Aerosol generating system and method of using the same

Abstract

The aerosol generating system 10 includes a case 12 and a vaporizer 14, the case 12 having authentication means adapted to allow removal of the vaporizer 14 from the case 12 only in the event of a positive authentication result and / or to prevent removal of the vaporizer 14 from the case 12 in the event of a negative authentication result. In a method of using the aerosol generating system 10 including the case 12 and the vaporizer 14, removal of the vaporizer 14 from the case 12 is only allowed if a positive authentication result is obtained from the authentication means and / or is prevented in the event of a negative authentication result.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device and a method of using the same.

Background Art

[0002] Aerosol generating devices are becoming increasingly popular as alternatives to conventional smoking articles such as cigarettes. In such devices, it is desirable to prevent unintended use.

[0003] In this regard, US Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0271149 teaches the authentication of a cartridge, and a vapor inhalation device is enabled for vapor inhalation only in the case of a positive authentication result. Similar teachings can be derived from International Publication No. 2020 / 0234165 pamphlet and International Publication No. 2020 / 132127 pamphlet.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Nevertheless, there remains a need to more reliably prevent unintended use.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This is achieved by the aerosol generation system according to claim 1.

[0006] Thus, the case has authentication means adapted to allow removal of the vaporizer from the case only in the case of a positive authentication result and / or to prevent removal of the vaporizer from the case in the case of a negative authentication result. In other words, the present invention is based on the idea that not only can it charge the battery and / or enable the vaporizer for vapor inhalation according to the authentication result, but it can also prevent the vaporizer from being removed from the case unless there is a positive authentication result. In the case of a negative authentication result, removal of the vaporizer is disabled and / or removal of the vaporizer is enabled only in the case of a positive authentication result.

[0007] Furthermore, as soon as the vaporizer is placed inside the case, it can be made impossible to remove it without a positive authentication result. This ensures that unintended use is prevented, the vaporizer can be used when it is outside the case, and is particularly easy to understand because authentication is required to remove the vaporizer from the case. This provides advantages over any other system, and any authentication system can reside on the vaporizer itself. According to the present invention, the authentication means provided on the case may be, for example, a lock that makes removal possible or impossible. The case may be advantageously portable and can be adapted to charge the vaporizer as described above, and additionally, it may be adapted to clean the vaporizer, for example.

[0008] In general, there is a high degree of freedom in the types and shapes of cases to which the present invention may be applied. In particular, any type of door or lid that allows access to the vaporizer can be provided, but the vaporizer can also be held in the case without covering it in any way, or it can be nested inside the case, for example, by magnets and / or friction alone. In this case, any movement necessary to allow removal of the vaporizer from the case can be prevented. This could simply be a movement that separates the vaporizer from the case, and as a result the vaporizer is securely held in a nested or mounted state. However, if, for example, the movement to remove the vaporizer from the case begins with an inclined movement, only the inclined movement can be prevented. Unless the vaporizer is completely nested inside the case and no part of the vaporizer allows for gripping of the vaporizer, removal will still be impossible by the teachings given herein. The aforementioned types of movement prevention also apply to doors, lids, sliders or similar components that allow access to the vaporizer in the case of a positive certification result.

[0009] Preferred embodiments are described in further claims.

[0010] The user is further benefited if the system has at least one authentication interface provided on the case and / or mobile device such as a telephone. This authentication interface could be, for example, a fingerprint reader and / or Bluetooth means for communicating with any device adapted to provide authentication signals. Such signals can also be exchanged wirelessly, for example, if the authentication interface is provided on a mobile device. Finally, the authentication interface may include display needs, for example, a light to indicate a positive authentication result by green light.

[0011] As already shown above, the authentication interface may be based on biometric detection such as RFID, Bluetooth, and / or fingerprints.

[0012] The vaporizer can be prevented from being removed by, for example, an electric lock having an element having a shape memory alloy and / or at least one magnet, solenoid and / or motor adapted to actuate the lock by supplying or removing power. All of these embodiments are easy to implement and ensure secure locking of the vaporizer.

[0013] In particular, easily implementable locking or blocking elements may be provided that engage with and / or prevent movement of a door associated with the vaporizer and / or a chamber or recess housing the vaporizer. Thus, access to and / or removal of the vaporizer can be prevented by simple means.

[0014] As one of the aforementioned methods, the removal of the vaporizer is made impossible and / or its movement is prevented by at least one first locking or blocking element that engages with the vaporizer. This configuration is particularly useful, for example, in configurations where the case does not include an additional door or cover for accessing the vaporizer, as it prevents the vaporizer itself from being blocked.

[0015] According to the embodiment, the vaporizer includes recesses, particularly grooves or holes, and the locking or preventing element is a pin that can enter the recess. Thus, removal of the vaporizer can be reliably prevented by the pin engaging with the groove.

[0016] In particular, the pin is slidable within the case and can be slid to a position where it protrudes into the recess, which provides a reliable and safe mechanism.

[0017] According to another embodiment, removal of the vaporizer is prevented and / or its movement is prevented by at least one second locking or blocking element that engages with a door or cover associated with a chamber or recess housing the vaporizer. The door or cover of the case may provide access to the vaporizer. When the second locking or blocking element is engaged with the door or cover, access to the vaporizer is reliably prevented.

[0018] The first locking or blocking element and / or the second locking or blocking element may be slidable and / or rotatable, and both the first locking or blocking element and / or the second locking or blocking element are easy to install.

[0019] The reliability of preventing unintended use is further improved by an authentication mechanism adapted to prevent the removal of the vaporizer after a predetermined time period following detection of the vaporizer within the case. In other words, once the vaporizer is placed within the case, its removal is prevented after a certain time interval until a positive authentication result is obtained. The predetermined time period may be, for example, in the range of 1 to 60 minutes.

[0020] The aforementioned predetermined time can, advantageously, be set by a mobile device such as a telephone communicating with the authentication means provided in the case.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating system is configured such that, for example, the movement to remove the vaporizer from the case begins with an inclined movement. This allows for a compact design of the aerosol generating system.

[0022] Furthermore, the vaporizer can be nested within the recess of the case. In addition, a gap can be provided at the lower end of the recess such that a user can apply pressure to the lower end of the vaporizer to tilt the vaporizer about the step. As a result, the vaporizer is held in a nested position when housed within the case. Furthermore, such a configuration is easy to handle when removing the vaporizer and is intuitive for the user.

[0023] The present invention also provides a method of using an aerosol generating system in which removal of the vaporizer from the case is enabled only when a positive authentication result is obtained from an authentication interface and / or disabled when a negative authentication result is obtained. Thereby, the same advantages as those described above for the underlying system are obtained. In this regard, it should be noted that any features described above and below with respect to the system can be applied to the method, and vice versa.

[0024] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] Shows a perspective view of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Shows a sectional view of the first embodiment in an unlocked state. [Figure 3] Shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a locked state. [Figure 4] Shows the second embodiment in a front view. [Figure 5] Shows a part of the second embodiment in an unlocked state. [Figure 6] Shows the embodiment of FIG. 4 in a locked state. [Figure 7] Shows the embodiment of FIG. 4 with the lid open. [Figure 8] Shows the embodiment of FIG. 3 in an unlocked state. [Figure 9] Shows the embodiment of FIG. 8 in a locked state. [Figure 10]Figure 8 shows an embodiment with the lid open. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] In the embodiment of the aerosol generating system 10 shown in Figure 1, the vaporizer 14 is nested in a suitable recess 18 of the case 12 (see Figures 2 and 3). Due to a suitable gap (not visible) at the lower end of the recess 18 (according to Figure 1), the user can apply pressure to the lower end of the vaporizer, and the vaporizer then tilts around a step (not visible in the figure) as indicated by arrow A, and as a result the vaporizer can be removed.

[0027] As shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3, the vaporizer 14 includes a groove 20 which may be formed as a hole or any other type of recess into which a pin 16 (an example of a first locking or blocking element) can enter. The pin 16 is slidable within the case 12 and may slide in particular to a position where it protrudes into the recess 18.

[0028] As can be seen in Figure 3, the removal of the vaporizer 14 can be prevented by the pin 16 that engages with the groove 20 when the vaporizer 14 is placed in the recess 18. In particular, the pin 16 can be adapted to retract to the position shown in Figure 2 only in the case of a positive authentication result, and only under such circumstances can the vaporizer 14 be removed from the case 12. Thus, the pin 16 constitutes a locking element or component, and the combination of the pin 16 and the groove 20 constitutes an authentication means in this case, and the retraction of the pin 16 can be controlled by a suitable controller, such as a main control unit on a printed circuit board. The controller typically receives authentication information from an authentication interface, such as a fingerprint sensor or a wireless communication interface, and appropriately controls the movement of the pin 16. The movement itself can be brought about by, for example, at least one magnet, solenoid, or motor. In particular, a solenoid can be used to bring about the linear motion of the pin 16. All of the above details regarding the control and bringing about the movement also apply to the embodiments described below. For rotatable authentication means as described below, electric motors are particularly preferred, but shape memory alloys can also be used. This also applies to all types of electric locks.

[0029] Furthermore, since the vaporizer 14 is completely nested within the recess 18 of the case 12 in this case, removal of the vaporizer 14 is typically initiated by tilting. Such movement can also be prevented by a suitable removable, particularly retractable, blocking member, which can be present in the space between the vaporizer 14 and the bottom of the recess 18, as visible in Figures 2 and 3, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. In particular, as long as such blocking member blocks the gap or space into which the vaporizer needs to enter due to the tilt, this movement is prevented and the vaporizer 14 cannot be removed from the case 12, as no part of the vaporizer 14 that would allow gripping of the vaporizer 14 is exposed. Thus, such a blocking member constitutes an authentication means.

[0030] According to the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 7, the same effect is achieved by blocking the door or cover 22 of the case 12 that allows access to the vaporizer 14, as shown in the cross-sectional view in Figure 4. The details of the cover 22 and hinge 26 differ between Figure 4 and Figures 5 and 6, respectively, but the principle of the rotatable cover remains the same.

[0031] In particular, (as shown in Figures 5 and 6) the lid 22 can be opened by rotating it counterclockwise around the hinge 26. In the situation shown in Figure 5, the rotatable hook 24 (an example of a second locking or blocking element) is not engaged with the appropriate groove 20 provided in the lid 22, so the lid can be opened as shown in Figure 7 and the vaporizer can be removed.

[0032] However, as shown in Figure 6, when the hook is moved approximately one-quarter of a turn clockwise in the illustrated case, the closed lid is prevented, and the vaporizer is prevented from being removed. Therefore, the hook constitutes a locking element member, and the combination of the hook 24 and the groove 20 constitutes an authentication means in this case.

[0033] The embodiment in Figure 8 essentially corresponds to the embodiment in Figure 5, but in this case, a sliding pin 16 similar to that in the first embodiment is provided to prevent the lid 22 from opening, as shown in Figure 9. In particular, in this situation, the pin 16 enters a suitable groove or hole 28 provided in the lid 22, and in the embodiment shown by a projection 30 protruding toward the rest of the case 12, the lid 22 cannot be opened. In contrast, Figure 10 shows an open lid made possible by the retraction of the pin 16.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating system (10) comprising a case (12) and a vaporizer (14), wherein the case (12) has an authentication means adapted to allow the removal of the vaporizer (14) from the case (12) only in the case of a positive authentication result, and / or to prevent the removal of the vaporizer (14) from the case (12) in the case of a negative authentication result. The authentication means is adapted to prevent the removal of the vaporizer (14) after a predetermined time has elapsed since detecting the vaporizer (14) in the aerosol generating system (10).

2. The aerosol generating system (10) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one authentication interface provided on the case (12) and / or a mobile device such as a telephone.

3. The aerosol generating system (10) according to claim 2, wherein at least one authentication interface is based on RFID, Bluetooth and / or biometric detection.

4. The aerosol generating system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the removal of the vaporizer (14) is prevented by an electric lock having an element having a shape memory alloy and / or at least one magnet, solenoid and / or motor adapted to activate the lock when power is supplied or removed.

5. The aerosol generating system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the removal of the vaporizer (14) is made impossible by at least one first locking or blocking element (16) that engages with the vaporizer (14) and / or prevents its movement.

6. The aerosol generating system (10) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one first locking or blocking element (16) is slidable and / or rotatable.

7. The vaporizer (14) includes a recess, particularly a groove (20) or a hole, The aerosol generating system (10) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the locking or blocking element (16) is a pin that can enter the recess.

8. The aerosol generating system (10) according to claim 7, wherein the pin (16) is slidable within the case (12) and can be slid to a position protruding into the recess (18).

9. The aerosol generating system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the removal of the vaporizer (14) is prevented and / or prevented from moving by at least one second locking or blocking element (24) that engages with a door (22) or lid associated with a chamber or recess (18) housing the vaporizer (14).

10. The aerosol generating system (10) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one second locking or blocking element (24) is slidable and / or rotatable.

11. The aerosol generating system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the predetermined time can be set by a mobile device.

12. The aerosol generating system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the movement for removing the vaporizer from the case is configured to begin with an inclined movement.

13. The aerosol generating system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the vaporizer (14) is nested in a recess (18) of the case (12), and a gap is provided at the lower end of the recess (18) so that a user can apply pressure to the lower end of the vaporizer (14) to tilt the vaporizer around a step.

14. A method of using an aerosol generating system (10) comprising a case (12) and a vaporizer (14), wherein the removal of the vaporizer (14) from the case (12) is permitted only if a positive authentication result is obtained from the authentication interface, and / or not permitted in the case of a negative authentication result. The authentication means is a method of making it impossible to remove the vaporizer (14) after a predetermined time period following detection of the vaporizer (14).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein at least one first locking or blocking element (16) is slidable to allow removal of the vaporizer (14).

16. The vaporizer (14) includes a recess, particularly a groove (20) or a hole, The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the locking or blocking element (16) is a pin that can enter the recess.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the pin (16) slides within the case (12) and slides to a position where it protrudes into the recess (18).

18. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein at least one second locking or blocking element (24) is rotated to allow removal of the vaporizer (14).

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the predetermined time is set by a mobile device.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the movement for removing the vaporizer (14) from the case (12) begins with an inclined movement.

21. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the vaporizer (14) is nested within a recess (18) of the case (12), a gap is provided at the lower end of the recess (18), and the user applies pressure to the lower end of the vaporizer (14) such that the vaporizer (14) subsequently tilts around a step.

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