Electronic aerosol supply system and method

Abstract

To provide an electronic aerosol provision system such as a nicotine delivery system (e.g., an electronic cigarette and the like), and a corresponding method of aerosol provision.SOLUTION: A method of control for an aerosol delivery system comprises: generating a first variant of aerosol having at least a first property modified to the first variant within a first phase of inhalation; detecting a second phase of inhalation; and generating a second variant of aerosol having at least the first property modified to a second, different variant in response to detection of the second phase of inhalation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic aerosol supply system such as a nicotine delivery system (e.g., an electronic cigarette, etc.) and an aerosol supply method corresponding thereto. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] An electronic aerosol supply system such as an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) generally includes a reservoir of a raw material liquid containing a formulation typically containing nicotine, and the aerosol is then generated, for example, by heating and vaporizing. Accordingly, the aerosol supply source for the aerosol supply system may include a heater having a heating element arranged to receive the raw material liquid from the reservoir, for example, by wicking / capillary action. Other source materials such as plant substances or gels such as active ingredients and / or flavoring agents can also be heated similarly to generate an aerosol. Thus, more generally, an e-cigarette can be considered to contain or receive a payload for heating and vaporizing.

[0003] While the user is sucking on the device, power is supplied to the heating element to vaporize an aerosol supply source (a part of the payload) near the heating element and generate an aerosol for the user to suck. Such a device typically includes one or more air inlet holes arranged away from the mouthpiece end of the system. When the user sucks on a mouthpiece connected to the mouthpiece end of the system, air is drawn through the inlet holes and passes through the aerosol supply source. There is a flow path connecting between the aerosol supply source and the opening of the mouthpiece, and as a result, the air passing through the aerosol supply source continues to be drawn into the mouthpiece opening along the flow path while carrying a part of the aerosol from the aerosol supply source. The air carrying the aerosol exits the aerosol supply system through the mouthpiece opening for the user to suck.

[0004] Typically, when a user inhales / draws on the device, current is supplied to the heater. Typically, upon activation of an airflow sensor along the flow path in response to the user inhaling / drawing / puffing, or in response to activation of a button by the user, current is supplied to a heater, such as a resistive heating element. The heat generated by the heating element is used to vaporize the formulation. The released vapor mixes with the air inhaled into the device by the consumer who inhaled, forming an aerosol. Alternatively, or in addition, the heating element is used to heat a plant, such as tobacco, without typically burning it, to release its active ingredients as a vapor / aerosol.

[0005] The amount of active ingredient that successfully reaches the user's bloodstream depends on how well the vaporized / aerosolized payload reaches the user's lungs, while the flavor experienced by the user depends on how well the aerosolized payload interacts with the user's mouth. These are sometimes conflicting requirements for the payload and / or the delivery device.

[0006] Various techniques for addressing or helping to mitigate these conflicting requirements are described herein.

[0007] In a first aspect, a control method for an aerosol delivery system is provided by claim 1.

[0008] In another aspect, an aerosol delivery system is provided by claim 17.

[0009] Each further aspect and feature of the present invention is defined in the appended claims.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] An electronic aerosol supply system and method are disclosed. In the following description, a plurality of specific details are presented in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these specific details are not necessary for practicing the present invention. Conversely, specific details known to those skilled in the art may be omitted as necessary for the purpose of clarifying the description.

[0013] As described above, the present disclosure relates to an aerosol supply system (e.g., a non-combustion aerosol supply system) or an electronic vapor supply system (EVPS) such as an e-cigarette. Throughout the following description, the term "e-cigarette" may be used, but this term can be used interchangeably with an (electronic) aerosol / vapor supply system. Similarly, the terms "vapor" and "aerosol" are also referred to equivalently in this specification.

[0014] Generally, an electronic vapor / aerosol supply system can be an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or an electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolizable material is not a prerequisite. In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is a tobacco heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that uses a combination of aerosolizable materials to generate an aerosol, and one or more of these materials can be heated. Each of the aerosolizable materials can be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosolizable material and a solid aerosolizable material. The solid aerosolizable material can include, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products. On the other hand, in some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system generates vapor / aerosol from one or more such aerosolizable materials.

[0015] Typically, a non-combustion aerosol supply system can comprise a non-combustion aerosol supply device and an article for use with the non-combustion aerosol supply system. However, an article that itself comprises means for powering the aerosol-generating components is considered to be capable of forming a non-combustion aerosol supply system by itself. In one embodiment, the non-combustion aerosol supply device can comprise a power source and a controller. The power source can be an electrical power source or a heat-generating power source. In one embodiment, the heat-generating power source includes a carbon-based substrate that can impart energy to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosolizable material or a heat transfer material near the heat-generating power source. In one embodiment, a power source, such as a heat-generating power source, is provided in the article to form a non-combustion aerosol supply portion. In one embodiment, the article for use with the non-combustion aerosol supply device may include an aerosolizable material.

[0016] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating component is a heater capable of interacting with the aerosolizable material to release one or more volatile components from the aerosolizable material to form an aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating component is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without heating. For example, the aerosol generating component can generate an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without applying heat by one or more of, for example, vibration means, mechanical means, pressurizing means, or electrostatic means.

[0017] In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material may include an active material, an aerosol forming material, and optionally one or more functional materials. The active material may include nicotine (optionally contained in tobacco or tobacco derivatives) or one or more other non-olfactory physiologically active materials. A non-olfactory physiologically active material is a material contained in the aerosolizable material to achieve a physiological response other than olfaction. The aerosol forming material may include one or more of glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate. The one or more functional materials may include one or more of a fragrance, a carrier, a pH adjuster, a stabilizer, and / or an antioxidant.

[0018] In some embodiments, an article for use with a non-combustion aerosol supply device may include an aerosolizable material or a region for receiving an aerosolizable material. In one embodiment, an article for use with a non-combustion aerosol supply device may include a mouthpiece. The region for receiving an aerosolizable material may be a storage region for storing the aerosolizable material. For example, the storage region may be a reservoir. In one embodiment, the region for receiving an aerosolizable material may be separate from or combined with the aerosol generation region.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic view (not to scale) of an electronic vapor / aerosol supply system, such as an e-cigarette 10, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The e-cigarette has a generally cylindrical shape extending along a longitudinal axis indicated by dashed line LA and includes two main components, namely a body 20 and a cartridge 30. The cartridge includes an internal chamber that includes a reservoir for a payload, such as a liquid containing nicotine, a vaporizer (such as a heater), and a mouthpiece 35. It should be understood that the "nicotine" described below is merely illustrative and can be replaced with any suitable active ingredient. It should also be understood that the "liquid" described as the payload is merely illustrative and can be replaced with any suitable payload, such as plant material (e.g., tobacco that is heated rather than burned) or a gel containing an active ingredient and / or flavorant. The reservoir can be made of a foam or any other structure for holding the liquid until it is required to be delivered to the vaporizer. In the case of a liquid / flowable payload, the vaporizer is for vaporizing the liquid, and the cartridge 30 can further include a wick or similar means for transferring a small amount of the liquid from the reservoir to the vaporization location of the vaporizer or a vaporization location adjacent to the vaporizer. Hereinafter, a heater is used as a specific example of the vaporizer. However, it should be understood that other forms of vaporizers (e.g., those utilizing ultrasonic waves) can also be used. It should also be understood that the type of vaporizer used can also depend on the type of payload to be vaporized.

[0020] The body 20 includes a rechargeable battery or cell for supplying power to the e-cigarette 10 and a circuit board for overall control of the e-cigarette. So controlled by the circuit board, when the heater receives power from the battery, the heater vaporizes the liquid, and then this vapor is inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece 35. In some particular embodiments, the body further comprises a manual activation device 265, such as a button, switch, or touch sensor, disposed outside the body.

[0021] The body 20 and the atomizer 30 can be removable from each other by separating in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA as shown in FIG. 1, but are joined together when the device 10 is used by connection portions schematically shown as 25A and 25B in FIG. 1 to provide mechanical and electrical connections between the body 20 and the atomizer 30. The electrical connector 25B of the body 20 used to connect to the atomizer 30 also serves as a socket for connecting a charging device (not shown) when the body 20 is removed from the atomizer 30. The other end of the charging device can be plugged into a USB socket to recharge the battery within the body 20 of the e-cigarette 10. In other embodiments, a cable may be provided for a direct connection between the electrical connector 25B of the body 20 and the USB socket.

[0022] The e-cigarette 10 is provided with one or more holes for air inlets (not shown in FIG. 1). These holes are connected to an air passage that leads from the e-cigarette 10 to the suction port 35. When the user sucks on the suction port 35, air is drawn into this air passage through one or more air inlet holes suitably disposed outside the e-cigarette. When the heater is activated to vaporize nicotine from the cartridge, an air stream is generated that combines with the generated vapor as it passes through the vapor, and then the air stream and the generated vapor are combined and flow out from the suction port 35 and are sucked by the user. Except for single-use devices, the atomizer 30 may be removed from the main body 20 and disposed of (or replaced with another atomizer if desired) when the liquid supply source is exhausted.

[0023] The e-cigarette 10 shown in FIG. 1 is presented by way of example, and it will be understood that various other embodiments may be employed. For example, in some embodiments, the atomizer 30 is provided as two separable components, namely a cartridge that includes a liquid reservoir and a suction port (which can be replaced when the liquid from the reservoir is exhausted), and a vaporizer that includes a heater (which is generally retained). As another example, the charging means may be connected to an additional or alternative power source such as a vehicle cigarette lighter.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic (simplified) view of the main body 20 of the e-cigarette 10 of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 can generally be considered to be a cross-section in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis LA of the e-cigarette 10. Note that various components and details of the main body, such as wiring and more complex shapes, have been omitted from FIG. 2 for clarity.

[0025] The body 20 includes a battery or battery 210 for supplying power to the e-cigarette 10 in response to activation of the device by the user. Additionally, the body 20 includes a control unit (not shown in FIG. 2), such as a chip like an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a microcontroller, for controlling the e-cigarette 10. The microcontroller or ASIC includes a CPU or a microprocessor. The operation of the CPU and other electronic components is generally at least partially controlled by software programs running on the CPU (or other components). Such software programs can be incorporated into the microcontroller itself or may be stored in non-volatile memory such as ROM, which can be provided as a separate component. The CPU can access the ROM to load and execute individual software programs as needed and when required. The microcontroller also includes, where appropriate, a suitable communication interface (and control software) for communicating with other devices within the body 10.

[0026] The body 20 further includes a cap 225 for sealing and protecting the distal end of the e-cigarette 10. Typically, an air inlet hole is provided in or adjacent to the cap 225 so that air can flow into the body 20 when the user sucks on the mouthpiece 35. The control unit or ASIC may be disposed along the battery 210 or at one end of the battery 210. In some embodiments, the ASIC is attached to the sensor unit 215 (or alternatively, the sensor unit 215 may be provided on the ASIC itself) for detecting suction at the mouthpiece 35. An air path is provided in the e-cigarette that passes from the air inlet through the air flow sensor 215 and the heater (vaporizer or atomizer 30) to the mouthpiece 35. Thus, when the user sucks on the mouthpiece of the e-cigarette, the CPU detects such suction based on information from the air flow sensor 215.

[0027] At the end of the main body 20 on the side opposite to the cap 225, there is a connector 25B for joining the main body 20 to the atomizer 30. The connector 25B provides a mechanical and electrical connection between the main body 20 and the atomizer 30. The connector 25B includes a body connector 240 which is a metal (silver-plated in some embodiments) that functions as one terminal (positive or negative) for the electrical connection to the atomizer 30. The connector 25B further includes an electrical contact 250 that provides a second terminal for the electrical connection to the atomizer 30 with a polarity opposite to that of the first terminal, i.e., the body connector 240. The electrical contact 250 is attached to a coil spring 255. When the main body 20 is attached to the atomizer 30, the connector 25A of the atomizer 30 pushes the electrical contact 250 so as to compress the coil spring in the axial direction, i.e., in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA (the direction that coincides with the longitudinal axis LA). Considering the elasticity of the spring 255, this compression causes the spring 255 to be biased and try to extend, which has the effect of firmly pressing the electrical contact 250 against the connector 25A of the atomizer 30, thus helping to ensure a good electrical connection between the main body 20 and the atomizer 30. The body connector 240 and the electrical contact 250 are separated by a mount 260 which is made of a non-conductor (such as plastic) to provide good insulation between the two electrical terminals. The mount 260 is shaped to assist the mutual mechanical engagement of the connectors 25A and 25B.

[0028] As described above, the button 265 representing the form of the manual activation device 265 can be arranged on the outer housing of the main body 20. The button 265 can be implemented as, for example, a mechanical button or switch, a capacitive or resistive touch sensor, etc., using any suitable mechanism that can be manually activated by the user. Also, the manual activation device 265 may be arranged on the outer housing of the atomizer 30 instead of the outer housing of the main body 20. In that case, it will be understood that the manual activation device 265 may be attached to the ASIC by the connecting parts 25A and 25B. The button 265 may also be arranged at the end of the main body 20 instead of (or in addition to) the cap 225.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the atomizer 30 of the e-cigarette 10 of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3 can generally be considered as a cross-section in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis LA of the e-cigarette 10. Note that various components and details of the atomizer 30, such as wiring and more complex shapes, have been omitted from FIG. 3 for clarity.

[0030] The atomizer 30 includes an air passage 355 that extends from the suction port 35 along the central axis (longitudinal axis) of the atomizer 30 to the connector 25A for joining the atomizer 30 to the main body 20. A liquid reservoir 360 is provided around the air passage 335. This reservoir 360 can be implemented, for example, by providing cotton or foam immersed in the liquid. The atomizer 30 also includes a heater 365 for heating the liquid from the reservoir 360 so as to generate vapor, flow it into the air passage 355, and let it flow out from the suction port 35 in response to the user sucking the e-cigarette 10. The heater 365 is supplied with power through the electric wires 366 and 367, and the electric wires 366 and 367 are connected to the opposite polarities (positive and negative, or vice versa) of the battery 210 of the main body 20 via the connector 25A (the details of the wiring between the power lines 366 and 367 and the connector 25A are omitted from FIG. 3).

[0031] Connector 25A includes an internal electrode 375, which may be silver-plated or made from some other suitable metal or conductive material. When the atomizer 30 is connected to the body 20, the internal electrode 375 contacts the electrical contact 250 of the body 20 to provide a first electrical path between the atomizer 30 and the body 20. In particular, when connectors 25A and 25B are engaged, the internal electrode 375 presses the electrical contact 250 so as to compress the coil spring 255, thereby helping to ensure good electrical contact between the internal electrode 375 and the electrical contact 250.

[0032] The internal electrode 375 is surrounded by an insulating ring 372, which can be made of plastic, rubber, silicone, or any other suitable material. The insulating ring is surrounded by an atomizer connector 370, which may be silver-plated or made from some other suitable metal or conductive material. When the atomizer 30 is connected to the body 20, the atomizer connector 370 contacts the body connector 240 of the body 20 to provide a second electrical path between the atomizer 30 and the body 20. In other words, the internal electrode 375 and the atomizer connector 370 function as the positive and negative terminals (or vice versa) for supplying power from the battery 210 in the body 20 to the heater 365 in the atomizer 30 via supply lines 366 and 367, where appropriate.

[0033] The atomizer connector 370 is provided with two protrusions or tabs 380A, 380B that extend in opposite directions away from the longitudinal axis of the e-cigarette 10. These tabs are used to provide a bayonet-type fitting together with the body connector 240 for connecting the atomizer 30 to the body 20. This bayonet-type fitting provides a secure and robust connection between the atomizer 30 and the body 20, such that the atomizer and the body are held in fixed positions relative to each other, with minimal wobbling or flexing and a very low likelihood of accidental separation. At the same time, the bayonet-type fitting provides easy and rapid connection and disconnection by inserting and then rotating to connect, and rotating (in the reverse direction) and then pulling to disconnect. It will be understood that other embodiments may use different forms of connection between the body 20 and the atomizer 30, such as snap-fit or screw connections.

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of certain details of the connector 25B at the end of the body 20 according to some embodiments of the present invention (however, for clarity of explanation, most of the internal structure of the connector shown in FIG. 2, such as the mount 260, is omitted). In particular, FIG. 4 shows the outer housing 201 of the body 20, which generally has the form of a cylindrical tube. This outer housing 201 may comprise, for example, a metal inner tube covered on the outside with paper or the like. The outer housing 201 may also comprise a manual activation device 265 (not shown in FIG. 4) such that the manual activation device 265 is easily accessible to the user.

[0035] The body connector 240 extends from this outer housing 201 of the body 20. The body connector 240 shown in FIG. 4 has two main parts, a shaft portion 241 in the shape of a hollow cylindrical tube sized to fit snugly into the outer housing 201 of the body 20, and a lip portion 242 directed radially outward in a direction away from the main longitudinal axis (LA) of the e-cigarette. Where the shaft portion does not overlap with the outer housing 201, a collar or sleeve 290 surrounds the shaft portion 241 of the body connector 240, and the collar 290 is also in the shape of a cylindrical tube. The collar 290 is held between the lip portion 242 of the body connector 240 and the outer housing 201 of the body, and together they prevent movement of the collar 290 in the axial direction (i.e., in a direction parallel to the axis LA). However, the collar 290 can rotate freely around the shaft portion 241 (and thus also around the axis LA).

[0036] As described above, the cap 225 is provided with an air inlet hole so that air can flow when the user sucks on the mouthpiece 35. However, in some embodiments, most of the air entering the device when the user sucks flows through the collar 290 and the body connector 240, as indicated by the two arrows in FIG. 4.

[0037] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, an "aerosol delivery device" such as an electronic vapor supply system (EVPS) 10, or one of those previously described herein, is configured to supply a plurality of variants of the aerosol.

[0038] Accordingly, in embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol delivery device comprises a detection processor (such as the aforementioned control unit operating under suitable software instructions). Optionally, this detection processor is configured to detect a first stage of inhalation by a user in the aerosol delivery device, as will be described in more detail later herein. Alternatively, this first stage may be readily assumed, for example, upon triggering the delivery of vapor by an EVPS (such as activation of the EVPS by inhalation).

[0039] The aerosol delivery device also comprises a control processor 62 (again, such as the aforementioned control unit operating under suitable software instructions, or a separate processor, etc.) configured to generate a first variant of the aerosol having a first characteristic modified to at least a first variant within this first stage of inhalation. This variant of the aerosol may form an initial default output for the EVPS, particularly when the first stage is readily assumed. The first characteristic and the modification will be discussed later herein.

[0040] The detection processor is configured to detect a second stage of inhalation, as will be described later herein, and the control processor is configured to generate a second variant of the aerosol having a first characteristic modified to at least a second different variant in response to detection of the second stage of inhalation.

[0041] In embodiments of the present invention, the first characteristic is the aerosol particle size, and typically, the aerosol particle size of the first variant of the aerosol is smaller than that of the second variant of the aerosol. The reason for this arrangement will be explained later herein.

[0042] The aerosol particle size can be varied by changing the characteristics of the aerosol generator. Depending on the type of generator, this may involve changing the temperature of the heater used to generate the aerosol, or may involve changing the frequency of the vibrator used to generate the aerosol.

[0043] In the case of some payloads, by increasing the temperature of the heater, the vaporization rate can be increased, and as a result, the aerosol particle size becomes larger. For other payloads, in some cases, by decreasing the temperature of the heater, the formation and aggregation of droplets from the pure vapor form may become more rapid, and as a result, the aerosol particle size in the EVPS becomes larger. Therefore, a more suitable method for the payload used by the EVPS may be selected, for example, automatically during manufacturing (if the payload is replaceable and detectable), or via a suitable user interface (described later in this specification).

[0044] Referring to FIG. 5 next, in an embodiment of the present invention, the suction by the user is detected using the air flow detector 215, or equivalently, by a detector for any suitable proxy related to the air flow such as the air velocity or dynamic pressure of the air.

[0045] Understanding that the air velocity, dynamic pressure, etc. can be used instead, as an example, using the air flow, the first stage of suction occurs until the air flow exceeds the first threshold level (Th1) and / or until the air flow reaches the peak level (Peak).

[0046] Therefore, during suction by the user, the first stage assumes a relatively strong or high initial air flow, which typically (but not necessarily) reaches an empirically determined threshold level indicating this strong initial stage. On the other hand, regardless of whether this threshold is met (or detected), the air flow from the suction reaches a peak at some point, which may be an instantaneous peak or a smoothed peak (as a non-limiting example, averaged over a rolling window of 0.1 or 0.2 seconds).

[0047] On the other hand, the second stage of suction occurs after the air flow drops below the second threshold level (Th2) and / or after the air flow reaches the peak level (Peak). Here too, as described above, when used, the peak may be instantaneous or smoothed.

[0048] Optionally, the first stage can be assumed until the second stage is detected, and thus it will be understood that, optionally, the completion of the first stage need never be detected separately. If the boundaries of the first and second stages are delineated by the same event (e.g., peak aspiration), the transition is obvious and is clearly virtually instantaneous. On the other hand, if the first stage is considered to be completed after reaching the first threshold (however, optionally, before reaching the peak or before the air flow drops below the second threshold), the EVPS may continue the first stage or may use this intervening time to transition to the second stage (e.g., by moving to a neutral or transition heater temperature or vibration frequency). The various possible intervening times are represented by the lines with horizontal arrows in FIG. 5.

[0049] The effect of these embodiments is that a first variant of the aerosol having typically smaller aerosol particles is created during the first detected or assumed aspiration stage, and then, in response to the detection of the second aspiration stage, a second variant of the aerosol having typically larger aerosol particles is created.

[0050] The reason for this is that the inventors have understood that during aspiration with an EVPS (or similar device), the air aspirated in the first half of the aspiration may have relatively faster particles and tend to reach the lungs during aspiration, whereas the air aspirated in the second half of the aspiration may have relatively slower particles and tend to reach the mouth. As a result, different variants of the aerosol configured for delivery to the lungs or mouth can be delivered during different stages of the aspiration to increase the effectiveness of the delivery (e.g., including / increasing the proportion of nicotine in the first stage and including / increasing the proportion of flavorant in the second stage, and / or excluding / reducing the proportion of flavor in the first stage and excluding / reducing the proportion of nicotine in the second stage). Similarly, smaller particles tend to reach the lungs (especially deep in the lungs where the air passageways are narrower), while larger particles tend to reach the mouth.

[0051] Thus, by supplying smaller particles during the first stage of faster inhalation, the delivery of vapor to the lungs, and thus the delivery of the active ingredient to the bloodstream, is improved, while by supplying larger particles during the second stage of slower inhalation, the delivery of vapor to the mouth, and thus the delivery of flavor, is improved.

[0052] As a result, the aerosol particles are delivered more efficiently in response to the user's inhalation profile than if they were not distinguished, so that a similar amount of the active ingredient and flavor can be delivered to the user with a smaller amount of vapor.

[0053] In other words, embodiments of the present invention distinguish the generated aerosol during different inhalation stages, targeting the lungs during the initial fast part of inhalation and the mouth during the slower ending part of inhalation. As described above, this can be done by controlling the heater temperature to produce a smaller particle size and then a larger particle size (or equivalently, by controlling a vibrating atomizer), but optionally, in addition to or instead of that, by having two wicks, heaters, etc., and switching the payload during inhalation (e.g., a first nicotine payload and then a second flavor payload).

[0054] Thus, in embodiments of the present invention, different payloads may be used for the first and second inhalation stages to take advantage of the existing trends for delivery to the lungs in the first stage and to the mouth in the second stage, as already described herein, and optionally, to further enhance this trend, they may be distinguished by particle size.

[0055] Thus, in embodiments of the present invention, the first characteristic is the aerosolized payload and thus the component of the aerosol. It will be understood that when this is added to distinguishing the size of the aerosol, this can be a second characteristic or a similar first characteristic, but otherwise may be considered the same.

[0056] Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the EVPS comprises two aerosol generators, each aerosol generator being connected to a respective one of the two payload sources, and the control processor selectively activates each of the aerosol generators to generate respective aerosols containing respective payloads (e.g., varying different components and / or component ratios, e.g., the presence or level of nicotine and flavorants), thereby being configured to generate first and second variants of the aerosol.

[0057] Such activation can be repeated to produce a mixture, and the control processor is configured to actually change the balance of the mixture in response to the detection of a second stage and optionally in response to the detection of the completion of a first stage (e.g., by transitioning to a more uniform mixture during the transition period between stages when one stage has occurred), as will be understood.

[0058] The two aerosol generators do not necessarily use the same generation mechanism, but it will be understood that if at least the first aerosol generator is a heater, it is thermally connected to at least a portion of each payload, and if at least the first aerosol generator is a vibrator, it is mechanically connected to at least a portion of each payload.

[0059] By using selections that define smaller aerosol particle sizes and / or a target for an effective payload, improving the uptake of the active ingredient during the first, faster stage of deep lung inhalation, and by using selections that define larger aerosol particle sizes and / or a target for a flavor payload, improving the perception of the flavor during the second, slower stage of shallower inhalation, can be further improved, at least for certain users, by more accurately predicting the onset of the second stage. This is because there is a high likelihood of a delay in temperature change and / or vaporization of the payload during the transition to the second stage, and thus, by predicting when the second stage (and optionally the first stage) will occur, this delay can, in some cases, be offset or mitigated.

[0060] Accordingly, in embodiments of the present invention, a control processor is configured to measure an airflow during a plurality of inhalations of a user, and the control processor is configured to model one or more inhalation airflow profiles of the user based on these measurements.

[0061] This profile or each profile shows the typical behavior of a user of the EVPS during inhalation.

[0062] An inhalation airflow profile describes the velocity and / or amount of air inhaled through the electronic cigarette of the EVPS by the user during a puff.

[0063] The inhalation airflow profile may optionally be defined parametrically with varying degrees of approximation. Thus, the profile may define the target shape of the inhalation as a time history or curve, or may define the peak airflow (or a similar measure of intensity) and duration for that inhalation profile, or may define the entire airflow and time, and in any case, optionally, in response to an inhalation curve (such as the timing of peaks within the inhalation), may be defined with one or more additional parameters.

[0064] Accordingly, such a profile can characterize a short low-dose puff, or a long high-dose puff, or any other type or pattern of draw by the user. Similarly, the profile may vary depending on whether the user's draw is shallow or deep. Accordingly, the profile can be of any length depending on the corresponding draw behavior, and the airflow parameters described by the profile may vary over time as the characteristics of the user's draw vary.

[0065] Optionally, the profile may be predefined at manufacture or by the vendor, or may be loaded later by the user (as described later in this specification). The profile data may be stored in local data storage such as RAM or flash memory.

[0066] Accordingly, the draw performed by the user may be compared to the profile description, either by tracking the draw against a time history or curve, or by comparing the difference between the target profile position and the user's current position on the draw intensity / time graph, either after the draw is complete or while the draw is in progress.

[0067] Accordingly, the control processor is configured to compare the airflow measurement to one or more modeled draw airflow profiles, and if the measurement matches the modeled draw airflow profile within a predefined tolerance range, the control processor is configured to predict one or more of the start of a second stage of the draw and the end of a first stage of the draw based on that modeled draw airflow profile. Equally, instead of matching a predefined tolerance, the closest existing model can be selected. Optionally, this itself is aimed at matching a predefined tolerance, outside of which a default behavior is used or additional models are initiated using the current measurements so as to adapt to different styles of the user.

[0068] Referring back to FIG. 5, here as an exemplary suction profile, the entire area under the graph represents the amount of air being suctioned, and thus over time, cumulative suction, and thus the rate and depth of suction will be understood. As a result, by using any one of the timing when Th1 is satisfied, and / or the peak level and / or the peak timing, and / or the overall, and / or the gradient of the air flow, and / or the timing when Th2 is satisfied, the profile can be characterized, the closest modeled profile can be selected, and / or (in training mode) a profile for updating with this new data can be selected, or such a profile can be generated.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 6, the system described herein may be a self - contained system, where an aerosol delivery device such as an e - cigarette comprises a detection and control processor and any necessary data storage. Optionally, the system may comprise two components, for example, an aerosol delivery device 10 and a mobile phone or similar device (such as a tablet) 100 operable to communicate with the e - cigarette via, for example, a Bluetooth® scheme.

[0070] The mobile phone may comprise one or more of profile storage / selection / training means (such as suitable RAM, flash memory, and a processor), a detection processor, and a control processor. Optionally, input measurement data and output commands are communicated between the e - cigarette and the mobile phone by a Bluetooth® scheme.

[0071] As suggested above, the suction profile may also be downloaded, or optionally, created and / or curated using a suitable interface on the mobile phone.

[0072] Accordingly, in embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol delivery system comprises a mobile communication device operable to wirelessly communicate with the aerosol delivery device, and the mobile communication device comprises one or more of a detection processor and a control processor. In this case, it will be understood that the detection processor and / or the control processor may be provided by the CPU of the mobile device operating under suitable software instructions. Also, the role of the detection processor and / or the control processor may be shared among multiple CPUs, and it will be understood that the multiple CPUs are located within the phone, within the EVPS, or distributed between the two.

[0073] Referring next to Figure 7, a control method for an aerosol delivery system is Optionally, detecting a first stage of inhalation by a user at the aerosol delivery device, or readily assuming the first stage when the EVPS is activated to deliver vapor, and In a first step s710, within the first stage of inhalation, generating a first variant of the aerosol having a first characteristic modified to at least a first variant, and In a second step s720, detecting a second stage of inhalation, and In a third step s730, in response to detecting the second stage of inhalation, generating a second variant of the aerosol having a first characteristic modified to at least a second different variant.

[0074] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that within the scope of the present invention, variations of the above method corresponding to the operation of the various embodiments of the apparatus described and claimed herein are contemplated, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but includes the following.

[0075] The first characteristic is the aerosol particle size. The aerosol particle size of the first variant is smaller than that of the second variant. By changing the characteristics of the aerosol generator and thereby changing the resulting aerosol particle size, first and second variants of the aerosol are produced, the characteristics of the aerosol generator being one selected from the list consisting of the temperature of the heater used to produce the aerosol, the frequency of the vibrator used to produce the aerosol, and the source of the aerosol (e.g., different aerosol paths, production modes, substrates, etc.).

[0076] The first characteristic is the aerosolized payload. The payload of the first variant contains a component that produces an effective effect when absorbed into the bloodstream, and the payload of the second variant contains a component that produces an effective effect when tasted. The aerosol delivery device comprises two aerosol generators, each aerosol generator being connected to a respective payload source of two payload sources, the method comprising generating first and second variants of the aerosol by selectively activating each of the aerosol generators to produce respective aerosols containing respective payloads. At least the first aerosol generator is a heater and is thermally connected to at least a portion of each payload. At least the first aerosol generator is a vibrator and is mechanically connected to at least a portion of each payload.

[0077] Suction is detected using an air flow detector. The first stage of suction occurs until the air flow exceeds a first threshold level. The first stage of suction occurs until the air flow reaches a peak level. The second stage of suction occurs after the air flow drops below a second threshold level. The second stage of suction occurs after the air flow reaches a peak level.

[0078] Measure the air flow during multiple inhalations by the user and, based on these measurements, model one or more inhalation air flow profiles of the user.

[0079] Measure the air flow during the user's suction, compare the measured value with one or more modeled suction air flow profiles, and if the measured value matches the modeled suction air flow profile within a predetermined tolerance range, predict one or more selected from the list consisting of the end of the first stage of suction and the start of the second stage of suction.

[0080] It will be understood that the above method may be preferably implemented in conventional hardware configured by software instructions where applicable, or may be implemented by the inclusion or replacement of dedicated hardware, such as an e-cigarette, or an e-cigarette operating in combination with, for example, a mobile phone.

[0081] Therefore, what is necessary to adapt the existing components of a conventional equivalent device can be implemented in the form of a computer program product including processor-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable medium such as a floppy disk, optical disk, hard disk, PROM, RAM, flash memory, or any combination of these or other storage media, or can be realized in hardware as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array), or other configurable circuits suitable for use in adapting a conventional equivalent device. Separately, such a computer program can be transmitted via a data signal over a network such as Ethernet, a wireless network, the Internet, or any combination of these or other networks.

[0082] The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative samples of the embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations to the scope of the invention defined by the claims or to the equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. The various embodiments of the invention may preferably include, consist of, or consist essentially of a suitable combination of elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. other than those specifically described herein. In addition, the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future. [1] A control method for an aerosol delivery system, comprising: generating, within a first stage of inhalation, a first variant of an aerosol having a first characteristic modified to at least a first variant; detecting a second stage of the inhalation; and in response to detecting the second stage of the inhalation, generating a second variant of the aerosol having the first characteristic modified to at least a second different variant. [2] The method according to [1], wherein the first characteristic is a component of the aerosolized payload. [3] The method according to [2], wherein the payload of the first variant includes a component that produces an effective effect when absorbed into the bloodstream, and the payload of the second variant includes a component that produces an effective effect when tasted. [4] The aerosol delivery device comprises two aerosol generators, each aerosol generator being connected to a respective payload source of two payload sources, and the method comprises: generating the first and second variants of the aerosol by selectively activating each of the aerosol generators to generate a respective aerosol containing a respective payload, according to [2] or [3]. [5] The method according to [4], wherein at least a first aerosol generator is a heater and is thermally connected to at least a portion of the respective payload. [6] The method according to [4], wherein at least a first aerosol generator is a vibrator and is mechanically connected to at least a portion of the respective payload. [7] The method according to [1], wherein the first characteristic is the aerosol particle size. [8] The method according to [7], wherein the aerosol particle size of the first variant is smaller than that of the second variant. [9] The method according to [7] or [8], comprising generating the first and second variants of the aerosol by changing the characteristics of the aerosol generator and thereby changing the resulting aerosol particle size, wherein the characteristics of the aerosol generator are: i. the temperature of a heater used to generate the aerosol; ii. the frequency of a vibrator used to generate the aerosol; and iii. the source of the aerosol and is one selected from the list consisting of.

[10] The method according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the suction is detected using an air flow detector.

[11] The method according to

[10] , wherein the first stage of the suction occurs until the air flow exceeds a first threshold level.

[12] The method according to

[10] or

[11] , wherein the first stage of the suction occurs until the air flow reaches a peak level. [3] The method according to any one of

[10] to

[12] , wherein the second stage of the suction occurs after the air flow falls below a second threshold level.

[14] The method according to any one of

[10] to

[13] , wherein the second stage of the suction occurs after the air flow reaches a peak level.

[15] A step of measuring an air flow during a plurality of suctions by the user, and a step of modeling one or more suction air flow profiles of the user based on these measurement values The method according to any one of [1] to

[14] , comprising:

[16] A step of measuring an air flow during the user's suction, a step of comparing the measurement value with the one or more modeled suction air flow profiles, When the measurement value matches the modeled suction air flow profile within a predetermined tolerance range, i. ending the first stage of the suction, and ii. starting the second stage of the suction A step of predicting one or more selected from the list consisting of The method according to

[15] , comprising:

[17] An aerosol delivery device, a control processor configured to generate a first variant of an aerosol having a first characteristic modified to at least a first variant within a first stage of suction, a detection processor configured to detect the second stage of the suction, and the control processor is configured to generate a second variant of the aerosol having the first characteristic modified to at least a second different variant in response to the detection of the second stage of the suction, An aerosol delivery system.

[18] The aerosol delivery device according to

[17] , wherein the first characteristic is a component of the aerosolized payload.

[19] The aerosol delivery device comprises two aerosol generators, each aerosol generator being connected to a respective payload source of two payload sources, The aerosol delivery system according to

[18] , wherein the control processor is configured to generate the first and second variants of the aerosol by selectively activating each of the aerosol generators so as to generate each aerosol containing a respective payload.

[20] The aerosol delivery system according to

[17] , wherein the first characteristic is the aerosol particle size.

[21] The aerosol delivery system according to

[20] , wherein the aerosol particle size of the first variant is smaller than that of the second variant.

[22] The control processor is configured to generate the first and second variants of the aerosol by changing the characteristics of the aerosol generator and thereby changing the resulting aerosol particle size, and the characteristics of the aerosol generator are i. the temperature of the heater used to generate the aerosol, ii. the frequency of the vibrator used to generate the aerosol, and iii. the source of the aerosol The aerosol delivery system according to

[20] or

[21] , which is one selected from the list consisting of.

[23] The aerosol delivery system according to any one of

[17] to

[22] , wherein suction is detected using an air flow detector.

[24] The first stage of the suction is i. the air flow exceeding a first threshold level, and ii. the air flow reaching a peak level, and the aerosol delivery system according to any one of

[17] to

[23] , which occurs one or more from the list consisting of.

[25] The second stage of the suction is i. the air flow falling below a second threshold level, and ii. the air flow reaching a peak level, and the aerosol delivery system according to any one of

[17] to

[24] , which occurs after one or more from the list consisting of.

[26] The control processor is configured to measure the air flow during a plurality of suctions of the user, The control processor is configured to model one or more suction air flow profiles of the user based on these measurement values. The aerosol delivery system according to any one of

[17] to

[25] .

[27] The control processor is configured to compare the air flow measurement values with the one or more modeled suction air flow profiles. When the measured value matches the modeled suction air flow profile within a predetermined tolerance range, the control processor, i. the end of the first stage of the suction, and ii. the start of the second stage of the suction is configured to predict one or more selected from the list consisting of, the aerosol delivery system according to

[26] .

[28] A mobile communication device operable to communicate wirelessly with the aerosol delivery device, wherein the mobile communication device, i. the detection processor, and ii. the control processor comprises one or more from the list consisting of, the aerosol delivery system according to any one of

[17] to

[27] .

[29] The aerosol delivery system according to any of

[17] to

[28] , comprising at least a first payload for aerosolization by the aerosol delivery device.

Claims

1. A control method for an aerosol delivery system, comprising: measuring an air flow during a plurality of inhalations by a user of the aerosol delivery system; modeling one or more inhalation air flow profiles of the user based on these measurements; wherein each inhalation air flow profile defines the timing of a peak during inhalation such that a first stage of inhalation in which a first variant of the aerosol is generated occurs before the timing of the peak during inhalation and a second stage of inhalation in which a second variant of the aerosol is generated occurs after the timing of the peak during inhalation; Method.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each inhalation air flow profile describes the velocity and / or amount of air inhaled through the aerosol delivery system during a puff by the user.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each inhalation air flow profile defines a target shape of inhalation as a time history or curve.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each inhalation air flow profile defines a peak air flow for the inhalation air flow profile.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each inhalation air flow profile defines a duration for the inhalation air flow profile.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each inhalation air flow profile defines the timing at which the air flow drops below a threshold level (Th2).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising downloading at least one of the inhalation air flow profiles using an interface of a mobile phone that wirelessly communicates with the aerosol delivery system.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the inhalation air flow profiles is curated using the interface of the mobile phone.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein inhalation is detected using an air flow detector.

10. An aerosol delivery device, and a control processor configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9; An aerosol delivery system comprising the same.

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