TW202038761A - Smoking substitute system - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a system having a smoking substitute device for heating a consumable according to a consumable cycle. The smoking substitute device comprises a measurement means for measuring a usage of the device by a user during the consumable cycle, and a controller configured to determine an exhaustion level of the consumable during the consumable cycle based on the usage. The controller is further configured to control an aspect of the operation of the smoking substitute device during the consumable operating cycle based on the exhaustion level.

Description

Smoking replacement system

The present invention is related to smoking replacement systems, and particularly (but not exclusively) to smoking replacement systems that include devices for heating consumables during the cycle of consumables.

It is generally believed that smoking grass exposes smokers to potentially harmful substances. It is generally believed that a large amount of potentially harmful substances are produced through the heat caused by the burning and/or burning of tobacco and the burning tobacco components in the tobacco smoke itself.

Conventional flammable smoking products (such as cigarettes) generally include cylindrical tobacco rods and usually also cylindrical filters. Cylindrical tobacco rods include shredded tobacco surrounded by wrapping paper, and the filter is adjacent to the wrapped tobacco rod. Align the ground axis. Filters generally include filter material enclosed by a plug sleeve. The wrapped tobacco rod and the filter are joined together by a wrapped tipping paper tape, which wraps the entire length of the filter and the adjacent part of the wrapped tobacco rod. This conventional cigarette is used by igniting the end opposite to the filter and burning the tobacco rod. Smokers receive mainstream smoke into their mouths by smoking at the mouth end or filter end of the cigarette.

It is known that the burning of organic materials (such as tobacco) produces tar and other potentially harmful by-products. Various smoking alternative systems (or "alternative smoking systems") have been proposed to avoid smoking grass.

This type of smoking replacement system can form part of nicotine replacement therapy, which is aimed at people who want to stop smoking and overcome their dependence on nicotine.

Smoking substitution systems include electronic systems that allow users to simulate smoking by generating smoke (also called "vapor"), which is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhalation) and then exhaled. Inhaled smoke generally contains nicotine and/or flavors, which do not have or have less odor and health risks associated with traditional smoking.

In general, the smoking substitution system aims to provide alternatives to smoking rituals, while providing a similar experience to users and providing satisfaction to those who have experience in traditional smoking and flammable tobacco products. Some smoking replacement systems use smoking replacement products (also called "consumables") that are designed to resemble traditional cigarettes that are cylindrical in form and have a mouthpiece at one end.

In the past few years, the popularity and use of smoking alternative systems have grown rapidly. Although originally sold as an aid to habitual smokers who wish to quit smoking, consumers increasingly regard the smoking alternative system as a desirable lifestyle accessory.

There are many different types of smoking replacement systems, each using a different method of smoking replacement.

One method used in smoking alternative systems is the so-called heated tobacco ("HT") method, in which tobacco (rather than "e-liquid") is heated or warmed to release vapor. HT is also called "heat not burn" ("HNB"). The tobacco can be tobacco leaf or reconstituted tobacco. The vapor may contain nicotine and/or flavoring agents. In the HT method, the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not ignited, that is, the tobacco does not experience combustion.

A typical HT smoking replacement system can include equipment and consumables. The consumable may include tobacco material. The equipment and consumables can be configured to be physically coupled together. During use, the heating element of the device can be used to impart heat to the tobacco material, wherein the air flow through the tobacco material causes the components in the tobacco material to be released as vapor. The vapor may also be formed by a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may, for example, include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin) and additional volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapor can be entrained in the air stream drawn through the tobacco.

As the vapor passes through the consumable (entrained in the air stream) from the vaporization position to the outlet of the consumable (such as the mouthpiece of the cigarette holder), the vapor cools and condenses to form smoke for the user to inhale. Smoke will usually contain volatile compounds.

In the HT smoking replacement system, it is believed that heating rather than igniting the tobacco material causes fewer or smaller amounts of the more harmful compounds that are usually produced during smoking. Thus, the HT method can reduce the odor and/or health risks that may be caused by the ignition, combustion, and pyrolysis degradation of tobacco.

Such systems generally operate by heating consumables for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined time is the same for each consumable cycle (that is, each time the device is used to consume consumables). Therefore, in some cases, even if the consumables are not necessarily completely consumed (for example, when the consumables have been consumed slower than normal), the device can prevent further consumption (due to the end of the predetermined time). In other cases, for example, where the consumable is consumed faster than normal, the device may allow the consumable to be heated after the consumable has been consumed.

It may be necessary to improve the design of smoking replacement systems (especially HT smoking replacement systems) to enhance the user experience and improve the function of HT smoking replacement systems.

This disclosure is designed in view of the above considerations.

In the broadest sense, the present invention is related to smoking replacement devices for heating consumables during their cycles. Smoking replacement devices can be controlled based on the exhaustion level of consumables.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a smoking substitute device for heating consumables according to the circulation of the consumables. The smoking substitute device includes: a measuring member for measuring the use of the device by the user during the circulation of the consumables; The controller is configured to determine the depletion level of consumables during the consumable cycle based on usage, and the controller is further configured to control an aspect of the operation of the smoking replacement device during the consumable operation cycle based on the depletion level.

By providing a device with a controller that can determine the depletion level of consumables, the operation of the device can be changed based on this determination. For example, in the case where consumables are consumed more slowly than normal, the controller may be able to extend the length of the consumables cycle. This ensures that every consumable is completely consumed. Similarly, in the case where consumables are consumed faster than normal, the controller can limit the circulation of consumables.

The term "consumable cycle" can refer to a predetermined heating cycle of a single consumable. The term "exhaustion level" is used to describe the extent to which consumables have been consumed.

The optional features will now be listed. These features are applicable individually or in any combination with any aspect.

The measurement member may include a sensor. The sensor may be a puff sensor configured to detect the user's puff (ie, inhale) on the consumable. The use of the device can be based on at least one puff detection by the puff sensor. In addition to detecting the presence of the puff, the puff sensor can also be configured to detect one or more characteristics of the puff, such as the length of the puff and/or the strength of the puff. The puff sensor may be in the form of a pressure sensor or an acoustic sensor (or may include a pressure sensor or an acoustic sensor). The measurement made by the puff sensor can be used to calculate the volume of puff. The pause time between puffs can also be used in the decision to use.

The determination of the exhaustion level (for example by calculation) may be based on the operating temperature of the heater of the device during the consumable cycle. The device may include a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater. The temperature sensor may be in the form of a temperature sensing rail formed into the heating element of the heater or mounted to the heating element. The temperature sensor can be connected to the controller for transmitting a signal indicating the temperature of the heater to the controller.

The determination of the exhaustion level may be based on the power level supplied to the heater of the device during the consumable cycle. The controller may be configured to control the power supplied from the power source of the device to the heater. The controller can be configured to control the power and control at the first power level and the second power level. It is possible to supply more power to the heater when controlling the power source according to the second power level. The exhaustion level can be based on the proportion of consumable cycles attributed to each power level. A higher percentage of the second power level can indicate a higher level of exhaustion.

The device may include an ambient temperature measuring member configured to measure the ambient temperature of the device. The ambient temperature may be the temperature of the environment (for example, room temperature). The device may include an ambient air temperature sensor arranged to measure the temperature of the ambient air. The ambient air temperature sensor can be placed at or near the outer surface of the device. Higher ambient temperatures can cause consumables to run out faster. Therefore, the determination of the exhaustion level can be based on ambient temperature measurements.

The determination of the exhaustion level can be based on the user-selectable operating mode of the device during the consumable cycle. The operating mode may correspond to the power level supplied to the heater (eg, the power level discussed above). The controller can be configured to operate according to a plurality of operating modes. The difference in operation mode can be in how the controller controls the heater. For example, one power mode may include heating the heater gradually, while another power mode may include heating more quickly (for example, at the expense of power consumption).

Aspects of the operation of the device may include controlling the duration of the consumable cycle based on the depletion level. The controller can be configured to compare the depletion level with a predetermined threshold level. If the exhaustion level exceeds a predetermined level, the controller can reduce the duration of the consumable cycle. On the other hand, if the exhaustion level is less than a predetermined level, the controller may increase the duration of the consumable cycle. The predetermined threshold level can be selected based on the expected exhaustion at the time point in the cycle (ie, the time point at which the comparison is made). For example, if the comparison is made at the end of the cycle (or near the end), the predetermined threshold may indicate the complete exhaustion of consumables.

The controller may be configured to extend the duration of the consumable cycle for a predetermined extended time if the exhaustion level is lower than a predetermined minimum exhaustion threshold. The controller can compare the depletion level with the minimum depletion level at the end of the loop (or near the end). The controller can be configured to control the user interface (UI) of the device to indicate to the user that the duration of the consumable cycle is extended. The controller may be configured to extend the duration of the consumable cycle after receiving an input signal from the UI (for example, in response to an instruction to extend the duration). In this regard, the device can be configured to give the user the option of extending the duration of the consumable cycle.

The controller can be configured to shorten the duration of the consumable cycle if the depletion level exceeds a predetermined maximum depletion threshold. This can ensure that the consumables are not excessively used up (and, for example, are consumed by the user when the consumables are completely used up).

Aspects of the operation of the device may include controlling the operating temperature of the heater of the device during the consumable cycle based on the depletion level. For example, the controller can be configured to reduce the temperature of the heater if the depletion level exceeds a predetermined maximum depletion level. This can slow down the exhaustion of consumables. Likewise, the controller can be configured to increase the temperature of the heater if the exhaustion level is lower than a predetermined minimum exhaustion level. The minimum exhaustion level and the maximum exhaustion level can define the required exhaustion range for the time point in the consumable cycle for comparison.

The smoking alternative device may include a user output member (which for example forms part of the UI) for providing user feedback to the user. The controller may be configured to control the user output member to indicate to the user control of aspects of the operation of the smoking substitute device. The user output member may include one or more lights or tactile feedback components.

The device may include an elongated body. The end of the elongate body can be configured for engagement with an aerosol forming article. For example, the main body may be configured to engage with heating tobacco (HT) consumables (or heat not burn (HNB) consumables) or electronic cigarette consumables. The terms "heated tobacco" and "heat not burn" are used interchangeably herein to describe the type of consumable that is heated rather than burned (or used interchangeably to describe equipment for use with such consumables). The device may include a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the consumable (ie for engaging with the consumable). The aerosol forming article may be of a type that includes an aerosol forming agent (for example, an aerosol forming agent carried by an aerosol forming substrate).

As discussed above, the device may include a heater for heating the aerosol forming article. The heater may include a heating element in the form of a rod extending from the main body of the device. The heating element may extend from the end of the main body configured for engagement with the aerosol forming article.

The heater (and therefore the heating element) can be rigidly mounted to the main body. The heating element may be elongated so as to define a longitudinal axis, and may for example have a substantially circular transverse profile (ie transverse to the longitudinal axis of the heating element) (ie the heating element may be substantially cylindrical). Alternatively, the heating element may have a rectangular transverse profile (ie the heater may be a "blade heater"). Alternatively, the heating element may be in the shape of a tube (ie, the heater may be a "tube heater"). The heating element may take other forms (for example, the heating element may have an oval transverse profile). The shape and/or size (for example, diameter) of the lateral profile of the heating element may be approximately the same for the entire length (or substantially the entire length) of the heating element.

The length of the heating element may be between 15 mm and 25 mm, for example between 18 mm and 20 mm, for example about 19 mm. The diameter of the heating element may be between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, for example between 2 mm and 2.3 mm, for example about 2.15 mm.

The heating element may be formed of ceramic. The heating element may include a core containing Al ₂ O ₃ (for example a ceramic core). The core of the heating element may have a diameter of 1.8 mm to 2.1 mm (for example between 1.9 mm and 2 mm). The heating element may include an outer layer (for example, an outer ceramic layer) containing Al ₂ O ₃ . The thickness of the outer layer may be between 160 μm and 220 μm, for example between 170 μm and 190 μm, for example about 180 μm. The heating element may include a heating rail extending longitudinally along the heating element. The heating rail can be sandwiched between the outer layer of the heating element and the core. The heating rail may include tungsten and/or rhenium. The heating rail may have a thickness of about 20 μm.

The heating element may be located in the cavity (of the device) and may extend from the inner base of the cavity towards the opening of the cavity (for example along the longitudinal axis). The length of the heating element (ie, the length along the longitudinal axis of the heater) may be less than the depth of the cavity. Therefore, the heating element may only extend up to a part of the length of the cavity. That is, the heating element may not extend through (or beyond) the opening of the cavity.

The heating element can be configured to be inserted into the aerosol-forming article (eg, HT consumable) when the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity. In that regard, the distal end of the heating element (ie the distal end relative to the base of the heating element where the heating element is mounted to the device) may include a tapered portion, which may facilitate the insertion of the heating element into the aerosol forming article in. The heating element may completely penetrate the aerosol-forming article when it is received in the cavity. That is, the entire length or substantially the entire length of the heating element can be received in the aerosol-forming article.

The heating element may have a length that is less than or substantially the same as the axial length of the aerosol-forming substrate, which forms part of the aerosol-forming article (eg, HT consumable). Therefore, when such an aerosol-forming article is joined to a device, the heating element can only penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate, but not other parts of the aerosol-forming article. The heating element can penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate up to substantially the entire axial length of the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article. Therefore, when the heating element penetrates the aerosol-forming substrate, heat can be conducted from the heating element (for example, the outer peripheral surface of the heating element) to the surrounding aerosol-forming substrate. That is, the heat can be conducted radially outward (in the case of cylindrical heating elements) or, for example, radially inward (in the case of tubular heaters).

If the heater is a tube heater, the heating element of the tube heater may surround at least a part of the cavity. When a portion of the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity, the heating element may surround a portion of the aerosol-forming article (ie in order to heat that portion of the aerosol-forming article). In detail, the heating element may surround the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article. In other words, when the aerosol-forming product is joined to the device, the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-forming product can be located near the inner surface of the (tubular) heating element. When the heating element is activated, heat can be conducted radially inward from the inner surface of the heating element to heat the aerosol forming substrate.

The cavity may include (eg circumferential) one or more walls, and the (tubular) additive member may extend around at least a portion of the one or more walls. In this way, the wall can be located between the inner surface of the heating element and the outer surface of the aerosol-forming article. One or more walls of the cavity may be formed of a thermally conductive material (such as metal) to allow heat conduction from the heating element to the aerosol forming article. Therefore, heat can be conducted from the heating element through one or more cavity walls to the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article received in the cavity.

In some embodiments, the heater may form part of an aerosol forming article for use with the device. In such cases, the device may not include a heater. Instead, the aerosol forming article may include a heater. Such an arrangement may, for example, be suitable for an electronic cigarette system in which the aerosol forming article includes a canister containing an aerosol forming agent, such as an aerosol forming agent in liquid form. In such embodiments, the device may include means for connecting the device to the heater of the aerosol-forming article, which is coupled to the device. For example, the device may include one or more device connectors for (eg, electrically) connecting the device to the corresponding heater connector of the aerosol forming article. The connector (ie, the connector of the device and the connector of the aerosol-forming product) may be in the form of a conductive element (such as a plate), and these conductive elements are in contact when the aerosol-forming product is joined to the device.

In some embodiments, the device may include a top cover provided at the end of the main body, the top cover configured for engagement with the aerosol forming article. If the device includes a heater with a heating element, the top cover may at least partially surround the heating element. The top cover is movable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the inlet and outlet are provided to the heating element. In the closed position, the top cover at least partially surrounds the heating element. The top cover can be slidably engaged with the main body of the device, and can be slidable between an open position and a closed position.

The top cover may define at least a part of the cavity of the device. That is, the cavity may be completely defined by the top cover, or each of the top cover and the main body may define a part of the cavity. If the top cover completely defines the cavity, the top cover may include holes for receiving the heating element into the cavity (when the top cover is in the closed position). The top cover may include an opening to the cavity. The opening may be configured to receive at least a portion of the aerosol forming article. In other words, the aerosol-forming product can be inserted through the opening and inserted into the cavity (so as to engage with the device).

The top cover may be configured such that when the aerosol-forming article is engaged with the device (eg, received in the cavity), only a portion of the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity. That is, a part of the aerosol-forming article (the part not received in the cavity) may protrude from the opening (ie, extend beyond the opening). This (protruding) part of the aerosol-forming article may be the terminal (eg mouth) end of the aerosol-forming article, which is received in the user's mouth for the purpose of inhaling the smoke formed by the device.

As described above, the device may include a power source or be connectable to a power source (for example, a power source separate from the device). The power source may be electrically connected to the heater. In that regard, changing (such as switching) the electrical connection of the power supply to the heater can affect the state of the heater. For example, switching the electrical connection of the power supply to the heater can switch the heater between an on state and an off state. The power source can be a power storage. For example, the power source may be a battery or a rechargeable battery (such as a lithium ion battery).

Devices can include input connections (eg, USB ports, micro USB ports, USB-C ports, etc.). The input connection can be configured for connection to an external power source, such as a main power supply socket. In some cases, the input connection can be used as an alternative to internal power sources such as batteries or rechargeable batteries. That is, the input connection can be electrically connected to the heater (to provide power to the heater). Therefore, in some forms, the input connection may form at least part of the power supply of the device.

If the power source includes a rechargeable power source (such as a rechargeable battery), the input connection can be used to charge and recharge the power source.

In some embodiments, the UI may include an input member to receive operation commands from the user. The input member of the UI may allow the user to control at least one aspect of the operation of the device. In some embodiments, the input member may include a power button to switch the device between an on state and an off state. Alternatively or additionally, the button can be used to extend the duration of the consumable cycle as discussed above.

In some embodiments, the UI may additionally or alternatively include output components to convey information to the user. In some embodiments, the output member may include a light to indicate to the user the condition of the device (and/or aerosol forming article). The conditions of the device (and/or aerosol forming article) indicated to the user may include conditions that indicate the operation of the heater. For example, the condition may include whether the heater is in an off state or an on state. In some embodiments, the UI unit may include at least one of buttons, displays, touch screens, switches, lights, and so on. For example, the output member may include one or more (eg, two, three, four, etc.) light emitting diodes ("LEDs") located on the body of the device. The LED (or display or touch screen) can indicate to the user that the duration of the consumable cycle has increased or decreased, or it can indicate to the user that they can extend the duration (for example, by pressing a button or touching the screen) .

As discussed above, the device may further include a puff sensor (for example, an air flu sensor) that forms a part of the input member of the UI. The puff sensor can be configured to detect that the user draws on the end (ie, the terminal (mouth) end) of the smoke forming article. The puff sensor can be, for example, a pressure sensor or a microphone. The puff sensor can be configured to generate a signal indicating the state of puff. The signal may instruct the user to puff (puff the smoke from the aerosol-forming product) so that it is, for example, in the form of a binary signal. Alternatively or additionally, the signal may indicate the characteristics of the suction (for example, the flow rate of the suction, the length of time of the suction, etc.).

The controller may include, for example, a microcontroller mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The controller may also include memory, such as non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions, which, when implemented, can cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of the method. If the device includes an input connection, the controller can be connected to the input connection.

The controller can be configured to control the operation of the heater (and, for example, the heating element). Therefore, the controller may be configured to control the vaporization of smoke forming part of the aerosol forming article engaged with the device. The controller can be configured to control the voltage applied by the power source to the heater. For example, the controller can be configured to switch between applying the full output voltage (of the power source) to the heater and not applying voltage to the heater. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit can implement more complex heater control protocols.

The device may further include a voltage regulator to adjust the output voltage supplied by the power supply to form a regulated voltage. The adjusted voltage can then be applied to the heater.

In some embodiments, if the device includes a UI, the controller may operate one or more components connected to the UI. The controller can be configured to receive command signals from the input components of the UI. The controller can be configured to control the heater in response to the command signal. For example, the controller can be configured to receive "on" and "off" command signals from the UI, and in response to this, the heater can be controlled to be in the corresponding on or off state.

The controller can be configured to send output signals to UI components. The UI can be configured to respond to such output signals (output signals received from the controller) to convey information to the user through the output component. For example, if the device includes one or more LEDs, the LEDs can be operatively connected to the controller. Therefore, the controller can be configured (for example, in response to the output signal) to control the lighting of the LED. For example, the controller can be configured to control the lighting of the LED according to the state of the heater (for example, on or off).

The device may include a wireless interface configured to communicate wirelessly with external devices (for example, via Bluetooth (such as Bluetooth low energy connection) or WiFi wireless communication). Similarly, the input connection can be configured for wired connection to an external device to provide communication between the device and the external device.

The external device can be a mobile device. For example, the external device may be a smart phone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, or a smart car. You can install applications (such as apps) on external devices (such as mobile devices). Applications can facilitate communication between the device and external devices via wired or wireless connections.

The wireless or wired interface can be configured to transmit signals between the external device and the device's controller. In this regard, the controller can control one aspect of the device in response to a signal received from the external device. Alternatively or additionally, the external device may respond to signals received by the slave device (for example, the controller of the slave device).

In the second aspect, a system (for example, a smoking replacement system) is provided, and the system includes the device and an aerosol forming article as described in the first aspect. The aerosol-forming article may include an aerosol-forming substrate at the upstream end of the aerosol-forming article. The product may be in the form of a smoking substitute product, such as heating tobacco (HT) consumables (also known as heat not burning (HNB) consumables).

As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are intended to refer to the direction of vapor/mist flow, that is, the downstream end of the product/consumable is the mouth end or outlet where the smoke leaves the consumable for inhalation by the user The flow direction of the situation. The upstream end of the product/consumable is the opposite end of the downstream end.

The aerosol-forming substrate can be heated to release at least one volatile compound that can form aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate can be located at the upstream end of the article/consumable.

In order to generate aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate includes at least one volatile compound, which is intended to be vaporized/atomized and can provide leisure and/or medical effects to the user when inhaled. Suitable chemical and/or physiologically active volatile compounds include the group consisting of nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opiates and opioids, norpseudoephedrine and cathinone, and carfalactone , Myristyl ether, β-carboline alkaloid, salvinorin A (salvinorin A), and any combination of the foregoing items, functional equivalents, and/or synthetic substitutes.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include plant material. The plant material may include at least one plant material selected from the list including the following items: Amaranthus dubius , Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry), Argemone mexicana , Amica , Artemisia vulgaris , Yellow Tees, Galea zacatechichi , Canavalia maritima (garan beans) , Cecropia mexicana (Guamura), Cestrum noctumum, Cynoglossum virginianum ( wild comfrey), Cytisus scoparius, Damiana, Entada rheedii, Eschscholzia califomica ( Hualing grass), Fittonia albivenis, Hippobroma longiflora, Humulus japonica ( Japanese hops), Humulus lupulus (hop), Lactuca virosa (poison lettuce) , Laggera alata , Leonotis leonurus , Leonurus cardiaca (leonurus), Leonurus sibiricus (Honeyweed), Lobelia cardinalis , Lobelia inflata (Indian tobacco), Lobelia Nesipeta cataria, (Nepeta), Nicotiana species (tobacco), Nymphaea alba (white lily), Nymphaea caerulea (blue lily), poppy, Passiflora incamata (passiflora) Pedicularis densiflora (Indian warrior) Pedicularis groenlandica (elephant head), Salvia divinorum , Salvia dorrii (tobacco sage), Salvia species (sage), Scutellaria galericulata , Scutellaria lateriflora , Scutellaria nana , Scutellaria species ( coupling grass), Sida acuta (wire grass), Sida rhombi folia , Silene capensis , Syzygium aromaticum (Clove), Tagetes lucida (Mexican tarragon), Tarchonanthus camphoratus , Tumera diffusa (Mexican beet), Verbascum (Mulbascum), Zamia latifolia (Maconha Brava), and the aforementioned items Any combination, functional equivalent, and/or synthetic substitute.

The plant material may be tobacco. Any type of tobacco can be used. This includes but is not limited to flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Maryland tobacco, dark-cured tobacco, oriental tobacco, dark-cured tobacco, perique tobacco, and yellow flower tobacco. This also includes blends of the aforementioned tobaccos.

Tobacco may include one or more of the following items: leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenized tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, shredded tobacco, and/or reconstituted Tobacco (such as pulp restructuring or paper restructuring).

The aerosol-forming substrate may include agglomerated pieces of homogeneous (e.g., paper/pulp reconstituted) tobacco or aggregate fragments/strips formed from such sheets.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include one or more additives selected from the group consisting of humectants, flavorings, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents, and binders.

The seasoning can be provided in solid or liquid form. It may include menthol, licorice, chocolate, fruit flavors (including, for example, citrus, cherry, etc.), vanilla, spices (such as ginger, cinnamon), and tobacco flavors. The flavoring material can be uniformly dispersed throughout the aerosol-forming substrate, or can be provided in isolated locations and/or in varying concentrations throughout the aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-forming substrate can be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so that the product/consumable is similar to a conventional cigarette. Its diameter may be between 5 and 10 mm, for example between 6 and 9 mm or between 6 and 8 mm, for example about 7 mm. Its axial length can be between 10 and 15 mm, for example between 11 and 14 mm, for example about 12 or 13 mm.

The article/consumable may include at least one filter element. There may be a terminal filter element at the downstream/oral end of the article/consumable.

The filter element or at least one of the filter elements (eg, terminal filter element) may include cellulose acetate or polypropylene fiber bundles. At least one filter element (for example, a terminal filter element) may include activated carbon. At least one filter element (for example a terminal element) may comprise paper. The or each filter element may be at least partially (for example completely) surrounded by a plug sleeve (for example a paper plug sleeve).

The final filter element (located at the downstream end of the product/consumable) can be joined to the upstream element forming the product/consumable by wrapping the tipping layer (such as the tipping paper layer). The tipping paper may have an axial length that is longer than the axial length of the terminal filter element, so that the tipping paper completely encloses the terminal filter element plus a wrapping layer surrounding any adjacent upstream elements.

In some embodiments, the article/consumable may include a smoke cooling element that is adapted to cool the smoke generated by the aerosol-forming substrate (generated by heat exchange) before the smoke is inhaled by the user.

The article/consumable may include a spacer element that defines a space or cavity between the aerosol-forming substrate and the downstream end of the consumable. The spacer element may comprise a cardboard tube. The spacer elements can be bound by a (paper) wrapping layer.

In some embodiments, the system may be in the form of an electronic cigarette system (ie, not a heated tobacco system as described above). In such systems, consumables can be in the form of electronic cigarette consumables. The electronic cigarette system can be configured such that consumables can be received and retained in the cavity of the device (ie, so as to be engaged with the device). The consumables can be retained in place, for example, by an interference fit, screwing them to each other, a bayonet joint, or a snap joint mechanism.

The consumable may include a canister that defines a reservoir for storing the aerosol. The aerosol forming agent may be in the form of an electronic liquid (stored in a reservoir).

Consumables can be "disposable" consumables. In other words, after the e-liquid in the tank is used up, the user can intend to throw away the entire consumable. Or, e-liquid can be the only truly "disposable" part of the system. For example, the canister can be refilled with e-liquid, or another component of the system (a component inside or outside the device, such as a refillable cigarette holder) can define a reservoir for e-liquid.

As explained above, the consumable may include a heater configured to heat and vaporize the e-liquid (ie, instead of the heater forming part of the device). The consumable may include a porous siphon oil wick that transfers the e-liquid from the tank to the heating element of the heater. The heating element may be (for example, spirally) a heating wire wound around at least a part of the porous siphon oil core, so that when the heating element is heated (for example, by the action of electric current passing through the heating element), heat can be conducted from the heating element To the e-liquid delivered by the siphon oil wick. This heat conduction can vaporize the e-liquid, and can entrain the generated vapor in the air flow through the consumable.

The consumable may further include one or more heater connectors for connecting the heater (of the consumable) to the device. The heater connector may be in the form of a conductive element or a joint (for example, a metal plate), and may be arranged on the surface of the consumable facing the device during use. The heater connector may be electrically connected to the heater of the consumable material so that power supplied via the heater connector may be transferred to the heater. In other words, the voltage applied across the heater connector may roughly correspond to the voltage applied across the heater's heating element.

The heater connectors may be arranged such that they contact the corresponding device connector of the device when the consumable is engaged with the device. The device connector can be connected (eg, electrically connected) to the power source (eg, battery) of the device. Therefore, power can be supplied from the power source to the heating element via the heater connector and the device connector in contact. In this manner, the heater forming part of the consumable can operate (and interact with, for example, the controller) as originally described above for the heater forming part of the device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using the system as described in the second aspect. The method includes the following steps: inserting an aerosol-forming product into a device; and using a heater of the device to heat the product.

In some embodiments, the method may include the following steps: inserting the article into the cavity in the body of the device, and penetrating the article with the heating element of the device after the article is inserted.

In a fourth aspect, a method of operating a smoking substitute device for heating consumables during a consumable cycle is provided. The method includes the following steps: measuring the use of the device by the user during the consumable cycle; An aspect of determining the depletion level of consumables and controlling the operation of the smoking substitute device during the consumable operation cycle based on the depletion level.

The step of using the measuring device by the user may include the following steps: detecting one or more puffs performed by the user during the cycle of the consumable. The method of the fourth aspect can be as originally described above for the operation of the controller of the first aspect.

The present invention includes combinations of the described aspects and preferred features, unless such combinations are clearly inadmissible or explicitly avoided.

The skilled person will understand that the features or parameters described with respect to any of the above aspects can be applied to any other aspects except where mutually exclusive. And, except where mutually exclusive, any feature or parameter described herein can be applied to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature or parameter described herein.

The aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand additional aspects and embodiments. All documents mentioned in this article are incorporated into this article by reference.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram that provides a general overview of the smoking replacement system 100. The system 100 includes an alternative smoking device 101 and an aerosol forming article in the form of a consumable 102 including an aerosol 103. The system is configured to vaporize the aerosol by heating the aerosol 103 (to form a vapor/mist for inhalation by the user).

In the illustrated system, the heater 104 forms part of the consumable 102 and is configured to heat the aerosol forming agent 103. In this modification, for example, when the consumable 102 is engaged with the device 101, the heater 104 may be electrically connected to the power source 105. The heat from the heater 104 vaporizes the aerosol forming agent 103 to generate steam. The vapor then condenses to form smoke, which is ultimately inhaled by the user.

The power supply 105 forms part of the device 101. In other embodiments, the power supply 105 may be located outside the device 101 (but may be connected to this device). The power source 105 may be electrically connected to the heater 104 so that it can supply power to the heater 104 (ie, for the purpose of heating the aerosol forming agent 103). Therefore, control of the electrical connection of the power supply 105 to the heater 104 provides control of the state of the heater 104. The power source 105 may be a power storage, such as a battery or a rechargeable battery (such as a lithium ion battery).

The system 100 further includes an I/O module including a connector 106 (for example, in the form of a USB port, a micro USB port, a USB-C port, etc.). The connector 106 is configured for connection to an external power source (for example, a main power supply socket). The connector 106 can be used instead of the power supply 105. That is, the connector 106 may be electrically connected to the heater 104 in order to supply electric power to the heater 104. In such embodiments, the device may not include a power source, and the power source of the system may instead include the connector 106 and an external power source (the connector 106 provides electrical connection to this external power source).

In some embodiments, if the power source 105 includes a rechargeable battery, the connector 106 can be used to charge and recharge the power source 105.

The system 100 also includes a user interface (UI) 107. Although not shown, the UI 107 may include an input member to receive commands from the user. The input member of UI 107 allows the user to control at least one aspect of the operation of the system 100. The input member may be in the form of buttons, touch screens, switches, microphones, etc., for example.

The UI 107 also includes output components to convey information to the user. The output member may include, for example, a lamp (such as an LED), a display screen, a speaker, a vibration generator, and so on.

The system 100 further includes a controller 108 configured to control at least one function of the device 101. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 108 is a component of the device 101, but in other embodiments can be separated from the device 101 (but can be connected to this device). The controller 108 is configured to control the operation of the heater 104, and may be configured to control the voltage applied from the power source 105 to the heater 104, for example. The controller 108 can be configured to switch the supply of power to the heater 104 between an on state and an off state. In the on state, the full output voltage of the power supply 105 is applied to the heater 104, and in the off state, the The heater 104 applies voltage.

Although not shown, the system 100 may also include a voltage regulator to regulate the output voltage from the power supply 105 to form a regulated voltage. The adjusted voltage can then be applied to the heater 104.

In addition to being connected to the heater 104, the controller 108 may also be operatively connected to the UI 107. Therefore, the controller 108 can receive input signals from the input members of the UI 107. Similarly, the controller 108 can transmit an output signal to the UI 107. In response to this, the output component of the UI 107 can convey information to the user based on the output signal. The controller also includes a memory 109 which is a non-volatile memory. The memory 109 includes instructions that, when implemented, cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of the method.

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the system 100 of FIG. 1A. In the system 100' of FIG. 1B, the heater 104 forms a part of the device 101 instead of a part of the consumable 102. In this modification, the heater 104 may be electrically connected to the power source 105.

The systems 100, 100' of FIGS. 1A and 1B can be implemented as one of two broad categories of systems, each in accordance with the present invention: a heated tobacco (HT) system and an electronic cigarette system. The description of each system category is as follows.

2A and 2B illustrate a heated tobacco (HT) smoking replacement system 200. The system 200 is an example of the system 100, 100' described in relation to FIG. 1A or 1B. The system 200 includes HT equipment 201 and HT consumables 202. The above description of FIGS. 1A and 1B can be applied to the system 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B, and will therefore not be repeated.

The device 201 and the consumable 202 are configured such that the consumable 202 can be coupled with the device 201. 2A shows the device 201 and the consumable 202 in an engaged state, and FIG. 2B shows the device 201 and the consumable 202 in a disengaged state.

The device 201 includes a main body 209 and a top cover 210. In use, the top cover 210 is joined at the end of the main body 209. Although it cannot be seen from the drawing, the top cover 210 is movable relative to the main body 209. In detail, the top cover 210 is slidable and can slide along the longitudinal axis of the main body 209.

The device 201 includes an output member in the form of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 211 (forming a part of the UI of the device 201), and these LEDs 211 are linearly arranged along the longitudinal axis of the device 201 and arranged in the main body of the device 201 209 on the outer surface. The button 212 is also arranged on the outer surface of the main body 209 of the device 201 and is axially spaced apart from the LEDs 211 (ie, spaced along the longitudinal axis).

FIG. 2C shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the consumables of 202 of the system 200. The consumable 202 is roughly similar to a cigarette. In that regard, the consumable 202 has a generally cylindrical form with a diameter of 7 mm and an axial length of 70 mm. The consumable 202 includes an aerosol-forming substrate 213, a terminal filter element 214, an upstream filter element 215, and a spacer element 216. In other embodiments, the consumable may further include a cooling element. The cooling element may exchange heat with the vapor formed by the aerosol-forming substrate 213 to cool the vapor to promote condensation of the vapor.

The aerosol forming substrate 213 is substantially cylindrical and located at the upstream end 217 of the consumable 202 and includes the aerosol forming agent of the system 200. In that regard, the aerosol-forming substrate 213 is configured to be heated by the device 201 to release vapor. The released vapor is then entrained in the air stream flowing through the aerosol-forming substrate 213. The air flow is generated by the user's suction action on the downstream 218 (ie, terminal or mouth) end of the consumable 202.

In this embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate 213 includes a tobacco material, and the tobacco material may, for example, include any suitable part of a tobacco plant (such as leaves, stems, roots, bark, seeds, and flowers). Tobacco may include one or more of the following items: leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenized tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, shredded tobacco, and/or reconstituted Tobacco (such as pulp restructuring or paper restructuring). For example, the aerosol-forming substrate 213 may include agglomerated pieces of homogeneous (eg, paper/pulp reconstituted) tobacco or aggregated fragments/strips formed from such sheets.

In order to generate smoke, the aerosol-forming substrate 213 includes at least one volatile compound, which is intended to be vaporized/atomized and can provide leisure and/or medical effects to the user when inhaled. The aerosol-forming substrate 213 may further include one or more additives. For example, such additives may be in the form of wetting agents (such as propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin), flavors, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents, and/or binders.

The terminal filter element 214 is also substantially cylindrical, and is located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate 213 and located at the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202. The terminal filter element 214 is in the form of a hollow cavity filter element and has a cavity 219 formed therethrough (for example for air flow). The diameter of the cavity 219 is 2 mm. The terminal filter element 214 is formed of a porous (for example, monoacetate) filter material. As described above, the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202 (ie, where the terminal filter 214 is located) forms the mouthpiece of the consumable 202, on which the user draws. Air flow is drawn from the upstream end 217, through the components of the consumable 202, and drawn from the downstream end 218. The air flow is driven by the user who draws on the downstream end 218 (ie, the mouth portion of the cigarette holder) of the consumable 202.

The upstream filter element 215 is axially located near the aerosol forming substrate 213 and between the aerosol forming substrate 213 and the terminal filter element 214. Similar to the terminal filter 214, the upstream filter element 215 is in the form of a hollow cavity filter element such that it has a cavity 220 extending axially through the hollow cavity filter element. As such, the upstream filter 215 can act as an air flow restrictor. The upstream filter element 215 is formed of a porous (for example, monoacetate) filter material. The cavity 220 of the upstream filter element 215 has a larger diameter (3 mm) than the final filter element 214.

The spacer 216 is in the form of a cardboard tube, and defines a cavity or chamber between the upstream filter element 215 and the terminal filter element 214. The spacer 216 is used to allow the vapor/smoke from the aerosol forming substrate 213 to cool and mix. The spacer has an outer diameter of 7 mm and an axial length of 14 mm.

Although not visible from the drawing, the aerosol-forming substrate 213, the upstream filter 215, and the spacer 216 are surrounded by a paper wrapper. The terminal filter 214 is bound by a tipping layer, which also wraps a part of the paper wrapping layer (in order to connect the terminal filter 214 to the remaining parts of the consumable 202). The upstream filter 215 and the final filter 214 are surrounded by another wrapper in the form of a plug sleeve.

Now returning to the device 201, FIG. 2D shows a detailed view of the end of the device 201, which is configured to be engaged with the consumable 202. The top cover 210 of the device 201 includes an opening 221 (which can be better seen from FIG. 2D) leading to an internal cavity 222 defined by the top cover 210. The opening 221 and the cavity 222 are formed to receive at least a part of the consumable 202. During the joining of the consumable 202 and the device 201, a part of the consumable 202 is received through the opening 221 and received into the cavity 222. After joining (refer to FIG. 2B ), the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202 protrudes from the opening 221 and therefore also protrudes from the device 201. The opening 221 includes a notch 226 disposed laterally. When the consumable 202 is received in the opening 221, these notches 226 remain open and can be used, for example, to hold the cover in place to cover the end of the device 201.

Figure 2E shows a cross-section through a central longitudinal plane, which passes through the device 201. The device 201 is shown engaged with the consumable 202.

The device 201 includes a heater 204 including a heating element 223. The heater 204 forms a part of the main body 209 of the device 201 and is rigidly mounted to the main body 209. In the illustrated embodiment, the heater 204 is a rod heater with a heating element 223, which has a circular transverse profile. In other embodiments, the heater may be in the form of a blade heater (for example, a heating element with a rectangular transverse profile) or a tube heater (for example, a heating element with a tubular form).

The heating element 223 of the heater 204 protrudes from the inner base of the cavity 222 toward the opening 221 along the longitudinal axis. As is obvious from the drawing, the length of the heating element (ie along the longitudinal axis) is less than the depth of the cavity 222. In this way, the heating element 223 does not protrude from the opening 221 or extend beyond the opening.

When the consumable 202 is received in the cavity 222 (as shown in FIG. 2E ), the heating element 223 penetrates the smoke forming substrate 213 of the consumable 202. In detail, when the heating element 223 is inserted in the aerosol-forming substrate 213, the heating element extends to almost the entire axial length of the aerosol-forming substrate. Therefore, when the heater 204 is activated, heat is conducted radially from the outer peripheral surface heating element 223 to the aerosol-forming substrate 213.

The device 201 further includes an electronic device cavity 224. The power source (in the form of a rechargeable battery 205 (lithium ion battery)) is located in the electronic device cavity 224.

The device 201 includes a connector in the form of a USB port 206 (ie forming part of the IO module of the device 201). For example, the connector may alternatively be a micro USB port or a USB-C port. The USB port 206 can be used to recharge the rechargeable battery 205.

The device 201 includes a controller 208 located in the cavity 224 of the electronic device. The controller includes a microcontroller mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The USB port 206 is also connected to the controller 208 (ie to the PCB and microcontroller).

The controller 208 is configured to control at least one function of the device 202. As will be described further below, the controller 208 is configured to control aspects of the operation of the device 201 during the consumable operation cycle based on the depletion level of the consumable 202 engaged with the device 201. For example, the controller 208 is configured to control the operation of the heater 204. Such control of the operation of the heater 204 can be accomplished by the controller switching the electrical connection of the rechargeable battery 205 to the heater 204. For example, the controller 208 is configured to control the heater 204 in response to the user pressing the button 212. Depressing the button 212 may cause the controller to allow voltage (from the rechargeable battery 205) to be applied to the heater 204 (in order to heat the heating element 223).

The heater 204 can be switched using pulse width modulation. In other words, the controller 208 can switch the power supply according to the duty cycle. The controller 208 is configured to control the power source according to multiple power levels. Each power level is associated with a corresponding duty cycle. The duty cycle is proportional to the length of time that the heater 204 is in an on (ie heating) condition for a predetermined period of time. In this embodiment, the controller 208 is configured to control the heater 204 in the "boost" mode and the "endurance" mode. Compared to the endurance mode, the boost mode involves operating the heater 204 at a higher power level (and therefore at a higher duty cycle). Therefore, the operational aspects of the device 201 controlled by the controller 208 may include the power level of the power supply to the heater 204. The boost and endurance modes can be selected by the user (for example, use the button 212 to select). As will be described further below, the power level may also form a condition of the device for determining the exhaustion of the consumable 202.

The controller is also configured to control the LED 211 in response to (eg, detected) conditions of the device 201 or the consumable 202. For example, the controller can control the LED 211 to indicate whether the device 201 is in the on state or the off state (for example, when the device is in the "on" state, one or more of the LEDs 211 can be lit by the controller 208).

The device 201 includes an additional input member in the form of a puff sensor 225 (ie an input member other than the button 212). The puff sensor 225 is configured to detect that the user draws (ie inhales) at the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202. The puff sensor 225 may be in the form of a pressure sensor, a flow meter, or a microphone, for example. The puff sensor 225 is operatively connected to the controller 208 in the cavity 224 of the electronic device, so that the signal indicating the puff state (that is, puffing or not puffing) from the puff sensor 225 forms a signal to the controller 208 Input (and can therefore be responded to by the controller 208).

The puff sensor 225 provides a component for the measurement device 201 to be used by the user, which in turn can be used to determine the exhaustion of the consumable 201 (that is, to determine during the consumable cycle). The puff sensor 225 is configured to measure whether a puff occurs (that is, a puff state) and the intensity of the puff (that is, the size of the air flow caused by the puff). Both of these characteristics can indicate, for example, the puff volume and can be used by the controller 208 to determine the exhaustion of the consumable 202. For example, the total puff time during the cycle of consumables (total puff time until the measurement time) can use up the index. Similarly, the puffed average air flow can also be used to adjust this decision (ie a higher average air flow can mean a greater degree of exhaustion of consumables). Alternatively, each puff can be assigned an exhaustion value indicating exhaustion caused by the puff. The exhaustion value can be formed by combining the air flow during the puff and the length of the puff.

Although not shown, the device 201 also includes other sensors for determining the exhaustion of the consumable 202. The device 201 includes a temperature sensor formed into the heating element 223, the temperature sensor being in the form of a thermocouple including a rail. The rail extends along the heating element 223 in a serpentine manner. The temperature sensor transmits to the controller 208 a signal indicating the temperature of the heating element 223 during operation. The controller 208 forms a heating profile based on this signal, and uses the heating profile to determine the exhaustion level of the consumable 202. Generally speaking, a higher temperature (the temperature of the heating element 223) may cause the consumable 202 to be used up more quickly.

The device 201 also includes an external temperature sensor 227 configured to measure the temperature of the external environment (ie, ambient temperature). Generally speaking, a higher ambient temperature causes the consumable 202 to be used up more quickly. Therefore, this information is also used to determine the exhaustion level of the consumable 202.

As discussed briefly above, the power level supplied to the heater 204 is also used to determine the depletion level of the consumable 202. A higher power level generally results in the heater 204 being used up more quickly.

In response to determining the exhaustion level, the controller 208 is configured to control an aspect of the operation of the device 201. In this embodiment, the controller 208 is configured to compare (the determined depletion level) with the maximum threshold depletion level associated with the consumable cycle time point for comparison. If the usage exceeds the threshold as much as possible, the controller 208 will control the power supply to the heater 204 at a lower power level. This can ensure that the consumable 202 is not completely used up before the end of the consumable cycle. The controller 208 may perform this comparison at predetermined intervals during the consumable cycle. In other embodiments, the controller 208 may perform the comparison after each puff detected.

The controller 208 is also configured to compare the depletion level with a minimum threshold depletion level. This comparison is performed at a predetermined time point in the consumable cycle, which is close to the end of the consumable cycle. If the exhaustion level is below the minimum threshold level, this indicates that the consumables may not be completely exhausted at the end of the cycle. In this case, the controller 208 transmits a signal to the LED 211, which makes the LED 211 blink. This flashing indicates to the user that they have the option to add a predetermined extended period of time to the consumable cycle. If the user presses the button 212 for two seconds while the LED 211 is flashing, the controller 202 extends the cycle of consumables for an extended period of time. That is, the controller 208 continues to allow the supply of electric power to the heater 204 for the extended period of time (in the extended period of time, the supply of electric power would have been prevented).

In other embodiments, the comparison with the minimum threshold exhaustion level can be performed in a manner similar to that described above for the maximum threshold. In other words, the comparison is performed at a predetermined time interval, and the operation of the device can be adjusted accordingly (for example, the power supply to the heater 204 or the predetermined time for circulating consumables). In this regard, the exhaustion rate of consumables can be maintained within a desired range.

The device 201 may be used to provide other user output to indicate to the user the operation control of the smoking substitute device 201. For example, it may indicate an extension of the duration of the consumable cycle and/or a decrease of the duration of the consumable cycle. For example, the user output member may include a tactile feedback component (such as a vibration mechanism) to provide feedback to the user.

In other embodiments, the device 201 may also be configured to indicate the remaining time to complete the current consumable/smoking cycle. The remaining time may be calculated based on the determined depletion level of the consumable 202. For example, the memory of the device 201 can store a predetermined (ie, standard) consumable cycle time, and the controller 208 can count down the timer during the entire cycle. This time can then be adjusted by the controller 208 based on the determination of the exhaustion level at a specific time point.

3A and 3B illustrate an electronic cigarette smoking replacement system 300. The system 300 is an example of the systems 100, 100' of FIGS. 1A and 1B, and includes an electronic cigarette device 301 and an electronic cigarette consumable 302. The above description of FIGS. 1A and 1B can be applied to the system of FIGS. 3A and 3B, and will not be repeated.

The device 301 and the consumable 302 are configured such that the consumable 302 can be coupled with the device 301. FIG. 3A shows the device 301 and the consumable 302 in an engaged state, and FIG. 3B shows the device 301 and the consumable 302 in a disengaged state. During joining, a part of the consumable 302 is received in the cavity 322 of the device 301. The consumable 302 is retained in the device 301 via an interference fit (however, in other embodiments, the device and the consumable can also be joined by screwing them to each other, through a bayonet joint, or by a snap joint mechanism).

The consumable 302 includes a tank 327. The tank 327 defines a reservoir for storing an aerosol forming agent, which in this embodiment is in the form of an electronic liquid.

In this embodiment, the consumable 302 is a "disposable" consumable. In other words, after the e-liquid in the tank 327 is used up, the user is intended to discard the entire consumable 302. In other embodiments, e-liquid (ie, aerosol forming agent) may be the only truly "disposable" part of the system. In such embodiments, the tank may be refillable with e-liquid, or the e-liquid may be stored in non-consumable parts of the system. For example, the e-liquid can be stored in a tank located in the device or in another component that is not itself disposable (such as a refillable cigarette holder).

In the illustrated system 300, the heater 304 is located in the consumable 302 and is configured to heat and vaporize the e-liquid (e-liquid stored in the tank 327). Although not shown, the heater 304 also includes a porous siphon oil core and a resistive heating element. The porous siphon oil wick transfers the e-liquid from the tank 327 to the heating element. The heating element is a heating wire, which is spirally wound around a part of the porous siphon oil core, so that when the heating element is heated (for example, by the action of the electric current passing through the heating element), the heat is conducted from the heating element to the siphon The e-liquid delivered by the wick. This heat conduction vaporizes the e-liquid, and the generated vapor is entrained in the air flow passing through the consumable 302 (ie, the air flow driven by the user sucking on the downstream end 318 of the consumable 302). Between the vaporization point at the coil and the downstream end 318 (ie, the mouth end), the vapor condenses into smoke, which is then inhaled by the user.

Similar to the previously described embodiment, the device 301 includes a power source in the form of a rechargeable battery (not shown) and a connector in the form of a USB port (not shown). The device 301 further includes a controller (also not shown). The rechargeable battery, connector, and controller are similar (and operate in a similar manner) to the corresponding components of the embodiment described above for FIGS. 2A to 2E.

The consumable 302 includes a pair of heater electrical contacts 328 arranged on the end surface of the consumable 302 facing the device. The heater electrical contact 328 is electrically connected to the heater 304 in the consumable 302 such that the voltage applied across the heater electrical contact 328 roughly corresponds to the voltage applied across the resistive heating element of the heater 304.

When the consumable 302 is engaged with the device 301, the heater electrical contact 328 is in electrical contact with the corresponding device electrical contact (not shown) on the device 301. The electrical contacts of the device (directly or indirectly) are electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. The controller can therefore be configured to control the voltage applied from the rechargeable battery across the electrical contacts of the device. By controlling the voltage applied across the electrical contacts of the device, the voltage applied to the heater 304 is correspondingly controlled.

The device 301 includes an output member in the form of a single light emitting diode ("LED") 311 (forming part of the UI of the system 300). The LED 311 is operatively connected to the controller so that the controller can control the lighting of the LED 311. The controller is configured to illuminate the LED when the heater 304 is activated.

The device 301 also includes an input member in the form of a puff sensor (not shown). The puff sensor is the same as the puff sensor described above for the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A to 2E.

It should be understood that the controller of this device 301 can operate in a manner similar to the above-mentioned manner. In this regard, the puff sensor may define a measurement member for measuring the use of the device by the user during the cycle of consumables. The controller may be a controller configured to determine the depletion level of consumables during the consumable cycle based on usage, and may be further configured to control an aspect of the operation of the smoking replacement device during the consumable operation cycle based on the depletion level.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing how the various components of the device 401 (which can be in the form of one of the above-mentioned devices 201, 301) can be operatively connected. The device 401 includes a controller 408 and a plurality of components connected to the controller 408. The controller 408 controls the heater 404 and the user output 411 of the device 401. The controller 408 also intercepts multiple inputs from the puff sensor 425, the ambient temperature sensor 427, and the user input 412. The power module 429 of the controller 408 also supplies power from the power source 405 to the heater 404 so that the power module 429 can control the power supply to the heater 404.

The controller 408 further includes a use module 430, an exhaust module 431, and a UI control module 432. The modules 429, 430, 431, and 432 of the controller 408 can communicate with each other and with a memory 409, which is also operatively connected to the controller 408 for storing information transmitted from the controller 408.

During operation, the use module 430 of the controller 408 can determine the use of the device 401 based on the signal received from the puff sensor 425. These signals indicate the puff state (that is, whether the puff is occurring). Using these signals, the use module 430 can determine the length of each puff (ie, the length of time), the intensity of the puff (ie, air flow), and the length of time of each pause between puffs.

The use of the device 401 is transferred from the use module 430 to the exhaustion module 431, which is configured to determine the exhaustion of consumables connected to the device 401. Usage information only forms part of this decision. The use module 430 receives temperature information from the heater temperature sensor 428 and the ambient temperature sensor 427, and also counts the temperature information into the determination of the exhaustion of consumables. In addition, the power module 429 configured to operate according to a plurality of different power levels is configured to transmit information about the current power level to the exhausted module 431. All these signals are used by the exhaust module 431. It should be understood that additional information or different information can be used to evaluate the exhaustion level of consumables. How to use these signals will depend on the type of consumables and equipment.

In response to the determination of the exhaustion level, the power module 429 may change the power supplied to the heater 404. As mentioned above, this may depend on whether the exhaustion level is between a predetermined maximum threshold level and a minimum threshold level. These predetermined thresholds can be stored in the memory 409. It is also possible to control (controlled by the UI module 432) the user output 411 to indicate to the user that the operation of the device 401 has been adjusted.

If the exhaustion level is lower than the minimum threshold level, the device 401 may provide the user with an option to change the operation of the device 401. This can be provided via user output 411, and the user can respond using user input 412. In such a case, the controller 408 may extend the predetermined cycle time of consumables, so that the user can consume the consumables for an extended period of time.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the scope of the following patent applications, or in the drawings can be used alone or in any combination of such features to implement the present invention in various forms, as appropriate, etc. Features are expressed in their specific forms or in terms of means for performing the disclosed functions, or methods or processes for obtaining the disclosed results.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the above exemplary embodiments, when this disclosure is given, those skilled in the art will understand many equivalent variations and modifications. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and non-limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanation provided in this article is provided for the purpose of improving readers' understanding. The inventor does not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used in this article are for organizational purposes only and are not construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout this specification (including the scope of patent applications below), unless the context requires otherwise, the terms "having", "including", and "including" and their variants will be understood to imply inclusion of the stated integer or Steps, or integers or groups of steps, but do not exclude any other integers or steps, or groups of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the scope of the accompanying patent application, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Ranges can be expressed herein as from "about" one specific value and/or to "about" another specific value. When expressing such a range, another embodiment includes from one specific value and/or to another specific value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximation by using the antecedent "about", it will be understood that this particular value forms another embodiment. The term "about" with respect to numerical values is optional and means, for example, +/-10%.

The terms "preferably" and "preferably" are used herein to refer to embodiments of the present invention that can provide certain benefits in some cases. However, it should be understood that other embodiments may also be preferable under the same or different conditions. Therefore, the description of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply or imply that other embodiments are useless, and are not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of this disclosure or the scope of the patent application.

100: Smoking Alternative System 101: Alternative smoking equipment 102: Consumables 103: Smoke forming agent 104: heater 105: Power 106: Connector 107: User Interface (UI) 108: Controller 109: Memory 200: Smoking Alternative System 201: HT equipment 202: HT consumables 204: heater 205: Rechargeable battery 206: USB port 208: Controller 209: Subject 210: top cover 211: Light-emitting diode (LED) 212: Button 213: Smoke forming substrate 214: terminal filter element 215: Upstream filter element 216: Spacer element 217: Upstream 218: Downstream 219: Hole 220: cavity 221: open 222: cavity 223: heating element 224: Electronic device cavity 225: Puff Sensor 226: Notch 227: External temperature sensor 300: Electronic cigarette smoking alternative system 301: Electronic cigarette equipment 302: Electronic cigarette consumables 327: Can 328: heater electric contact 401: Equipment 404: heater 405: Power 408: Controller 409: Memory 411: User output 412: User input 425: Puff Sensor 427: Ambient temperature sensor 428: Heater temperature sensor 429: Power Module 430: Use Module 431: run out of modules 432: UI control module 100’: System

The embodiments (and experiments) illustrating the principles of the present invention will be discussed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that the present invention can be understood and other aspects and features of the present invention can be understood. In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a smoking replacement system;

Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of a modification of the smoking replacement system of Figure 1A;

Figure 2A is a front view of the first embodiment of the smoking replacement system, in which the consumable is engaged with the device;

Figure 2B is a front view of the first embodiment of the smoking substitution system, where the consumables are detached from the device;

2C is a cross-sectional view of the consumables of the first embodiment of the smoking replacement system;

Figure 2D is a detailed view of the end of the device of the first embodiment of the smoking replacement system;

Figure 2E is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the alternative smoking system;

Figure 3A is a front view of a second embodiment of the smoking replacement system, in which the consumable is engaged with the device;

Figure 3B is a front view of the second embodiment of the smoking replacement system, in which the consumables are detached from the device; and

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a third embodiment of the system.

Domestic deposit information (please note in the order of deposit institution, date and number) no Foreign hosting information (please note in the order of hosting country, institution, date and number) no

401: Equipment

404: heater

405: Power

408: Controller

409: Memory

411: User output

412: User input

425: Puff Sensor

427: Ambient temperature sensor

428: Heater temperature sensor

429: Power Module

430: Use Module

431: run out of modules

432: UI control module

Claims (15)

A smoking substitute device for heating a consumable according to a consumable cycle, the smoking substitute device includes: A measuring member for measuring a use of the device by a user during the cycle of the consumables; and A controller configured to determine a depletion level of the consumable during the cycle of the consumable based on the usage, and The controller is further configured to control one aspect of the operation of the smoking replacement device during the consumable operation cycle based on the exhaustion level. The smoking substitute device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring member includes a puff sensor configured to detect the user's puff on the consumable, wherein the use of the device A detection based on at least one puff performed by the puff sensor. The smoking substitute device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the calculation of the exhaustion level is based on an operating temperature of a heater of the device during the consumable cycle. The smoking substitute device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination of the exhaustion level is based on a power level supplied to a heater of the device during the consumable cycle. The smoking substitute device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device includes an ambient temperature measuring member configured to measure an ambient temperature of the device. The smoking substitute device of claim 5, wherein the determination of the exhaustion level is based on an ambient temperature measurement. The smoking replacement device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination of the exhaustion level is based on a user-selectable operation mode of the device during the cycle of the consumables. The smoking replacement device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the aspect of the operation of the device includes controlling a duration of the consumable cycle based on the exhaustion level. The smoking replacement device according to claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to extend the duration of the consumable cycle for a predetermined extended time if the exhaustion level is lower than a predefined minimum exhaustion threshold. The smoking replacement device according to claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to shorten a duration of the consumable cycle if the exhaustion level exceeds a predefined maximum exhaustion threshold. The smoking substitute device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the aspect of the operation of the device includes controlling an operating temperature of a heater of the device during the consumable cycle based on the exhaustion level. The smoking substitute device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a user output member for providing user feedback to the user, wherein the controller is configured to control the user output member to The user is indicated to the control of the aspect of the operation of the smoking substitute device. The smoking substitute device according to claim 12, wherein the user output member includes one or more lights or a tactile feedback component. A method of operating a smoking substitute device for heating a consumable during a consumable cycle, the method comprising the following steps: Measure the use of the device by a user during the cycle of the consumables; Determine a depletion level of the consumable during the cycle of the consumable based on the usage, and An aspect of the operation of the smoking replacement device is controlled during the consumable operation cycle based on the depletion level. The method of operating a smoking substitute device according to claim 14, wherein the step of measuring a use of the device by a user includes the following steps: detecting one or more actions performed by a user during the consumable cycle Puffed repeatedly.

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