Aerosol provision device

Abstract

An aerosol provision device comprising: a communicator for communicating with an external device, the communicator comprising an antenna; and a power supply port for connecting to a power supply. The antenna is at least partially comprised in the power supply port.

Description

[0001] AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device and a method.

[0004] Background

[0005] Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are heating devices which release compounds by heating, but not burning, the material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

[0006] Summary

[0007] In accordance with the first aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision device comprising: a communicator for communicating with an external device, the communicator comprising an antenna; and a power supply port for connecting to a power supply, wherein the antenna is at least partially comprised in the power supply port.

[0008] The power supply port may comprise an enclosure at least partially surrounding power connectors, wherein the enclosure forms at least part of the antenna.

[0009] The aerosol provision device may comprise an antenna path connected to the supply port, wherein the antenna path forms part of the antenna. The antenna path may follow a convoluted path.

[0010] The aerosol provision device may comprise 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 comprise a power connector for receiving power from the power supply port and supplying power to the aerosol provision device.

[0011] The communicator may comprise a communicator processor, wherein the communicator processor is on the printed circuit board.

[0012] The aerosol provision device may comprise a housing comprising an aperture, wherein the power supply port is positioned at the aperture. The housing may be formed of metal or a metal alloy.

[0013] The power supply port may be positioned at a distal end of the aerosol provision device.

[0014] The communicator may be a Bluetooth low energy communicator. The aerosol provision device may comprise an energy storage, wherein the power supply is connected to the energy storage to permit the power supply to charge the energy storage.

[0015] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method comprising using an antenna of an aerosol provision device to communicate with an external device, the aerosol provision device comprising a power supply port for connecting to a power supply, wherein the antenna is at least partially comprised in the power supply port.

[0016] Brief Description of Drawings

[0017] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a front view of an aerosol provision system

[0019] Fig. 2 shows a printed circuit board

[0020] Fig. 3 shows a side view of an aerosol provision system comprising a power supply port

[0021] Detailed Description

[0022] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating material” is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and / or flavourants. Aerosol-generating material may include any plant based material, such as tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol-generating material also may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. Aerosol-generating material may for example be in the form of a solid, a liquid, a gel, a wax or the like. Aerosol-generating material may for example also be a combination or a blend of materials. Aerosol-generating material may also be known as “smokable material”.

[0023] The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active and / or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free. The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an “amorphous solid”. The amorphous solid may be a “monolithic solid”. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.

[0024] The aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The aerosol-generating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially tobacco free.

[0025] According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0026] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

[0027] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0028] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosolgenerating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0029] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0030] Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non- combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosolgenerating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

[0031] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

[0032] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosol-modifying agent.

[0033] In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosolmodifying agent.

[0034] An aerosol generating device can receive an article comprising aerosol generating material for heating. An “article” in this context is a component that includes or contains in use the aerosol generating material, which is heated to volatilise the aerosol generating material, and optionally other components in use. A user may insert the article into the aerosol generating device before it is heated to produce an aerosol, which the user subsequently inhales. The article may be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size that is configured to be placed within a heating chamber of the device which is sized to receive the article.

[0035] With reference to Fig. 1, an aerosol provision system 10 comprises an aerosol provision device 100 for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating material. The aerosol provision system 10 further comprises a replaceable article 110 comprising the aerosol generating material. In broad outline, the aerosol forming device 100 may be used to heat the article 110 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium, which is inhaled by a user of the device 100.

[0036] The aerosol forming device 100 comprises a body 102. A housing arrangement surrounds and houses various components of the body 102. An article aperture 104 is formed at one end of the body 102, through which the article 110 may be inserted for heating by an aerosol generator 116.

[0037] The device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 150, such as a button or switch, which operates the device 100 when pressed. For example, a user may turn on the device 100 by operating the switch 150.

[0038] The aerosol generator 116 defines a longitudinal axis, which aligns with an axis of the article 110.

[0039] In use, the article 110 may be fully or partially inserted into the aerosol generator 116 where it may be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator 116.

[0040] The device 100 includes an apparatus for heating aerosol-generating material. The apparatus includes an aerosol generating assembly, a controller (control circuit), and a power source. The apparatus forms part of the body 102. The aerosol generating assembly is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material of an article 110 inserted through the article aperture 104, such that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating material. The power source supplies electrical power to the aerosol generating assembly, and the aerosol generating assembly converts the supplied electrical energy into heat energy for heating the aerosol-generating material. The power source may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium battery (such as a lithium-ion battery), a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), and an alkaline battery.

[0041] The power source may be electrically coupled to the aerosol generating assembly to supply electrical power when required and under control of the controller to heat the aerosol generating material. The control circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate the aerosol generating assembly based on a user input. The user input may be via a button press or opening a door of the device (for example, a door covering a consumable receiving receptacle). The control circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate automatically, for example on insertion of an article.

[0042] The aerosol generating assembly may comprise various components to heat the aerosol generating material via an inductive heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conducting heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. An induction heating assembly may comprise an inductive element, for example, one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying electric current, such as an alternating electric current, through the inductive element. The varying electric current in the inductive element produces a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating element) suitably positioned with respect to the inductive element, and generates eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and hence the flow of the eddy currents against this resistance causes the susceptor to be heated by Joule heating. In cases where the susceptor comprises ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel or cobalt, heat may also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e. by the varying orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of their alignment with the varying magnetic field. In inductive heating, as compared to heating by conduction for example, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating. Further, there need not be any physical contact between the inductive element and the susceptor, allowing for enhanced freedom in construction and application.

[0043] With reference to Fig. 2, the aerosol provision device 100 comprises a printed circuit board 200. The printed circuit board 200 comprises a communicator processor 201, which in the present example is a bluetooth low energy communicator processor 201 , an antenna path 202 and an enclosure 203.

[0044] The antenna path 202 is printed onto the printed circuit board 200 and follows a convoluted path. The convoluted path of the antenna path 202 includes a plurality of turns. In the present example, the antenna path 202 includes 8 turns. The antenna path has a length of 45mm. In some examples, the antenna path 202 may have a length of more than 10 mm, more than 20 mm, more than 30 mm and / or more than 40 mm. In some examples, the antenna path 202 may have a length of less than 80 mm, less than 70 mm, less than 60 mm and / or less than 50 mm.

[0045] By having the antenna path 202 follow the convoluted path, the printed circuit board 200 may be smaller in size. This, for example, allows for more space inside the aerosol provision device 100, or for the aerosol provision device 100 to also be made smaller.

[0046] The antenna path 202 forms part of the antenna. The printed circuit board 200 forms part of the antenna e.g. with an isolation substance of the printed circuit board 200 forming part of the antenna. The antenna may be for a bluetooth communicator. This is achieved via the trace on the printed circuit board 200 and the isolation substance inside the printed circuit board 200.

[0047] The antenna path 202 is connected to the enclosure 203 and the communicator processor 201. The antenna path 202 is connected to the enclosure 203 so that the enclosure 203 forms part of the antenna.

[0048] The antenna permits the aerosol provision device 100 to communicate with an external device (not shown), with signals being transmitting and / or received by the antenna. In some examples, the external device is a mobile device. Communication between the aerosol provision device 100 and the external device may, for example, be to permit settings of the aerosol provision device 100 to be adjusted at the external device, or to allow a user to verify their age at the external device before using the aerosol provision device 100. The communicator processor 201 controls the antenna to transmit and receive signals.

[0049] The printed circuit board 200 may also comprise other circuitry components, for example components configured to transport power to a heating element of the aerosol provision device 100 or components configured to control the heating element or other component of the aerosol provision device 100. Alternatively, these other components may be found across multiple printed circuit boards within the aerosol provision device 100.

[0050] With reference to Fig. 3, the aerosol provision device 100 comprises a housing 102. The aerosol provision device 100 is surrounded by the housing 102. The housing is formed of metal or a metal alloy.

[0051] An aperture 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 which is furthest from the user’s mouth whilst the aerosol provision device 100 is in use.

[0052] The aperture 301 is configured to allow a user to access a power supply port 302. The power supply port 302 comprises a power connector 303 and the enclosure 203. The enclosure 203 at least partially surrounds the power connector 303. In the present example the enclosure 203 fully encircles the power connector 303. When a power cable (not shown) is connected to the power supply port 302, the power cable is received by the enclosure 203 and held in position by an interference fit inside the enclosure. In the present example, the power connector 303 is a USB connector.

[0053] The position of the enclosure 203 at the aperture 301 may allow the signals being transmitted by the antenna to better reach external devices, and for incoming signals from external devices to be better received by the antenna, with the signals passing through the aperture 301.

[0054] The power connector 303 is configured to receive power from the power supply port 302 and to supply power to the aerosol provision device 100. The power connector 303 is connected to an energy storage (e.g. a battery), which is configured to power the aerosol provision device 100. The energy storage is charged using the power supplied from the power connector 303.

[0055] In the above described embodiments, the aerosol provision device comprises a heating arrangement that is an inductive heating arrangement. In embodiments, other types of heating arrangement are used, such as resistive heating. The configuration of the device is generally as described above and so a detailed description will be omitted. In such arrangements the aerosol generating assembly comprises a resistive heating generator including components to heat the heating element via a resistive heating process. In this case, an electrical current is directly applied to a resistive heating component, and the resulting flow of current in the heating component causes the heating component to be heated by Joule heating. The resistive heating component comprises resistive material configured to generate heat when a suitable electrical current passes through it, and the heating assembly comprises electrical contacts for supplying electrical current to the resistive material.

[0056] In embodiments, the heating element forms the resistive heating component itself. In embodiments the resistive heating component transfers heat to the heating element, for example by conduction.

[0057] The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An aerosol provision device comprising: a communicator for communicating with an external device, the communicator comprising an antenna; and a power supply port for connecting to a power supply, wherein the antenna is at least partially comprised in the power supply port.

2. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply port comprises an enclosure, the enclosure at least partially surrounding power connectors, wherein the enclosure forms at least a part of the antenna.

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

4. An aerosol provision device according to claim 3, wherein the antenna path follows a convoluted path.

5. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 4 and comprising a printed circuit board.

6. An aerosol provision device according to claim 5, wherein the printed circuit board forms part of the antenna.

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

8. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a power connector for receiving power from the power supply port and supplying power to the aerosol provision device.

9. An aerosol provision device according to any claims claim 5 to 8, wherein the communicator comprises a communicator processor,wherein the communicator processor is on the printed circuit board.

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

11. An aerosol provision device according to claim 10, wherein the housing is formed of metal or a metal alloy.

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

13. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the communicator is a bluetooth low energy communicator.

14. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 13 and comprising an energy storage, wherein the power supply port is connected to the energy storage to permit the power supply to charge the energy storage.

15. A method comprising using an antenna of an aerosol provision device to communicate with an external device, the aerosol provision device comprising a power supply port for connecting to a power supply, wherein the antenna is at least partially comprised in the power supply port.

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