Playout System

Abstract

A delivery system is provided that includes a housing (6) having an opening (22) formed in a wall of the housing through which a light source (29) within the housing is visible. A battery (4) is contained within the housing, the opening also serving as a vent to allow gas to escape from the housing through the opening, thereby preventing pressure buildup within the housing if the battery is damaged. In another embodiment, the housing (6) has an opening (22) in a wall of the housing through which the light source (29) is visible, the opening being covered by a membrane (23) through which light is visible.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This specification relates to delivery systems, such as non-combustion based aerosol delivery systems or aerosol-free delivery systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, cigars, etc., burn tobacco to produce smoke during use. Attempts have been made to provide alternative delivery systems to these articles by creating products that release compounds without combustion. Examples of such delivery systems include so-called "non-combustion heating" products or tobacco heating devices or products that release compounds by heating, but not burning, a substrate. For example, tobacco heating devices heat an aerosol-generating substrate, which may or may not contain tobacco or nicotine, to form an aerosol by heating the substrate without burning it. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one aspect of the invention, a delivery device is provided that includes a housing, an opening through a wall of the housing, a light source disposed in the housing that emits light visible through the opening, and a battery contained in the housing, the delivery device being configured such that the opening in the housing through which light from the light source is visible is a vent for releasing gas from the housing.

[0004] The delivery device may have a membrane formed from a gas permeable material that extends across an opening through which light emitted by the light source is visible.

[0005] The membrane can be made of a material that diffuses the light emitted by the light source, or can be coated with a material that diffuses the light emitted by the light source. The membrane may be formed of a material that is substantially liquid impermeable. The membrane may have a pore size in the range of 0.65 μm. The membrane may have a thickness of 0.11 mm to 0.19 mm. The membrane has a flow capacity of 1900 to 2400 ml / cm at a pressure of 7 kpa. 2 It can have an air permeability of 1 / min.

[0006] The membrane may be affixed to an inner surface of the housing.

[0007] The battery may be housed in a carrier having an open area that allows gas given off by the battery to circulate within the housing around the carrier.

[0008] The delivery device may include a circuit board attached to the battery within the housing, in which case the light source may be attached to the circuit board and spaced from the opening.

[0009] The delivery device may include a light transmitting member on the circuit board. The light transmitting member may be disposed between the circuit board and the opening in the wall of the housing.

[0010] The light transmitting member may stand up towards the opening, but away from the opening to provide a pressure relief gap between the light transmitting member and the wall of the housing surrounding the opening.

[0011] When affixed to the inside of the housing and with a membrane extending across the opening, the light transmitting member may stand up against the membrane.

[0012] The light transmitting member has an upper surface facing the film.

[0013] The upper surface of the light transmitting member is close to the membrane but may be spaced from the membrane to provide a pressure relief gap between the upper surface of the light transmitting member and the membrane.

[0014] In some embodiments, the upper surface of the light transmitting member may include an area that is in contact with the membrane.

[0015] The area of ​​the upper surface in contact with the membrane lies in contact with at least a portion of the outer edge of the membrane that is in contact with the housing.

[0016] The light transmitting member may be made from an elastically deformable material.

[0017] The light transmitting member may be configured to assume a deformed position between the circuit board and the membrane when disposed within the housing, such that the light transmitting member exerts a biasing force on the membrane such that the membrane is urged against the housing.

[0018] The light transmitting member may be positioned such that it extends across the light source and may have a recess in which the light source on the circuit board is received.

[0019] The light transmitting member may have an opening through which light from the light source may additionally pass.

[0020] The delivery device may include a substrate aerosolization module including a heater and an aerosolizable substrate, the substrate aerosolization module configured to aerosolize the substrate in response to a control signal from the control module.

[0021] In another aspect of the invention, a delivery device is provided that includes a housing, an opening in the housing, a light source disposed in the housing that emits light visible through the opening, and a membrane extending across the opening through which the light emitted by the light source is visible.

[0022] The film may be made from a material that diffuses the light emitted by the light source, or may be coated with a material that diffuses the light emitted by the light source.

[0023] In either embodiment, the housing includes a sleeve that is closed by an end cap. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] Exemplary embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following schematic drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the control module of the device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled control module of FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the assembled control module of FIG. 3 (circled as an X in the figure). [Figure 5A] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the membrane support. [Figure 5B] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the membrane support. [Figure 5C] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the membrane support. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] As used herein, the term "delivery system" is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, including non-combustion aerosol delivery systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without burning the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems that generate an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, including:

[0026] An embodiment according to the invention provides a delivery device that includes a housing having an opening formed in a wall of the housing through which light from a light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED), within the housing is visible. A battery is contained within the housing, and the opening also functions as a vent to allow gas to escape from the housing through the opening, thereby preventing pressure from building up within the housing if the battery is damaged. Thus, the opening provides a dual function of providing a vent opening as well as a window through which the LED or light source is visible. In any embodiment of the invention, there may be a membrane extending across the opening. Light emitted by an LED or light source located below the membrane is transmitted and thus visible through the membrane.

[0027] In another embodiment of the invention, the housing has an opening in a wall of the housing through which light from the light source is visible, and the opening is covered by a membrane such that the light is visible through the membrane. For example, the membrane may be made of a light transmitting material and / or a material that diffuses the light from the light source.

[0028] 1 is a schematic diagram of a delivery system 1 in the form of a non-combustion based aerosol delivery or delivery device 1. The device 1 includes two main components 2, 8.

[0029] The first part 2 of the device 1 includes a control module 3, which includes a battery 4 and a circuit board 5. The control module 3 is contained in a housing 6 that encloses the control module 3 and forms the exterior of the delivery device 1. The housing 6 may be a tubular sleeve, in which case the control module 3 is inserted into the housing 6 from one open end during assembly of the device, which end of the housing 6 is then closed by an end cap 7. Alternatively, however, the housing 6 may be formed from multiple parts or shells that are attached together to form an enclosure around the control module 3. If the housing 6 is formed from two half shells, for example, the control module 3 is placed into one half shell part, and then the other half shell part is placed over it and attached to the one half shell part, thereby encapsulating the control module 3 within the housing. The housing 6 is preferably formed from a metal such as aluminum, although other materials are available for the housing 6.

[0030] The second part 8 of the device 1 includes a heater 9 and a liquid container 10, which together form an aerosol generating module. The first and second parts 2, 8 may be modular, i.e. the second part 8 has its own housing 12 and may be separated from the first part for repair or replacement (at the joint marked X in FIG. 1). A releasable electrical connection allows the first and second parts 2, 8 to be joined so that power and control signals can be sent between them. However, the first and second parts 2, 8 may not be separable except by disassembly of the device 1. More specifically, the first and second parts 2, 8 may be coupled to each other during an assembly operation and housed in the same integral housing 6 to form an integral unit.

[0031] 1, air is drawn into the air inlet of heater 9, as shown by arrow 11. Heater 9 is controlled by control module 3 and heats the incoming air. The heated air is directed into liquid reservoir 10 where it generates an aerosol. The aerosol exits device 1 at air outlet, as shown by arrow A, and into the mouth of a user of device 1.

[0032] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the control module 3 shown in Figure 1 with the second part 8 omitted, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the control module 3 of Figure 2 assembled and housed within a housing 6. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the housing 6 is in the form of a sleeve, and the remaining parts of the control module 3 are inserted into the housing 6 from one end thereof. The end is closed by an end cap 7 to seal the housing 6.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2 and also in FIG. 3, which shows a cross section of the assembled device 1, the control module 3 includes a frame or carrier 13 in which the battery 4 is housed and held. A circuit board 5 is attached to the outer side of the top surface of the carrier 13 and is supported by both the carrier 13 and the outer side of one major surface 4a of the battery 4. Insulated spacers or support pads 15 are disposed between the major surface 4a of the battery 4 and the circuit board 5 at their overlap. The support pads 15 may be adhesive such that the circuit board 5 is held in place on the major surface 4a of the battery 4 by the adhesive pads 15. Various electrical circuitry and control elements 16 are mounted on the circuit board 5, which also has connectors 17 for electrical connection of the circuit board 5 to the aerosol generation module of the second part 8. These connectors 17 are located on a section of the circuit board 5 that protrudes from one end of the carrier 13.

[0034] A metal or conductive plate 18 is attached to the underside of the carrier 13 and to the other major surface 4b of the battery 4 opposite the circuit board 5. An insulating pad 19 or spacer may be located between the other major surface 4b of the battery 4 and the metal plate 18, which may be adhesive so that the metal plate 18 is held in place on the other major surface 4b of the battery 4. The metal plate 18 forms an electrical connection between the battery 4 and the circuitry and control elements 16 on the circuit board 5. Of course, the carrier 13 is open in the sense that it does not completely cover or enclose the battery 4. Although the circuit board 5 and metal plate 18 are attached to the carrier 13 and extend over the major surfaces 4a, 4b of the battery 4, the battery 4 is partially exposed. This allows heat or gases generated by the battery 4 as a result of normal use or due to an abnormality to escape into the area of ​​the housing 6 surrounding the battery 4, rather than being trapped within the carrier 13.

[0035] The control module 3 includes a press button on / off switch 20 that is mounted on the metal plate 18 and is operable through an opening in the housing 6. Pressing the on / off switch 20 connects or disconnects the battery 4 to or from the circuitry on the circuit board 5, thereby turning the device on or off, or performing other control functions as desired.

[0036] As shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 4, the carrier 13 together with the battery 4 and attached circuit board 5 are housed within the housing 6 such that a space "S" is provided between the circuit board 5 and the walls of the housing 6 through which any heat or gases generated by the battery 4 may dissipate internally. Electrical circuitry and control components 16 mounted on the circuit board 5 occupy this space.

[0037] It is common for the delivery device 1 to have a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) 29 to let the user know if the device has power or to communicate other functions such as the need to charge the battery 4. In most conventional devices, the LED is mounted on a circuit board and an opening 22 is provided in the housing 6 through which the LED 29 can be seen or within which the LED 29 is located. For this reason, the opening 22 and the LED 29 on the circuit board are positioned such that they are aligned when the device 1 is assembled, i.e., the LED 29 is located below the opening 22. The LED 29 is shown mounted on the circuit board 5 below the opening 22 in Figures 3 and 4. In other embodiments, the LED 29 is offset from the opening 22 and is not directly below the opening 22.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, the opening 22 is covered with a film 23 that has properties that enable it to act as a light guide to diffuse the light from the LED 29. In certain embodiments, the film 23 may be made from a light transmitting material. Alternatively, the film may be coated with an optical film, such as a diffusion filter or light management film, to improve its performance as a light guide.

[0039] The membrane 23 is affixed to the housing 6 across the opening. In particular, the membrane 23 is affixed to the inside surface of the housing 6 such that it is recessed from the outer surface of the housing 6 by the thickness of the housing 6, making it difficult to touch and therefore well protected. Preferably, the membrane 23 is larger than the opening 22, and thus has a peripheral region 24 that extends beyond the opening and faces the inner surface of the housing 6. A permanent adhesive 25 is applied to this peripheral region 24 in an annular pattern over the entire peripheral region 24, affixing the membrane 23 to the housing 6 and holding it against the housing 6 and extending across the opening 22.

[0040] Because the housing 6 is a sealed unit when assembled, gas will collect within the housing 6 resulting in a build-up of pressure. Thus, the opening in the housing 6, whether or not a membrane extends across it, also acts as a vent allowing all gas to escape and maintaining the nominal or ambient pressure within the device 1. The opening 22 also allows air to circulate in and out of the housing 6, minimizing temperature differences.

[0041] If the opening 22 also acts as a vent, the membrane 23 may be omitted. If the membrane 23 is used, it must be sufficiently permeable to allow air and / or gas to pass through with little or no resistance. However, the membrane 23 may be waterproofed or at least have some degree of water resistance. For example, referring to the IP standard established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the device 1 generally has an "IP67 rating," which means resistance to dirt and dust penetrating into the device 1, and the membrane provides this information. This rating also means that the device 1 can be submerged in fresh water up to a depth of 1.5 meters for 30 minutes without water penetrating into the device 1, and therefore the membrane 23 covering the vent 22 of the housing 6 must be able to prevent such penetration.

[0042] In order to allow gas or air to pass through, the membrane 23 is expected to have a pore size of 0.65μm and a thickness of 0.11mm-0.19mm with an air permeability of 1900-2400ml / cm2 / min at a pressure of 7kpa, in addition to acting as a light guide to diffuse the light emitted by the LED. One such material that meets these requirements is manufactured by Dong Guan PUW EPTFE Material Co., LTD. under the product number PUW867.

[0043] A gap or space "S" exists between the circuit board 5 and the membrane 23. Because this gap is relatively small, any foreign object or finger inserted through the vent 22 of the housing 6 and applying pressure to the membrane 23 may rupture the membrane 23 or disable the adhesive 25, resulting in the membrane 23 becoming detached from the housing 6. Furthermore, because the LEDs 29 are located below the membrane, they may also be damaged. Therefore, certain embodiments including the membrane 23 may include a membrane support 26 located between the membrane 23 and the circuit board 5. Preferably, the membrane support 26 is attached to the circuit board 5 and upright toward the membrane 23.

[0044] The membrane support 26 extends across the LEDs 29 on the circuit board 5 and has recesses 31 formed between legs 32 in which the LEDs 29 are received when the membrane support 26 is attached to the circuit board 5. The membrane support 26 may be made of a light transmitting material or may be a light transmitting element such that light can pass from the LEDs 29, through the membrane support and into the membrane 23, and be visible from outside the housing 6. Additionally or alternatively, the membrane support 26 may have an opening 31 located proximate the LEDs 29 to allow light from the LEDs 29 to pass through the opening 31, the membrane 23, and be visible to a user from outside the device 1.

[0045] The membrane support 26 is shown in detail in Figures 5A-5C, from which it can be seen that the membrane support 26 has an upper surface facing and lying in contact with the underside of the membrane 23 at least below the portion of the membrane 23 that extends across the opening. When the upper surface 27 of the membrane support 26 is lying in contact with the membrane 23, the upper surface 27 of the membrane support 26 may have an area that is not in contact with the membrane 23, leaving a space where gas can pass across the upper surface 27 of the support 26 and through the membrane 23 and the opening. As shown in particular in Figures 5A and B, the membrane support 26 may have a raised area 30 on which the membrane 23 rests. The raised area 30 forms a space between the membrane 23 and the upper surface 27. This raised area 30 extends around only a portion of the vent of the vent 22, allowing gas to escape between the upper surface 27 and the membrane 23 and pass through the vent 22.

[0046] When the membrane support 26 is provided and pressure is applied by a user through the opening 22 to the membrane 23, the membrane 23 is pressed against the upper surface 27 or area 30 of the membrane support 26 with little or no deflection and is therefore supported by them, thereby preventing damage to the membrane 23 or preventing it from becoming detached from the housing 6. Damage to the LEDs 29 can also be prevented.

[0047] The membrane support 26 may be made of a deformable or elastic material, such as rubber, and may be sized to be deformed or crushed between the circuit board 5 and the membrane 23 when placed in the housing 6. The membrane support 26 has some elasticity such that, when deformed, it exerts a biasing force on the membrane 23 against the housing 6, i.e., the peripheral area 24 of the membrane 23 that is glued to the housing 6 is pressed against the housing 6 by the membrane support 26. Thus, the membrane support 26 also adds to the adhesive 25 to hold the membrane 23 in place. It has been found that in some embodiments the membrane 23 can be held in place by the membrane support 26 alone, in which case the membrane 23 does not need to be glued or affixed to the housing 6. It is also possible for the membrane 23 to be glued or affixed to the membrane support 26 and then be biased against the housing 6 by the deformation or elasticity of the membrane support 26. Of course, the membrane support 26 will resist some pressure if a force is applied to the membrane through the vent 22 before the membrane support 26 is deformed or substantially deformed.

[0048] 4, the housing 6 may also narrow from one end to the other. In this example the membrane support 26 may also thin at one end, i.e. its upper surface 27 may be angled so that it is parallel to the membrane 23 and the housing wall.

[0049] Opening 22 is a membrane that acts as a diffuser With 23 The LED 29 is used as a window through which to see, and the opening 22 is With a membrane 23 having gas permeable properties It also provides ventilation, thereby reducing the number of openings that need to be provided in the housing 6.

[0050] Although reference has been made to a membrane support 26, it will be appreciated that the support may be used without the membrane 23. The support 26 may be made of a light transmitting material. The support may upstand from the circuit board 5 towards the opening 22 and may be spaced from the opening 22 to provide a pressure relief gap between the top surface of the support 26 and the wall of the housing 6 to allow gas to escape from the housing 6 through the gap and the opening 22 in the housing 6.

[0051] In other embodiments, the membrane support 26 may be formed from a material that is rigid when placed on the membrane 23. The membrane support 26 may be formed from any material that provides the membrane support 26 with a greater rigidity than the membrane 23. Preferably, the membrane is made from silicone or a similar material.

[0052] The thickness of the membrane 23 may be greater than the pressure relief gap between the top surface 27 of the membrane support 26 and the wall of the housing 6 surrounding the vent 22. The thick membrane 23 may be formed from an elastically deformable material such that the thick membrane 23 is compressible and deformable when it is crushed by the membrane support 26 against the wall of the housing 6. The biasing force applied by the membrane support 26 to the membrane 23 to press it against the housing 6 is greater because the membrane is thicker than the pressure relief gap. In this situation, the membrane 23 is pressed further against the housing 6 by the stiffness of the membrane support 26, and the device 1 has increased protection from possible ingress of water through the vent 22 due to the tight fit of the membrane 23 around the vent 22.

[0053] The various embodiments described herein are provided merely to aid in understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are merely representative examples and are not exhaustive or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure to the claims as set forth herein or to the equivalents of the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized or modified without departing from the scope and / or spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, or other combinations. The present disclosure also includes other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A housing having an inner surface; An opening in the housing; a light source disposed in the housing, the light source emitting light visible through the opening; a membrane extending across an opening through which light emitted by the light source is visible, the membrane having a periphery that lies in contact with the inner surface of the housing; a circuit board attached to the housing and spaced from the membrane, the light source being disposed on the circuit board; a membrane support member positioned between the membrane and the circuit board, the membrane support member having an upper surface facing the membrane; a membrane support member positioned on the circuit board such that the membrane support member is upright toward the membrane; an upper surface of the membrane support member lies in contact with the periphery of the membrane; Sending device.

2. 10. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the membrane is made of or is coated with a material that diffuses the light emitted by the light source.

3. 3. The delivery device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the membrane support member is formed from a material having a higher stiffness than the membrane and has an upright region toward the periphery of the membrane but spaced from the periphery of the membrane to provide a pressure relief gap between the membrane support member and the periphery of the membrane.

4. 4. The delivery device of claim 3, wherein the thickness of the membrane is greater than the pressure relief gap between the membrane support member and the wall of the housing surrounding the opening.

5. 5. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the membrane support member is a light-transmitting membrane support member.

6. 6. A delivery device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises a sleeve closed by an end cap.

7. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the opening in the housing is a vent for releasing gas from the housing.

8. The delivery device of claim 7, wherein the membrane is formed from a gas permeable material.

9. A delivery device as described in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the membrane has a pore size in the range of 0.65 μm.

10. A delivery device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the membrane has a thickness of between 0.11 mm and 0.19 mm.

11. A delivery device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the membrane has an air permeability of 1900 to 2400 ml / cm 2 / min at a pressure of 7 kPa.

12. A delivery device as described in any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the battery is housed in a carrier, the carrier having an open area allowing gas emitted by the battery to circulate within the housing around the carrier.

13. A delivery device as described in any one of claims 7 to 12 when dependent on claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when placed within the housing, the membrane support member assumes a deformed position between the circuit board and the membrane, and is configured so that the membrane support member exerts a biasing force on the membrane to press the membrane against the housing.

14. The delivery device of claim 5, wherein the light transmitting membrane support member has an opening, and additionally allows light from the light source to pass through the opening in the light transmitting membrane support member.

15. The delivery device of claim 1, further comprising: a control module; and a substrate aerosolization module including a heater and an aerosolizable substrate, the substrate aerosolization module configured to aerosolize the substrate in response to a control signal from the control module.

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