EP3838028A1 - Aerosol delivery device/system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device and system e.g. a smoking substitute device and system. In particular an aerosol delivery device, comprising: an inhalation sensor, configured to detect a user inhaling through a mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery device; a visual feedback element, configured to provide visual feedback; and a controller, connected to the inhalation sensor and visual feedback element, and configured to gradually change the intensity of the visual feedback element, when the inhalation sensor detects a user inhalation, over a duration of the user inhalation.

Description

Technical field
• The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device and an aerosol delivery system such as a smoking substitute device/system.
Background
• The smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally thought that a significant amount of the potentially harmful substances are generated through the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion of the tobacco and the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself.
• Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products. There have been proposed various smoking substitute systems in order to avoid the smoking of tobacco.
• Such smoking substitute systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine.
• Smoking substitute systems, which may also be known as electronic nicotine delivery systems, may comprise electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol, also referred to as a "vapour", which is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or flavourings without, or with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.
• In general, smoking substitute systems are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and tobacco products.
• The popularity and use of smoking substitute systems has grown rapidly in the past few years. Although originally marketed as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit tobacco smoking, consumers are increasingly viewing smoking substitute systems as desirable lifestyle accessories. Some smoking substitute systems are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end. Other smoking substitute systems do not generally resemble a cigarette (for example, the smoking substitute device may have a generally box-like form).
• There are a number of different categories of smoking substitute systems, each utilising a different smoking substitute approach. A smoking substitute approach corresponds to the manner in which the substitute system operates for a user.
• One approach for a smoking substitute system is the so-called "vaping" approach, in which a vaporisable liquid, typically referred to (and referred to herein) as "e-liquid", is heated by a heater to produce an aerosol vapour which is inhaled by a user. An e-liquid typically includes a base liquid as well as nicotine and/or flavourings. The resulting vapour therefore typically contains nicotine and/or flavourings. The base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine.
• A typical vaping smoking substitute system includes a mouthpiece, a power source (typically a battery), a tank or liquid reservoir for containing e-liquid, as well as a heater. In use, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heater, which heats the e-liquid to produce an aerosol (or "vapour") which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.
• Vaping smoking substitute systems can be configured in a variety of ways. For example, there are "closed system" vaping smoking substitute systems which typically have a heater and a sealed tank which is pre-filled with e-liquid and is not intended to be refilled by an end user. One subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute systems include a device which includes the power source, wherein the device is configured to be physically and electrically coupled to a component including the tank and the heater. In this way, when the tank of a component has been emptied, the device can be reused by connecting it to a new component. Another subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute systems are completely disposable, and intended for one-use only.
• There are also "open system" vaping smoking substitute systems which typically have a tank that is configured to be refilled by a user, so the system can be used multiple times.
• An example vaping smoking substitute system is the myblu™ e-cigarette. The myblu™ e cigarette is a closed system which includes a device and a consumable component. The device and consumable component are physically and electrically coupled together by pushing the consumable component into the device. The device includes a rechargeable battery. The consumable component includes a mouthpiece, a sealed tank which contains e-liquid, as well as a vaporiser, which for this system is a heating filament coiled around a portion of a wick which is partially immersed in the e-liquid. The system is activated when a microprocessor on board the device detects a user inhaling through the mouthpiece. When the system is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the vaporiser, which heats e-liquid from the tank to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.
• Another example vaping smoking substitute system is the blu PRO™ e-cigarette. The blu PRO™ e cigarette is an open system which includes a device, a (refillable) tank, and a mouthpiece. The device and tank are physically and electrically coupled together by screwing one to the other. The mouthpiece and refillable tank are physically coupled together by screwing one into the other, and detaching the mouthpiece from the refillable tank allows the tank to be refilled with e-liquid. The system is activated by a button on the device. When the system is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to a vaporiser, which heats e-liquid from the tank to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.
• An alternative to the "vaping" approach is the so-called Heated Tobacco ("HT") approach in which tobacco (rather than an e-liquid) is heated or warmed to release vapour. HT is also known as "heat not burn" ("HNB"). The tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco. In the HT approach the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. the tobacco does not undergo combustion.
• The heating, as opposed to burning, of the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking. Consequently, the HT approach may reduce the odour and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.
• A typical HT smoking substitute system may include a device and a consumable component. The consumable component may include the tobacco material. The device and consumable component may be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating element of the device, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes components in the tobacco material to be released as vapour. A vapour may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.
• As the vapour passes through the consumable component (entrained in the airflow) from the location of vaporization to an outlet of the component (e.g. a mouthpiece), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user. The aerosol may contain nicotine and/or flavour compounds. Existing aerosol delivery devices offer only binary feedback to a user. For example, an indicator LED or other source of light may either be illuminated or extinguished based on whether the aerosol delivery device is being used. There exists a need to provide more complete feedback to the user.
• Accordingly, there is a need for an improved aerosol delivery device/system which addresses at least some of the problems of the known devices and systems.
Summary
• According to a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol delivery device (e.g. a smoking substitute device) comprising:
• an inhalation sensor, configured to detect a user inhaling through a mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery device;
• a visual feedback element, configured to provide visual feedback to the user; and
• a controller, connected to the inhalation sensor and visual feedback element, and configured to gradually change the intensity of the visual feedback element, when the inhalation sensor detects a user inhalation, over a duration of the user inhalation.
• Such an aerosol delivery device provides enhanced feedback to a user, by appearing to breathe with the user as they inhale through the mouthpiece.
• Optional features will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect.
• The controller may be configured to increase the intensity of the visual feedback element in a gradual manner, through a plurality of non-zero intensities. The visual feedback element may be a light emitting diode.
• The change of the intensity of the visual feedback element may be based on an intensity and/or duration profile of the inhalation as detected by the inhalation sensor. The change in the intensity of the visual feedback element may be proportional to the intensity and/or duration profile of the inhalation as detected by the inhalation sensor. For example, the intensity of the visual feedback element may increase as the duration of the inhalation increases, and thereby simulate the end of a conventional cigarette. Further, the intensity of the visual feedback may decrease when the intensity and/or flow rate of the inhalation decreases as detected by the inhalation sensor.
• The change of the intensity of the visual feedback element may follow a predefined intensity profile. For example, the intensity of the visual feedback element may increase in a linear manner after the controller detects a user inhalation.
• The controller may be further configured to terminate visual feedback from the visual feedback element when it detects via the inhalation sensor that inhalation has ceased. The termination of visual feedback may be a step change, that is from the present intensity level directly to zero intensity, or a gradual change to zero intensity. The rate at which the intensity changes to zero may be faster than the rate at which it changed during the user inhalation.
• The controller may be further configured to detect a charge level of a battery in the aerosol delivery device, and to vary a parameter of the visual feedback element based on the detected charge level. The controller may be configured to vary a colour of the visual feedback element based on the detected charge level being below a predetermined threshold charge level. For example, when the charge level is above the predetermined threshold charge level, the visual feedback element may illuminate with an amber or orange light. Whereas when the charge level is below the predetermined threshold level, the visual feedback element may illuminate with a red light. The predetermined charge level may be around 20%.
• The visual feedback element may comprise: an illumination region of a main body of the aerosol delivery device; and a source of light, contained within the main body, the illumination region being configured such that light provided by a source of light passes through the illumination region of the main body; and the controller may be configured to gradually change the intensity of the source of light. The source of light may be an array of light emitting diodes. The illumination region of the main body may be made from a diffusing material, such that the light passing through the illumination region from the source of light is diffused. The main body may include a shell having a first area with a first thickness, and a second area with a second thickness, the first area including the illumination region and the first thickness being thinner than the second thickness. The increase in intensity may cause an area of the illumination region which is illuminated to increase.
• The device may comprises a source of power which may be a battery. The source of power may be a capacitor.
• The device may comprise a device body for housing the power source and/or other electrical components. The device body may be an elongate body i.e. with a greater length than depth/width. It may have a greater width than depth.
• The device body may have a length of between 5 and 30 cm e.g. between 10 and 20 cm such as between 10 and 13 cm. The maximum depth of the device body may be between 5 and 30 mm e.g. between 10 and 20 mm.
• The device body may have a front surface that is curved in the transverse dimension. The device body may have a rear surface that is curved in the transverse dimension. The curvatures of the front surface and rear surface may be of the opposite sense to one another. Both front and rear surfaces may be convex in the transverse dimension. They may have an equal radius of curvature.
• The radius of curvature of the front surface may be between 10 and 50 mm, preferably between 10 and 40 mm, preferably between 10 and 30 mm, preferably been 10 and 20 mm, more preferably between 10 and 15 mm, more preferably substantially 13.5 mm.
• The front and rear surfaces may meet at opposing transverse edges of the device body. This leads to a mandorla-/lemon-/eye-shaped cross sectional shape of the device body.
• The transverse edges may have a radius of curvature that is significantly smaller than the radius of curvature of either the front or rear surface. This leads to the transverse edges being substantially "pointed" or "sharp". The transverse edges may have a radius of curvature in the transverse dimension of less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, preferably less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1 mm.
• The transverse edges may extend substantially the full longitudinal length of the device body. However, in some embodiments, the transverse edges may only extend along a longitudinal portion of the device body.
• The device body may have a curved longitudinal axis i.e. curved in a direction between the front and rear faces.
• The device may comprise a movement detection unit (e.g. an accelerometer) for detecting a movement of the device, and a haptic feedback generation unit (e.g. an electric motor and a weight mounted eccentrically on a shaft of the electric motor).
• The controller may be configured to wherein the processor is configured to identify an operation of the smoking substitute device; and control the source of light contained within the device body, to illuminate the illumination region based on the operation of the smoking substitute device identified.
• The controller may be configured to control the haptic feedback generation unit to generate the haptic feedback in response to the detection of movement of the system.
• A memory may be provided and may be operatively connected to the controller. The memory may include non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions which, when implemented, cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of a method. The device may comprise a wireless interface, which may be configured to communicate wirelessly with another device, for example a mobile device, e.g. via Bluetooth®. To this end, the wireless interface could include a Bluetooth® antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces, e.g. WiFi®, are also possible. The wireless interface may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote server.
• The inhalation sensor may be an airflow (i.e. puff) sensor that is configured to detect a puff (i.e. inhalation from a user). The airflow sensor may be operatively connected to the controller so as to be able to provide a signal to the controller that is indicative of a puff state (i.e. puffing or not puffing). The airflow sensor may, for example, be in the form of a pressure sensor or an acoustic sensor. The controller may control power supply to a heating element in response to airflow detection by the sensor. The control may be in the form of activation of the heating element in response to a detected airflow. The airflow sensor may form part of the device. The heating element may be used in a vaporiser to vaporise an aerosol precursor. The vaporiser may be housed in a vaporising chamber.
• In a second aspect, there is provided an aerosol delivery system (e.g. smoking substitute system) comprising a device according to the first aspect and a component for containing an aerosol precursor.
• The component may be an aerosol-delivery (e.g. a smoking substitute) consumable i.e. in some embodiments the component may be a consumable component for engagement with the aerosol-delivery (e.g. a smoking substitute) device to form the aerosol-delivery (e.g. s smoking substitute) system.
• The device may be configured to receive the consumable component. The device and the consumable component may be configured to be physically coupled together. For example, the consumable component may be at least partially received in a recess of the device, such that there is snap engagement between the device and the consumable component. Alternatively, the device and the consumable component may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other, or through a bayonet fitting.
• Thus, the consumable component may comprise one or more engagement portions for engaging with the device.
• The consumable component may comprise an electrical interface for interfacing with a corresponding electrical interface of the device. One or both of the electrical interfaces may include one or more electrical contacts (which may extend through the transverse plate of the lower portion of the insert). Thus, when the device is engaged with the consumable component, the electrical interface may be configured to transfer electrical power from the power source to a heating element of the consumable component. The electrical interface may also be used to identify the consumable component from a list of known types. The electrical interface may additionally or alternatively be used to identify when the consumable component is connected to the device.
• The device may alternatively or additionally be able to detect information about the consumable component via an RFID reader, a barcode or QR code reader. This interface may be able to identify a characteristic (e.g. a type) of the consumable. In this respect, the consumable component may include any one or more of an RFID chip, a barcode or QR code, or memory within which is an identifier and which can be interrogated via the interface.
• In other embodiments, the component may be integrally formed with the aerosol-delivery (e.g. a smoking substitute) device to form the aerosol-delivery (e.g. s smoking substitute) system.
• In such embodiments, the aerosol former (e.g. e-liquid) may be replenished by re-filling a tank that is integral with the device (rather than replacing the consumable). Access to the tank (for re-filling of the e-liquid) may be provided via e.g. an opening to the tank that is sealable with a closure (e.g. a cap).
• The smoking substitute system may comprise an airflow path therethrough, the airflow path extending from an air inlet to an outlet. The outlet may be at a mouthpiece portion of the component. In this respect, a user may draw fluid (e.g. air) into and along the airflow path by inhaling at the outlet (i.e. using the mouthpiece).
• The airflow path passes the vaporiser between the air inlet to the air outlet.
• The airflow path may comprise a first portion extending from the air inlet towards the vaporiser. The second portion of the airflow path passes through the vaporising chamber to a conduit that extends to the air outlet. The conduit may extend along the axial centre of the component.
• References to "downstream" in relation to the airflow path are intended to refer to the direction towards the air outlet/outlet portion. Thus the second and third portions of the airflow path are downstream of the first portion of the airflow path. Conversely, references to "upstream" are intended to refer to the direction towards the air inlet. Thus the first portion of the airflow path (and the air inlet) is upstream of the second/third portions of the airflow path (and the air outlet/outlet portion).
• References to "upper", "lower", "above" or "below" are intended to refer to the component when in an upright/vertical orientation i.e. with elongate (longitudinal/length) axis of the component vertically aligned and with the mouthpiece vertically uppermost.
• The component may comprise a tank for housing the aerosol precursor (e.g. a liquid aerosol precursor). The aerosol precursor may comprise an e-liquid, for example, comprising a base liquid and e.g. nicotine. The base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine.
• At least a portion of one of the walls defining the tank may be translucent or transparent.
• The conduit may extend through the tank with the conduit walls defining an inner region of the tank. In this respect, the tank may surround the conduit e.g. the tank may be annular.
• As discussed above, the air flow path passes the vaporiser between the air inlet to the air outlet. The vaporiser may comprise a wick e.g. an elongate wick which may have a cylindrical shape.
• The wick may be oriented so as to extend in the direction of the width dimension of the component (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the component). Thus the wick may extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of airflow in the airflow path.
• The vaporiser may be disposed in the vaporising chamber. The vaporising chamber may form part of the airflow path.
• The wick may comprise a porous material. A portion of the wick may be exposed to airflow in the airflow path. The wick may also comprise one or more portions in contact with liquid aerosol precursor stored in the tank. For example, opposing ends of the wick may protrude into the tank and a central portion (between the ends) may extend across the airflow path so as to be exposed to airflow. Thus, fluid may be drawn (e.g. by capillary action) along the wick, from the tank to the exposed portion of the wick.
• The heating element may be in the form of a filament wound about the wick (e.g. the filament may extend helically about the wick). The filament may be wound about the exposed portion of the wick. The heating element is electrically connected (or connectable) to the power source. Thus, in operation, the power source may supply electricity to (i.e. apply a voltage across) the heating element so as to heat the heating element. This may cause liquid stored in the wick (i.e. drawn from the tank) to be heated so as to form a vapour and become entrained in airflow along the airflow path. This vapour may subsequently cool to form an aerosol e.g. in the conduit.
• In a third aspect there is provided a method of using the aerosol-delivery (e.g. smoking substitute) system according to the second aspect, the method comprising engaging the consumable component with an aerosol-delivery (e.g. smoking substitute) device (as described above) having a power source so as to electrically connect the power source to the consumable component (i.e. to the vaporiser of the consumable component).
• The invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• So that further aspects and features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments will now be discussed in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
• Fig. 1A is a front schematic view of a smoking substitute system;
• Fig. 1B is a front schematic view of a device of the system;
• Fig. 1C is a front schematic view of a component of the system;
• Fig. 2A is a schematic of the components of the device;
• Fig. 2B is a schematic of the components of the component;
• Fig. 3 is a section view of the component;
• Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device; and
• Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-section view of a smoking substitute device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
• Aspects and embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
• Fig. 1A shows a first embodiment of asmoking substitute system 100. In this example, thesmoking substitute system 100 includes adevice 102 and acomponent 104. Thecomponent 104 may alternatively be referred to as a "pod", "cartridge" or "cartomizer". It should be appreciated that in other examples (i.e. open systems), the device may be integral with the component. In such systems, a tank of the aerosol delivery system may be accessible for refilling the device.
• In this example, thesmoking substitute system 100 is a closed system vaping system, wherein thecomponent 104 includes a sealedtank 106 and is intended for single-use only. Thecomponent 104 is removably engageable with the device 102 (i.e. for removal and replacement).Fig. 1A shows thesmoking substitute system 100 with thedevice 102 physically coupled to thecomponent 104,Fig. 1B shows thedevice 102 of thesmoking substitute system 100 without thecomponent 104, andFig. 1C shows thecomponent 104 of thesmoking substitute system 100 without thedevice 102.
• Thedevice 102 and thecomponent 104 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing thecomponent 104 into a cavity at anupper end 108 of thedevice 102, such that there is an interference fit between thedevice 102 and thecomponent 104. In other examples, thedevice 102 and the component may be coupled by screwing one onto the other, or through a bayonet fitting.
• Thecomponent 104 includes a mouthpiece (not shown inFig. 1A, 1B or 1C) at anupper end 109 of thecomponent 104, and one or more air inlets (not shown) in fluid communication with the mouthpiece such that air can be drawn into and through thecomponent 104 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece. Thetank 106 containing e-liquid is located at thelower end 111 of thecomponent 104.
• Thetank 106 includes awindow 112, which allows the amount of e-liquid in thetank 106 to be visually assessed. Thedevice 102 includes aslot 114 so that thewindow 112 of thecomponent 104 can be seen whilst the rest of thetank 106 is obscured from view when thecomponent 104 is inserted into the cavity at theupper end 108 of thedevice 102.
• Thelower end 110 of thedevice 102 also includes a visual feedback element 116 (e.g. one or more LEDs) located behind a small translucent cover. Thevisual feedback element 116 is configured to provide a plurality of intensity levels, for example from a relatively low intensity to a relatively high intensity of light emission. Thevisual feedback element 116 activates when thesmoking substitute system 100 is activated. The intensity of the visual feedback element increases gradually, when a user inhalation event is detected, over a duration of the user inhalation. For example, as the user inhales through the device, the visual feedback element will gradually increase in intensity. When the user ceases inhaling through the device, the visual feedback element may cease providing visual feedback.
• The area of thedevice 102 including thevisual feedback element 116 may be formed of a diffusing material, for example polycarbonate, such that light emitted from sources of light within thedevice 102 is diffused as it is transmitted through the diffusing material. The area of thedevice 102 including the visual feedback element may be the illumination region, with one or more sources of light being located within the device and beneath the illumination region.
• Whilst not shown, thecomponent 104 may identify itself to thedevice 102, via an electrical interface, RFID chip, or barcode.
• Thelower end 110 of thedevice 102 also includes acharging connection 115, which is usable to charge a battery within thedevice 102. Thecharging connection 115 can also be used to transfer data to and from the device, for example to update firmware thereon.
• Figs. 2A and 2B are schematic drawings of thedevice 102 andcomponent 104. As is apparent fromFig. 2A, thedevice 102 includes apower source 118, acontroller 120, amemory 122, awireless interface 124, anelectrical interface 126, and, optionally, one or moreadditional components 128.
• Thepower source 118 is preferably a battery, more preferably a rechargeable battery. Thecontroller 120 may include a microprocessor, for example. Thememory 122 preferably includes non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions which, when implemented, cause thecontroller 120 to perform certain tasks or steps of a method. Thecontroller 120 is configured to control the intensity of the visual feedback element in the manner discussed previously. Thememory 122 may contain the predefined intensity profile used by the controller to control the visual feedback element.
• Thewireless interface 124 is preferably configured to communicate wirelessly with another device, for example a mobile device, e.g. via Bluetooth®. To this end, thewireless interface 124 could include a Bluetooth® antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces, e.g. WiFi®, are also possible. Thewireless interface 124 may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote server.
• Theelectrical interface 126 of thedevice 102 may include one or more electrical contacts. Theelectrical interface 126 may be located in a base of the aperture in theupper end 108 of thedevice 102. When thedevice 102 is physically coupled to thecomponent 104, theelectrical interface 126 is configured to transfer electrical power from thepower source 118 to the component 104 (i.e. upon activation of the smoking substitute system 100).
• Theelectrical interface 126 may also be used to identify thecomponent 104 from a list of known components. For example, thecomponent 104 may be a particular flavour and/or have a certain concentration of nicotine (which may be identified by the electrical interface 126). This can be indicated to thecontroller 120 of thedevice 102 when thecomponent 104 is connected to thedevice 102. Additionally, or alternatively, there may be a separate communication interface provided in thedevice 102 and a corresponding communication interface in thecomponent 104 such that, when connected, thecomponent 104 can identify itself to thedevice 102.
• Theadditional components 128 of thedevice 102 may comprise thevisual feedback element 116 discussed above.
• Theadditional components 128 of thedevice 102 also comprises thecharging connection 115 configured to receive power from the charging station (i.e. when thepower source 118 is a rechargeable battery). This may be located at thelower end 110 of thedevice 102.
• Theadditional components 128 of thedevice 102 may, if thepower source 118 is a rechargeable battery, include a battery charging control circuit, for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, a battery charging control circuit could equally be located in the charging station (if present).
• Theadditional components 128 of thedevice 102 may include a sensor, such as an airflow (i.e. puff) sensor for detecting airflow in thesmoking substitute system 100, e.g. caused by a user inhaling through amouthpiece 136 of thecomponent 104. Thesmoking substitute system 100 may be configured to be activated when airflow is detected by the airflow sensor. This sensor could alternatively be included in thecomponent 104. The airflow sensor can be used to determine, for example, how heavily a user draws on the mouthpiece or how many times a user draws on the mouthpiece in a particular time period.
• Theadditional components 128 of thedevice 102 may include a user input, e.g. a button. Thesmoking substitute system 100 may be configured to be activated when a user interacts with the user input (e.g. presses the button). This provides an alternative to the airflow sensor as a mechanism for activating thesmoking substitute system 100.
• As shown inFig. 2B, thecomponent 104 includes thetank 106, anelectrical interface 130, avaporiser 132, one ormore air inlets 134, amouthpiece 136, and one or moreadditional components 138.
• Theelectrical interface 130 of thecomponent 104 may include one or more electrical contacts. Theelectrical interface 126 of thedevice 102 and anelectrical interface 130 of thecomponent 104 are configured to contact each other and thereby electrically couple thedevice 102 to thecomponent 104 when thelower end 111 of thecomponent 104 is inserted into theupper end 108 of the device 102 (as shown inFig. 1A). In this way, electrical energy (e.g. in the form of an electrical current) is able to be supplied from thepower source 118 in thedevice 102 to thevaporiser 132 in thecomponent 104.
• Thevaporiser 132 is configured to heat and vaporise e-liquid contained in thetank 106 using electrical energy supplied from thepower source 118. As will be described further below, thevaporiser 132 includes a heating filament and a wick. The wick draws e-liquid from thetank 106 and the heating filament heats the e-liquid to vaporise the e-liquid.
• The one ormore air inlets 134 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into thesmoking substitute system 100, when a user inhales through themouthpiece 136. When thecomponent 104 is physically coupled to thedevice 102, theair inlets 134 receive air, which flows to theair inlets 134 along a gap between thedevice 102 and thelower end 111 of thecomponent 104.
• In operation, a user activates thesmoking substitute system 100, e.g. through interaction with a user input forming part of thedevice 102 or by inhaling through themouthpiece 136 as described above. Upon activation, thecontroller 120 may supply electrical energy from thepower source 118 to the vaporiser 132 (viaelectrical interfaces 126, 130), which may cause thevaporiser 132 to heat e-liquid drawn from thetank 106 to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through themouthpiece 136.
• An example of one of the one or moreadditional components 138 of thecomponent 104 is an interface for obtaining an identifier of thecomponent 104. As discussed above, this interface may be, for example, an RFID reader, a barcode, a QR code reader, or an electronic interface which is able to identify the component. Thecomponent 104 may, therefore include any one or more of an RFID chip, a barcode or QR code, or memory within which is an identifier and which can be interrogated via the electronic interface in thedevice 102.
• It should be appreciated that thesmoking substitute system 100 shown infigures 1A to 2B is just one exemplary implementation of a smoking substitute system. For example, the system could otherwise be in the form of an entirely disposable (single-use) system or an open system in which the tank is refillable (rather than replaceable).
• Fig. 3 is a section view of thecomponent 104 described above. Thecomponent 104 comprises atank 106 for storing e-liquid, amouthpiece 136 and aconduit 140 extending along a longitudinal axis of thecomponent 104. In the illustrated embodiment theconduit 140 is in the form of a tube having a substantially circular transverse cross-section (i.e. transverse to the longitudinal axis). Thetank 106 surrounds theconduit 140, such that theconduit 140 extends centrally through thetank 106.
• Atank housing 142 of thetank 106 defines an outer casing of thecomponent 104, whilst aconduit wall 144 defines theconduit 140. Thetank housing 142 extends from thelower end 111 of thecomponent 104 to themouthpiece 136 at theupper end 109 of thecomponent 104. At the junction between themouthpiece 136 and thetank housing 142, themouthpiece 136 is wider than thetank housing 142, so as to define alip 146 that overhangs thetank housing 142. Thislip 146 acts as a stop feature when thecomponent 104 is inserted into the device 102 (i.e. by contact with an upper edge of the device 102).
• Thetank 106, theconduit 140 and themouthpiece 136 are integrally formed with each other so as to form a single unitary component and may e.g. be formed by way of an injection moulding process. Such a component may be formed of a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene.
• Themouthpiece 136 comprises amouthpiece aperture 148 defining an outlet of theconduit 140. Thevaporiser 132 is fluidly connected to themouthpiece aperture 148 and is located in a vaporisingchamber 156 of thecomponent 104. The vaporisingchamber 156 is downstream of theinlet 134 of thecomponent 104 and is fluidly connected to the mouthpiece aperture 148 (i.e. outlet) by theconduit 140.
• Thevaporiser 132 comprises aporous wick 150 and aheater filament 152 coiled around theporous wick 150. Thewick 150 extends transversely across the chamber vaporising 156 between sidewalls of thechamber 156 which form part of aninner sleeve 154 of aninsert 158 that defines thelower end 111 of thecomponent 104 that connects with thedevice 102. Theinsert 158 is inserted into an open lower end of thetank 106 so as to seal against thetank housing 142.
• In this way, theinner sleeve 154 projects into thetank 106 and seals with the conduit 140 (around the conduit wall 144) so as to separate the vaporisingchamber 156 from the e-liquid in thetank 106. Ends of thewick 150 project through apertures in theinner sleeve 154 and into thetank 106 so as to be in contact with the e-liquid in thetank 106. In this way, e-liquid is transported along the wick 150 (e.g. by capillary action) to a central portion of thewick 150 that is exposed to airflow through the vaporisingchamber 156. The transported e-liquid is heated by the heater filament 152 (when activated e.g. by detection of inhalation), which causes the e-liquid to be vaporised and to be entrained in air flowing past thewick 150. This vaporised liquid may cool to form an aerosol in theconduit 140, which may then be inhaled by a user.
• Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of thedevice 102 engaged with thecomponent 104 at theupper end 108. Thedevice 102 includes acharging connection 115 at thelower end 110.
• Thefront surface 201 of thedevice body 200 is curved in the transverse dimension. Therear surface 202 of thedevice body 200 is curved in the transverse dimension. The curvatures of thefront surface 201 andrear surface 202 are of the opposite sense to one another. Both front andrear surfaces 201, 202 are convex in the transverse dimension. This leads to a mandorla-/lemon-/eye-shaped cross sectional shape of thedevice body 200.
• Thefront surface 201 includes avisual feedback element 116 of the type discussed previously.
• Thefront surface 201 andrear surface 202 meet at twotransverse edges 205. Thetransverse edges 205 have a radius of curvature that is significantly smaller than the radius of curvature of either the front 201 orrear surface 202. This leads to the transverse edges being substantially "pointed" or "sharp". The transverse edges may have a radius of curvature in the transverse dimension of less than 1 millimetre.
• As illustrated inFig. 4, thetransverse edges 205 extend substantially the full longitudinal length of thedevice body 200.
• Thefront surface 201 of thedevice body 200 may include visual user feedback means.
• Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic transverse cross section through thedevice 102 ofFig. 4, in accordance with an embodiment. Thefront surface 201 andrear surface 202 are shown meeting at thetransverse edges 205 on either side of thedevice body 200. The radius of curvature in the transverse dimension of thefront surface 201 is equal to the radius of curvature in the transverse dimension of therear surface 202.
• The radius of curvature of thefront surface 201 may be between 10 and 15 mm.
• While exemplary embodiments have been described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting.
• Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "have", "comprise", and "include", and variations such as "having", "comprises", "comprising", and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
• It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.
• The words "preferred" and "preferably" are used herein refer to embodiments of the invention that may provide certain benefits under some circumstances. It is to be appreciated, however, that other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different circumstances. The recitation of one or more preferred embodiments therefore does not mean or imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, or from the scope of the claims.

Claims (13)

1. An aerosol delivery device, comprising:

   an inhalation sensor, configured to detect a user inhaling through a mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery device;

   a visual feedback element, configured to provide visual feedback to the user; and

   a controller, connected to the inhalation sensor and visual feedback element, and configured to gradually change the intensity of the visual feedback element, when the inhalation sensor detects a user inhalation, over a duration of the user inhalation.
2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the change of the intensity of the visual feedback element is based on an intensity and/or duration profile of the inhalation as detected by the inhalation sensor.
3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the change of the intensity of the visual feedback element is proportional to the intensity and/or duration profile of the inhalation as detected by the inhalation sensor.
4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the change of the intensity of the visual feedback element follows a predefined intensity profile.
5. The aerosol delivery device of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is further configured to terminate visual feedback from the visual feedback element when it detects via the inhalation sensor that inhalation has ceased.
6. The aerosol delivery device of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is further configured to detect a charge level of a battery in the aerosol delivery device, and to vary a parameter of the visual feedback element based on the detected charge level.
7. The aerosol delivery device of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to vary a colour of the visual feedback element based on the detected charge level being below a predetermined threshold charge level.
8. The aerosol delivery device of any preceding claim, wherein the visual feedback element comprises:

   an illumination region of a main body of the aerosol delivery device; and

   a source of light, contained within the main body, the illumination region being configured such that light provided by the source of light passes through the illumination region of the main body;

   wherein the controller is configured to gradually change the intensity of the source of light.
9. The aerosol delivery device of claim 8, wherein the source of light is an array of light emitting diodes.
10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the illumination region of the main body is made from a diffusing material, such that the light passing through the illumination region from the source of light is diffused.
11. The aerosol delivery device of any of claims 8 - 10, wherein the main body includes a shell having a first area with a first thickness, and a second area with a second thickness, the first area including the illumination region and the first thickness being thinner than the second thickness.
12. The aerosol delivery device of any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol delivery device has a mandorla-shaped cross-section.
13. An aerosol delivery system comprising a device according to any one of the preceding claims and a component comprising an aerosol precursor.

Images