Aerosol Generation System

Abstract

The aerosol generating system (2) comprises an electric holder (3) configured to generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating article (4) and a charging device (1) comprising a body (5) having an inner housing (6) into which the electric holder (3) can be inserted for recharging. The electric holder (3) is configured to detect when it is not inserted into said inner housing (6) and, in the presence of said detection, to provide information to a user representative of the absence of the electric holder (3) within said inner housing (6). The electric holder (3) is configured to provide said information when it is not inserted into said inner housing (6) for a selected duration.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating system that includes a charging device having an inner housing for receiving an electrical holder to be recharged. [Background technology]

[0002] Some aerosol generating systems comprise a main body having an inner housing, a charging device that can be connected to a mains power source during a recharging phase, and an electrical holder that can be inserted into the main body inner housing for recharging, configured to generate aerosol by heating an aerosol generating article during a user's vaping session.

[0003] For example, the electric holder may be a so-called "T-vapor (or heat-not-burn (or "HnB") device," which is inserted into its inner housing (or casing) and includes a heater for heating the "solid" material of an aerosol-generating article (e.g., a tobacco stick), which is similar to a conventional cigarette.

[0004] Sometimes, a user of an electric holder forgets to insert the electric holder into the main inner housing of the associated charging device after his / her last vaping session. Therefore, when the user wants to start a new vaping session with a new aerosol-generating article, the energy level of the electric holder battery may be found to be too low to enable this vaping session, and therefore the user must recharge his / her electric holder with the associated charging device before starting his / her vaping session. This delay may cause frustration and disappointment.

[0005] Additionally, it may occur that a user believes they have inserted their electrical holder into an associated charging device, but has no way of verifying this insertion without opening the charging device and checking if the electrical holder is inside, which can be cumbersome and time consuming.

[0006] Some charging device bodies are equipped with lighting elements (such as LEDs ("Light Emitting Diodes")) that generate light while the electrical holder is being recharged. However, when the recharging phase is completed, no light is generated anymore, so a user cannot tell at a glance whether an electrical holder is inserted in his charging device. Therefore, the user has to open the charging device to check whether the electrical holder is inside, which can also be cumbersome and time-consuming.

[0007] Furthermore, repeated opening and closing to verify insertion can affect the durability of the mechanism that drives the door that controls access to the main inner housing.

[0008] The present invention therefore aims to improve this situation. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The proposed method provides one embodiment of an aerosol generation system comprising an electrical holder configured to generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating article, and a charging device comprising a body having an inner housing into which the electrical holder can be inserted for recharging.

[0010] The aerosol generating system is configured to detect when the electrical holder is not inserted into the inner housing and, in the presence of said detection, provide information to a user representative of the absence of the electrical holder in the inner housing, and is configured to provide said information when the electrical holder has not been inserted into the inner housing for a selected duration.

[0011] Thanks to the present invention, users are reminded to insert their electric holder into a charging device if the electric holder is not being used for vaping, helping to ensure that the electric holder is charged the next time the user needs it.

[0012] The electrical holder of the aerosol generating system may also include other features, considered separately or in combination, in particular the following:

[0013] The selected duration can be a predetermined duration following the last vaping session.

[0014] The electrical holder may further include a heating element and circuitry operable to control the heating element during a vaping session, the circuitry operable to compare a duration since a last vaping session with a predetermined duration and cause the electrical holder to provide second information if the duration since the last vaping session equals or exceeds the predetermined duration.

[0015] The second information may be one or more of the following: light generated by a lighting element, vibrations generated by a tactile means, and a message displayed on the user interface.

[0016] In a first embodiment, the electronic holder may be configured to provide information for a predetermined time interval.

[0017] In addition, in the first embodiment, the electrical holder may be configured to detect that the electrical holder is not inserted into the main body inner housing when the electrical holder is not electrically connected to the charging device inside the inner housing.

[0018] Also, in the first embodiment, the electrical holder may include a detection circuit configured to generate a detection signal when the electrical holder is not inserted into the inner housing of the charging device, and may be configured to generate other information when the detection signal is generated.

[0019] For example, the charging device body may include a magnet that generates a magnetic field, and the detection circuit may include a sensor configured to generate a detection signal when the generated magnetic field is not detected.

[0020] In a variant, the detection circuitry may comprise a motion sensor configured to generate a signal when it does not detect any motion of the electrical holder for a selected duration.

[0021] Also in the first embodiment, the electronic holder may comprise a rechargeable battery having an energy level and may be configured to provide information when the energy level is below a predefined threshold at least equal to an energy level required for a next vaping session. The electronic holder may be configured to provide information only when the energy level is below the predefined threshold even if a selected duration has elapsed.

[0022] In one embodiment, the electrical holder may include an inner housing arranged to receive at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article defining a tobacco stick.

[0023] The charging device of the aerosol generating system may also include other features, considered separately or in combination, in particular the following:

[0024] The charging device may be configured to provide additional information on the exterior surface of its body that indicates the absence of an electrical holder within its inner housing.

[0025] In the first embodiment, the charging device body may include a window that allows the user to see inside its inner housing. In this embodiment, the separate information is the empty inner housing when no electrical holder is inserted into the body inner housing.

[0026] In a second embodiment, the charging device body may include a window and a detection element having a first state in which a first portion of the detection element is visible through the window when the electrical holder is not inserted into the body inner housing, and a second state in which a second portion of the detection element is moved and visible through the window when the electrical holder is inserted into the body inner housing.

[0027] In the first or second embodiment, the charging device body may comprise a fixed wall with a window. In a variant of the embodiment, the charging device body may comprise a door that controls access to the inner housing and that comprises a window.

[0028] In a third embodiment, the charging device body may include a detection circuit configured to generate a detection signal when the electrical holder is inserted into its inner housing, and a lighting element configured to generate a light visible on its outer surface upon receiving the detection signal.

[0029] In a third embodiment, the detection circuit may include a sensor configured to generate a detection signal upon detecting a magnetic field generated by a magnet in the electrical holder.

[0030] In a fourth embodiment, the charging device may be configured to generate a detection signal when the electrical holder is not electrically connected to its inner connector accessible within its body inner housing. In this embodiment, the body may include a lighting element configured to generate a light visible on its exterior surface upon receiving the detection signal.

[0031] Thanks to the present invention, a user of an electrical holder can easily check whether the electrical holder is validly inserted into an associated charging device by simply checking whether the first information is provided on a portion of the exterior surface of the main body without having to open the charging device, thereby avoiding frustration and disappointment.

[0032] The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the following detailed description, given by way of non-limiting example only and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic and functional representation of a first example embodiment of an aerosol generating system according to the invention, the electrical holder containing an aerosol generating article and therefore not inserted into its charging device; [Diagram 2] 2 illustrates diagrammatically and functionally the aerosol generating system of FIG. 1 after its electrical holder has been inserted into its charging device; [Diagram 3] 2 shows a schematic and functional representation of a second example of an embodiment of an aerosol generation system according to the invention after inserting its electrical holder into its charging device. [Figure 4] 2 shows a schematic and functional representation of an embodiment variant of the electrical holder of the aerosol generation system according to the invention before insertion into an associated charging device; [Diagram 5] 2 shows a schematic and functional embodiment variant of a charging device according to the invention; [Figure 6] 4 shows diagrammatically and functionally another embodiment variant of a charging device according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The present invention aims to provide a charging device 1 intended to be part of an aerosol generating system 2 and to recharge an electrical holder 3 intended to receive an aerosol generating article 4, which is another part of this aerosol generating system 2.

[0035] In the following description, the electrical holder 3 is considered to be (or to constitute) a T-vapor (or heated non-burning (or HnB)) device comprising a heating element (or heater) 19 for heating the solid material 18 of the aerosol-generating article 4. However, the electrical holder 3 according to the invention may be of another type, so long as it is capable of converting the aerosol-forming material in solid form into an aerosol (possibly close to room temperature) by heating.

[0036] Furthermore, in the following description, the aerosol-generating article (or consumable) 4 is considered to be a tobacco stick. The solid substance therefore comprises at least tobacco material (optionally cut tobacco). However, the invention is not limited to this type of aerosol-generating article (or consumable).

[0037] As used herein, "solid substance" refers to any solid material that can be aerosolized in air by heating to form an aerosol. Thus, the solid substance may include, for example, one or more of nicotine, tobacco materials, polyols, caffeine or other active ingredients, or flavorings.

[0038] The term "aerosol" may include a suspension of a substance as one or more of solid particles, liquid droplets, and gas, and such a suspension may be in a gas, including air.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the aerosol generating system 2 according to the present invention comprises a charging device 1 and an electrical holder 3 intended to receive an aerosol generating article 4 in particular when the charging device 1 is not in a recharging phase.

[0040] As shown in the non-limiting examples of Figures 1 to 3, 5 and 6, the charging device 1 according to the invention comprises at least a body 5 having an inner housing (or casing) 6 into which an electric holder 3 can be inserted for recharging. The body 5 is delimited by a wall 7 and possibly also by a door 8 (as shown in the non-limiting examples of Figures 1 to 3, 5 and 6). The body 5 also comprises a first circuit 13, a first electrical connector 9 intended to be coupled to the mains power supply via a power cable during the recharging phase, and a second electrical connector 10 accessible within the inner housing 6 of the body 5 and to which a third electrical connector 11 of the electric holder 3 is coupled when the electric holder (3) is inserted into the inner housing 6 of the body 5 (as shown in Figures 2 and 3).

[0041] A possible door 8 controls access to the inner housing 6 and allows for insertion and removal of the electrical holder 3. For example, it may be coupled to a mechanism (not shown) that allows it to be opened and closed by rotating.

[0042] The first circuit (or processing unit) 13 comprises at least a processor and a memory arranged to perform operations and in particular to control each recharging phase. For example, the (each) processor may be a digital signal processor (i.e. DSP), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). More generally, the processor may comprise a number of integrated (or printed) circuits, or several integrated (or printed) circuits connected between them via wired or wireless connections. The term "integrated (or printed) circuit" here refers to any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation. Also, for example, the memory may be a random access memory (i.e. RAM). However, the memory may be any type of device arranged to store program instructions for the associated processor.

[0043] Generally speaking, the functions of the first circuit 13 may be performed through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control with dedicated logic, or even partially manually (by a user). These functions may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware and hardware capable of executing software in conjunction with appropriate software.

[0044] In addition to a processor and memory, the first circuit 13 may also comprise input interfaces, mass memory (particularly for storing intermediate data created during calculations and processing), and output interfaces for delivering messages and instructions.

[0045] For example, as shown in non-limiting examples in Figures 1-3, 5 and 6, the first circuit 13 may be fixed on a printed circuit board (or PCB) 14 (here housed within the body 5).

[0046] The electrical holder 3 is configured to generate aerosol by heating (rather than burning) an aerosol-generating article 4 (here a tobacco stick) and can be inserted into the main body inner housing 6 such that its battery 12 can be recharged during a recharging phase when its third electrical connector 11 is coupled to the second electrical connector 10 of the charging device 1.

[0047] The electrical holder 3 comprises a body (or outer casing) 15 with an internal chamber 16 into which the aerosol-generating article 4 can be introduced (or inserted). As shown in Figure 1, the aerosol-generating article 4 may be provided with a filter 17 downstream of its solid material 18. In the non-limiting example of Figure 1, the aerosol-generating article 4 is partially inserted into the internal chamber 16. However, in variants, the aerosol-generating article 4 may be fully inserted into the internal chamber 16.

[0048] The solid material 18 is heated (without burning) by a heating element (or heater) 19 supplied with electrical energy originating from the battery 12. In the non-limiting example shown in Figures 1-4, the heating element 19 surrounds the internal chamber 16 and thus surrounds a portion of the aerosol-generating article 4 (more precisely, the solid material 18) to heat the solid material (18). For example, the heating element 19 may be a thin-film heater wrapped around the outer surface of the internal chamber 16 (thus defining a heating chamber) to heat the side walls of the internal chamber 16 and at least a portion of the internal volume. However, in a variant (not shown), the heating element 19 may be a coil associated with a susceptor or may be a resistive coil heater. In other variants of the embodiment (not shown), the heating element 19 may be located inside the aerosol-generating article 4 or inside the internal chamber 16.

[0049] The electrical energy supplied to the heating element 19 during a vaping session is controlled by a second circuit 20, which may be fixed on a printed circuit board (or PCB) 21 (here housed within the body (or outer casing) 15).

[0050] The second circuit (or processing unit) 20 comprises at least a processor and a memory arranged to perform operations for controlling the heating element 19, in particular during each vaping session. For example, the (each) processor may be a digital signal processor (i.e. DSP), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). More generally, the processor may include a number of integrated (or printed) circuits, or several integrated (or printed) circuits connected between them via wired or wireless connections. Also, for example, the memory may be a random access memory (i.e. RAM). However, the memory may be any type of device arranged to store program instructions for the associated processor.

[0051] Generally speaking, the functions of the second circuit 20 may be performed through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control with dedicated logic, or even partially manually (by a user). These functions may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware and hardware capable of executing software in conjunction with appropriate software.

[0052] In addition to a processor and memory, the second circuit 20 may also comprise input interfaces, mass memory (particularly for storing intermediate data created during calculations and processing), and output interfaces for delivering messages and instructions.

[0053] According to the invention, the charging device 1 is configured to provide, on the outer surface 21 of its body 5, a first information representative of the absence of an electrical holder 3 within the body inner housing 6.

[0054] Thanks to this first information, a user of the aerosol generating system 2 can easily check whether his / her electric holder 3 is validly inserted into the associated charging device 1, without the need (here) to open the door 8, just by looking whether the first information is provided on a part of the body outer surface 21, thereby avoiding frustration and disappointment. Therefore, if this user forgets to recharge the battery 12 of his / her electric holder 3, he / she just needs to find it and insert it into the associated charging device 1 to trigger the recharging phase.

[0055] Furthermore, if the user believes that he has inserted his electrical holder 3 into the associated charging device 1, he can easily check this by simply looking at whether the first information is provided on a portion of the main body outer surface 21 without having to open the door 8 (here), thereby avoiding disappointment and wasted time.

[0056] Furthermore, considering that a user no longer needs to open the door 8 to check whether his / her electrical holder 3 is validly inserted into the associated charging device 1, repeated door opening and closing is significantly reduced, thereby improving the durability of the mechanism that drives the door 8.

[0057] Several embodiments for the charging device 1 are envisaged.

[0058] 5 and 6, the main body 5 may include a window 22 that allows the user to see inside the inner housing 6. In this embodiment, the first information is the empty inner housing 6 when no electrical holder 3 is inserted in the inner housing 6. Such a window 22 also makes it easier for the user to search for the electrical holder 3 when the user cannot remember where he or she put it, since the user can see at a glance through the window 22 if the electrical holder 3 is inserted in the charging device 1.

[0059] For example, as shown in the non-limiting example of Figure 5, the body 5 may include a fixed wall 7 that includes a window 22. However, in a non-limiting variation of the embodiment shown in Figure 6, when the body 5 includes a door 8 (which controls access to its inner housing 6), the door 8 may include a window 22.

[0060] In a second embodiment (not shown), the body 5 may comprise a window and a detection element having a first state in which a first part of the detection element is visible in the window when no electrical holder 3 is inserted in the body inner housing 6, and a second state in which a second part of the detection element is moved and visible in the window when the electrical holder 3 is inserted in the body inner housing 6. For example, the detection element may be a spring-loaded arm (or shaft) that translates within the body inner housing 6 during insertion of the electrical holder 3, with a first part that is visible in the window when in the first state and a second part that reaches the window in the second state and automatically returns to its rest (and initial) position when there is no electrical holder 3 in the charging device 1 (and thus is in the first state).

[0061] This second part may be colored, for example, green (or red). Also, for example, the first part may have a color different from the color of the second part. Thus, the first part may be colored, for example, red (or green). In this embodiment, the user knows that his electric holder 3 is not inserted in the charging device 1 when he sees the red (or green) color of the window 22, and knows that his electric holder 3 is inserted in the charging device 1 when he sees the green (or red) color of the window 22.

[0062] In a third embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main body 5 may include a detection circuit 23 and a lighting element 24. The detection circuit 23 is configured to generate a detection signal when the electric holder 3 is inserted into its inner housing 6. The lighting element 24 is configured to generate a light visible on the main body exterior surface 21 when it receives this detection signal. Thus, a user knows that his electric holder 3 is inserted into the charging device 1 when he sees the light generated by the lighting element 24 on the main body exterior surface 21, and knows that his electric holder 3 is not inserted into the charging device 1 when he does not see this light on the main body exterior surface 21.

[0063] In a variant of the embodiment, the detection circuit 23 may be configured to generate a detection signal when no electrical holder 3 is inserted in its inner housing 6. In this variant, a user knows that his electrical holder 3 is not inserted in the charging device 1 when he sees the light generated by the lighting element 24 on the body exterior surface 21, and knows that his electrical holder 3 is inserted in the charging device 1 when he does not see this light on the body exterior surface 21.

[0064] For example, in a third embodiment, the lighting element 24 may comprise at least one LED (or "light emitting diode").

[0065] Also, for example, in the third embodiment, the detection circuit 23 may include a sensor 25 configured to generate a detection signal when it detects a magnetic field generated by the magnet 26 of the electrical holder 3. For example, the sensor 25 may be a Hall sensor. Also, for example, the magnet 26 may be fixed on the printed circuit board (i.e., PCB) 21 of the electrical holder 3 (as shown, but not limited thereto), or on an inner or outer surface of the outer casing (or body) 15 of the electrical holder 3, or otherwise within the wall of the outer casing (or body) 15 of the electrical holder 3. In an alternative example, the sensor 25 may be configured to generate a detection signal when it does not detect a magnetic field generated by the magnet 26 of the electrical holder 3.

[0066] In a fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the charging device 1 may be configured to generate a detection signal when the electrical holder 3 is not electrically connected to its inner (second) connector 10 (accessible within its main body inner housing 6), and the main body 5 may include a lighting element 27 configured to generate a light visible on its outer surface 21 when this detection signal is received.

[0067] Therefore, when the user sees the light generated by the lighting element 27 on the main body exterior surface 21, he knows that his electrical holder 3 is not inserted into the charging device 1, and when the user does not see this light on the main body exterior surface 21, he knows that his electrical holder 3 is inserted into the charging device 1.

[0068] In a variant of the embodiment, the charging device 1 may be configured to generate a detection signal when the electrical holder 3 is electrically connected to its inner (second) connector 10. In this variant, a user knows that his electrical holder 3 is inserted into the charging device 1 when he sees the light generated by the lighting element 27 on the body exterior surface 21, and knows that his electrical holder 3 is not inserted into the charging device 1 when he does not see this light on the body exterior surface 21.

[0069] For example, in the fourth embodiment, the first circuit 13 may be configured to generate the detection signal. However, in a variant, the body 5 may comprise a dedicated circuit configured to generate the detection signal.

[0070] Also for example, in the fourth embodiment, the lighting element 27 may comprise at least one LED (ie, light emitting diode).

[0071] According to the present invention, the electric holder 3 may also be configured to detect when the electric holder 3 is not inserted into the main body inner housing 6 of its associated charging device 1 and provide another (second) information in the presence of this detection, thereby drawing the user's attention that he should insert his electric holder 3 into the associated charging device 1 to recharge its battery 12 in order to prepare his electric holder 3 for the next vaping session, if he has previously forgotten to do so.

[0072] Any type of second information may be provided. Thus, the second information may for example be light generated by a lighting element 30, which may comprise at least one LED (i.e. Light Emitting Diode), whether dedicated or not, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, and / or vibrations generated by tactile means provided on the external casing (or body) 15, and / or a message displayed on a user interface 31 provided on the external casing (or body) 15, as shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0073] Several embodiments for the electrical holder 3 can be envisaged.

[0074] In the first embodiment, the electrical holder 3 may be configured to provide the second information during a predefined time interval. This means that the second information is provided continuously or repeated (e.g. periodically) during the predefined time interval. This makes it possible to avoid discharging the battery 12, since the continuous provision of the second information consumes some electrical energy. For example, this predefined time interval may be comprised between 1 minute and 30 minutes. If the second information is repeated periodically, the period may be comprised between 1 minute and 10 minutes, for example.

[0075] In a second embodiment (not shown), compatible with the first embodiment, the electrical holder 3 may be configured to detect that it is not inserted into the main body inner housing 6 when it is not electrically connected to the charging device 1 inside this main body inner housing 6. It is recalled that this electrical connection is valid when the third electrical connector 11 (of the electrical holder 3) is connected to the second electrical connector 10 (of the charging device 1).

[0076] For example, in this second embodiment, the second circuit 20 may be configured to generate the detection signal, but in a variant, the outer casing (or body) 15 may comprise a dedicated circuit configured to generate the detection signal.

[0077] In a third embodiment, shown in FIG. 3 and compatible with the first embodiment, the electrical holder 3 may include a detection circuit 32 configured to generate a detection signal when the electrical holder 3 is not inserted into the main body inner housing 6, and may be configured to generate second information when this detection signal is generated.

[0078] For example, in this third embodiment, the second circuit 20 may be configured to generate the detection signal, but in a variant, the outer casing (or body) 15 may comprise a dedicated circuit configured to generate the detection signal.

[0079] Also, for example, in this third embodiment, the detection circuit 32 may include a sensor configured to generate a detection signal when it does not detect a magnetic field generated by a magnet 33 provided on the body 5 of the charging device 1. The sensor 25 may be, for example, a Hall sensor. Also, for example, the magnet 33 may be fixed on the printed circuit board (i.e., PCB) 14 of the charging device 1 (as shown, but not limited thereto), or on the inner or outer surface 21 of the body 5 of the charging device 1, or otherwise in a wall 7 of the body 5 of the charging device 1.

[0080] In a variant of the embodiment, the detection circuit 32 may comprise a motion sensor (not shown) configured to generate a signal when it does not detect any motion of the electrical holder 3 for a selected duration. In this variant of the embodiment, if the electrical holder 3 has not been moved for a long time, it is likely that the electrical holder 3 will soon be used for a vaping session by the user and / or that the battery 12 has not been recharged for a long time and therefore needs to be recharged in preparation for the next vaping session.

[0081] For example, the selected duration may be comprised between 5 minutes and 30 minutes.

[0082] In a fourth embodiment, compatible with the first to third embodiments, when the electric holder 3 comprises a rechargeable battery 12 having an energy level, the electric holder 3 may be configured to provide a second information when this energy level is lower than a predefined threshold equal to the energy level required for at least the next vaping session. In this fourth embodiment, when the energy level is higher than the predefined threshold and thus sufficient for the entire next vaping session, it is considered not worth informing the user of the electric holder 3 (as this would consume energy).

[0083] For example, in this fourth embodiment, the second circuit 20 may be configured to generate the detection signal, but in a variant, the outer casing (or body) 15 may comprise a dedicated circuit configured to generate the detection signal.

[0084] In a fifth embodiment, compatible with the first to third embodiments, the electric holder 3 may be configured to provide a second piece of information when the electric holder 3 has not been inserted into the main body inner housing 6 for a selected duration. In this fifth embodiment, it is considered not worth informing the user of the electric holder 3 (as this would consume energy) when the electric holder 3 has recently been recharged with the charging device 1 and therefore probably has a sufficient battery energy level for the entire next vaping session.

[0085] For example, in this fifth embodiment, the second circuit 20 may be configured to trigger a timeout having a selected duration each time the electric holder 3 is removed from the charging device 1 and generate a detection signal when this timeout expires. However, in a variant, the external casing (or body) 15 may comprise a dedicated circuit configured to trigger this timeout and generate a detection signal when this timeout expires. In a further variant, the selected duration may be a predetermined duration following the last vaping session. That is, the timeout may be triggered by the end of the vaping session. The electric holder (and for example the second circuit 20 of the electric holder) may be operable to compare the duration since the end of the last vaping session with a predetermined duration and cause the electric holder to provide the second information if the duration since the last vaping session is equal to or exceeds the predetermined duration. Even if the selected duration has elapsed, the second information may not be provided if the charge level is sufficient for a further vaping session.

[0086] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the several block diagrams of FIGS. 1-6 herein represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the principles of the invention.

[0087] The description and drawings merely illustrate the principles of the invention. It should therefore be understood that those skilled in the art may devise various configurations that embody the principles of the invention and are within its spirit and scope, although not expressly described or shown herein. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are expressly intended to be merely for educational purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventors to advance the art, and should not be construed as being limited to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Furthermore, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating system (2) comprising: an electric holder (3) configured to generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating article (4); and a charging device (1) comprising a body (5) having an inner housing (6) into which the electric holder (3) can be inserted for recharging, the electrical holder (3) is configured to detect that the electrical holder (3) is not inserted into the inner housing (6) and, under said detection, provide a second information to a user representing the absence of the electrical holder (3) in the inner housing (6); The aerosol generating system (2) is configured to provide the second information when the electrical holder (3) is not inserted into the inner housing (6) for a selected duration.

2. 2. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein the selected duration is a predetermined duration following the last vaping session.

3. 3. The aerosol generating system of claim 2, wherein the electrical holder further includes a heating element (19) and a second circuit (20) operable to control the heating element during a vaping session, the second circuit operable to compare the duration since the last vaping session with the predetermined duration and cause the electrical holder to supply the second information if the duration since the last vaping session is equal to or exceeds the predetermined duration.

4. An aerosol generating system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second information is one or more of light generated by a lighting element (30), vibration generated by a tactile means, and a message displayed on a user interface (31).

5. An aerosol generating system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, configured to detect that the electrical holder (3) is not inserted into the inner housing (6) when it is not electrically connected to the charging device (1) inside the inner housing (6).

6. An aerosol generating system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a detection circuit (32) configured to generate a detection signal when the electrical holder (3) is not inserted into the inner housing (6), and configured to generate the second information when the detection signal is generated.

7. 7. The aerosol generating system of claim 6, wherein the main body (5) comprises a magnet that generates a magnetic field, and the detection circuit (32) comprises a sensor configured to generate the detection signal when the generated magnetic field is not detected.

8. 4. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein the electrical holder (3) comprises a rechargeable battery (12) having an energy level, and the electrical holder is configured to provide the second information only when the energy level is lower than a predetermined threshold at least equal to the energy level required for the next vaping session.

9. An aerosol generating system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the charging device (1) is configured to provide first information on the outer surface (21) of the body (5) of the charging device (1) indicating that the electrical holder (3) is not present within the inner housing (6).

10. 10. The aerosol generating system of claim 9, wherein the main body (5) has a window (22) that allows a user to see inside the inner housing (6), and the first information is the inner housing (6) empty when no electrical holder (3) is inserted into the inner housing (6).

11. 10. The aerosol generation system of claim 9, wherein the main body (5) comprises a window and a detection element having a first state in which a first portion of the detection element is visible in the window when the electrical holder (3) is not inserted into the inner housing (6), and a second state in which a second portion of the detection element is moved and visible in the window when the electrical holder (3) is inserted into the inner housing (6).

12. 11. The aerosol generation system of claim 10, wherein the main body (5) comprises a fixed wall (7) having the window (22) or a door (8) that controls access to the inner housing (6) and has the window (22).

13. 10. The aerosol generating system of claim 9, wherein the main body (5) comprises a detection circuit (23) configured to generate a detection signal when the electrical holder (3) is not inserted into the inner housing (6), and a lighting element (24) configured to generate light visible on the outer surface (21) when the detection signal is received.

14. 14. The aerosol generating system of claim 13, wherein the detection circuit (23) comprises a sensor (25) configured to detect a magnetic field generated by a magnet (26) of the electrical holder (3) and generate the detection signal when the generated magnetic field is not detected.

15. 10. The aerosol generation system of claim 9, wherein the charging device is configured to generate a detection signal when the electrical holder (3) is not electrically connected to an inner connector (10) accessible within the main body inner housing (6), and the main body (5) is provided with a lighting element (27) configured to generate light visible on the outer surface (21) when the detection signal is received.

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