Technical field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating apparatus and an aerosol
generating system such as a smoking substitute apparatus/system. In particular, the
disclosure relates to an aerosol generating apparatus wherein a consumable is engaged
relative to a body.
Background
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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).
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] Atypical 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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.
[0016] 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.
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] As consumer devices that are handled and used by consumers in everyday environments,
it is advantageous for smoking substitute systems to be user friendly and to provide
users with features and functionality to compliment or ancillary to the primary function
of generating an inhalable vapour.
[0020] 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
[0021] According to a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol generating apparatus (e.g.
a smoking substitute apparatus) wherein a consumable is engaged with a body by pushing
the consumable toward the body in a first direction, and wherein the consumable is
disengaged from the body by subsequently pushing the consumable in the same first
direction. Consequently, the consumable is fixed to the body by a mechanism that enables
a relative movement of the consumable and body in a first, push direction, to engage
the mechanism, and a second relative movement of the consumable and body in the first,
push direction to disengage the mechanism. Thus, in the exemplary embodiments, the
consumable is engaged to the body by a push-push mechanism.
[0022] Providing an aerosol generating apparatus wherein a consumable is engaged with a
body by the engagement of a push-push mechanism, allows the consumable to be pushed
relative to the body to engage the body and pushed again relative to the body to disengage
the consumable and body. Once disengaged, the consumable is separated from the body
and can be removed, but whilst engaged, the consumable is restricted from being separated
from the body.
[0023] Advantageously, engaging a consumable with a body using a push-push mechanism provides
an improved user experience. For instance, the push-push mechanism provides an improved
lock between the consumable and body, where the risk of accidental removal is reduced.
That is, a secondary push action, followed by a reverse pull action to remove the
consumable from the body has a reduced likelihood of being accidentally replicated.
In addition, a push-push mechanism provides an enhanced user experience as the push-push
mechanism can be repeatedly actioned without the step of withdrawing the consumable
from the body, providing the user with a fiddle factor.
[0024] In exemplary embodiments, a push-push mechanism comprises a push-push insertion member
and a push-push receiving member. Suitably, the push-push mechanism is configured
so that the push-push insertion member is captured by the push-push receiving member
when the push-push insertion member is pushed towards the push-push receiving member
and released when the members are moved relatively to each other in the same direction.
[0025] Suitably, one of the push-push insertion member or push-push receiving member is
fixed or attached to the body and the other fixed or attached to a second part. In
one exemplary embodiment, the second member is the consumable. For instance, the consumable
may be a capsule or pod (e.g. an E-liquid consumable) and the second part may be integral
or fixed or otherwise connected to a housing of the consumable. Alternatively, the
second member may be a carrier that receives and moves with the consumable. For instance,
the consumable may be a stick or package (e.g. a heat not burn consumable) and the
carrier receives the consumable to move with the consumable. Here, the second part
is integral or fixed or otherwise connected to the carrier. In the embodiments including
a carrier, for instance where the consumable cannot be easily modified to include
the push-push mechanism, the carrier suitably includes a gripping means. Here, the
gripping means is configured to be actuatable to grip the consumable. For instance,
the gripping means may comprise a gripping member that is moved between a free position
(wherein the consumable can be received in the carrier by relative movement) and a
restricted position, wherein the gripping member grips the consumable to restrict
relative movement between the consumable and carrier. For instance, in the restricted
position, the gripping member may restrict a volume of the carrier in which the consumable
is received, such that the restriction acts to grip the consumable in the carrier.
In the exemplary embodimentsincludi8ng a gripping member, the push-push insertion
member is further configured to actuate the gripping means between the free and restricted
positions as the push-push mechanism is disengaged and engaged respectively.
[0026] According to an exemplary aspect, there is therefore provided an aerosol generating
apparatus including a body and a consumable, wherein one of the body or second member
includes a push-push insertion member and the other of the body or second member includes
a push-push receiving member, wherein the push-push insertion member is receivable
by the push-push receiving member to engage the consumable with the body.
[0027] According to a further exemplary aspect, there is therefore provided a consumable
suitable for use with a body in forming an aerosol generating apparatus, wherein the
consumable includes one of a push-push insertion member or a push-push receiving member,
and the respective member is configured so that the push-push insertion member is
receivable by the push-push receiving member to engage the consumable to the body.
[0028] According to a further exemplary aspect, there is therefore provided a body suitable
for use with a consumable in forming an aerosol generating apparatus, wherein the
body includes one of a push-push insertion member or a push-push receiving member,
and the respective member is configured so that the push-push insertion member is
receivable by the push-push receiving member to engage the consumable to the body.
[0029] In exemplary embodiments, the body comprises a recess for receiving the consumable.
The recess suitably has an elongate axis parallel to an elongate axis of the body.
Here, the respective push-push insertion or receiving member may be arranged within
the recess. Suitably, the respective push-push insertion or receiving member is arranged
on an internal side wall of the recess. It will be appreciated that when the consumable
is engaged with the body, at least a portion of the consumable may be spaced from
a distal, closed end of the cavity. The spacing enabling the portion of the consumable
to move further into the recess during the second push action to disengage the push-push
mechanism. It is envisaged the consumable may be an integral unit that moves as a
single part, where the entire distal end of the consumable is spaced from the distal
closed end of the recess in the engaged position. In an alternative embodiment, where
the arrangement of, for instance the heating unit (or other components of the aerosol
deliver system) are not configured to allow respective movement to accommodate the
second push action, the consumable may include a sleeve or the like that moves relative
to other parts of the consumable in order to accommodate the movement associated with
the second push action, without requiring relative movement of the other components
of the consumable with respective components of the body.
[0030] In exemplary embodiments, the push-push mechanism causes the consumable to be engaged
and disengaged from the body. Here, when engaged, the push-push mechanism restricts
relative movement between the consumable and body. The relative movement is restricted
in at least a second direction opposed to the first direction (i.e. a pull direction).
Thus, the consumable may be considered locked to the body. In some embodiments, the
push-push mechanism also prevents rotational movement (i.e. rotation of the consumable
relative to the body) and / or translational movement relative to the first direction
(i.e. sideways movement of the consumable relative to the body). However, it is envisaged
rotational movement and / or translational movement of the consumable relative to
the body may also be restricted by abutment between the consumable and body. For instance,
where the consumable is inserted into a recess in the body, abutment between the recess
and consumable might provide the restriction to relative translational movement. Furthermore,
the recess and consumable may have cooperating alignment features, wherein the cooperating
alignment features may provide the restriction to rotational movement. Here, the cooperating
alignment features may assist the connection of the push-push mechanism, for instance,
where a specific angular alignment is required between the consumable and body to
engage the parts of the push-push mechanism. In some exemplary embodiments, the cooperating
alignment features are a face or protrusion or the like providing one or both of the
body and consumable with a non-rotationally symmetric cross-section. For instance,
the cooperating features may be a facet on the consumable and a corresponding facet
on the body (e.g. on the inner side surface of the recess), where the corresponding
facets allow insertion of the consumable into the recess in a restricted number of
rotational respective alignments. Here, the respective members of the push-push mechanism
may be arranged on the facets.
[0031] In exemplary embodiments, the push-push mechanism includes a biasing means to bias
the consumable to move in the second direction (i.e. the pull direction that is opposed
to the push direction). Thus, the consumable is pushed against the bias of the biasing
means during both the first push action and also the second push action. Advantageously,
the biasing means assists in providing a secure engagement of the push-push mechanism.
In some exemplary embodiments, the push-push mechanism comprises a push-push insertion
member and a push-push receiving member. Here, the insertion member may comprise a
follower. The follower being configured to enter and follow a track. Thus, the receiving
member comprises a track for receiving and guiding the follower. The follower is moveably
connected to a housing (the housing may be a separate part to the respective consumable
or body or may be integral thereto). For instance, the follower may be formed on the
end of an arm or the like wherein the arm is connected to the housing. The connection
may be resilient so that when the arm is moved away from a natural position, it is
biased back towards the natural position. Alternatively, the follower may be retained
by the housing but otherwise free to move. Thus, in either instance, the follower
is configured to move laterally relative to the push direction. Here, the track is
configured to guide the follower at least partially in the first (push) direction
and then to return the follower at least partially along the second (pull) direction
in a different position, such that the follower is caused to abut or hook a part of
the receiving member. That is, the track guides the follower along a first path during
the initial push action of the consumable, and then guides the follower along a second
path as the consumable withdraws (suitably under the presence of a biasing means)
in the second, opposed (pull) direction. The first and second paths being different.
The abutment between the follower and receiving member preventing further respective
movement in the pull direction. Consequently, the insertion member is captured by
the receiving member by guiding the follower from the first path to the second path.
It will be appreciated that the track guides the follower to return along a different
path to the path taken during the push action. As explained to release the follower
form the receiving member, the follower is caused to move at least partially in the
first (push) direction. Here, the track guides the follower to follow a third path
(which may be the reverse of the second path), before returning down a fourth path
during relative movement of the consumable and body in the opposed second (pull) direction.
The fourth path may be the reverse of the first path. In the exemplary embodiments
including a biasing means, the biasing means biases the follower to move along the
second and fourth paths. The receiving member may include a projection of the like
to guide the follower between the first and second paths and between the third and
fourth paths. The projection may be in addition to or an alternative to any resiliency
in the connection of the follower to the housing. For instance, the projection might
be a diverting feature that diverts the follower to take a different path when moved
past the diverting feature in one direction than the other.
[0032] In exemplary embodiments the aerosol generating apparatus includes a power supply,
for supply of electrical energy. Suitably, the aerosol generating apparatus includes
an aerosol generating unit that is driven by the power supply. The power supply may
include an electric power supply in the form of a battery and/or an electrical connection
to an external power source. The aerosol generating apparatus includes precursor,
which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit. The aerosol generating
apparatus includes a delivery system for delivery of aerosolised precursor to a user.
Electrical circuitry may be implemented to control the interoperability of the power
supply and aerosol generating unit. In variant embodiments, the power supply may be
omitted, e.g. an aerosol generating unit implemented as an atomiser with flow expansion
may not require a power supply.
[0033] The consumable may comprise an electrical interface for interfacing with a corresponding
electrical interface of the body. 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 body is engaged with the consumable,
the electrical interface may be configured to transfer electrical power from the power
source to a heating element of the consumable. The electrical interface may also be
used to identify the consumable from a list of known types. The electrical interface
may additionally or alternatively be used to identify when the consumable is connected
to the body. In exemplary embodiments, the electrical contacts are incorporated into
the push-push mechanism. For instance, engagement of the push-push receiving member
with the push-push insertion member also causes engagement of the electrical contacts.
[0034] The aerosol generating apparatus may suitably generate an aerosol from a liquid precursor.
Here, the delivery system includes a flow path that transmits flow in operative proximity
of a heating system of the aerosol generating unit. By operative proximity it is meant
that the flow is transmitted to carry vaporised and/or aerosol precursor generated
from aerosol generating unit to the outlet of the delivery system. The flow path includes
an inlet, and an outlet, which may be arranged as a mouthpiece. The delivery system
includes a precursor transmission system to transmit the precursor, typically in liquid
form from a storage, to the aerosol generating unit. The precursor transmission system
may be implemented as a wick, injector or other suitable device. In such embodiments,
the precursor can be contained in a reservoir or other storage portion.
[0035] In variant embodiments, the precursor transmission system may be implemented by the
aerosol generating unit, for example, as a porous heating component.
[0036] In some embodiments, the consumable is implemented as a capsule/pod. The capsule
is separably connectable to the body. Suitably the body comprises a power supply.
In some embodiments, the capsule includes the precursor, aerosol generating unit and
mouthpiece. Here, suitably a storage portion, which is implemented as a reservoir,
is arranged to carry the precursor.
[0037] In variant embodiments, one or both of the aerosol generating unit and mouthpiece,
are arranged as part of the body, e.g. the mouthpiece is arranged as part of the body
and the precursor and aerosol generating unit are arranged as a separable consumable
(e.g. a cartomizer).
[0038] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating apparatus may suitably generate an aerosol
from a solid precursor. Here, a heating system of the aerosol generating unit interacts
with the precursor to generate vaporised and/or aerosol precursor. The precursor is
typically arranged as a solid and is arranged to receive thermal energy via conductive
heat transfer from the aerosol generating unit, e.g. the heating system is arranged
as a rod, which is inserted into the precursor or as a flat plate to abut a surface
of the precursor. The delivery system includes a flow path that transmits flow from
an inlet through (or in operative proximity to) the precursor to carry the vapour
and/or aerosol to an outlet of the flow path.
[0039] In the embodiments generating aerosol from a solid precursor, a consumable is suitably
implemented as a stick. Here, the stick is separably connectable to the body and the
body comprises a power supply and an aerosol generating unit. Suitably, the stick
includes, proximal the body, the precursor as a reconstituted tobacco formulation
and, distal the body, a mouthpiece arranged as a filter. A storage portion, which
is implemented as wrapping material may be arranged to carry the precursor.
[0040] The body suitably houses a source of power which may be a battery. The source of
power may be a capacitor. The power source may be a rechargeable power source. The
body may include a charging connection for connection to an external power supply
for recharging of the power source within the body.
[0041] The body suitably comprises a body part for housing the power source and/or other
electrical components. The body part may be an elongate body i.e. with a greater length
than depth/width. It may have a greater width than depth.
[0042] The body part 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 body part may be between 5
and 30 mm e.g. between 10 and 20 mm.
[0043] The body part may have a front surface that is curved in the transverse dimension.
The body part 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, or between 10 and 40 mm, or between 10 and 30 mm, or
between 10 and 20 mm, or between 10 and 15 mm, or substantially 13.5 mm.
[0044] The front and rear surfaces may meet at opposing transverse edges of the body. This
leads to a mandorla-/lemon-/eye-shaped cross-sectional shape of the body part. 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, or less than 5 mm, or
less than 2 mm, or less than 1 mm. The transverse edges may extend substantially the
full longitudinal length of the body part. However, in some embodiments, the transverse
edges may only extend along a longitudinal portion of the body part.
[0045] The body part may have a curved longitudinal axis i.e. curved in a direction between
the front and rear faces.
[0046] The front and/or rear surface of the body may include at least one visual user feedback
element, for example one or more lights e.g. one or more LEDs. In some embodiments,
the body may include an illumination region configured to allow light provided by
the visual user feedback element (e.g. one or more lights/LEDs) within the body to
shine through.
[0047] The aerosol generating apparatus may comprise a movement detection unit (e.g. an
accelerometer) for detecting a movement of the apparatus, and a haptic feedback generation
unit (e.g. an electric motor and a weight mounted eccentrically on a shaft of the
electric motor).
[0048] The body may include a controller. The controller may be configured to identify an
operation of the aerosol generating apparatus; and control the one or more lights
contained within the body, (e.g. to illuminate the illumination region) based on the
operation of the apparatus 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 apparatus by the movement detection unit.
[0049] 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.
[0050] The aerosol generation apparatus may comprise a wireless interface, which may be
configured to communicate wirelessly with an external 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.
[0051] The aerosol generation apparatus may comprise 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.
[0052] 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.
[0053] When implemented with an e-liquid consumable having the aerosol generation unit on
the consumable, the body may comprise an electrical connection (e.g. one or more contact
pins) for connection of the power source to the aerosol generating unit (i.e. the
heating element).
[0054] The body may comprise a chassis within a body part and one or more of any electrical
components of the body (e.g. one or more of the power source, charging connection,
visual feedback element, movement detection unit, haptic feedback generation unit,
controller, memory, wireless interface, puff sensor and/or electrical connection)
may be mounted on or affixed to the chassis.
[0055] In a further aspect, there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising an aerosol
generating apparatus according to exemplary aspects and an external device.
[0056] The present disclosure provides a use of the aerosol generating apparatus, which
may implement the features of any preceding embodiment, or another embodiment disclosed
herein, for generating an aerosol for delivery to a user.
[0057] The present disclosure therefore provides a method of generating an aerosol, which
may implement the features of any preceding embodiment, or another embodiment disclosed
herein. In a further aspect there is provided a method comprising engaging the consumable
with an aerosol-generating apparatus (e.g. smoking substitute apparatus) (as described
above) having a power source so as to electrically connect the power source to the
consumable (i.e. to the vaporiser of the consumable).
[0058] According to a further exemplary aspect, there is therefore provided a method of
connecting and disconnecting a consumable with a body to form an aerosol generating
apparatus, the method comprising: moving the consumable and body together in a first
direction to cause a push-push insertion member to be received by a push-push receiving
member to engage the consumable with the body; and subsequently moving the consumable
and body together in the first direction to release the push-push insertion member
from the receiving member to disengage the consumable from the body.
[0059] In the exemplary embodiments, the consumable is inserted into a recess of the body.
Suitably, the method comprises inserting the consumable into the recess prior to the
step of moving the consumable and body together in a first direction to cause a push-push
insertion member to be received by a push-push receiving member. Here, the respective
movement of the consumable and body to insert the consumable into the recess may also
be in the first direction. Suitably, the method also comprises withdrawing the consumable
from the recess after the step of subsequently moving the consumable body together
in the first direction to disengage the consumable from the body. Here, the consumable
may be withdrawn from the recess in a second direction, opposed to the first. In some
exemplary embodiments, the method may comprises repeating the movement to cause the
push-push insertion member to be received by the push-push receiving member and repeating
the movement to cause the push-push insertion member to be released from the push-push
receiving member a plurality of times before the subsequent movement to withdraw the
consumable from the recess.
[0060] The present disclosure provides electrical circuitry, and/or a computer program configured
to cause an aerosol generating system to perform said method, and a computer readable
medium comprising the computer program.
[0061] The preceding summary is provided for purposes of summarizing some embodiments to
provide a basic understanding of aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly,
the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow
the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in anyway. Moreover, the
above and/or proceeding embodiments may be combined in any suitable combination to
provide further embodiments. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject
matter described herein will become apparent from the following Detailed Description,
Figures, and Claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0062] Aspects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become
apparent from the following description of embodiments in reference to the appended
drawings in which like numerals denote like elements, and in which:
- Fig. 1A is a front schematic view of a smoking substitute apparatus;
- Fig. 1B is a front schematic view of a body of the apparatus;
- Fig. 1C is a front schematic view of a consumable of the apparatus;
- Fig. 2A is a schematic of the electrical components of the body;
- Fig. 2B is a schematic of the parts of the consumable;
- Fig. 3 is a section view of the component;
- Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus;
- Fig. 5 is a schematic transverse cross-section view of the body of Figure 4;
- Fig. 6 is a front schematic view of an aerosol generating apparatus showing a consumable
ready for connection with a body;
- Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-section view showing the aerosol generating apparatus
of Fig. 6 with the consumable and body connected;
- Fig. 8. is a front schematic view of an aerosol generating apparatus showing a consumable
connected with a body; and
- Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-section view showing the aerosol generating apparatus
of Fig. 8 with the consumable and body connected.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0063] Before describing several embodiments of aerosol generating system and apparatus,
it is to be understood that the system and apparatus is not limited to the details
of construction or process steps set forth in the following description. It will be
apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure
that the systems, apparatuses and/or methods described herein could be embodied differently
and/or be practiced or carried out in various ways.
[0064] Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection
with the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) shall have the meanings that are
commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, and known techniques and
procedures may be performed according to conventional methods well known in the art
and as described in various general and more specific references that may be cited
and discussed in the present specification.
[0065] All of the systems, apparatus, and/or methods disclosed herein can be made and executed
without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While they have
been described in terms of particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those of
skill in the art that variations may be applied to the systems, apparatus, and/or
methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein
without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the inventive concept(s).
All such similar substitutions and modifications apparent to those skilled in the
art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the inventive concept(s)
as defined by the appended claims.
[0066] The use of the term "a" or "an" in the present disclosure (including the claims)
may mean "one," as well as "one or more," "at least one," and "one or more than one."
As such, the terms "a," "an," and "the," as well as all singular terms, include plural
referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Likewise, plural terms shall
include the singular unless otherwise required by context.
[0067] The use of the term "or" in the present disclosure (including the claims) is used
to mean an inclusive "and/or" unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives
only or unless the alternatives are mutually exclusive. For example, a condition "A
or B" is satisfied by any of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false
(or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both
A and B are true (or present).
[0068] As used in the present disclosure (including the claims), the words "comprising",
"having", "including", or "containing" (and any forms thereof, such as "comprise"
and "comprises", "have" and "has", "includes" and "include", or "contains" and "contain",
respectively) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited
elements or method steps.
[0069] Unless otherwise explicitly stated as incompatible, or the physics or otherwise of
the embodiments, example, or claims prevent such a combination, the features of the
foregoing embodiments and examples, and of the following claims may be integrated
together in any suitable arrangement, especially ones where there is a beneficial
effect in doing so. This is not limited to only any specified benefit, and instead
may arise from an "ex post facto" benefit. This is to say that the combination of
features is not limited by the described forms, particularly the form (e.g. numbering)
of the example(s), embodiment(s), or dependency of the claim(s). Moreover, this also
applies to the phrase "in one embodiment," "according to an embodiment," and the like,
which are merely a stylistic form of wording and are not to be construed as limiting
the following features to a separate embodiment to all other instances of the same
or similar wording. This is to say, a reference to 'an,' 'one,' or 'some' embodiment(s)
may be a reference to any one or more, and/or all embodiments, or combination(s) thereof,
disclosed. Also, similarly, the reference to "the" embodiment may not be limited to
the immediately preceding embodiment. Further, all references to one or more embodiments
or examples are to be construed as non-limiting to the claims.
[0070] The present disclosure may be better understood in view of the following explanations,
wherein the terms used that are separated by "or" may be used interchangeably:
As used herein, the term "aerosol generating apparatus" or "aerosol delivery apparatus"
or "apparatus" or "electronic(e)-cigarette" may include apparatus to deliver an aerosol
to a user for inhalation. The apparatus may also be referred to as a "smoking substitute
apparatus", which may refer to apparatus intended to be used instead of a conventional
combustible smoking article. As used herein a "smoking article" may refer to a cigarette,
cigar, pipe or other article, that produces smoke (an aerosol comprising solid particulates
and gas) via heating above the thermal decomposition temperature (typically by combustion
and/or pyrolysis). The apparatus may include an aerosol generating unit that may generate
a vapour that may subsequently condense into the aerosol before delivery to an outlet,
which may be arranged as a mouthpiece. The apparatus may be configured to deliver
an aerosol for inhalation, which may comprise an aerosol with particle sizes of 0.2
- 7 microns, or less than 10 microns, or less than 7 microns. This particle size may
be achieved by control of one or more of: heater temperature; cooling rate as the
vapour condenses to an aerosol; flow properties including turbulence and velocity.
The apparatus may be portable. As used herein, the term "Portable" may refer to the
apparatus being for use when held by a user. The apparatus may be adapted to generate
a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating an aerosol generating unit of the
apparatus for a variable amount of time, (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol),
which may be controlled by an input device. The input device may be configured to
be user activated, and may for example include or take the form of a vaping button
and/or inhalation sensor. Each occurrence of the aerosol generating apparatus being
caused to generate aerosol for a period of time (which may be variable, see above)
may be referred to as an "activation" of the aerosol generating apparatus. The aerosol
generating apparatus may be arranged to vary an amount of aerosol delivered to a user
based on the strength/duration of a draw of a user through a flow path of the apparatus
(to replicate an effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article).
[0071] As used herein, the term "aerosol generating system" or "aerosol delivery system"
or "system" may include the aerosol generating apparatus and optionally other circuitry/componentry
associated with the function of the apparatus, e.g. an external device and/or an external
component (here "external" is intended to mean external to the aerosol generating
apparatus). As used herein, the terms "external device" and "external component" may
include one or more of a: a mobile device (which may be connected to the aerosol generating
apparatus, e.g. via a wireless or wired connection); a networked-based computer (e.g.
a remote server); a cloud-based computer; any other server system.
[0072] As used herein, the term "aerosol" may include a suspension of precursor, including
as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in
a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapour. Aerosol
may include one or more components of the precursor.
[0073] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming precursor" or "precursor" or "aerosol-forming
substance" or "aerosol-forming substrate" may refer to one or more of a: liquid; solid;
gel; loose leaf material; other substance. The precursor may be configured to be processed
by an aerosol generating unit of the apparatus to form an aerosol. The precursor may
include one or more of: an active component; a carrier; a flavouring. The active component
may include one or more of nicotine; caffeine; a cannabidiol oil; a non-pharmaceutical
formulation, e.g. a formulation which is not for treatment of a disease or physiological
malfunction of the human body. The active component may be carried by the carrier,
which may be a liquid, including propylene glycol and/or glycerine. The term "flavouring"
may refer to a component that provides a taste and/or a smell to the user. The flavouring
may include one or more of: Ethylvanillin (vanilla); menthol, Isoamyl acetate (banana
oil); or other. The precursor may include a substrate, e.g. reconstituted tobacco
to carry one or more of the active component; a carrier; a flavouring.
[0074] As used herein, the term "electrical circuitry" or "electric circuitry" or "circuitry"
or "control circuitry" may refer to one or more of the suitable hardware or software
components, examples of which may include: an Application Specific Integrated Circuit
(ASIC); electronic/electrical componentry (which may include combinations of transistors,
resistors, capacitors, inductors etc); one or more processors; a non-transitory memory
(e.g. implemented by one or more memory devices), that may store one or more software
or firmware programs; a combinational logic circuit; interconnection of the aforesaid.
The electrical circuitry may be located entirely at the apparatus, or distributed
between the apparatus and/or on one or more external devices in communication with
the apparatus, e.g. as part of the system [Note that if we refer to operations of
the electrical circuitry, they are not limited to being executed onboard the apparatus].
[0075] As used herein, the term "processor" or "processing resource" may refer to one or
more units for processing, examples of which include an ASIC, microcontroller, FPGA,
microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP) capability, state machine or other
suitable component. A processor may be configured to execute a computer program, e.g.
which may take the form of machine readable instructions, which may be stored on a
non-transitory memory and/or programmable logic. The processor may have various arrangements
corresponding to those discussed for the circuitry, e.g. on-board and/or off board
the apparatus as part of the system. As used herein, any machine executable instructions,
or computer readable media, may be configured to cause a disclosed method to be carried
out, e.g. by a aerosol generating apparatus or system as disclosed herein, and may
therefore be used synonymously with the term method, or each other.
[0076] As used herein, the term "external device" or "external electronic device" or "electronic
user device" or "peripheral device" may include electronic components external to
the apparatus, e.g. those arranged at the same location as the apparatus or those
remote from the apparatus. The external electronic device may comprise electronic
computer devices including: a smartphone; a PDA; a video game controller; a tablet;
a laptop; or other like device.
[0077] As used herein, the term "computer readable medium/media" or "data storage" may include
any medium capable of storing a computer program, and may take the form of any conventional
non-transitory memory, for example one or more of: random access memory (RAM); a CD;
a hard drive; a solid state drive; a memory card; a DVD. The memory may have various
arrangements corresponding to those discussed for the circuitry /processor.
[0078] As used herein, the term "information carrying medium" may include one or more arrangements
for storage of information on any suitable medium. Examples include: computer readable
medium/media or data storage as defined herein; a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
transponder; codes encoding information, such as optical (e.g. a bar code or QR code)
or mechanically read codes (e.g. a configuration of the absence or presents of cut-outs
to encode a bit, through which pins or a reader may be inserted).
[0079] As used herein, the term "communication resources" or "communication interface" may
refer to hardware and/or firmware for electronic information transfer. The communication
resources/interface may be configured for wired communication ("wired communication
resources/interface") or wireless communication ("wireless communication resources/interface").
Wireless communication resources may include hardware to transmit and receive signals
by radio and may include various protocol implementations e.g. the 802.11 standard
described in the Institute of Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Bluetooth
™ from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group of Kirkland Wash. Wired communication resources
may include; Universal Serial Bus (USB); High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
or other protocol implementations. The apparatus may include communication resources
for wired or wireless communication with an external device.
[0080] As used herein, the term "network" or "computer network" may refer to a system for
electronic information transfer between a plurality of apparatuses/devices. The network
may, for example, include one or more networks of any type, which may include: a Public
Land Mobile Network (PLMN); a telephone network (e.g. a Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN) and/or a wireless network); a local area network (LAN); a metropolitan
area network (MAN); a wide area network (WAN); an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem
(IMS) network; a private network; the Internet; an intranet.
[0081] It will be appreciated that any of the disclosed methods (or corresponding apparatuses,
programs, data carriers, etc.) may be carried out by either a host or client, depending
on the specific implementation (i.e. the disclosed methods/apparatuses are a form
of communication(s), and as such, may be carried out from either 'point of view',
i.e. in corresponding to each other fashion). Furthermore, it will be understood that
the terms "receiving" and "transmitting" encompass "inputting" and "outputting" and
are not limited to an RF context of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic (e.g.
radio) waves. Therefore, for example, a chip or other device or component for realizing
embodiments could generate data for output to another chip, device or component, or
have as an input data from another chip, device, or component, and such an output
or input could be referred to as "transmit" and "receive" including gerund forms,
that is, "transmitting" and "receiving," as well as such "transmitting" and "receiving"
within an RF context.
[0082] As used herein, the term "storage portion" may refer to a portion of the apparatus
adapted to store the precursor, it may be implemented as fluid holding reservoir or
carrier for solid material depending on the implementation of the precursor as defined
above.
[0083] As used herein, the term "flow path" may refer to a path or enclosed passageway through
the apparatus, through which the user may inhale for delivery of the aerosol. The
flow path may be arranged to receive aerosol from an aerosol generating unit. When
referring to the flow path, upstream and downstream may be defined in respect of a
direction of flow in the flow path, e.g. the outlet is downstream of the inlet.
[0084] As used herein, the term "delivery system" may refer to a system operative to deliver
an aerosol to a user. The delivery system may include a mouthpiece/a mouthpiece assembly
and the flow path.
[0085] As used herein, the term "flow" may refer to a flow in the flow path. The flow may
include aerosol generated from the precursor. The flow may include air, which may
be induced into the flow path via a puff.
[0086] As used herein, the term "inhale" or "puff" or "draw" may refer to a user expansion
of the lungs and/or oral cavity to create a pressure reduction that induces flow through
the flow path.
[0087] As used herein, the term "heating system" may refer to an arrangement of one or more
heating elements, which are operable to aerosolise the precursor once heated. The
heating elements may be electrically resistive to produce heat from electrical current
therethrough. The heating elements may be arranged as susceptors to produce heat when
penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. The heating system may heat the precursor
to below 300 or 350 degrees C, including without combustion.
[0088] As used herein, the term "consumable" may refer to a unit that includes or consists
of the precursor. The consumable may include the aerosol generating unit, e.g. it
is arranged as a cartomizer. The consumable may include the mouthpiece. The consumable
may include the information carrying medium. With liquid or gel implementations of
the precursor, e.g. an E-liquid, the consumable may be referred to as a "capsule"
or a "pod" or "E-liquid consumable". The capsule may include the storage portion,
e.g. a reservoir, for storage of the precursor. With solid material implementations
of the precursor, e.g. tobacco or reconstituted tobacco formulation, the consumable
may be referred to as a "stick" or "package" or "heat not burn consumable". In a heat
not burn consumable the mouthpiece may be implemented as a filter and the consumable
may be arranged to carry the precursor. The consumable may be implemented as a dosage
or pre-portioned amount of material, including a loose-leaf product.
[0089] As used herein the term "heat not burn" or "heated precursor" may refer to the heating
of a precursor, typically tobacco, without combustion, or without substantial combustion
(i.e. localised combustion may be experienced of limited portions of the precursor,
including of less than 5% of the total volume).
[0090] Referring to the Figures and according to exemplary embodiments, there is provided
an aerosol generating apparatus 100 comprising a consumable 104 that is engaged with
a body 102 by a push-push connection 300 (see figure 6 and 7). The push-push connection
300 is a connection between first and second parts wherein the first and second parts
can be engaged by relative movement in a first linear direction (e.g. by pushing the
two parts together, herein an initial push action). Once engaged, the push-push connection
prevents the parts from being disconnected by relative movement in a second linear
direction where the second direction is opposed to the first direction (e.g. the two
parts are prevented from being pulled apart). Rather, to disconnect the two parts,
a second relative movement in the first direction is required to disengage the push-push
connection 300 (e.g. by pushing the parts together, herein a secondary push action).
After the secondary push action, the push-push connection 300 is disengaged, which
allows the two parts to be separated by movement in the second direction. Advantageously,
incorporating a push-push connection into an aerosol generating apparatus 100, provides
an enhanced user experience. For instance, the user experience is enhanced because
the consumable is locked to the body after the initial push, providing increased protection
to accidental removal of the consumable. Furthermore, the secondary push followed
by a change to a pull movement to separate the consumable and body means the movement
action is less likely to be replicated in normal use (i.e. when carried in a user's
bag or pocket or the like). Yet further, the push-push connection provides an increased
user experience as the repeated push action to engage and disengage the consumable
(without the pull action to separate the two) provides a fiddle factor to the apparatus.
[0091] It is envisaged that the push-push connection 300 could be applied to any type of
aerosol generating apparatus. For instance, both an aerosol generating apparatus that
generates an aerosol from a liquid percussor, and an aerosol generating apparatus
that generates an aerosol from a solid percussor.
[0092] The aerosol generating apparatus including a consumable 104, body 102 and push-push
connection 300 to releasably engage the consumable to the body will first be described
in relation to Figures 1 to7 that shows an example of an aerosol generating apparatus
for generating an aerosol from a liquid percussor. Here, Fig. 1A shows a first embodiment
of a smoking substitute system 100 (e.g. an aerosol generating apparatus). In this
example, the smoking substitute system 100 includes a body 102 and a consumable 104.
The consumable 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 body may
be integral with the consumable. In such apparatuses, a tank of the aerosol delivery
apparatus may be accessible for refilling the apparatus.
[0093] In this example, the smoking substitute apparatus 100 is a closed system vaping apparatus,
wherein the consumable 104 includes a sealed tank 106 and is intended for single-use
only. The consumable 104 is removably engageable with the body 102 (i.e. for removal
and replacement). Fig. 1A shows the smoking substitute apparatus 100 with the body
102 physically coupled to the consumable 104, Fig. 1B shows the body 102 of the smoking
substitute apparatus 100 without the consumable 104, and Fig. 1C shows the consumable
104 of the smoking substitute apparatus 100 without the body 102.
[0094] The body 102 and the consumable 104 are configured to be physically coupled together
by pushing the consumable 104 into a cavity (i.e. a recess) at an upper end 108 of
the body 102, such that there is an interference fit between the body 102 and the
consumable 104.
[0095] The consumable 104 includes a mouthpiece portion at an upper end 109 of the consumable
104, and one or more air inlets (not shown) in fluid communication with the mouthpiece
portion such that air can be drawn into and through the consumable 104 when a user
inhales through the mouthpiece portion. The tank 106 containing e-liquid is located
at the lower end 111 of the consumable 104.
[0096] The tank 106 includes a window 112, which allows the amount of e-liquid in the tank
106 to be visually assessed. The body 102 includes a slot 114 so that the window 112
of the consumable 104 can be seen whilst the rest of the tank 106 is obscured from
view when the consumable 104 is inserted into the cavity at the upper end 108 of the
body 102.
[0097] The lower end 110 of the body 102 also includes a light 116 (e.g. an LED) located
behind a small translucent cover. The light 116 may be configured to illuminate when
the smoking substitute system 100 is activated. Whilst not shown, the consumable 104
may identify itself to the body 102, via an electrical interface, RFID chip, or barcode.
[0098] The lower end 110 of the body 102 also includes a charging connection 115, which
is usable to charge a battery within the body 102. The charging connection 115 can
also be used to transfer data to and from the body, for example to update firmware
thereon.
[0099] Figs. 2A and 2B are schematic drawings of the body 102 and consumable 104. As is
apparent from Fig. 2A, the body 102 includes a power source 118, a controller 120,
a memory 122, a wireless interface 124, an electrical interface 126, and, optionally,
one or more additional components 128.
[0100] The power source 118 is preferably a battery, more preferably a rechargeable battery.
The controller 120 may include a microprocessor, for example. The memory 122 preferably
includes non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions which, when implemented,
cause the controller 120 to perform certain tasks or steps of a method.
[0101] The wireless interface 124 is preferably configured to communicate wirelessly with
another device, for example a mobile device, e.g. via Bluetooth
®. To this end, the wireless interface 124 could include a Bluetooth
® antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces, e.g. WiFi
®, are also possible. The wireless interface 124 may also be configured to communicate
wirelessly with a remote server.
[0102] The electrical interface 126 of the body 102 may include one or more electrical contacts.
The electrical interface 126 may be located in a base of the aperture in the upper
end 108 of the body 102. When the body 102 is physically coupled to the consumable
104, the electrical interface 126 is configured to transfer electrical power from
the power source 118 to the consumable 104 (i.e. upon activation of the smoking substitute
system 100).
[0103] The electrical interface 126 may also be used to identify the consumable 104 from
a list of known components. For example, the consumable 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 the controller 120 of the body 102 when the
consumable 104 is connected to the body 102. Additionally, or alternatively, there
may be a separate communication interface provided in the body 102 and a corresponding
communication interface in the consumable 104 such that, when connected, the consumable
104 can identify itself to the body 102.
[0104] The additional components 128 of the body 102 may comprise the light 116 discussed
above.
[0105] The additional components 128 of the body 102 also comprises the charging connection
115 configured to receive power from the charging station (i.e. when the power source
118 is a rechargeable battery). This may be located at the lower end 110 of the body
102.
[0106] The additional components 128 of the body 102 may, if the power 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 a charging station (if present).
[0107] The additional components 128 of the body 102 may include a sensor, such as an airflow
(i.e. puff) sensor for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute system 100, e.g.
caused by a user inhaling through a mouthpiece portion 136 of the consumable 104.
The smoking substitute system 100 may be configured to be activated when airflow is
detected by the airflow sensor. This sensor could alternatively be included in the
consumable 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.
[0108] The additional components 128 of the body 102 may include a user input, e.g. a button.
The smoking 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 the smoking substitute system 100.
[0109] As shown in Fig. 2B, the consumable 104 includes the tank 106, an electrical interface
130, a vaporiser 132, one or more air inlets 134, a mouthpiece portion 136, and one
or more additional components 138.
[0110] The electrical interface 130 of the consumable 104 may include one or more electrical
contacts. The electrical interface 126 of the body 102 and an electrical interface
130 of the consumable 104 are configured to contact each other and thereby electrically
couple the body 102 to the consumable 104 when the lower end 111 of the consumable
104 is inserted into the upper end 108 of the body 102 (as shown in Fig. 1A). In this
way, electrical energy (e.g. in the form of an electrical current) is able to be supplied
from the power source 118 in the body 102 to the vaporiser 132 in the consumable 104.
[0111] The vaporiser 132 is configured to heat and vaporise e-liquid contained in the tank
106 using electrical energy supplied from the power source 118. As will be described
further below, the vaporiser 132 includes a heating filament and a wick. The wick
draws e-liquid from the tank 106 and the heating filament heats the e-liquid to vaporise
the e-liquid.
[0112] The one or more air inlets 134 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn
into the smoking substitute system 100, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece
portion 136. When the consumable 104 is physically coupled to the body 102, the air
inlets 134 receive air, which flows to the air inlets 134 along a gap between the
body 102 and the lower end 111 of the consumable 104.
[0113] In operation, a user activates the smoking substitute system 100, e.g. through interaction
with a user input forming part of the body 102 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece
portion 136 as described above. Upon activation, the controller 120 may supply electrical
energy from the power source 118 to the vaporiser 132 (via electrical interfaces 126,
130), which may cause the vaporiser 132 to heat e-liquid drawn from the tank 106 to
produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece portion 136.
[0114] An example of one of the one or more additional components 138 of the consumable
104 is an interface for obtaining an identifier of the consumable 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 consumable. The consumable
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 the body 102.
[0115] It should be appreciated that the smoking substitute system 100 shown in figures
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).
[0116] Fig. 3 is a section view of an example of the consumable 104 described above. The
consumable 104 comprises a tank 106 for storing e-liquid, a mouthpiece portion 136
and a conduit 140 extending along a longitudinal axis of the consumable 104. In the
illustrated embodiment the conduit 140 is in the form of a tube having a substantially
circular transverse cross-section (i.e. transverse to the longitudinal axis). The
tank 106 surrounds the conduit 140, such that the conduit 140 extends centrally through
the tank 106.
[0117] A tank housing 142 of the tank 106 defines an outer casing of the consumable 104,
whilst a conduit wall 144 defines the conduit 140. The tank housing 142 extends from
the lower end 111 of the consumable 104 to the mouthpiece portion 136 at the upper
end 109 of the consumable 104. At the junction between the mouthpiece portion 136
and the tank housing 142, the mouthpiece portion 136 is wider than the tank housing
142, so as to define a lip 146 that overhangs the tank housing 142. This lip 146 acts
as a stop feature when the consumable 104 is inserted into the body 102 (i.e. by contact
with an upper edge of the body 102).
[0118] The tank 106, the conduit 140 and the mouthpiece portion 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.
[0119] The mouthpiece portion 136 comprises a mouthpiece aperture 148 defining an outlet
of the conduit 140. The vaporiser 132 is fluidly connected to the mouthpiece aperture
148 and is located in a vaporising chamber 156 of the consumable 104. The vaporising
chamber 156 is downstream of the inlet 134 of the consumable 104 and is fluidly connected
to the mouthpiece aperture 148 (i.e. outlet) by the conduit 140.
[0120] The vaporiser 132 comprises a porous wick 150 and a heater filament 152 coiled around
the porous wick 150. The wick 150 extends transversely across the chamber vaporising
156 between sidewalls of the chamber 156 which form part of an inner sleeve 154 of
an insert 158 that defines the lower end 111 of the consumable 104 that connects with
the body 102. The insert 158 is inserted into an open lower end of the tank 106 so
as to seal against the tank housing 142.
[0121] In this way, the inner sleeve 154 projects into the tank 106 and seals with the conduit
140 (around the conduit wall 144) so as to separate the vaporising chamber 156 from
the e-liquid in the tank 106. Ends of the wick 150 project through apertures in the
inner sleeve 154 and into the tank 106 so as to be in contact with the e-liquid in
the tank 106. In this way, e-liquid is transported along the wick 150 (e.g. by capillary
action) to a central portion of the wick 150 that is exposed to airflow through the
vaporising chamber 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 the wick 150. This vaporised
liquid may cool to form an aerosol in the conduit 140, which may then be inhaled by
a user.
[0122] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the body 102 engaged with the
consumable 104 at the upper end 108. The body 102 includes a charging connection 115
at the lower end 110.
[0123] The front surface 201 of the body 102 is curved in the transverse dimension. The
rear surface 202 of the body 102 is curved in the transverse dimension. The curvatures
of the front surface 201 and rear surface 202 are of the opposite sense to one another.
Both front and rear surfaces 201, 202 are convex in the transverse dimension. This
leads to a mandorla-/lemon-/eye-shaped cross sectional shape of the body 102.
[0124] The front surface 201 and rear surface 202 meet at two transverse edges 205. The
transverse edges 205 have a radius of curvature that is significantly smaller than
the radius of curvature of either the front 201 or rear 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.
[0125] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the transverse edges 205 extend substantially the full
longitudinal length of the body 102.
[0126] The front surface 201 of the body 102 may include an illumination region through
which at least one light source may be visible.
[0127] Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic transverse cross section through the body 102 of Fig.
4, in accordance with an embodiment. The front surface 201 and rear surface 202 are
shown meeting at the transverse edges 205 on either side of the body 102. The radius
of curvature in the transverse dimension of the front surface 201 is equal to the
radius of curvature in the transverse dimension of the rear surface 202.
[0128] The push-push connection 300 is shown in more detail in Figure 6-9. In the exemplary
embodiments, the push-push connection comprises a means to enable the consumable to
be pushed relative to the body to engage the body and pushed again relative to the
body to disengage the consumable and body. For instance, the push-push connection
is shown as a push-push mechanism300. As shown in Figure 6, the push-push mechanism
comprises a receiving member 302 and an insertion member 304. The insertion member
is shown as being arranged on the consumable 104 and the receiving member 302 connected
to the body 102. However, it will be appreciated that the members may be reversed.
In the exemplary embodiment of the body, the body comprises a recess 306 in which
the consumable is inserted. Here, the receiving member is shown as being connected
to an inside side surface of the recess 306. The consumable is inserted into the recess.
For instance, by relative movement in an axial direction of the body. Suitably, when
the consumable is partially inserted into the recess, the inserting member is engaged
with the receiving member. As shown in Figure 7, when the push-push mechanism is engaged,
a space is reserved between the consumable and body, in which the consumable is able
to move to complete the second push action to disengage the push-push mechanism.
[0129] As mentioned, in some embodiments the consumable is required to be electrically connected
to the body to power a heater on the consumable. In addition, the body may include
a number of active electronic components that interrogate passive components on the
consumable, each also requiring further electrical connection. As the number of electrical
connections required increases, it becomes more difficult to provide the electrical
connections with established connections such as pogo pins etc. Thus, in some exemplary
embodiments, the push-push mechanism is configured to also provide the electrical
interface between the consumable and body. By combining the push-push mechanism with
the electrical connection it is envisaged more connections can be reliably made between
the consumable and body.
[0130] Push-push mechanisms are known in remote technical fields such as the connection
of sim cards to mobile telephones. A variety of push-push mechanism are therefore
suitable. But in one exemplary embodiment, the push-push mechanism includes a biasing
member, such as a spring or other resilient element to bias the insertion member away
from the receiving member in the second direction, opposed to the first (i.e. in a
pull direction). The first push action therefore urges the insertion member into the
receiving member against the bias of the spring. When the insertion member of other
part reaches a stop, the pushing force is released from the consumable and the insertion
member urged in the second direction by the bias and to hook or catch the insertion
member to the receiving member. The consumable can then be urged back against the
bias by the second push action, which moves the insertion member relative to the receiving
member in the first direction, before again reaching a stop. Releasing the push force
on the consumable, allows the insertion member to move back in the second direction
and to be released from the receiving member.
[0131] In the exemplary embodiment, the insertion member travels along a first path as the
insertion member enters the receiving member and travels relatively in the first direction.
Here the receiving member guides the insertion member along a first path. For instance,
the insertion member is guided by a first track. When reaching the stop, the insertion
member is guided to follow a second path when moving in the second direction. For
instance, the follower may be moveably connected to a body of the insertion member,
and the follower is moved or bent to follow the second path. The second path is different
to the first path. That is, it is not the reverse of the first path. Thus, rather
than leading to an exit from the receiving member, the second path leads the follower
to a catch or hook so that the follower is retained in the receiving member. Thus,
the follower is prevented from further moving in the second direction and consequently,
the follower prevents withdrawal of the consumable from the recess.
[0132] From the captured or retained position, the second push action moves the follower
away from the catch in the first direction and a long a third path. The third path
may be different to the second path (i.e. the follower is moved again to not follow
the reverse of the second path) or the third path may be the reverse of the second
path. When reaching the stop, the insertion member is guided to follow a fourth path
when moving in the second direction. The fourth path leads to an exit from the receiving
member (i.e. an exit from the guide track). The fourth path may be different to the
first path, for instance by causing the follower to move laterally, or the fourth
path may be the reverse of the first path.
[0133] As an alternative embodiment, figures 8 and 9 show an example of an aerosol generating
apparatus for generating an aerosol from a solid percussor. Here, the consumable comprises
a stick. Although the stick could be adapted to include a push-push connection member
as with the liquid percussor embodiment, where it is desirable to not adapt the stick,
a carrier 310 may be arranged within the recess of the body. Here, the push-push mechanism
is configured between the carrier and the body. Unlike the consumable in the liquid
percussor embodiment, the carrier 310 may not be separable from the body when the
follower is at the start of the first path or the ned of the fourth path. But the
carrier 310 is moveable relative to the body in a push-push configuration to capture
and release an insertion member into a receiving member as herein described. In addition,
the carrier member comprises a gripping means such as an actuatable restriction 309.
Here, the push-push connection is configured to actuate the restriction (i.e. move
the restriction) when the insertion member is captured by the receiving member so
that a restriction is applied to the consumable. And the push-push connection is configured
to remove the restriction when the insertion member is released.
[0134] As will be appreciated the embodiments described herein provide an aerosol generating
apparatus wherein a consumable is engaged with a body via a push-push mechanism. Adapting
a push-push mechanism for an aerosol generating apparatus provides an improved user
experience by providing an improved connection between the consumable and body and
also a fiddle factor to the apparatus to be enjoyed by the user.