[0032] Optionally, the electrical connector is coupled to the wire portion.

[0033] Optionally, the electrical connector is configured to be removably coupled to the housing.

[0034] Optionally, at least a portion of the electrical connector is configured to be received by the housing.

[0035] Optionally, the electrical connector includes a first connector portion and a second connector portion.

[0036] Optionally, the first connector portion has a first cross-sectional area, and the second connector portion has a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area.

[0037] Optionally, the first connector portion has a first width, and the second connector portion has a second width that is smaller than the first width.

[0038] Optionally, the line portion has a third width, and the third width is smaller than the first width.

[0039] Optionally, the first end of the cable is attached to the battery.

[0040] Optionally, the first end of the cable is electrically coupled to the battery. The first end of the cable may also be mechanically coupled to the battery inside the housing.

[0041] Optionally, the housing includes an opening or slot for receiving a first end of the cable.

[0042] Optionally, a first end of the cable is attached to the battery, and at least a portion of the cable is configured to extend out of the housing.

[0043] Optionally, the first end of the cable is fixedly coupled to the housing. That is, the first end of the cable can be fixed relative to the housing, so that the first end of the cable cannot be detached or removed from the housing.

[0044] Optionally, at least a portion of the first end of the cable is configured to be flexible, twistable, and / or bendable relative to the housing.

[0045] Optionally, the first end of the cable is attached to the housing.

[0046] Optionally, the first end of the cable is integrally formed with the housing.

[0047] Optionally, the housing includes a first receiving element for receiving a second end of the cable in a first position, and a second receiving element for receiving a second end of the cable in a second position.

[0048] Optionally, the first receiving element is located on the top surface of the housing.

[0049] Optionally, the first receiving element is arranged near the end of the aerosol supply device.

[0050] Optionally, the first receiving element is arranged adjacent to the nozzle of the aerosol supply device, which is located near the end of the aerosol supply device.

[0051] Optionally, the first receiving element is typically arranged opposite to a first end of a cable fixed relative to the housing.

[0052] Optionally, the first receiving element is arranged on a surface of the housing, which is typically opposite the surface of the housing in which a first end of the cable is fixed.

[0053] Optionally, the first receiving element is configured to removably couple the second end of the cable to the housing in a first position, and the second receiving element is configured to removably couple the second end of the cable to the housing in a second position.

[0054] Optionally, the first receiving element and the second receiving element are configured as electrical connectors for receiving cables.

[0055] Optionally, the first receiving element and / or the second receiving element each include a recess, groove, slot, channel, or opening configured to receive a second end of the cable.

[0056] Optionally, the first receiving element includes a slot recessed in the top surface of the housing.

[0057] Optionally, the first receiving element includes a first portion and a second portion. Optionally, the first portion has a first width, and the second portion has a second width, wherein the first portion is narrower than the second portion.

[0058] Optionally, a first portion of the first receiving element is configured to receive a second connector portion, and a second portion of the first receiving element is configured to receive a first connector portion.

[0059] Optionally, the second receiving element includes a retaining element configured to prevent the second end of the cable from being removed from the second receiving element when a user of the device applies force to the cable.

[0060] Optionally, the second receiving element includes a slot recessed in the main surface of the housing.

[0061] Optionally, the second receiving element includes a first portion and a second portion. Optionally, the first portion has a first width, and the second portion has a second width, wherein the first width is narrower than the second width. Optionally, the first portion of the second receiving element is configured to receive the second connector portion, and the second portion of the second receiving element is configured to receive the first connector portion.

[0062] Optionally, the first portion of the second receiving element is configured to be substantially similar to the first portion of the first receiving element. Optionally, the second portion of the second receiving element is configured to be substantially similar to the second portion of the first receiving element.

[0063] Optionally, the second receiving element further includes a third portion and a fourth portion. Optionally, the third portion of the second receiving element has a third width, and the fourth portion of the second receiving element has a fourth width. Optionally, the fourth width is narrower than the second width.

[0064] Optionally, the fourth part is configured to receive at least a portion of the wire portion of the cable.

[0065] Optionally, the second receiving element includes a channel. Optionally, when the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing in the first position, the channel of the second receiving element is substantially shorter than the channel of the housing used to receive the cable.

[0066] Optionally, the third portion of the second receiving element is configured to be removed from the channel of the second receiving element by the blocking line portion, thereby holding the second end of the cable in its second position.

[0067] Optionally, the third width of the third portion of the second receiving element is narrower than the width of the wire portion of the cable. Optionally, the third portion of the second receiving element includes two flanges that define an opening narrower than the width of the wire portion of the cable to prevent its removal from the second receiving element.

[0068] Optionally, the first end of the cable is configured to twist, bend, fold, flex, or otherwise manipulate relative to the housing to facilitate movement of the cable relative to the housing, thereby facilitating movement of the second end of the cable between a first position and a second position in which the cable can be removably coupled to the housing.

[0069] Optionally, when the second end of the cable is removably coupled to the housing in the first position, the first end of the cable is in a first orientation relative to the housing, and when the second end of the cable is removably coupled to the housing in the second position, the first end of the cable is in a second orientation relative to the housing. Optionally, the first orientation and the second orientation are angularly spaced. Optionally, the first orientation is approximately perpendicular to the second orientation.

[0070] Optionally, at least a portion of the cable is configured to twist, bend, fold, flex, or otherwise manipulate to move a first end of the cable between a first orientation and a second orientation.

[0071] Optionally, at least a portion of the cable is configured to pivot relative to the housing to move a first end of the cable between a first orientation and a second orientation. Optionally, the first end of the cable is configured to be rotatably coupled to the housing such that it is fixed relative to the housing because it cannot be removed from the housing, but allows the cable to rotate relative to the housing to move the first end of the cable between the first orientation and the second orientation.

[0072] Optionally, the second end of the cable is removably coupled to the housing at a third position.

[0073] Optionally, when the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing in the third position, the cable is configured to allow the user to hold the handle of the aerosol supply device.

[0074] Optionally, in addition to the first and second positions, the second end of the cable can also be removably coupled to the housing in one or more other positions.

[0075] Optionally, the aerosol supply device is configured to generate aerosol from aerosol generating material, and the device also includes a mouthpiece for delivering the aerosol to the mouth of a user of the device.

[0076] Optionally, the aerosol supply device includes a nozzle for delivering aerosol to a user's mouth. The nozzle may include an aerosol outlet for delivering aerosol to the user's mouth.

[0077] Optionally, the aerosol supply device is configured to receive consumables including aerosol generating materials and to generate aerosols therefrom.

[0078] Optionally, the aerosol supply device includes an aerosol generating device for generating aerosols from the aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating device may include a heater. The aerosol generating device may be battery powered.

[0079] Alternatively, the battery is housed inside the casing and configured to power the device. The battery may be a rechargeable battery.

[0080] Optionally, the nozzle and the second end are positioned at the proximal end of the aerosol supply device, and the first end is fixed relative to the housing at the distal end of the aerosol supply device opposite to the proximal end.

[0081] Alternatively, the aerosol supply device is a non-flammable aerosol supply device.

[0082] Optionally, the shell is generally cuboid. The shell may include a first main surface, a second main surface, a first secondary surface, a second secondary surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The first main surface may be arranged opposite to the second main surface. The first secondary surface may be arranged opposite to the second secondary surface. The top surface may be arranged opposite to the bottom surface.

[0083] Optionally, the aerosol supply device includes a proximal end and a distal end, typically opposite the proximal end. Optionally, the top surface of the housing is located at the proximal end of the aerosol supply device, and the bottom surface of the housing is located at the distal end of the aerosol supply device.

[0084] Alternatively, the housing may include a cube, cylinder, or prism.

[0085] Optionally, the first end of the cable is fixed relative to the housing at the distal end of the aerosol supply device located on the bottom surface of the housing. Optionally, the channel of the housing is configured to extend from the distal end to the proximal end of the aerosol supply device.

[0086] Optionally, the channel of the housing is arranged to span at least a portion of each of more than one face of the housing. Optionally, when the cable is arranged in the channel, the cable can therefore be configured to include at least one bend. Optionally, the channel of the housing includes a first portion arranged on at least a portion of the bottom face of the housing, a second portion arranged on at least a portion of one of the secondary faces of the housing, and a third portion arranged on at least a portion of the top face of the housing.

[0087] Optionally, the cable has a first length, and the channel of the housing has a second length, wherein the second length is approximately equal to the first length.

[0088] Optionally, the first position of the second end of the cable is spaced apart from the first end of the cable by a first gap.

[0089] Optionally, the first spacing is approximately equal to the first length of the cable.

[0090] Optionally, the first spacing is less than the first length, and the second length of the channel is approximately equal to the first length.

[0091] Optionally, the second position of the second end of the cable is spaced apart from the first end of the cable by a second distance.

[0092] Optionally, the second spacing is less than the first length of the cable. Optionally, the second spacing is approximately half the first length of the cable.

[0093] Optionally, the battery of the aerosol supply device can be configured for bidirectional charging. Optionally, the battery can be configured to receive electrical energy supplied by a cable. Optionally, the battery can also be configured to supply electrical energy to the cable for delivery to an external device (e.g., a mobile phone), allowing the battery to be used in reverse to charge the external device.

[0094] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, an aerosol supply system is provided, including an aerosol supply device according to a first aspect of this disclosure and a consumable comprising aerosol generating material. The aerosol supply device can be configured to receive at least a portion of the consumable. The aerosol supply device can be configured to generate aerosol from the aerosol generating material of the consumable. The aerosol supply device can be configured to heat at least a portion of the consumable to generate aerosol. The aerosol supply device can be configured to heat the aerosol generating material to generate aerosol.

[0095] The aerosol supply system may include one or more optional features as described above with respect to the first aspect of this disclosure.

[0096] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a housing; and an elongated element including a first end fixed relative to the housing and a second end removably coupled to the housing in a first position and a second position; wherein, when the second end of the elongated element is coupled to the housing in the first position, the elongated element is in a retracted position, and when the second end of the elongated element is coupled to the housing in the second position, at least a portion of the elongated element is spaced apart from the housing such that the elongated element is configured as a handle for a user to hold the apparatus.

[0097] Alternatively, the device is an aerosol supply system.

[0098] Alternatively, the device is a portable power source for charging devices such as mobile phones.

[0099] The apparatus according to the third aspect of this disclosure may include one or more optional features as described above with respect to the first and second aspects of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0100] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 An aerosol supply device including a cable in a first position is shown; Figure 2 A plan view of an aerosol supply unit without cables is shown for illustrative purposes; Figure 3 An aerosol supply device including a cable in the second position is shown; Figure 4 An aerosol supply device including a cable in the second position is shown; Figure 5 A side view of the aerosol supply device, including the cable in the second position, is shown. Figure 6The user's hand is shown holding the aerosol supply device, including the cable in the second position; Figure 7 An aerosol supply device, including a cable in a second position, is shown for illustrative purposes without a cable connector; and Figure 8 An aerosol supply device including a cable in the second position is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0101] As used herein, the term "delivery system" is intended to cover a system for delivering at least one substance to a user, and includes: combustible aerosol delivery systems, such as cigarette, cigarette, cigar and pipe tobacco or homemade cigarette tobacco (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokeable materials); non-combustible aerosol delivery systems that release compounds from aerosol-generating materials without burning them, such as electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products and mixed systems that use combinations of aerosol-generating materials to generate aerosols; and aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or otherwise without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to lozenges, chewing gum, patches, articles including inhalable powders, and oral products (such as oral tobacco including snuff or wet snuff), wherein the at least one substance may or may not include nicotine.

[0102] According to this disclosure, a "non-flammable" aerosol supply system is an aerosol supply system in which the aerosol generating material is non-flammable or non-ignitable in order to facilitate the delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0103] In some implementations, the delivery system is a non-flammable aerosol supply system, such as a powered non-flammable aerosol supply system.

[0104] In some implementations, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vapor device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END); however, it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not necessary.

[0105] In some implementations, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heated non-combustible system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0106] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is a mixing system that uses a combination of aerosol-generating materials to generate aerosols, one or more of which can be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may, for example, be in solid, liquid, or gel form, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the mixing system includes liquid or gel aerosol-generating materials and solid aerosol-generating materials. Solid aerosol-generating materials may include, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products.

[0107] Typically, a non-flammable aerosol supply system may include a non-flammable aerosol supply device and consumables used in conjunction with the non-flammable aerosol supply device.

[0108] In some embodiments, a non-flammable aerosol supply system (such as a non-flammable aerosol supply device tobacco heating product (THP) system) may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, an electrical source or a heat source. In some embodiments, the heat source includes a carbon matrix that can be powered to distribute power in the form of heat to aerosol-generating or heat-transferring material proximate to the heat source.

[0109] In some embodiments, a non-flammable aerosol supply system may include an area for receiving consumables, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, nozzles, filters, and / or aerosol modifiers.

[0110] In some embodiments, consumables for use with a non-flammable aerosol supply device may include aerosol generating material, aerosol generating material storage area, aerosol generating material delivery component, aerosol generator, aerosol generating area, housing, packaging paper, filter, nozzle, and / or aerosol modifier.

[0111] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material not intended to be aerosolized. Where appropriate, any material may include one or more active ingredients, one or more flavoring agents, one or more aerosol-forming materials, and / or one or more other functional materials.

[0112] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered includes an active substance. As used herein, an active substance can be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. Active substances can be, for example, selected from nutritional supplements, nootropics, and psychoactive substances. Active substances can be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. Active substances can include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, caffeine, vitamins (such as B6 or B12 or C), melatonin, stimulants, or components, derivatives, or combinations thereof. Active substances can include one or more components, derivatives, or extracts of tobacco or other plants.

[0113] In one embodiment, the active substance is a legally permitted recreational drug. In some embodiments, the active substance includes nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance includes caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B12. As described herein, the active substance may include one or more ingredients, derivatives, or extracts, such as one or more stimulants or terpenes. The active substance may be CBD or a derivative thereof.

[0114] As described herein, active substances may include or be derived from one or more plants or their components, derivatives, or extracts. As used herein, the term "plant" includes any material derived from a plant, including but not limited to extracts, leaves, bark, fibers, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, shells, pods, etc. Alternatively, the material may include naturally occurring active compounds found in plants, obtained through synthesis. The material may be in the form of a liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, fine particles, pellets, fragments, strips, flakes, etc. Exemplary plants include tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp plants, cocoa, fennel, lemongrass, mint, spearmint, red tea tree, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus, bay leaf, licorice, matcha, yerba mate, orange peel, papaya, rose, sage, tea (such as green or black tea), thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, anise, basil, bay leaf, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, red pepper, rosemary, saffron, and lavender. Grass, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderberry, vanilla, holly, perilla, turmeric, turmeric root powder, sandalwood, coriander leaves, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, Spanish bell pepper, nutmeg, damarin, marjoram, olive, lemon mint, lemon basil, chives, parsley, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, tetramethyluric acid, maca, Indian ginseng, dami, guana tea, chlorophyll, baobab, or any combination thereof. Mint may be selected from the following mint varieties: wild mint, mint CV, Egyptian mint, peppermint, basil mint CV, peppermint CV, spearmint, heartleaf spearmint, longleaf mint, pineapple mint, lip mint, spearmint CV, and apple mint.

[0115] In some embodiments, the active substance includes or is derived from one or more plants or their components, derivatives or extracts, and the plant is tobacco.

[0116] In some embodiments, the active substance includes or is derived from one or more plants or their components, derivatives or extracts, and the plants are selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp plants.

[0117] In some embodiments, the active substance includes or is derived from one or more plants or their components, derivatives or extracts, and the plants are selected from red tea tree and fennel.

[0118] In some implementations, the substance to be delivered includes a flavoring agent.

[0119] As used herein, the terms “flavoring” and “spice” refer to materials that, where permitted by local regulations, can be used in products to produce a taste, aroma, or other bodily sensation desired by an adult consumer. These can include naturally occurring flavoring materials, botanical materials, plant extracts, synthetic materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, Eurasian licorice (licorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese peppermint, anise, cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, holly, cherry, berries, raspberries, cranberries, peach, apple, orange, mango, citrus, lemon, lime, tropical fruits, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit). Cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Turin Label, bourbon whiskey, Scotch whisky, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, mint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, bitter bean husk, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, areca leaf, shisha, pine, honey extract, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cinnamon, caraway seeds, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel. Wild purslane, green bell pepper (piment), ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp plants, peppermint oil from any type of mint, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, red beans, flax, ginkgo leaves, hazelnuts, hibiscus, bay leaves, yerba mate, orange peel, rose, tea (e.g., green or black tea), thyme, juniper, elderberry, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, chili peppers, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, perilla, turmeric, coriander leaves, myrtle, blackcurrant liqueur (cassis), valerian, Spanish bell pepper (pimento), nutmeg seed coat, Damien, marjoram, olive, lemon mint, lemon basil, leek, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene; flavor enhancers, bitter receptor blockers, sensory receptor activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclosulfonates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol); and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanical materials, or breath fresheners. They can be imitation, synthetic, or natural ingredients or mixtures thereof. They can be in any suitable form, such as liquids (e.g., oils), solids (e.g., powders), or gases.

[0120] In some embodiments, the flavoring agent includes menthol, spearmint, and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent includes flavoring components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits, and / or cranberry. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent includes eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent includes flavoring components extracted from tobacco.

[0121] In some embodiments, in addition to or in place of aroma or taste receptors, flavoring agents may include sensory agents designed to achieve somatic sensations typically induced and perceived by chemical stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), and these may include agents that provide heating, cooling, tingling, or numbing effects. Suitable heat-effecting agents may be, but are not limited to, vanillyl ether, and suitable coolants may be, but are not limited to, eucalyptol, WS-3.

[0122] Aerosol-generating materials are materials capable of generating aerosols, for example, when heated, irradiated, or otherwise powered. Aerosol-generating materials can be in solid, liquid, or semi-solid (such as gel) form, and may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings. Aerosol-generating materials may include one or more active substances and / or flavorings, one or more aerosol-forming materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.

[0123] Aerosol-generating materials may include binders (such as gelling agents) and aerosol-forming agents. Optionally, a substance to be transported and / or a filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent (such as water) may also be present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may be soluble in the solvent or insoluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of plant material. Specifically, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0124] Aerosol-generating materials may include or be in the form of aerosol-generating membranes. Aerosol-generating membranes may include binders (such as gelling agents) and aerosol-forming agents. Optionally, a substance to be transported and / or fillers may also be present. Aerosol-generating membranes may be substantially free of plant material. Specifically, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0125] The aerosol-generating membrane can have a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm. For example, the thickness can be in the range of about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm. The aerosol-generating membrane can be continuous. For example, the membrane can include or be a continuous sheet of material. The sheet can be in the form of packaging paper, which can be aggregated to form an aggregated sheet, or it can be shredded to form shredded material. The shredded material can include one or more strands or strips of aerosol-generating material.

[0126] Aerosol-generating membranes can be discontinuous. For example, an aerosol-generating membrane may include one or more discrete portions or regions of aerosol-generating material, such as points, strips, or lines that can be supported on a support. In such embodiments, the support may be planar or non-planar.

[0127] Aerosol-forming membranes can be formed by combining a binder (such as a gelling agent) with a solvent (such as water), an aerosol forming agent, and one or more other components (such as one or more substances to be transported) to form a slurry, and then heating the slurry to atomize at least some of the solvent to form an aerosol-forming membrane. The slurry can be heated to remove at least about 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt%, or 90 wt% of the solvent.

[0128] Aerosol-generating materials may include or may be "amorphous solids". In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material includes an aerosol-generating membrane that is an amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid". The amorphous solid may be substantially non-fibrous. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can retain some fluid (such as a liquid) within it. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may, for example, include from about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% of amorphous solids. The amorphous solid may be substantially free of plant material. The amorphous solid may be substantially free of tobacco.

[0129] Aerosol-forming agent materials may include one or more components capable of forming aerosols. In some embodiments, aerosol-forming agent materials may include one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl octanoate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a mixture of glyceryl diacetate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, glyceryl tartrate, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate. The one or more other functional materials may include one or more of pH adjusters, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants.

[0130] The material may be present on or within the support to form a matrix. The support may be, for example, paper, cardboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, plastic material, ceramic material, composite material, glass, metal, or metal alloy. In some embodiments, the support includes a receptor. In some embodiments, the receptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the receptor is on one or both sides of the material.

[0131] Consumables are articles comprising or composed of aerosol-generating materials, some or all of which are intended to be consumed by a user during use. Consumables may include one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material delivery component, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, packaging paper, a nozzle, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier. Consumables may also include an aerosol generator, such as a heater, which releases heat during use to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol. For example, the heater may include a combustible material, a material that can be heated by electrical conduction, or a sensor.

[0132] A sensor is a material that can be heated by utilizing the penetration of a changing magnetic field (such as an alternating magnetic field). A sensor can be a conductive material, causing induction heating of the heating material by the penetration of the changing magnetic field. A heating material can be a magnetic material, causing hysteresis heating of the heating material by the penetration of the changing magnetic field. A sensor can be both conductive and magnetic, allowing it to be heated by both heating mechanisms. In this paper, a device configured to generate a changing magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator.

[0133] Aerosol modifiers are substances typically located downstream of the aerosol generation region, configured to modify the generated aerosols, for example, by altering their taste, flavor, acidity, or other properties. Aerosol modifiers can be disposed in aerosol modifier release components, operable to selectively release the aerosol modifier.

[0134] For example, aerosol modifiers can be additives or adsorbents. For example, aerosol modifiers may include one or more of fragrances, colorants, water, and carbon adsorbents. For example, aerosol modifiers can be solid, liquid, or gel. Aerosol modifiers can be in powder, filament, or granular form. Aerosol modifiers may not contain filter materials.

[0135] An aerosol generator is a device configured to generate aerosols from an aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy in order to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to generate aerosols from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

[0136] Figure 1 An aerosol supply device 100 is shown, including a housing 200, a cable 300, a mouthpiece 400, and a battery 500. The aerosol supply device 100 is configured to generate aerosol, for example, from a consumable (not shown) inserted into the aerosol supply device 100, and it includes aerosol-generating material. The aerosol supply device 100 and the consumable together provide an aerosol supply system (not shown). The mouthpiece 400 includes an aerosol outlet 401 for delivering aerosol to the mouth of a user of the aerosol supply device 100 for inhalation. The battery 500 is disposed inside the housing 200 and configured to power the device 100. For example, the aerosol supply device 100 may include an aerosol-generating device (not shown), such as a heater, which may be configured to heat the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol therefrom, and the battery 500 is configured to power the heater. The battery 500 is a rechargeable battery and is configured to store electrical energy for powering the aerosol supply device 100.

[0137] In the example shown, the shell 200 is generally cuboid and includes main faces 201a and 201b, secondary faces 202a and 202b, a top face 203a, and a bottom face 203b. It should be understood that the faces of the shell 200 are represented in this way for ease of reference herein, but these terms are not intended to limit in any way, such as imposing any particular orientation or geometric constraint on the shell 200 or its faces. It is also contemplated that the shell 200 need not be generally cuboid and may include any other suitable shape; for example, the shape of the shell 200 may typically include a cube, cylinder, or prism.

[0138] The aerosol supply device 100 includes a proximal end 101 and a distal end 102, with a nozzle 400 disposed at the proximal end, the distal end generally opposite the proximal end 101. In the example shown, the proximal end 101 generally corresponds to the top surface 203a of the housing 200, and the distal end 102 generally corresponds to the bottom surface 203 of the housing 200.

[0139] Cable 300 is configured to supply electrical power to battery 500 and is integrated with aerosol supply device 100. In this way, the risk of the user of aerosol supply device 100 losing cable 300 used to charge battery 500 is advantageously eliminated. Therefore, the environmental impact of aerosol supply device 100 can be reduced because cable 300 is not lost and therefore does not require replacement. Furthermore, the amount of packaging material required for packaging aerosol supply device 100 for sale can be reduced because the separate charging cable does not require separate packaging, and in fact, no replacement charging cable is needed. Moreover, integrating charging cable 300 with aerosol supply device 100 means that an open charging port on housing 200 for receiving a separate charging cable is not required. Therefore, by eliminating the need for a separate cable and an open charging port, cable 300 advantageously provides an improved user experience, reduces waste from lost cables and unnecessary packaging, and, as described below, also improves the inhalation or smoking experience by allowing the user of aerosol supply device 100 to perform other hand activities while using the aerosol supply device 100.

[0140] Cable 300 includes a wire portion 303, which, in the illustrated example, is elongated and has a generally flat rectangular cross-sectional profile. Wire portion 303 may include one or more wires disposed within a flexible outer sheath. It is also contemplated that wire portion 303 may have any other suitable form and may include, for example, a generally circular, elliptical, square, or triangular cross-sectional profile. A first end 301 of cable 300 is fixed relative to housing 200, and a second end 302 of cable 300 is removably coupled to housing 200, as will be described in more detail below. At the second end 302 of cable 300, cable 300 includes a connector 304, which includes a first connector portion 304a and a second connector portion 304b. In the illustrated example, connector 304 is a USB Type-C connector, but it is also contemplated that any other suitable electrical connector may be used, such as a USB Type-A, USB Type-B, mini-USB, micro-USB, or Lightning connector. The first connector portion 304a has a first cross-sectional area, and the second connector portion 304b has a second cross-sectional area that is generally smaller than the first cross-sectional area. In the example shown, the first connector portion 304a is wider than the second connector portion 304b and the wire portion 303.

[0141] In the example shown, the first end 301 of the cable 300 is attached to and electrically coupled to the battery 500 inside the housing 200. The bottom surface 203b of the housing 200 includes an opening or slot (not shown) for receiving the wire portion 303 of the cable 300 at the first end 301, such that the cable 300 is attached to the battery 500 and extends from the housing 200. In this way, the first end 301 of the cable 300 is fixed relative to the housing 200. That is, the first end 301 of the cable 300 is fixedly coupled to the housing 200 such that it cannot be detached or removed from the housing. However, the first end 301 of the cable 300 may be flexible relative to the housing 200, for example, as shown in the image. Figure 8 As shown, and will be described below. It is also envisioned that the first end 301 of the cable 300 can be fixed relative to the housing 200 in any other way, for example, the first end 301 of the cable can be directly attached to or otherwise coupled to the housing 200, and / or it can be integrally formed with the housing 200.

[0142] The second end 302 of cable 300 can be removably coupled to housing 200 at both the first position 305 and the second position 306. That is, the second end 302 of cable 300 can be coupled to housing 200 at either the first position 305 or the second position 306 at any given time, but not simultaneously at both positions 305 and 306. In this way, cable 300 can be positioned at either the first position 307 or the second position 308 at any given time. Therefore, a user of aerosol supply device 100 can choose, based on their preference, at a given time whether to couple the second end 302 of cable 300 to housing at the first position 305 or the second position 306, as will be described below, whether they wish cable 300 to be in the first position 307 or the second position 308. Additionally, the second end 302 of the cable 300 can be disconnected from the housing, so that it is not coupled to the housing at either the first position 305 or the second position 306, allowing it to be instead coupled to an external device (such as a plug or socket) to connect the cable 300 of the aerosol supply device 100 to mains power, thereby charging the battery 500.

[0143] Figure 1 The second end 302 of cable 300 is shown coupled to housing 200 at a first position 305, such that cable 300 is arranged at a first position 307. In the example shown, the first position 307 is a retracted position, such that cable 300 is retracted relative to housing 200. At this position 307, cable 300 is arranged generally flat, adjacent to and abutting housing 200, such that cable is approximately flush with housing.

[0144] Housing 200 includes channel 206 for receiving cable 300 in a first position 307, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown. Channel 206 is generally rectangular and elongated, and in the example shown, it is recessed into housing 200 such that when cable 300 is positioned at the first location 307, cable 300 can be substantially flush with the outer surface of housing 200, so that it does not substantially protrude from housing. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 8 As shown, the channel 206 includes a first portion 206a disposed on the bottom surface 203b of the housing 200, a second portion 206b disposed on the secondary surface 202b, and a third portion 206c disposed on the top surface 203a. The first end 301 of the cable 300 is fixed relative to the housing 200 at its distal end 102 on the bottom surface 203b of the housing 200, such that the channel 206 is thus configured to extend from the distal end 102 to the proximal end 101 of the aerosol supply device 100. In the example shown, because the channel 206 spans the three surfaces 203b, 202b, and 203a of the housing 200, the cable 300 is configured to bend when disposed within the channel 206, such that the distance between the first end 301 of the cable 300 and the first position 305 of the second end 302 of the cable 300 is less than the length of the cable 300. Although the length of channel 206, including the total length of the first portion 206a, the second portion 206b, and the third portion 206c, is generally equal to the length of cable 300, cable 300 is configured to lie flat within channel 206 against housing 20. In this way, cable 300 can be stored when it is not desired to connect cable 300 to mains power or otherwise recharge battery 500.

[0145] Figure 2 A plan view of an aerosol supply device 100 is shown, and a first receiving element 204 formed in the top surface 203a of a housing 200 is shown for removably coupling the second end 302 of a cable 300 to the housing 200 in a first position 305. In the example shown, the first receiving element 204 includes a slot recessed in the top surface 203a for receiving a connector 304. Figure 2The cable 300 is shown removed for illustrative purposes, and as shown, an exemplary first receiving element 204 includes a first portion 204a and a second portion 204b. The first portion 204a has a width narrower than the second portion 204a and is configured to receive a second connector portion 304b, while the second portion 204b is configured to receive the first connector portion 304a. Similarly, a channel 206 also has a width narrower than the second portion 204b, and its width is designed to receive the line portion 303 of the cable 300. In this way, the first receiving element 204 is configured to receive the connector 304, and the channel 206 is configured to receive the line portion 303, such that the cable 300 can be slotted into the housing 200 at the appropriate position with the second end 302 placed in the first position 305 to arrange the cable 300 in the first position 307, thereby retracting the cable 300.

[0146] Although in the example shown, the first receiving element 204 includes a slot recessed in the top surface 203a, which includes a first portion 204a and a second portion 204b, it is contemplated that the first receiving element 204 does not necessarily need to be arranged on the top surface 203a, but can be arranged at any other location on the housing 200, such as on the bottom surface 203b, or on one of the main or secondary surfaces 201a, 201b, 202a, 202b, and the first receiving element 204 can have any other suitable form, such as a recess, groove, slot, channel, or opening, which is configured to receive the second end 302 of the cable 300, or otherwise removably coupled to the second end 302 of the cable 300.

[0147] Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The second end 302 of cable 300 is shown coupled to housing 200 at second position 306, such that cable 300 is arranged at second position 308. In the example shown, when cable 300 is in second position 308, cable 300 is configured for a user to hold the handle of aerosol supply device 100. This is because the distance between second position 306 and the first end 301 of cable 300 is less than the length of cable 300, for example, approximately half the length of cable 300. Therefore, when the second end 302 of cable 300 is coupled to housing 200 at second position 306, the wire portion 303 of the cable is arranged to form a loop shape 309 defining a holding space 310.

[0148] like Figure 6As shown, the size of the holding space 308 can be designed to receive one or more fingers of the user's hand 600 of the aerosol supply device 100, allowing the user to hold the aerosol supply device 100 via the cable 300, which can be used as a handle in that position 308. In this way, when the cable 300 is not connected to an external device such as a power outlet to recharge the battery 500, at any given time, the user of the aerosol supply device 100 can choose to retract the cable 300 as described above in the first position 307, or place the cable 300 in the second position 308, allowing the cable to be used as a handle for holding the aerosol supply device 100. In this way, the cable 300 can have a dual function, providing both a means of supplying power to the battery 500 and a means of holding the aerosol supply device 100, thus improving its ergonomics.

[0149] Furthermore, when the cable 300 is in the first position 307 retracted in the channel 206 of the housing 200, or when the second end 302 of the cable 300 is not coupled to the housing 200 in either the first position 305 or the second position 306, the user of the aerosol supply device 100 can hold the aerosol supply device 100 by directly gripping the housing 200 or one or more other parts of the aerosol supply device 100, rather than using the cable 300 as a handle. However, by providing a second position 308 for the cable 300, the user also has the option to couple the second end 302 of the cable 300 to the housing 200 in the second position 306, allowing them to hold the aerosol supply device 100 by gripping the handle loop shape 309 formed by the cable 300 (e.g., by inserting three fingers into the holding space 310, as shown in the image). Figure 6 (As shown) to hold the aerosol supply device 100, allowing the rest of their hands to advantageously perform other tasks simultaneously, such as holding a mobile phone or other objects. In the example shown, the second end 302 of the cable 300 is removably coupled to the housing 200 on the main surface 201a, so that when in the second position 306, the handle loop shape 309 is positioned in a plane parallel to the main surface 201a of the housing 200, which can advantageously provide comfortable use of the handle. It is also envisioned that the second end 302 of the cable 300 can be removably coupled to the housing on any other surface or portion of the housing 200 (e.g., on the main surface 201b, secondary surface 202a, secondary surface 202b, or bottom surface 203b).

[0150] Figure 7A cable 300 is shown positioned at a second location 308, where a connector 304 is not shown and is purely illustrative. Similar to the first receiving element 204, the housing 200 also includes a second receiving element 205 for removably coupling the second end 302 of the cable 300 to the housing 200 at a second location 306. In the example shown, the second receiving element 205 includes a slot recessed in a main surface 201a for receiving the connector 304. Similar to the first receiving element 204, the second receiving element 205 also includes a first portion 205a and a second portion 205b. The first portion 205a has a narrower width than the second portion 205b and is configured to receive the second connector portion 304b, while the second portion 205b is configured to receive the first connector portion 304a. The first portion 205a is configured to be substantially similar to the first portion 204a, and the second portion 205b is configured to be substantially similar to the second portion 204b.

[0151] The second receiving element 205 also includes a third portion 205c and a fourth portion 205d. Like channel 206, the fourth portion 205d also has a narrower width than the second portion 205b and is sized to receive the wire portion 303 of the cable 300. The wire portion 303 is configured to receive in channel 207 of the second receiving element 205 (see...). Figure 1 In the second position 308, the length of channel 207 is substantially shorter than that of channel 206 because, instead of being recessed into and flush with housing 200, the majority of the wire portion 303 of cable 303 is configured to extend from and loop relative to housing 200 to provide a handle loop shape 309. The third portion 205c is configured to hold cable 300 in the second position 308 by preventing the wire portion 303 from being removed from channel 207, and thus, when the user of aerosol supply device 1 applies force to cable 300, the third portion also prevents the second end 302 of cable 300 from being removed from the second position 306 in the second receiving element 205. In the example shown, the third portion 205c has a width narrower than the wire portion 303 of cable 300 on the outer surface of housing 200 because it includes two flanges 208a, 208b that define an opening narrower than the width of the wire portion 303 to prevent its removal. Furthermore, as... Figure 6 As shown in the example, a user of the aerosol supply device 100 can place their finger (e.g., thumb) on the cable 300 to further prevent it from being removed from the second receiving element 205.

[0152] To remove the cable portion 303 from the second receiving element 205, the likely generally flexible portion 303 can be flexed or otherwise manipulated to remove it from the relatively narrow third portion 205c, thereby removing the connector 304 from the second receiving element 205 and allowing the cable 300 to be decoupled from the second position 308. For example, the portion 303 can be bent or folded, for example, parallel to its longitudinal direction, or twisted or angled to force its cross-sectional profile to be small enough to pass through the space between flanges 208a, 208b. In this way, a user of the aerosol supply device 100 can selectively couple to or remove from the second end 302 of the cable 300 to the second position 306 as needed, depending on whether they wish the cable 300 to provide a handle, retract, or be coupled to an external power source to recharge the battery 500.

[0153] Although in the example shown, the second receiving element 205 includes a slot recessed in the main surface 201a, the slot including a first portion 205a, a second portion 205b, a third portion 205c, and a fourth portion 205d, it is contemplated that the second receiving element 205 does not necessarily need to be arranged on the main surface 201a, but can be arranged at any other location on the housing 200, such as on the top surface 203a, the bottom surface 203b, or any of the main or secondary surfaces 201a, 201b, 202a, 202b, and the second receiving element 205 can have any other suitable form, such as a recess, groove, slot, channel, or opening, configured to receive the second end 302 of the cable 300, or otherwise removably coupled to the second end 302 of the cable 300.

[0154] In the example shown and described above, the wire portion 303 of the cable 300 is generally flexible, allowing the cable 300 to be easily manipulated as needed to move the cable between a first position 307 and a second position 308. At the first position 307, it may be necessary to bend, fold, or flex the wire portion 303 along its length to arrange the cable 300 in the channel 206, as, for example, the exemplary channel 206 includes two bends, each approximately 90°, because the channel 206 spans the bottom surface 203b, the secondary surface 202b, and the top surface 203a of the housing 200. In the second position 308, since the flanges 208a, 208b of the third portion 205c of the second receiving element 205 define an opening narrower than the width of the wire portion 303, it may also be necessary to bend, fold, or flex the wire portion 300 to arrange the cable 300 in the channel 207, such that the cross-sectional profile of the wire portion 303 can be deformed to insert and remove it from the channel in order to insert and remove the wire portion 303 into and from the channel.

[0155] In addition, refer to Figure 8In the example shown, the cable 300 can be configured to twist, bend, fold, or flex relative to the bottom surface 203b of the housing 200 in order to move the line portion 303 of the cable 300 between two positions that are angularly spaced apart from each other (e.g., approximately 90° apart) so that the cable 300 can move between a first position 307 and a second position 308. Figure 8 A cable 300 is shown positioned at a second location 308, with its first end 301 configured to be twisted so that the wire portion 303 is arranged substantially parallel to the main surface 201, allowing the second end 302 of the cable 300 to be easily inserted into the second receiving element 205 to position the cable 300 at the second location 308. Conversely, the first end 302 of the cable 300 may be untwisted so that the section of the wire portion 303 near the first end 301 is substantially parallel to and lies flat on the bottom surface 203b of the housing 200, allowing the second end 302 of the cable 300 to be easily inserted into the first receiving element 204 to position the cable 300 at the first location 307, as shown. Figure 1 As shown. It is also envisioned that the aerosol supply device 100 may alternatively be configured such that the first end 301 of the cable 300 is rotatably coupled to the battery 500 and / or the housing 200, rather than twisting, bending, folding or flexing the cable 300 to move the cable between the first position 307 and the second position 308, such that the cable 300 can pivot relative to the housing 300, in particular the first end 301 of the cable, to move the cable 300 between the first position 307 and the second position 308.

[0156] In the example above, the second end 302 of cable 300 can be removably coupled to the housing at two locations (i.e., the first location 305 and the second location 306). Therefore, cable 300 can be removably coupled to housing 200 at two different locations (the first location 307 and the second location 308). It is also envisioned that the second end 302 of cable 300 can be removably coupled to the housing at a third location or other different additional locations (e.g., any three or more locations in total). For example, it is envisioned that the second end 302 of cable 300 can be removably coupled to housing 200 at two, three, four, five, or more different locations.

[0157] Furthermore, in the example above, at the first position 305 of the second end 302, the cable 300 is in a first position 307, which is a retracted position, and at the second position 306 of the second end 302, the cable 300 forms a handle loop shape 309, such that the cable 300 can be described as being in a handle-providing position. In the example above, the first position 307 is a retracted position because, based on the distance between the first receiving element 204 and the first end 301 of the cable 300, the cable 300 is configured to be substantially adjacent to and abutting the housing 200, since the total length of the channel 206 is approximately equal to the length of the cable 300; and the second position 308 is a handle-providing position because the second receiving element 205 is located relatively closer to the first end 301 of the cable 300, and the distance between the second receiving element 205 and the first end 301 is less than the length of the cable 300, such that the cable 300 forms a loop relative to the housing 200 at the second position 308. However, it is also contemplated that the first position 307 and the second position 308 could each be either a retracted position or a handle-providing position. For example, both the first position 307 and the second position 308 can be a retracted position, or both the first position 307 and the second position 308 can be a position providing a handle. In the latter case, the first position 305 of the second end 302 can be arranged on the housing 200 at a different distance from the first end 301 of the cable 300 compared to the second position 306 of the second end 302, such that the first position 305 and the second position 306 of the second end 302 of the cable 300 provide two positions, both of which provide a handle, wherein the handle has different sizes, shapes or positions.

[0158] For example, one location can be configured to provide a relatively large handle with a larger loop size, and another location can be configured to provide a relatively small handle with a smaller loop size. For instance, one location can be configured to provide a handle on a specific face of housing 200 (e.g., one of main faces 201a and 201b), and another location can be configured to provide a handle on a different specific face of housing 200 (e.g., one of secondary faces 202a and 202b). In this way, the second end 302 of cable 300 can be removably coupled to housing 200 at different locations providing different handles, allowing the user to select or change the handle according to user preference. For example, a handle position may be more comfortable and ergonomic for a user with a specific hand size, or when the user holds the aerosol supply device 100 together with another item (such as a mobile phone) in the same hand, or when performing a specific task. However, the same user may sometimes want to switch to different handle positions or ring sizes in different situations, such as when they are holding an umbrella in the same hand, or when performing different tasks, or when the aerosol supply device 100 is the only item they are holding. Therefore, it is envisioned that the second end 302 of the cable 300 does not necessarily need to be removably coupled to the housing 200 to provide a stowed position, but the second end 302 of the cable 300 can alternatively be removably coupled to the housing 200 to provide more than one different position, each providing a distinct handle.

[0159] Additionally, while in the example described above, the cable 300 can be retracted at the exemplary first position 307 by arranging the wire portion 303 in the channel 206, it is also contemplated that the cable 300 can be retracted relative to the housing 200 in any other suitable manner. For example, the cable 300 can be configured to be wound or coiled to selectively retract, for example, by winding it around the rotor, and to selectively unwind, for example, by unwinding it from the rotor. The rotor can, for example, be arranged inside the housing 200 such that the unwound section of the cable 300 is configured to extend out of the housing 200, and the coiled section of the cable 300 is arranged inside the housing 200.

[0160] Furthermore, while in the above example, device 100 is an aerosol supply device 100, it is also contemplated that the housing, battery, and cable can be used in other types of devices, such as rechargeable devices for charging devices (such as mobile phones), such as power banks. That is, for example, a power bank may include a housing, battery, and cable configured to supply electrical energy to the battery, and includes a first end fixed relative to the housing and a second end removably coupled to the housing in a first and second position, wherein the housing, battery, and cable are substantially similar to the exemplary housing 200, battery 500, and cable 300 described above and illustrated herein.

[0161] The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative examples of implementations and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, implementations, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or on its equivalents, and other embodiments may be used and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. In addition to those specifically described herein, various embodiments of the invention may suitably include, consist of, or substantially consist of suitable combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc., disclosed in this document. Furthermore, this disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An aerosol supply device, comprising: case; Battery; as well as The cable is configured to supply electrical power to the battery and includes a first end fixed relative to the housing and a second end removably coupled to the housing in a first position and a second position.

2. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein, When the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing in at least one of the first and second positions, the cable is configured to allow a user to hold the handle of the aerosol supply device.

3. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, When the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing in the first position, the cable is in a retracted position, and when the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing in the second position, the cable is configured for the user to hold the handle of the aerosol supply device.

4. The aerosol supply device according to claim 3, wherein, When the cable is in the retracted position, the cable is configured to be substantially adjacent to and abutting the housing.

5. The aerosol supply device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein, The housing includes a channel configured to receive the cable in the retracted position.

6. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, When the second end of the cable is coupled to the housing such that the cable is configured for a user to hold the handle of the aerosol supply device, at least a portion of the cable is spaced apart from the housing.

7. The aerosol supply device according to claim 6, wherein, At least a portion of the cable is spaced apart from the housing to form a loop for the user of the aerosol supply device to grip.

8. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The housing includes a first receiving element for receiving the second end of the cable in the first position, and a second receiving element for receiving the second end of the cable in the second position.

9. The aerosol supply device according to claim 8, wherein, The first receiving element and / or the second receiving element each include a recess, groove, slot, channel, or opening configured to receive the second end of the cable.

10. The aerosol supply device according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein, The second receiving element includes a retaining element configured to prevent the second end of the cable from being removed from the second receiving element when a user of the aerosol supply device applies force to the cable.

11. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The second end of the cable includes an electrical connector.

12. The aerosol supply device according to claim 11, wherein, The electrical connector is a USB Type A, USB Type B, USB Type C, mini USB, micro USB, or Lightning connector.

13. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The aerosol supply device is configured to generate aerosol from aerosol generating material, and wherein the aerosol supply device further includes a mouthpiece for delivering the aerosol to the mouth of a user of the aerosol supply device.

14. The aerosol supply device according to claim 13, wherein, The nozzle and the second position of the second end are arranged at the proximal end of the aerosol supply device, and the first end is fixed relative to the housing at the distal end of the aerosol supply device opposite to the proximal end.

15. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, The aerosol supply device is a non-flammable aerosol supply device.

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