Aerosol Provision Device

The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/GB2023/052289 filed Sep. 5, 2023, which claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 17/930,038 filed Sep. 6, 2022, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device.

Aerosol provision devices and systems are known. Common systems use heaters which are activated by a user to create an aerosol by an aerosol provision device from an aerosol generating material which is then inhaled by the user. The device may provide an aerosol from the aerosol generating material in the device. Users may wish to lock and unlock their device during periods of non-use and use respectively. It can be desirable for the user to control the ability of the device to provide aerosol. This may increase the overall safety of the device by improving user control over the device, in turn this may increase the user experience of the device.

The present invention is directed toward solving some of the above problems.

Aspects of the invention are defined in the accompanying claims.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device, comprising: at least one inlet through which air can enter the device; an outlet through which aerosol within the device can pass; at least one aerosol generating region arranged to generate an aerosol; at least one flow channel arranged to provide fluid communication between at least one inlet, the outlet and at least one aerosol generating region; a moveable component arranged to move between a number of predetermined positions comprising at least a first and a second position, wherein in the first position the moveable component at least partially blocks at least one flow channel and wherein in the second position the moveable component does not block airflow through at least one flow channel.

Such an arrangement is able to provide a user of the aerosol provision device control over the provision by the device of an aerosol. In particular, the arrangement allows a user to control their device by putting the device in an operable or inoperable state. By blocking and unblocking flow channels, the user may be able to make the device unable to provide an aerosol or able to provide an aerosol. This arrangement therefore improves the safety of the device. The user may wish to render the device inoperable when the device is being left in an area of low trust. Furthermore, by controlling the movement of the moveable component, and reducing the likelihood of accidental movement thereof, the likelihood of accidental activation of the device may accordingly be reduced.

Increasing the complexity of the movement of the moveable component is a mechanically robust method for decreasing the likelihood of accidental or unwanted activation of the aerosol provision device. Increasing the complexity of the movement of the moveable component is also not intensive from a manufacturing standpoint. As such, the present device provides a cost effective yet highly robust method of securing the device against accidental or unwanted activation. Furthermore, with predetermined positions wherein the moveable component requires additional physical effort to be moved from the predetermined position, the likelihood of accidental movement is further reduced, reducing the likelihood of accidental activation accordingly.

The arrangement is therefore able to provide a “plug-and-play” approach. In that, the user may activate the device on first usage with a first movement of the moveable component and then, with a minor physical movement, prevent activation of the device, i.e. put the device in an inoperable state. Returning to an operable state may be simple for the user, by performing a further physical movement.

The moveable component may be moved using a complex or simple but intricate movement. In either instance, the likelihood of an inappropriate user, such as an age-inappropriate user, performing the movement is significantly low such that the likelihood of use of the device by an inappropriate user is drastically reduced. In this way, the present disclosure improves the safety of the device.

The system disclosed herein is an improvement over previous systems due to the ease of use and removal of complex manipulations for altering between operable and inoperable states of a device.

In particular, users that have limited or impaired mobility, in particular in relation to hands, are able to use the full capability of the device.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description of the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the invention covers all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed/described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed/described in detail in the interests of brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of apparatus and methods discussed herein which are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

The present disclosure relates to aerosol provision systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description the term “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol provision system/device and electronic aerosol provision system/device. Furthermore, and as is common in the technical field, the terms “aerosol” and “vapor”, and related terms such as “vaporize”, “volatilize” and “aerosolize”, may generally be used interchangeably.

illustrates a schematic view of an example of an aerosol provision deviceaccording to the present invention. The aerosol provision devicehas at least one inletthrough which air can enter the device. The aerosol provision devicehas an outletthrough which aerosol within the devicecan pass. The aerosol provision devicehas at least one aerosol generating regionarranged to generate an aerosol. The aerosol provision devicehas at least one flow channel arranged to provide fluid communication between at least one inlet, the outletand at least one aerosol generating region. The flow channel is illustrated by the two solid arrows A, B, showing airflow from the inlet through the aerosol generating region, and dashed arrow C, showing potential airflow from the aerosol generating regionto the outlet. The devicehas a moveable componentarranged to move between a number of predetermined positions comprising at least a first and a second position.

The aerosol generating regioncomprises a heating element or the like for providing an aerosol from an aerosol generating material located, in use, in the aerosol generating region. The device may have one heating element per aerosol generating region, or may have one heating element in total. The devicemay have control circuitry and a puff detector, microphone or the like for activating the heating element in the aerosol generating region. The devicemay have one puff detector (or the like) per aerosol generating region, or may have one heating element in total.

The moveable componentis shown in a first position inand a second position in. In the first position, an example of which is shown in, the moveable componentat least partially blocks at least one flow channel. In the example of, the aerosol generating regionis not in fluid communication with the outletas the moveable componentat least partially blocks the flow from the aerosol generating regionto the outlet.

In the second position, an example of which is shown in, the moveable componentdoes not block airflow through at least one flow channel. In the example of, the aerosol generating regionis in fluid communication with the outletas the moveable componentdoes not block the flow from the aerosol generating regionto the outlet. In the example of, the airflow enters the devicethrough the inlet, follows airflow line A, enters the aerosol generating region, passes through the regionfollowing airflow line B, passes through the moveable componentand then exits the device via the outlethaving followed airflow line C.

In this way, a mechanical solution is provided for locking a device. The user is able to move the moveable componentbetween at least the two positions shown in. The moveable component is therefore a reliable and robust method of preventing inappropriate users from using the aerosol provision devicewhile allowing, with reduced user effort, an appropriate user to enjoy use of the device. As such, the present device strikes a suitable balance between safety and user experience.

The moveable componentmay be moved by a rotational motion, as illustrated by the arrow R in. The moveable component may be moved by a translational motion, as illustrated by the arrow T in. More complex manoeuvres may be required by the manufacturer to move the moveable component.

A simple motion may be more user friendly for an appropriate user. The user wishing the use, lock, and unlock the device, may prefer a simpler motion, such as rotation of a portion of the devicearound a small number of degrees, such as between 30 and 90 degrees. In such an example, rotating a portion of the deviceanticlockwise by 90 degrees renders the device useable (i.e. unlocks the device) and rotating a portion of the deviceclockwise 90 degrees renders the device temporarily un-useable (i.e. locks the device). As such, a less complex motion may improve user experience of the device.

In contrast, a more complex motion, such as squeezing a portion of the deviceand then rotating may be more difficult for an inappropriate user to perform, thereby increasing the safety of the mechanical lock of the device. This may however impact the appropriate user's user experience of the device. Combinations of motions such a squeeze and rotate, or translate then rotate are more difficult to replicate and are less likely to occur during, e.g., normal motion associated with the devicefor example when being carried in luggage during travel. As such, a more complex motion also has improved resistance to accidental motion changing the devicefrom inactive (locked) to active (unlocked) states.

The deviceherein therefore provides a simple mechanical solution for locking and unlocking a devicethat is easy to manufacture and robust during periods of use and non-use. The deviceis therefore cheaper to produce, reliable during use and non-use and accordingly provides an improved user experience.

In an example, the devicefurther comprises control circuitry arranged to prevent activation of the aerosol provision devicewhen either the moveable componentis not in a predetermined position, or the moveable componentis in the first position. In use, the user may be able to move the movable componentto a number, or series, of predetermined positions.

A “predetermined position” is used herein to refer to a position that is intended, by the manufacturer, to provide a predetermined outcome from the device. That outcome may be the provision of a specific aerosol from a specific region within the device, such as a first aerosol from a first aerosol generating region, or a second aerosol from a second aerosol generating region, or a locked effect wherein the devicecannot be used. In contrast, a “non-predetermined position” is used herein to refer to a position that is not intended by the manufacturer to provide a predetermined outcome from the device. This may be, for example, one or more positions that are between, or beyond, predetermined positions.

In an example, the devicemay further comprise a stopper to prevent the moveable componentmoving beyond the predetermined positions. The stopper may therefore provide further control over the positioning of the moveable component. In particular, the stopper may be a physical element that physically opposes attempts to move the moveable component beyond the range of predetermined positions. In another example, the stopper may be an electrical and/or magnetic component that electrically/magnetically opposed attempts to move the movable component beyond the range of predetermined positions.

In the example of, there is shown an arrangementof a stopper for preventing a moveable component moving beyond predetermined positions within a device. In the example of, the arrangementhas an aerosol provision device housing. Within the housingis an array of predetermined positions. The array of predetermined positionshas a first predetermined position, a second predetermined position, a third predetermined position, and a fourth predetermined position. The moveable component may have a projection that enters a recess located at each of the predetermined positions. The moveable component may have a resilient member arranged to extend into a recess at a predetermined positionwhen suitably aligned, or arranged to bias a projection (or electrical contact) into a recess when suitably aligned.

In these examples, the user is able to safely, reliably and easily move the moveable component into a predetermined position. The arrangementhas a pair of stoppers. The stoppers,prevent the moveable component moving beyond the predetermined positions. The stoppers,may physically (or otherwise) prevent movement of a projection or a resilient member and therefore provide feedback to the user that further movement in the same direction is not permitted. The stoppersmay be arranged adjacent, or reasonably proximal to, the outermost predetermined positions,(in the example of). Use of a stopper, or stoppers, improves the overall safety of the aerosol provision device disclosed herein.

The stoppersmay be arranged to limit movement to a specific number of degrees of rotation (for example) or a certain distance of translation or insertion. In an example, the stoppersmay prevent movement beyond arounddegrees of the moveable component. The stoppersand the predetermined positions may demonstrate latching behaviour when interacting with the moveable component to help inform the user of the allowed range of movements of the moveable component. This increases the safety and reliability of the device, by reducing the likelihood of a user moving the moveable component too far and potentially damaging the device.

In an example, the moveable component is further arranged to move to a third position, wherein the third position is a predetermined position (which may be deemed a latched position due to the interaction of projection and recesses) wherein the aerosol provision device is in an inoperable mode, i.e. a locked state. In this example, the moveable component may be moved to a third position (such asfrom). In the third position, the moveable component is latched, i.e. the moveable component is secured and at least slightly prevented from moving away from this position. Such latching may occur by aligning of a resilient member or projection and a recess or the like. In this example, the resilient member/projection projects into the recess and some additional mechanical effort is required to move the moveable component out of the recess and into a further predetermined position, such as position.

When the moveable component is moved to the third position, the device may be inoperable, for example this may be in a sleep mode or a locked mode or an “off” mode or the like. In this position, the moveable component may block at least one flow channel. In this position, the moveable component may block some portion of all flow channels in the device, to prevent an aerosol being provided to a user. While in one of these modes (lock, sleep, etc), the user cannot receive an aerosol from the device without changing the mode. The user may change the mode by moving the moveable component into a different predetermined position. Any predetermined position may be a latched position, i.e. a position from which additional effort is required from the user to move out of the predetermined position.

In the example of, there are positions between the predetermined positions indicated, such as position. In the present disclosure, the positionis not considered a predetermined positionas the moveable component will not latch into place in position. The positions that are not “predetermined positions” are not intended for the user to move the moveable component to and then leave the moveable component in. As such, moving the moveable component from a non-predetermined effort requires no additional effort from the user.

In an example, the aerosol provision device is configured to be in an inoperable mode when the movable component is in a non-predetermined position. In the non-predetermined positions, the moveable component will not appropriately block or not block flow channels in the device in a predetermined manner. As a result, when in a non-predetermined position, the device may either provide an aerosol that has not been predetermined by the manufacturer, or not provide an aerosol at all. This would lead to a poor user experience.

As such, the safety of the device and the resulting user experience is improved by preventing operation of the device when the moveable component is not in a predetermined position (i.e. is in a non-predetermined position). Non-predetermined therefore means non-predetermined by the manufacturer when the device is designed and provided for use.

In a specific example, in a first predetermined position, a first flow channel is partially blocked and may not allow a first aerosol to be provided to a user. In a second predetermined position, the first flow channel is not partially blocked and allows a first aerosol to be provided to a user. In a third predetermined position, a second flow channel (to, through and from a second aerosol generating region) is not partially blocked and allow a second aerosol to be provided to a user. In a non-predetermined position between the second and third predetermined positions, both flow channels may be partially open and therefore the device may provide a combined first and second aerosol to a user. If the user is not expecting such an aerosol, it may decrease the user experience of the device. As such, in non-predetermined position the device may be arranged to not be able to provide an aerosol, i.e. be in an inoperable mode. This assists against an unexpected, and potentially low quality aerosol, being provided to the user and decreasing user experience.

In an example, in the first position, the moveable component is arranged to block airflow through at least one flow channel. The moveable component may be arranged to entirely block the airflow through the flow channel by, for example, preventing airflow from the aerosol generating regioninto the outlet(as per). Only a portion of the airflow channel needs to be blocked to prevent airflow through the channel. In an example, the devicemay have a series of inlets. By moving the moveable component to block an inlet to, say, the first airflow channel, the moveable componentblocks a part of the air flow channel (arrow A in particular) and entirely prevents airflow through the channel (arrows A, B and C) and therefore prevents an aerosol being provided to the user from the first aerosol generating regionfrom the outlet. Entirely blocking the airflow channel also prevents an aerosol being provided to the user, for example, by blocking the inlet, the opening to an aerosol generating region, the outlet from the aerosol generating region and the outlet from the device.

Referring now to, there are shown cross sectional views of examples of an aerosol provision deviceaccording to an example.

The aerosol provision devicehas a further aerosol generating regionarranged to generate a further aerosol. The deviceofhas an inlet (not shown), and outlet, a first aerosol generating region, a second aerosol generating region, a moveable component, a body portionwhich comprises a power portionand the moveable component. The power portionmay comprise a power source such as a battery or the like alongside control circuitry for controlling the activation and use of power in the device. The control circuitry may communicate with a microphone or other puff sensor or the like and control heating of the heating elements in the device. The arrangements discussed herein may use single or multiple puff sensors, flow sensors or the like.

In the example of, there is a further flow channel arranged provide fluid communication between an inlet, the outlet and the further aerosol generating region. The further flow channel is shown by arrow D. The devicetherefore can be used to provide multiple aerosols to a user. When the moveable componentis moved to provide a second aerosol however provision of the first aerosol is prevented while the moveable componentis in the predetermined position associated with provision of the second aerosol.

The process of moving the moveable componentalters a physical and/or electrical arrangement within the device. The physical arrangement may refer to the physical arrangement of air flow channels through the device. The electrical arrangement may also or alternatively refer to the physical arrangement of electrical contacts in the device.

In an example, movement of the moveable componentalters the flow channels within the device. In the first position, the moveable componentat least partially blocks the second flow channel. In the second position, the moveable componentat least partially blocks the first flow channel. The first flow channel may be a flow channel that leads from an inlet, through the first aerosol generating regionto an outlet. The second flow channel may be a flow channel that leads from an inlet, through the second aerosol generating regionto an outlet. The devicemay have more than one inlet and/or more than one outlet.

A body portionof the devicecomprises the moveable component, the moveable componentarranged to provide relative movement between the aerosol generating portionand the power portion.

In a predetermined position, the moveable componentat least partially blocks one or more flow channels between at least one inlet and at least one outlet of the device. The devicemay have one or more inlets to allow air to enter the device. Flow channels may link the one or more inlets to one or more outlets of the device. By moving the moveable component, the user is able to block (partially or fully) one or more flow channels. In this way, the user is provided with control over the aerosol provided by the aerosol provision device. The user is also provided with the ability to lock the device, so that other users must accurately move the moveable componentprior to receiving an aerosol from the device.

In the example of, the moveable componentis part of the aerosol generating portionand may be moved in the manner of arrow R′. The moveable componentprovides relative movement between the aerosol generating portionand the power portion. In an example, the moveable componentmay be part of the power portion. In an example, the moveable componentmay be part of a mouthpiece of the device.

In an example, the devicehas a mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece comprises at least one outlet. The mouthpiece may provide a suitable contact point for a user's mouth to receive an aerosol from the device. The mouthpiece may have one or more outlets in the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may therefore have a series of outlets from which different aerosols may be provided to a user.

The moveable componentmay be moved to provide relative motion between any combination of the power portion, the aerosol generating portionand a mouthpiece. In an example, the power portionmay be moved, e.g. rotated, while the aerosol generation portionand a mouthpiece are not moved. In another example, the aerosol generation portionand a mouthpiece may be moved, while the power portionis not moved.

Any of these elements may be moved by the moveable component. Movement of a central portion of the device, such as the aerosol generating portionhas been found to be very user friendly and can be performed with one hand. The devices disclosed herein may be arranged to be easily manipulated (by simple slide, squeeze and slide, rotate, or squeeze and rotate motions) and therefore can be used by users with reduced mobility. Movement of the moveable component may be performed with a hand, or with a small tool or coin such as turning a screw or the like. By slightly increasing the difficulty of moving the moveable component, the likelihood of an inappropriate user using the deviceis reduced significantly. Movement of any portion of the devicecan therefore lead to a change in aerosol and/or locking of the device. This provides a great level of control over their devicethereby increasing user experience.

In an example, the moveable componentmay be moved in a manner that is not rotation around a longitudinal axis of device, such as by a pushing motion into (or from) a predetermined position. Rotation in the direction of the arrow R′, in the example of, moves the moveable componentto block one air flow path and open another air flow path such that one of the first aerosol generating regionor the second aerosol generating region(or neither if locked) provides an aerosol to the outlet. In this way, the user is able to select which aerosol is provided to them, via a robust and reliable mechanical arrangement.

In the example of, the moveable componentis part of the aerosol generating portionand may be moved in the manner of arrow R′. The arrangement ofis similar to the arrangement of, however the arrangement ofhas one electrical connection to the power portion. Moving the moveable componentin the example ofrelatively moves the electrical contact or electrical contacts connected to the first aerosol generating regionand the second aerosol generating regionto the contact or contacts of the power portion. Moving the moveable componentallows a user to align the contacts of the power portionwith any of: