AEROSOL DELIVERY SYSTEM

Abstract

An aerosol delivery device comprising a controller and a power source, wherein the device is configured to receive an article for aerosolizable material, wherein the controller is configured to facilitate generation of a first aerosol and one or more subsequent aerosols from the aerosolizable material, to determine a usage characteristic of the device and, based on said determined usage characteristic, to generate the subsequent aerosol such that it contains a pre-configured change in one or more aerosol characteristics relative to the first aerosol.

Claims

1. An aerosol delivery device comprising a controller and a power source, wherein the device is configured to receive an article for aerosolizable material, wherein the controller is configured to facilitate generation of a first aerosol and one or more subsequent aerosols from the aerosolizable material, to determine a usage characteristic of the device and, based on said determined usage characteristic, to generate the subsequent aerosol such that it contains a pre-configured change in one or more aerosol characteristics relative to the first aerosol.

2. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the usage characteristic is selected from one or more of: a time interval between generation of a first aerosol and a subsequent aerosol; a frequency of aerosol generation over a defined period; a change in a device power setting between generation of a first aerosol and a subsequent aerosol; and a change in an airflow profile through the device between generation of a first aerosol and a subsequent aerosol.

3. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the pre-configured change is a pre-configured reduction.

4. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the pre-configured change is a pre-configured increase.

5. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 3, wherein the pre-configured reduction in one or more aerosol characteristics is proportional to the time interval between generation of a first aerosol and a subsequent aerosol.

6. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 5, wherein the pre-configured reduction in one or more aerosol characteristics is directly proportional to the time interval between generation of a first aerosol and a subsequent aerosol.

7. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 5, wherein the pre-configured reduction in one or more aerosol characteristics is inversely proportional to the time interval between generation of a first aerosol and a subsequent aerosol.

8. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 3, wherein the pre-configured reduction in one or more aerosol characteristics is proportional to the frequency of aerosol generation over a defined period.

9. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 8, wherein the pre-configured reduction in one or more aerosol characteristics is directly proportional to the frequency of aerosol generation over a defined period.

10. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 8, wherein the pre-configured reduction in one or more aerosol characteristics is inversely proportional to the frequency of aerosol generation over a defined period.

11. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to detect the presence, quantity and/or type of aerosolizable material received in the device.

12. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the first aerosol is characterized based on one or more of: a first time interval since the generation of a previous aerosol; a first inhalation event following the insertion of an aerosolizable material into the device; and a first inhalation event following modification of one or more parameters relating to aerosol generation.

13. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more aerosol characteristics are selected from one or more of aerosol particle size distribution, aerosol density, aerosol partitioning, and aerosol constituents.

14. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 13, wherein the pre-configured change is a pre-configured decrease in one or more aerosol constituents.

15. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 14, wherein the aerosol constituents are selected from active constituents, flavor constituents, carrier constituents and/or other constituents.

16. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 13, wherein the pre-configured change is a pre-configured increase in the aerosol particle size distribution and/or the aerosol density.

17. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein controller is configured to implement the pre-configured change by modifying one or parameters relating to aerosol generation selected from power delivered to the aerosol generator, airflow to the aerosol generator, feed rate of aerosolizable material to the aerosol generator and composition of aerosolizable material fed to the aerosol generator.

18. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to implement the pre-configured change for all aerosols designated as subsequent aerosols.

19. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to implement the pre-configured change for one or more of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth aerosols generated following a first aerosol.

20. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to implement the pre-configured change after a finite period of time has elapsed following the generation of the first aerosol.

21. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to implement the pre-configured change after a pre-defined cumulative period of aerosol generation.

22. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the controller has a fixed mode, wherein in the fixed mode multiple successive aerosols are generated having substantially the same aerosol characteristics.

23. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the controller has a stepped mode, wherein in the stepped mode successive aerosols are generated having substantially different aerosol characteristics.

24. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 22, wherein the controller has a fixed mode and a stepped mode, wherein in the fixed mode multiple successive aerosols are generated having substantially the same aerosol characteristics, wherein in the stepped mode successive aerosols are generated having substantially different aerosol characteristics.

25. An aerosol delivery system comprising the aerosol delivery device of claim 1 and an article comprising one or more stores for retaining an aerosolizable material.

26. The aerosol delivery system according to claim 25, wherein the device comprises one or more aerosol generators.

27. The aerosol delivery system according to claim 25, wherein the article comprises one or more aerosol generators.

28. The aerosol delivery system according to claim 25, wherein the system comprises more than one aerosol generator.

29. An aerosol delivery device configured to receive an aerosolizable material and comprising a controller, the controller being configured to facilitate generation of a first aerosol and one or more subsequent aerosols, wherein the one or more subsequent aerosols are modified relative to the first aerosol without said modification being perceptible to the user.

30. A method of modulating an aerosol generated by an aerosol delivery system, the method comprising the steps of: providing an aerosol delivery device comprising a controller and a power source, the device comprising an article of aerosolizable material; generating a first aerosol; generating one or more subsequent aerosols, wherein the one or more subsequent aerosols contains a pre-configured change in one or more aerosol characteristics relative to the first aerosol.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] Various embodiments will now be described in detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0062] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary aerosol delivery device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0063] FIG. 2 provides a graph detailing the relative amount of a particular aerosol constituent between first (left hand trace) and subsequent aerosols (right hand trace).

[0064] FIGS. 3a and 3b show graphs detailing how the pre-configured step change in aerosol characteristics may vary in time after the first aerosol is generated.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows how a controller according to some embodiments may be configured to implement a staggered stepping-down of an aerosol constituent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] As described above, in one aspect there is provided an aerosol delivery device comprising a controller and a power source, wherein the device is configured to receive an article for aerosolizable material, wherein the controller is configured to facilitate generation of a first aerosol and one or more subsequent aerosols, to determine a usage characteristic of the device and, based on said determined usage characteristic, to generate the subsequent aerosol such that it contains a pre-configured change in one or more aerosol characteristics relative to the first aerosol.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , there is provided an aerosol delivery device 1 comprising a power source 2 and a controller 3. The device 1 may also comprise an aerosol generator 4. The aerosol generator 4 may comprise multiple units (such as heaters) which are able to separately generate aerosols having different aerosol characteristics. For example, aerosol generator 4 comprises heater 4a and heater 4b each of which being configured to vaporize an aerosolizable material. Alternatively, the aerosol generator may comprise a single unit (such as a heater) which is able to generate sequential aerosols having different aerosol characteristics. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure to provide a power source 2 which is detachable from the device 1. Thus, the present disclosure also encompasses, in all embodiments, the device without the power source such that a control unit for an aerosol delivery device is provided.

[0068] The aerosolizable material can be stored within a store 6 for aerosolizable material. The store 6 may be part of an article 7 which may be detachable from the device such that the article 7 can be replaced when the store of aerosolizable able material has been depleted. It may also be possible to replenish the store of aerosolizable material by refilling the store 6 with aerosolizable material. In some embodiments, there may be multiple stores, such as store 6a and store 6b containing the same or different aerosolizable material. Such an arrangement can allow for the heaters to be fed either with aerosolizable material either at different rates, or with different aerosolizable materials etc. so as to facilitate as one example a way of generating sequential aerosols with different aerosol characteristics.

[0069] Aerosolizable material may be transferred from the store to the aerosol generator via a transport element 8 such as a wick, pump or the like. For example, heaters 4a and 4b are fed from stores 6a and 6b with aerosolizable material via transport elements 8a and 8b respectively. The skilled person is able to select suitable transport, elements depending on the type of aerosolizable material that is to be transported and the rate at which it must be supplied. Particular mention may be made of transport elements, such as wicks, formed from fibrous materials, foamed materials, woven and non-woven materials. Such materials may include silica, cotton, ceramics and the like. In this regard, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that a higher ACM for a particular inhalation event can be achieved by increasing the amount of power supplied to a heater of the aerosol generator. However, such increased power may require an increased supply of aerosolizable material and as such the controller may be configured to match the supply rate of the aerosolizable material to the power being conveyed to the heater.

[0070] In some embodiments, the article 7 also incorporates the aerosol generator 4, such that both the store 6 and the aerosol generator 4 are detachable from the device when the article 7 is detached. In such embodiments, both the article 7 and the device 1 contain suitable electrical connections (not shown) between the power source 2, controller 3, aerosol generator 4, (and optionally the transport element 8) which allow for the supply of electrical energy to the various components during use. Contacts 9 provide a means to provide electrical energy between the device 1 and the power source 7. It is also envisaged that energy could be imparted to the aerosol generator via other methods, such as via induction, in which case contacts 9 to provide electrical energy to the aerosol generator would not be required.

[0071] An airflow pathway extends through the article (optionally via the device) to an outlet 10. The pathway is oriented such that generated aerosol is entrained in the airflow A such that it can be delivered to the outlet 10 for inhalation by a user. During operation, the controller will determine that a user has initiated the generation of an aerosol. This could be done via a button (not shown) on the device 1 which sends a signal to the controller 3 that the aerosol generator should be powered. Alternatively, a sensor (not shown) located in or proximal to the airflow pathway could detect airflow through the airflow pathway and convey this detection to the controller. A sensor may also be present in addition to the presence of a button, as the sensor may be used to determine certain usage characteristics, such as airflow, timing of aerosol generation etc.

[0072] Controller 3 will now be described. Controller 3 may comprise an MCU which receives inputs from various sources throughout the device and subsequently controls operation of the device, for example, the one or more aerosol generators present either in the device or in the article. The controller may also control other components of the device, such as the flow of aerosolizable material to the one or more aerosol generators, the airflow through the device etc. In this regard, the device and/or the article may include one or more valves. Such valves may control the flow of aerosolizable material from the store(s) to the aerosol generators, and/or may control airflow through the device. For example, valves that control the feeding of aerosolizable material may be able to control the feed rate of one or more aerosolizable materials. Controlling the feed rate includes preventing any feed selectively feeding from one or more stores of aerosolizable material, for example where there are multiple stores of aerosolizable material, the controller may direct the valves to only allow feeding from a single store. As explained above, controlling the feed rate of one or more aerosolizable materials may be important where the controller is implementing a change in, for example, ACM of the aerosol to be generated. Further, valves that control the airflow through the device/article allow for the modulation of aerosol particle size distribution.

[0073] The controller may also have access to a memory whereby information relevant to the operation of the device can be stored, retrieved and/or updated as appropriate. The memory may be part of the controller, or may be part of a remove device which the controller is able to communicate with (for example via some form of wired or wireless connection). The controller also includes/has access to a timer via which certain usage characteristics can be determined, e.g, length of time between instances of aerosol generation, length of individual instances of aerosol generation etc. The controller may also be able to determine the date and actual time, i.e. time of day, of particular usage characteristics and use such information to pre-configure the aerosol characteristics of the one or more subsequent aerosols. For example, the controller may be able to operate in plurality of modes which are correlated to the time of day. In this way, the direction and/or magnitude of the pre-configured change in the aerosol characteristics of one or more subsequent aerosols can be altered not only on the determined usage characteristics, but also on the point in time at which the device is being used. For example, it may be that the magnitude of the pre-configured changed is correlated to whether the device is being used in the morning, afternoon or evening. Since a user's ability to perceive changes in aerosol characteristics may evolve throughout a day, the controller may be configured to take into account the time of day when implementing a particular pre-configured change. Likewise, other elements of usage characteristics may be taken into account, such as location of use.

[0074] Further, the controller may include/have access to one or more, usage sensors which provide information regarding the usage characteristics of the device and/or the aerosol characteristics. Such usage sensors include airflow rate sensors, barometric pressure sensors, contact pressure sensors, humidity sensors, temperature sensors, motion sensors, location sensors and the like. Referring now to FIG. 2, a graph is shown whereby the amount of a particular aerosol constituent (such as a flavor—FL referring to Flavor Level)) is reduced between first and subsequent aerosols. In particular, the left hand half of the graph shows a first aerosol 1 and a subsequent aerosol 2. In particular, aerosol 1 contains a relative amount of 100% of a flavor constituent, whereas aerosol 2 contains a relative amount of 85% of that same flavor constituent. For aerosol 3, the amount of flavor constituent increases again to 100%. This cycling of decreasing and then increasing the amount of flavor constituent between throughout the aerosol session can result in a net reduction in the amount of flavor constituent consumed by the user, which could be advantageous, e.g. for cost reasons. Since, however, the preconfigured change has an undulating profile, the user is only exposed to a reduction in flavor constituent 50% of the cycle and thus has reduced opportunity to perceive a difference in sensorial experience. The right hand side of the graph in FIG. 2 shows a similar undulating profile, however in this instance the controller is configured to reduce the flavor constituent of the aerosol immediately after the first aerosol to 70% of the initial relative value.

[0075] FIGS. 3a and 3b show how the controller may be configured to vary the point in time after the first aerosol is generated that the pre-configured step change in aerosol characteristics may occur. For example, in FIG. 3a, the controller is configured to maintain the aerosol characteristics unchanged until time 1 and then to implement a relatively gradual change in aerosol characteristics (reduction in this example) over the period of time 2. FIG. 3b shows an example of an implementation whereby the controller is configured to implement a relatively rapid change in aerosol characteristics (reduction in this example) followed by a fixed period whereby consecutive aerosols are produced with “fixed” aerosol characteristics.

[0076] FIG. 4 shows how the controller may be configured to implement a continuous stepping-down of an aerosol constituent, implemented in a staggered way. In particular, following an initial period whereby aerosols of “fixed” aerosol characteristics are generated, the controller is then configured to begin a step-wise reduction in an amount of aerosol constituent for consecutive aerosols generated over an individual session. At each determination that the next aerosol to be generated is a first aerosol, the controller is configured to increase the amount of the aerosol constituent to a level above that of the last aerosol, but less than that of the previous first aerosol. This cycle can then be repeated until that particular aerosol constituent is substantially absent from all subsequent aerosols, including first aerosols. The various aerosol characteristics can be determined according to known methods. Suitable methods in this regard are explained below.

[0077] Aerosol Collected Mass

[0078] The total collected aerosol mass (ACM) for each aerosol is determined by measuring the amount of aerosol captured on a Cambridge filter pad before and after each collection event. The total amount of aerosol collected will be determined by difference in mass (Pad weight after collection—pad weight before collection). In order to determine the total collected aerosol mass for a range of different aerosols, the aerosol collection time period should be constant, e.g. 3 second aerosol generation period.

[0079] Determination of Gas Phase and Particulate Phase Content

[0080] There are various methods available for determining the particulate/gas phase partitioning of an aerosol. Briefly, the aerosol can be collected on a series of Cambridge Filter Pad (CFP) and Impingers. The mass of the pre and post collection is determined, with the difference being indicative of the particulate phase. The Impinger gives an indication of the gas phase. It is also possible to determine the particulate/gas phase partitioning of an aerosol using a denuder, using a method as described in John et al., Journal of Aerosol Science, Volume 117, March 2018, Pages 100-117, modified so as to facilitate use with an electronic aerosol provision system.

[0081] Determination of Particle Size Distribution (MMAD)

[0082] There are various methods available for determining the mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of an aerosol. Mention may be made of cascade impaction and laser scattering/diffraction. A suitable system for use to determine the MMAD via laser scattering/diffraction includes a Spraytec laser diffraction system from Malvern Panalytical.

[0083] The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.