E-vaping devices, including optical devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to an e-vaping device, comprising a recess (3) for receiving an aerosol-generating, non-combustion, heatable consumable article (1), a heater (4) disposed near or relative to the recess (3) for heating the aerosol-generating, non-combustion, heatable consumable article (1), and an optical device (2) disposed within a hole in a wall (30) of the recess (3) for detecting a change in reflectance at an exterior surface (10) of the aerosol-generating, non-combustion, heatable consumable article (1) corresponding to a change in state of the aerosol-generating, non-combustion, heatable consumable article (1). the optical window (24) protrudes into the recess (3) so as to be brushed by the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article (1) when the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article (1) is inserted into and / or removed from the recess (3), and the optical window (24) includes inclined extensions (23, 25) on each side of the optical window (24) along the longitudinal direction of the recess (3) to facilitate the insertion and removal of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of e-vaping devices that include a recess for receiving an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article. [Background technology]

[0002] It would be interesting to add a new feature to HTS vaping devices that automatically detects used heated tobacco sticks (HTS). This feature has been rarely implemented in other heated tobacco devices, despite the need to protect the user's health and improve the usability of the device, especially including not wasting battery energy heating used sticks and providing a consistent sensation. Therefore, there is a need for a feature that allows HTS vaping devices to detect in a simple and useful way whether an inserted HTS has already been used. This need is not limited to HTS vaping devices, but exists in other aerosol-generating devices that use any type of aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumable article.

[0003] The first problem is to avoid heating an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article that has already been used, meaning that it needs to be replaced with a new one.

[0004] A solution to this first problem is to detect a change in reflectance, preferably a change in color of the external surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article or, optionally, a change in chromaticity of a tag fixed on the external surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article, by an optical device placed near the external surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article.

[0005] In some embodiments of the present invention, a light beam is emitted by a light source, passes through an optical window, is reflected off an exterior surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article, returns through the optical window, and is detected by an optical detector.

[0006] According to the prior art disclosed, for example, in patent applications Korean Patent No. 102319257, International Publication No. WO 2021141259, Chinese Patent No. 112955038, International Publication No. 2021194541, European Patent No. 3831223 or US Pat. No. 10869499, such a solution to this first problem is disclosed.

[0007] However, none of these solutions work adequately because the optical window of the optical device used to detect and / or evaluate this change in reflectance, preferably this change in color on the exterior surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article or this change in chromaticity of the tag fixed on the exterior surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article, becomes dirty or prone to becoming dirty with dust or dirt from the condensation resulting from the heating aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article. Although there is condensation of dust or dirt resulting from the continuous heating of the heating stick within the e-vaping device, there is a second problem of cleaning or keeping the optical window of the optical device clean. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The object of the present invention is to at least partially alleviate the above mentioned drawbacks.

[0009] More specifically, the present invention aims to clean or keep clean the optical window of the optical device through brushing of the optical window of the optical device which is automatically and mechanically performed by removing the old aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article and / or inserting the new aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article, by cleaning the optical window of the optical device every time the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article or heating stick is replaced, even though dust or dirt resulting from continuous heating of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article, such as a heating stick, exists in the e-vaping device, and in particular, to perform such cleaning of the optical window of the optical device, removal of the old aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article and insertion of a new aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article are used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] Therefore, the present invention proposes an optical window of an optical device that protrudes into a recess (also called cavity, chamber or oven) of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article of the e-vaping device so as to be brushed either upon removal and / or insertion by the movement of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article itself.

[0011] In this way, cleaning of the optical window of the optical device can be performed while reducing the risk of damaging the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article when removing (after use) or inserting (before use) the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article, which could introduce additional dust or dirt into the recess and also reduce the integrity of a new aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article.

[0012] The object is to provide an e-vaping device, comprising a recess for receiving an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article, a heater disposed near or against the recess for heating the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article, and an optical device disposed within a hole in a wall of the recess for detecting a change in reflectance at an outer surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article, which corresponds to a change in the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article as the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article transitions from a new state, in which the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article has not yet been heated by the heater, to a used state, in which the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article has been heated by the heater to an extent that the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article has been used and should be replaced by a new aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article. and the optical device includes an optical window, a light source, and an optical detector, the optical window, the light source, and the optical detector being arranged relative to each other such that a light beam can be successively emitted by the light source, pass through the optical window, reflected by the outer surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article, return through the optical window, and received by the optical detector, the optical window protruding into the recess to be brushed by the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article upon insertion into and / or removal from the recess, and the optical window including an inclined extension on each side of the optical window along the longitudinal direction of the recess to facilitate the insertion and removal of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article.

[0013] The aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article may be a tobacco heating stick or a heating stick that generates a flavoring other than tobacco.

[0014] Preferred embodiments include one or more of the following features which may be taken separately or together in any partial or complete combination.

[0015] Preferably, at least half of the optical window protrudes into the recess so as to be brushed by the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article upon insertion and / or removal of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article.

[0016] This allows for improved cleaning of the optical windows of optical devices.

[0017] The optical window protrudes entirely into the recess so as to be brushed by the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumable article upon insertion and / or removal of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumable article.

[0018] Preferably, the optical window protrudes into the recess by at least 0.5 mm, or by at least 1 mm, or by at least 2 mm, or by at least 3 mm.

[0019] This allows for improved cleaning of the optical windows of optical devices.

[0020] Preferably, the inclined extension presents an angle in the range of 15 degrees to 45 degrees, or in the range of 20 degrees to 40 degrees, or about 30 degrees. The angle is defined relative to the longitudinal direction of the oven recess. The inclined extension may be straight or S-shaped, or may have the shape of a quarter cosine slope so as to have a smooth contour.

[0021] Therefore, cleaning of the optical window of the optical device can be performed while reducing the risk of damaging the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article either when removing an old aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article or when inserting a new aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article, which would introduce additional dust or dirt into the recess (for both used and new aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable articles) and also reduce the functionality of the new aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article.

[0022] Preferably, said optical device is at least partially inserted within a wall of said recess, preferably within a peripheral wall of said recess.

[0023] This improves the robustness of fixing the optical device within the recess of the e-vaping device.

[0024] Preferably, the recess forms an elongated cavity and includes a closed bottom at one longitudinal end and an opening at the other longitudinal end, by which the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article can be inserted into the e-vaping device, and the optical device is disposed closer to the closed bottom than the opening, preferably closer to the closed bottom than an intermediate position between the closed bottom and the opening, and the optical device is preferably spaced from the closed bottom by a distance of at least 5 mm.

[0025] Therefore, since the end of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article that is first used is the part of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article that is actually detected and / or evaluated, the efficiency of detecting and / or evaluating changes in reflectance, preferably changes in color on the outer surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article or changes in chromaticity of a tag fixed on the outer surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article is improved.

[0026] Preferably, the optical device is arranged to detect a change in color of the outer surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article corresponding to a change in the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article as the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article transitions from a new state in which the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article has not yet been heated by the heater to a used state in which the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article has been heated by the heater to an extent that the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article has been used and should be replaced by a new aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article.

[0027] This makes detection simpler.

[0028] Preferably, the optical device is arranged to detect a change in reflectance of the outer surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article or a change in color of a tag placed thereon, corresponding to a change in the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article as the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article transitions from a new state in which the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article has not yet been heated by the heater to a used state in which the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article has been heated by the heater to an extent that the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article has been used and should be replaced by a new aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article.

[0029] This makes the detection more efficient.

[0030] Preferably, the optical device faces the peripheral wall of the outer surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable article.

[0031] Preferably, the e-vaping device also includes an alarm that issues a warning when the optical device detects a change in the reflectivity of the exterior surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumable article and / or a safety device that prevents the heater from further or re-heating the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumable article.

[0032] The result of the detection is then used to avoid or prevent the reuse of an already used heating stick.

[0033] Preferably, the light source emits a single light beam and the optical detector detects changes in the reflectivity at the exterior surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article by detecting fluctuations in the absolute intensity of light received from reflection of the single light beam.

[0034] This results in a simpler structure for the optical device.

[0035] Preferably, the e-vaping device includes two of the light sources, each emitting two light beams of different chromaticity ranges simultaneously, and two of the detectors, each detecting a change in the reflectivity on the exterior surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumable article by detecting a variation in the relative intensity of light received from the two light beams, respectively.

[0036] This increases the efficiency of the optical device.

[0037] Preferably, the e-vaping device includes two of the light sources, each emitting two light beams of different chromaticity ranges in an alternating manner, and a single detector that detects changes in the reflectivity at the external surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumable article by detecting variations in the relative intensity of light alternately received from the two light beams.

[0038] This results in a simpler structure for the optical device and improved efficiency of the optical device.

[0039] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention, given as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are listed below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] An example of the change in reflectance and color of a tobacco heating stick before (top of Figure 1) and after (bottom of Figure 1) the stick is heated and thereby used is shown, thereby illustrating the characteristics of the heating stick that can be used to detect the change in reflectance and color of the heating stick. [Diagram 2] 1 shows an example of an optical device used to detect the color change of a heating stick according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 shows an example of integration in an oven recess of an optical device used to detect the color change of a heating stick according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]13 shows an example of cleaning the optical window by slight compression of the heating stick with the optical window of the optical device to ensure contact and by moving the heating stick (when removing and / or inserting). [Diagram 5] 1 shows an example of an optical device that functions in time division multiplexing of light received at a photodetector from two light sources, blue and red, with a white or yellow target. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] The aerosol-generating, heated, non-combustion consumable article is considered in the following description as a tobacco heating stick, but the following description is valid for any other aerosol-generating, heated, non-combustion consumable article.

[0042] A light source and an optical or photodetector are used. Preferably, the wavelength range is within the light spectrum, but other wavelengths can be used as well, provided that the change in reflectance of the exterior surface of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumable article or tobacco heating stick is sufficient to be reliably detected by the detector.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows an example of the difference in reflectance and color between before (top of FIG. 1) and after (bottom of FIG. 1) using a tobacco heating stick with a heated non-combustion aerosol generating device.

[0044] At the top of Fig. 1 there is a novel tobacco heating stick 1 presenting an outer surface 10 with a cylindrical shape and with a circular cross section. Another cross section can be used instead, such as for example a square cross section. The outer surface 10 comprises a mouthpiece portion 11 and an aerosol-based portion 12. The color of the entire outer surface 10 including the mouthpiece portion 11 and the aerosol-based portion 12 is, for example, white.

[0045] At the bottom of FIG. 1 there is a used tobacco heating stick 1, which also has a cylindrical shape and presents an outer surface 10 with a cylindrical shape with a circular cross section. Another cross section, such as a square cross section, can be used instead. The outer surface 10 includes a mouthpiece portion 11 and an aerosol-based portion 13. The color of most of the entire outer surface 10, including the mouthpiece portion 11, is still white. However, the color of the aerosol-based portion 13 is no longer white, but yellow or brown. In any case, the color of the outer surface of the bottom of the used tobacco heating stick is different from the color of the outer surface of the aerosol-based portion of a new, never-heated tobacco heating stick. This change in color of a part of the outer surface 10 of the tobacco heating stick 1 from white to yellow or even white to brown corresponds to a change in the state of the tobacco heating stick 1, which has transitioned from a new state, where the tobacco heating stick 1 has not yet been heated by the heater of the oven of the e-vaping device, to a used state, where the tobacco heating stick 1 has been heated by the heater to such an extent that the tobacco heating stick 1 has been used and should be replaced by a new tobacco heating stick 1.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows an example of an optical device used to detect the color change of a heating stick according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] The optical device 2 includes a support 20, at least one light source 21, an optical detector 22, an optical window 24 that is at least partially transparent to visible light, a bottom sloping extension 23 on one side of the optical window 24, and a top sloping extension 25 on the other side of the optical window 24.

[0048] This optical device 2 functions in a simple manner in which a light source 21 emits or transmits light which passes through an optical window 24, is partially reflected by the exterior surface 10 of the tobacco heating stick 1 (not shown in Figure 2), returns through the optical window 24 and is detected by an optical detector 22.

[0049] Depending on the intensity of the light detected by the optical detector 22 and / or compared to the intensity of the light emitted by the light source 21, this intensity of the detected light varies with a change in colour resulting in a change in the reflectivity of the external surface 10 of the tobacco heating stick 1. The optical device 2 can then assess whether the tobacco heating stick 1 is new or, in contrast, used, which has already been heated and therefore is not suitable for a new use.

[0050] The optical device 2 may be connected to a control device (such as a processor, microcontroller or equivalent) of the aerosol generating device configured to evaluate whether the heating stick is new or, conversely, already used and heated, based on the measured intensity of light reflected from the external surface of the heating stick. The control device may further be configured to generate a warning signal, e.g. a tactile signal (vibration or light) or sound and / or a mechanism to interrupt the heater of the aerosol generating device, including the optical device 2 being powered.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows an example of integration of the optical device 2 as shown in FIG. 2 and previously described within the oven 7 of an aerosol generating or e-vaping device 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] The e-vaping device 5 includes, inter alia, a rechargeable battery 50, an oven 7 including a heater 4 and a recess 3, an optical device 2 partially protruding into the recess 3, and a lid 51 for allowing access to each of the recesses 3.

[0053] The recess 3 is adapted to receive a tobacco heating stick 1 (not shown in FIG. 3). The recess 3 is generally hollow cylindrical, bounded by a peripheral wall 30, has an opening 31 through which the tobacco heating stick 1 can be inserted into the recess 3 and removed therefrom, and has a closed bottom 32 thereto. X is the longitudinal direction of the recess 3. The heater 4 is disposed around the recess 3 for heating the heating stick inserted into the recess 3 to generate an inhalable aerosol or vapor during use of the e-vaping device. The heater 4 may be of various types commonly found in e-vaping devices. In one embodiment, the heater 4 may be a resistive heater, for example disposed against the peripheral wall 30 of the recess 3, to conductively heat the recess wall 30, thereby allowing the tobacco heating stick 1 to be inserted therein. In another embodiment, the heater 4 may comprise an induction coil wound around the peripheral wall 30 of the recess 3 to heat the tobacco heating stick within the recess 3, either by conductive heating a susceptor element (comprising a metal or alloy and / or semiconductor, e.g. silicon carbide, carbon or graphite) provided inside the heating stick aerosol substrate portion, or by indirect conductive heating the peripheral wall 30 of the recess 3 (therefore comprising a metal or alloy and / or semiconductor, e.g. silicon carbide, carbon or graphite).

[0054] The optical device 2 is disposed within an opening in the peripheral wall 30 of the recess 3 and protrudes from this wall into the recess 3. When a tobacco heating stick 1 (not shown in FIG. 3 ) is inserted into the recess 3 through the opening 31, the tobacco heating stick 1 is pushed by the user towards the closed bottom 32 of the recess 3. During insertion, the substrate portion 12 of the tobacco heating stick first abuts against the top inclined extension 25 and, due to the effect of the inclined surface, is slightly softly compressed between the inclined extension 25 and the opposite recess wall 30 of the optical device 2. As the heating stick passes the inclined extension 25 and continues towards the closed end 32 of the recess, its outer surface smoothly brushes the optical window 24 of the optical device 2, thereby automatically cleaning it until the end of the aerosol substrate portion of the heating stick abuts against the closed bottom 32 of the recess 3.

[0055] The optical device 2 and the e-vaping device are configured to investigate and detect whether the heating stick inserted in the recess 3 is new and therefore can be used for a sufficient vaping act, or conversely whether the heating stick has already been heated during a previous vaping act and is unsuitable for further use.

[0056] This interrogation of the inserted heating stick can be performed either dynamically, such that the heating stick is inserted into the recess and brushes the optical window 24 as it moves towards the closed end 32 of the recess, or statically, when the heating stick abuts against said closed end 32. However, the interrogation of the heating stick is performed in the same way in any case. The interrogation essentially comprises emitting a light beam from the light source 21 of the optical device 2 through the cleaned optical window 24, which is then reflected by the external surface of the substrate portion 12 of the tobacco heating stick 1 in the recess 3, passes through the optical window 24 and again towards the optical detector 22.

[0057] The controller of the e-vaping device then measures the light intensity of the reflected light beam and compares it to a threshold or range of light intensity values ​​stored, for example, in the memory of the e-vaping device, the threshold being determined either by a factory setting or by a user calibration of the e-vaping device.

[0058] In fact, the threshold value or threshold range corresponds to a light intensity value or a range of light intensity values ​​that correspond to the light intensity of the light beam reflected from the external surface of a new heating stick that has never been heated before. That way, if the reflected light intensity detected and measured by the optical device 2 differs from the threshold value stored in the memory of the e-vaping device, this indicates that the heating stick inserted in the recess 3 is not new and should not be used (heated) again.

[0059] In a preferred example, the threshold light intensity value may correspond to an external color of the heating stick being white, whereas the light intensity value measured from the light beam reflected from the used or heated state may correspond to a light intensity value of an external color of the heating stick being yellow or brown.

[0060] If the measured reflected light intensity corresponds to the stored threshold value, the heating stick inserted in the recess is new and the heater 4 of the vaping device 2 can be powered to heat the substrate 12 of the heating stick to at least generate an inhaled aerosol or vapor. In contrast, if the measured reflected light intensity corresponds to a yellow or even brown outer surface of the substrate 12 of the heating tobacco stick 1 (which is typically below or outside the threshold value), the inserted tobacco heating stick 1 is an old used one, which will be prevented from being heated by the heater 4 of the oven 7.

[0061] After the vaping action, the used tobacco heating stick 1 (not shown in FIG. 3 ) is removed from the recess 3 through the opening 31 and discarded by the user. The used tobacco heating stick 1 moves away from the closed bottom 32 of the recess 3 toward the opening 31 of the recess 3. While the used heating stick moves toward the opening 31, the heated substrate part 13 of the tobacco heating stick 1 slides against the bottom inclined extension part 23 of the optical device 2, thus avoiding the heated substrate part 13 of the tobacco heating stick 1 from breaking and staying at the closed bottom 32 of the recess 3, then smoothly brushes the optical window 24, thereby cleaning the optical window 24 during its automatic removal from the recess 3, and finally is gradually released by the top inclined extension part 25 to freely remove the heating stick 1 from the recess 3.

[0062] If an old used tobacco heating stick 1 (not shown in FIG. 3) is inserted again into the recess 3 through the opening 31, this tobacco heating stick 1 will be interrogated by the optical device 2 after insertion and the intensity of the reflected light detected by the optical detector 22 will differ from the threshold value as previously described, indicating a pre-heated stick in the recess. The controller of the e-vaping device will then prevent delivery of electricity to the heater 4.

[0063] The optical device 2 protrudes a distance d from the peripheral wall 30 into a recess 3 having a diameter D (or width D if its cross section is not circular). The distance d is at least 0.5 mm or at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm, more preferably at least 3 mm and advantageously less than 5 mm. The ratio d / D is advantageously in the range 5% to 15%.

[0064] FIG. 4 shows an example where the heating stick is slightly compressed by the optical window of the optical device to ensure contact and cleaning of the optical window by movement of the heating stick (on removal and / or insertion).

[0065] 4 one can see the protrusion of the optical device 2 from the peripheral wall 30 in the recess 3. Advantageously, only the optical window 24 and the inclined extensions top 25 and bottom 23 protrude from the peripheral wall 30 in the recess 3, whereas the support 20, the light source 21 and the optical detector 22 all remain mounted within the peripheral wall 30 of the recess 3.

[0066] The protrusion of the optical window 24 and the inclined extension top 25 and bottom 23 from the peripheral wall 30 within the recess 3 not only allows the optical window 24 to be automatically cleaned during and by insertion of the tobacco heating stick 1 into the recess 3 and during and by removal from the recess 3, but also allows proper and accurate positioning of the bottom 12 of the tobacco heating stick 1 fully abutting the optical window 24 without leaving any space between the optical window 24 and the extended surface 10 of the bottom 12 of the tobacco heating stick 1.

[0067] FIG. 5 shows an example of an optical device that functions in time division multiplexing of light received at a photodetector from two light sources, blue and red, with a white or yellow target.

[0068] Detection of the color change may be based on the absolute light intensity received by the optical detector 22, i.e. above the calibration threshold, the tobacco heating stick 1 is considered to be new, whereas below this calibration threshold, the tobacco heating stick 1 is considered to have been used, in which case the e-vaping device will not turn on (thereby preventing an old, already used tobacco heating stick 1 from being heated again in the oven of the e-vaping device) and / or will issue a warning to the user.

[0069] As an alternative implementation, in FIG. 5 implemented herein, instead of only one light source there may be two light sources 21, for example one blue light source and one red light source, and the color change from white to yellow or brown is detected by the optical detector 22 via the change in the ratio between the reflected blue light and the reflected red light.

[0070] Specifically, at a white target 71, corresponding to the white exterior surface of a new tobacco heating stick 1, the two colors are reflected equally, as can be seen in FIG. 5, where the reflected red light 61 is of the same intensity as the reflected blue light 62.

[0071] Conversely, however, when the target 72 turns yellow or brown, corresponding to the yellow or brown exterior surface of the old, already used tobacco heating stick 1, the blue radiation is absorbed more than the red radiation, thereby resulting in a stronger reflected red intensity 63 detected by the optical detector 22 compared to a weaker reflected blue intensity 64 detected by the optical detector 22.

[0072] Advantageously, the two radiations, red and blue, can be timed alternately using time division multiplexing (either from two light sources or a multiple wavelength light source such as a red, green, blue LED) to avoid duplicating the optical detector 22 and the need for additional optical elements (e.g., filters or prisms) to separate the two wavelengths.

[0073] The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, however many variations are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An e-vaping device, comprising: a recess (3) for receiving an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1); a heater (4) disposed near or opposite to the recess (3) for heating the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1); an optical device (2); wherein the optical device (2) is configured to: detect a change in reflectance on an outer surface (10) of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) corresponding to a change of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) from a new state in which the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) is not yet heated by the heater (4) to a used state in which the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) is heated by the heater (4) to an extent that the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) has been used and should be replaced by a new aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1), and is disposed within a hole in a wall (30) of the recess (3), and wherein the optical device (2) comprises: an optical window (24); a light source (21); an optical detector (22); wherein the optical window (24), the light source (21), and the optical detector (22) are arranged relative to each other such that a light beam can successively: be emitted by the light source (21); pass through the optical window (24); be reflected by the outer surface (10) of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1); return through the optical window (24); and be received by the optical detector (22); wherein the optical window (24) protrudes into the recess (3) so as to be brushed by the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) when the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) is inserted into and / or removed from the recess (3) of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1), and the optical window (24) includes inclined extensions (23, 25) on each side surface of the optical window (24) along the longitudinal direction of the recess (3) for allowing the insertion and removal of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article.

2. The e-vaping device according to claim 1, wherein at least half of the optical window (24) protrudes into the recess (3) so as to be brushed by the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) when the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) is inserted and / or removed.

3. The e-vaping device according to claim 1, wherein the optical window (24) protrudes into the recess (3) by at least 0.5 mm, or at least 1 mm, or at least 2 mm, or at least 3 mm.

4. The e-vaping device according to claim 1, wherein the inclined extension portions (23, 25) exhibit an angle in the range of 15 degrees to 45 degrees or an angle in the range of 20 degrees to 40 degrees or an angle of about 30 degrees, the angle being defined with respect to the longitudinal direction (X) of the recess (3).

5. The e-vaping device according to claim 1, wherein the optical device (2) is at least partially inserted into the wall (30) of the recess (3), preferably into the peripheral wall (30) of the recess (3).

6. The recess (3) is elongated and includes a closed bottom (32) at one longitudinal end and an opening (31) at the other longitudinal end, and through the opening (31), the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (1) can be inserted into the e-vaping device. The optical device (2) is disposed closer to the closed bottom (32) than the opening (31), preferably closer to the closed bottom (32) than an intermediate position between the closed bottom (32) and the opening (31). The e-vaping device according to claim 1, wherein the optical device (2) is preferably at a distance of at least 5 mm from the closed bottom (32).

7. The optical device (2) is arranged to detect a change in the color of the outer surface (10) of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (1) corresponding to a change in the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (1) from a new state in which the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (1) is not yet heated by the heater (4) to a used state in which the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (1) is heated by the heater (4) to an extent such that the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (1) has been used and should be replaced by a new aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (1). The e-vaping device according to claim 1.

8. The optical device (2) is arranged to detect a change in the color of the outer surface (10) of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (1) corresponding to a change in the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (1) from a new state in which the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (1) is not yet heated by the heater (4) The aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) is in a used state heated by the heater (4) to such an extent that the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) is used and should be replaced by a new aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1). The e-vaping device according to claim 1, which is arranged to detect a change in the reflectance of the outer surface (10) of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) or a change in the color of a tag placed thereon, corresponding to a change in the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) as it transitions to the state described above.

9. The e-vaping device according to claim 1, wherein the optical device (2) faces the peripheral wall of the outer surface (10) of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1).

10. When the optical device (2) detects a change in the reflectance at the outer surface (10) of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1), an alarm that issues a warning, and / or A safety device that prevents the heater (4) from further heating or reheating the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1). The e-vaping device according to claim 1, which also includes any one of the above.

11. The light source (21) emits a single light beam. The optical detector (22) detects a change in the reflectance at the outer surface (10) of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) by detecting fluctuations in the absolute intensity of the light received from the reflection of the single light beam. The e-vaping device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. Two of the light sources (21) that simultaneously emit two light beams in different chromaticity ranges respectively. Two of the optical detectors (22) that detect changes in the reflectance at the outer surface (10) of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) by detecting fluctuations in the relative intensity of the light received from the two light beams respectively. The e-vaping device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which includes the above.

13. Two of the light sources (21) that alternately emit two light beams in different chromaticity ranges respectively. A single optical detector (22) that detects a change in the reflectance at the outer surface (10) of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (1) by detecting fluctuations in the relative intensity of the light received alternately from the two light beams. The e-vaping device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising

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