CHARGER AND AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEM WITH ROTATABLE COVER

Abstract

A charger for charging an aerosol-generating device is provided, the charger including: a housing defining a cavity to receive the device to be charged, the cavity having an opening; at least one electrical contact disposed in the cavity; and a cover rotationally slidable relative to the opening between open and closed positions, an inner surface of the cover facing the cavity when the cover is in the closed position, at least a portion of the inner surface of the cover defines a profiled engagement member having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the profiled engagement member sloping into, or towards, the cavity when the cover is in the closed position, a slope increasing in a direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the profiled engagement member. An aerosol generating system and a method of operating an aerosol-generating system are also provided.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A charger for charging an aerosol-generating device, the charger comprising: a housing defining a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating device to be charged, the cavity having an opening; at least one electrical contact being disposed in the cavity; and a cover rotationally slidable relative to the opening between an open position and a closed position, an inner surface of the cover facing the cavity when the cover is in the closed position, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of the cover defines a profiled engagement member having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the profiled engagement member sloping into, or towards, the cavity when the cover is in the closed position, a slope increasing in a direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the profiled engagement member.

17. The charger according to claim 16, wherein the profiled engagement member is configured to urge the aerosol-generating device received in the cavity into engagement with the at least one electrical contact when the cover is in the closed position.

18. The charger according to claim 16, wherein the profiled engagement member protrudes into, or towards, the cavity when the cover is in the closed position, a protrusion of the profiled engagement member increasing in the direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the profiled engagement member.

19. The charger according to claim 16, further comprising an aerosol-generating device release mechanism configured to urge the aerosol-generating device received in the cavity in a direction of the cavity opening when the cover is in the open position.

20. The charger according to claim 16, wherein the profiled engagement member is a cam surface and a top surface of the aerosol-generating device received in the cavity is a cam rider.

21. The charger according to claim 16, wherein the housing comprises a face over which the cover is rotationally slidable, and wherein, when sliding the cover from the open position to the closed position, the inner surface of the cover does not slide beyond the face of the housing.

22. The charger according to claim 16, further comprising an actuation member and a means to slide the cover from the closed position to the open position in response to manipulation of the actuation member by a user of the charger.

23. The charger according to claim 22, wherein the actuation member is a rotatable disc and the means to slide the cover is a mechanical linkage between the rotatable disc and the cover.

24. The charger according to claim 23, wherein the actuation member is a button or switch and the means to slide the cover comprises an actuator and a mechanical linkage between the actuator and the cover, and wherein the actuation member is configured to send an electrical signal to the actuator in response to manipulation of the actuation member by a user of the charger.

25. The charger according to claim 16, wherein the cover comprises a cover opening alignable with the cavity when the cover is in the open position.

26. The charger according to claim 16, wherein the profiled engagement member is a curved rib.

27. The charger according to claim 26, wherein the housing is cylindrical.

28. The charger according to claim 16, wherein the cover is biased towards the closed position.

29. An aerosol generating system, comprising: a charger; and an aerosol-generating device, the charger comprising: a housing defining a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating device to be charged, the cavity having an opening, at least one electrical contact being disposed in the cavity, and a cover rotationally slidable relative to the opening between an open position and a closed position, an inner surface of the cover facing the cavity when the cover is in the closed position, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of the cover defines a profiled engagement member having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the profiled engagement member sloping into, or towards, the cavity when the cover is in the closed position, a slope increasing in a direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the profiled engagement member.

30. A method of operating an aerosol-generating system comprising a charger and an aerosol-generating device, the charger comprising: a housing defining a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating device to be charged, the cavity having an opening, at least one electrical contact being disposed in the cavity, and a cover rotationally slidable relative to the opening between an open position and a closed position, an inner surface of the cover facing the cavity when the cover is in the closed position, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of the cover defines a profiled engagement member having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the profiled engagement member sloping into, or towards, the cavity when the cover is in the closed position, a slope increasing in a direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the profiled engagement member; and the method comprising: inserting the aerosol-generating device into the cavity of the charger when the cover is in the open position; and sliding the cover from the open position to the closed position, wherein, in the closed position, the profiled engagement member urges the aerosol-generating device into engagement with the at least one electrical contact.

Description

[0099] Specific embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in which:

[0100] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a known electrically operated aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article, an aerosol-generating device and a charging device for charging the aerosol-generating device;

[0101] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a charger according to the invention, comprising a cover slidable between an open position and a closed position. FIG. 2a shows the cover in the open position. FIG. 2b shows the cover in the closed position.

[0102] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section schematic view of the charger of FIG. 2, with an aerosol-generating device received in a cavity of the charger. FIG. 3a shows the cover in an open position. FIG. 3b shows the cover in the closed position. FIG. 3c shows the cover in an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position.

[0103] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the cover separately to the charger.

[0104] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the charger similar to that shown in FIG. 2, further comprising an actuating member in form of a rotatable disk.

[0105] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of the charger of FIG. 4, showing a mechanical linkage between the rotatable disk and the cover.

[0106] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of another embodiments of the charger where a motor is used to move the cover from the open position to the closed position.

[0107] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a charger comprising an aerosol-generating device release mechanism, the cover is shown in the open position.

[0108] FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram of a method of using an aerosol-generating system comprising the charger and an aerosol-generating device.

[0109] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a known electrically operated aerosol-generating system. The known electrically operated aerosol-generating system comprises a charger 1, an aerosol-generating device 20 and an aerosol-generating article 30.

[0110] The charger 1 comprises a housing 2 having the general size and shape of a conventional packet of cigarettes. A lithium-ion battery 3 and electric circuitry 4 are housed within the charger 1. The charger 1 further comprises a generally circularly-cylindrical cavity 5 for receiving the aerosol-generating device 20. The cavity 5 is defined by the housing 2. An electrical contact (not shown) is arranged at a closed end of the cavity 5 for electrically connecting an aerosol-generating device received in the cavity 5 to the battery 3 of the charging device 1.

[0111] The aerosol-generating device 20 is substantially circularly cylindrical and has the general dimensions of a conventional cigar. The length of the device 20 is substantially identical to the length of the cavity 5 and the diameter of the device 20 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the cavity 5, such that the device 20 fits closely in the cavity 5. The aerosol-generating device 20 comprises an open cavity 21 at a proximal end for receiving an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a battery (not shown) housed in the housing of the device and an electric heater (not shown) arranged in the cavity 21 for heating at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article 30 when the aerosol-generating article 30 is received in the cavity 21.

[0112] The aerosol-generating article 30 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate (not shown) comprising a gathered, crimped sheet of tobacco, and a filter (not shown) arranged back to back with the aerosol-forming substrate in the form of a rod. The aerosol-generating article 30 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the cavity 21 of the device 20 and a length longer than the cavity 21, such that when the article 30 is received in the cavity 21 of the device 20, the filter extends out of the cavity 21 and may be drawn on by a user, similarly to a convention cigarette.

[0113] In use, a user inserts the article 30 into the cavity 21 of the device 20 and turns on the device 20 to activate the electric heater. The electric heater heats the aerosol-forming substrate of the article 30 such that volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate are released and atomised to form an aerosol. The user draws on the mouthpiece of the article 30 and inhales the aerosol generated from the heated aerosol-forming substrate. After use of the device 20, the article 30 may be removed from the device 20 for disposal, and the device 20 may be placed into the charger 1 for storage and for charging of the battery of the device 20.

[0114] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a charger 100 according to the invention. The charger comprises a charger housing 102 and a cover 110. The cover comprises a cover opening 126. In the charger housing 102, a cavity 120 for receiving an aerosol-generating device is defined. The cavity 120 comprises cavity walls 122 and a cavity opening 124. These features are not visible in the perspective view of FIG. 2. However, the cavity, cavity walls and cavity opening are represented by the dotted lines in FIG. 2 to show the relative position of the cover opening 126 and the cavity 120. The cavity opening 124 is defined in a top surface of the charger housing.

[0115] The charger also comprises two electrical contacts (not shown in FIG. 2) located in the cavity, and a power supply in the form of a rechargeable battery (not shown). The rechargeable battery is couplable to the electrical contacts located in the cavity.

[0116] The charger housing 102 has a cylindrical shape, with the cover 110 positioned adjacent the top flat surface of the charger housing 102. The cover 110 also has a cylindrical shape. The diameter of the cover matches the diameter of the charger housing 102 and centres of the cover and the top surface of the charger housing are aligned such that the cover does not extend beyond the top surface of the charger housing 102.

[0117] The cover 110 is rotationally slidable between an open position, shown in FIG. 2a, and a closed position, shown in FIG. 2b. In the open position, the cover opening 126 is aligned with cavity 120 such that the cavity 120 is accessible and an aerosol-generating device can be received by the charger 100 in the cavity 120. In the closed position, the cover opening 126 is no longer aligned with the cavity 120 and the cover 110 closes the cavity 120 by facing the cavity opening 124. Closing the cavity protects the cavity 120 from dust and prevents users from altering the position of an aerosol-generating device received within the cavity 120 of the charger 100. The charger housing 102 acts as a case for an aerosol-generating device received in the cavity and provides protection for an aerosol-generating device. The cover 110 also acts to ensure electrical contact between an aerosol-generating device received in the cavity and the electrical contacts of the charger (not shown in FIG. 2) located in the cavity 120. This is described in more detail below in relation to FIG. 3.

[0118] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the charger 100 with an aerosol-generating device 300 received in the cavity 120. FIG. 3a shows the cover 110 in the open position, FIG. 3b shows the cover 110 in the closed position and FIG. 3c shows the cover in an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position. In the open position, the cover opening 126 is aligned with the cavity 120. In the closed position, the cover opening 126 is not aligned with the cavity 120. The cover 110 comprises an inner surface 310, a portion of which defines a profiled engagement member 312. The profiled engagement member 312 comprises a leading edge 314. The profiled engagement member 312 also comprises a trailing edge. However, because the profiled engagement member is curved, the trailing edge cannot be seen in FIG. 3. The trailing edge is shown in FIG. 4.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 3b, the profiled engagement member 312 slopes towards the cavity when the cover is in the closed position. The slope of the profiled engagement member 312 increases in a direction from the leading edge 314 to a trailing edge (not shown in FIG. 3).

[0120] The aerosol-generating device comprises two electrical contacts 302, 303. The aerosol-generating device also comprises a power supply in the form of a rechargeable battery (not shown). The rechargeable battery of the aerosol-generating device is electrically couplable with the two electrical contacts 302 and 303.

[0121] FIG. 3 shows the two electrical contacts 304 and 305 located in the cavity of the charger. Electrical contacts 302 and 303 of the aerosol-generating device are aligned with contacts 304 and 305 of the charger when the aerosol-generating device is received in the cavity. When there is electrical connection between the electrical contacts of the charger with the electrical contacts of the aerosol-generating device, the rechargeable battery of the charger can be used to recharge the rechargeable battery of the aerosol-generating device. In order for the rechargeable battery to be reliably charged, the electrical connection must be consistent.

[0122] Electrical contacts 304 and 305 are resilient elements in the form of cantilever springs.

[0123] The electrical contacts 304 and 305 extend upwards from the closed end of the cavity in the direction of the cavity opening. When the cover 110 is open, and provided the charger remains upright, the aerosol-generating device 300 rests upon the electrical contacts 304 and 305. As described above, the aerosol-generating device 300 has a length which is substantially the same as the length of the cavity (from the closed end of the cavity to the cavity opening). However, because of the upward extension of the electrical contacts 304 and 305, the aerosol-generating device received in the cavity and resting upon the electrical contacts 304 and 305 extends above the level of the cavity opening when the cover is in the open position.

[0124] When the cover is in the open position, electrical communication between the electrical contacts 302 and 304 and 303 and 305 is not ensured and so may not be consistent. For example, if the charger 100 is not stored in an upright position, or is shaken or dropped, it is likely that the electrical communication will not be maintained between the electrical contacts of the charger and the electrical contacts of the device.

[0125] When the cover 110 is in the closed position (as shown in FIG. 3b), electrical communication between the electrical contacts 302 and 304 and 303 and 305 is ensured. This is because, in the closed position, the profiled engagement member 312 of the cover 110 is engagement with a top surface of the aerosol-generating device 322 received in the cavity 120. The engagement ensures that the aerosol-generating device is in electrical communication with electrical contacts 304 and 305 of the charger, irrespective of the orientation of the charger and of any sudden forces applied to the charger, for example, in the case that the charger is dropped. In other words, the engagement ensures that contact is maintained between the electrical contacts 302 and 303 of the charger and the electrical contacts 304 and 305 of the aerosol-generating device.

[0126] The profiled engagement member 312 urges the aerosol-generating device into engagement with the contacts of the charger 304 and 305 when the cover is in the closed position. The profiled engagement member 312 applies a force on the top surface 322 of the aerosol-generating device pushing it into the cavity and in the direction of, and against, the electrical contacts 304 and 305. The applied force causes the electrical contacts 304 and 305 to deform, and generate, a reactive force that urges the aerosol-generating device 300 to move away from the electrical contacts (i.e. a reactive force pushing the aerosol-generating device back out of the cavity 120). As the cover is in the closed position, the force applied by the electrical contacts 304 and 305 urges the aerosol-generating device against the cover and, in particular, against the profiled engagement member of the cover. This ensures contact between the aerosol-generating device 300 and the electrical contacts of the charger 304 and 305.

[0127] The profiled engagement member 312 is configured to first engage the top surface 322 of the aerosol-generating device 300 received in the cavity 120 at an intermediate position (i.e. a position between the open position and the closed) of the cover. This intermediate position is shown in FIG. 3c. As the cover rotatably slides towards the closed position, the profiled engagement member 312 moves into an overlapping relationship with the cavity 120. It is the leading edge 314 that moves into an overlapping relationship with the cavity 120 first. As a result of the slope of the profiled engagement member 312, the profiled engagement member 312 increasingly protrudes towards the cavity as the cover moves from the open position to the closed position. At the intermediate position shown in FIG. 3c, the profiled engagement portion protrudes towards the cavity sufficiently to first contact and engage the top surface 322 of the aerosol-generating device 300. Such an arrangement, with the profile engagement member 312 sloped as described, results in a smooth engagement between the profiled engagement portion and the aerosol-generating device.

[0128] The profiled engagement member 312 and the aerosol-generating device 300 remain engaged while the cover rotatable slides from the intermediate position show in FIG. 3c to the closed position shown in FIG. 3b. As the profiled engagement member 312 increasingly protrudes towards the cavity, an increasing force is applied on the aerosol-generating device urging the aerosol-generating device into contact with the electrical contacts 304 and 305. In turn, the electrical contacts 304 and 305 are increasingly deformed from their extended state and so apply an increasing reactive force, urging the aerosol-generating device back out of the cavity.

[0129] The profiled engagement member 312 acts as a cam surface and the aerosol-generating device 300 acts as a cam rider, following the slope of the profiled engagement portion. The transverse motion of the profiled engagement member 312, as the cover slides from the open position to the closed position, is transferred to longitudinal motion of the aerosol-generating device, into the cavity.

[0130] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the cover 110 separated from the charger. This view more clearly shows the profiled engagement member 312 having a leading edge adjacent to the cover opening 126 and a trailing edge 402. The dotted line 404 indicates how the unseen part of the profiled engagement member 312 extends in a curve from the leading edge 314 to the trailing edge 402. The profiled engagement member 312 has the form of a curved rib extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The curve matches the rotation of the cover 110 such that cover rotationally sliding the cover causes the profiled engagement member 312 to move into an overlapping relationship with the cavity, and remain in that overlapping relationship as the cover continues to rotationally slide.

[0131] In the embodiments so far described, the cover 110 is slidable from an open position to a closed position when a user manipulates the cover directly. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the charger where instead of manipulating a cover directly, a user instead manipulates an actuation member. The manipulation of the actuation member results in the cover sliding from the open position to the closed position (or vice versa).

[0132] The actuation member is in the form of a rotatable disc 502. The rotatable disc 502 is linked to the cover 110 such that rotating the rotatable disc 502 slides the cover 110 from the open position to the closed position. The rotatable disc 502 can rotate from a first position where the cover is in the open position. This rotation causes the cover to the rotatably slide.

[0133] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the charger of FIG. 4 showing the linkage between the rotatable disk 502 and the cover 110. The linkage between the slider tab 502 and the cover 110 is via rigid shaft 602 and is a direct mechanical linkage. Therefore, rotation of the rotatable disc 502 causes rotation of the cover 110. As the mechanical linkage is directly through the centre of both the rotatable disc 502 and the cover 110, rotation of the rotatable disc 502 causes the cover 110 to rotate in a fixed position relative to the charger housing 102.

[0134] The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 also comprises biasing element in the form a spring 604, shown schematically. The spring 604 is attached to charger housing at a first end 606 and to attached to the cover at a second end 608. When the cover is in the open position, the position of the cover 110 relative to the housing 102 causes the spring to be under tension. The spring 604 is deformed when the cover 110 is in the open position. Therefore, the spring applies a force on the cover, urging the cover towards the closed position.

[0135] When the cover is in the closed position, the spring is either in its natural, undeformed state, or in a relatively less deformed state. The effect of this is that whenever the cover is in the open position, or an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position, the cover is urged back towards the closed position. This prevents the user of the charger from inadvertently leaving the cover in the open position. If the cover is accidently forced open, the biasing element will automatically close the cover again.

[0136] In some embodiments, the actuation member is a button or a switch rather than a rotatable disc. The button or switch is positioned on the charger housing. A user can manipulate the button or switch to operate an actuator positioned in the charger housing. The manipulation can be by pressing the button or switching the switch. Pressing the button or switching the switch sends signals to a controller (not shown). The controller then controls the actuator to moves the cover from the open position to the closed position in response to this manipulation.

[0137] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a charger comprising an actuator in the form of a motor 702. A direct mechanical linkage 704 is a rigid shaft that connects the motor 702 to the cover 110. The motor is configured to receive electrical signals from the button or switch (not shown). When a user presses the button or switches the switch, the controller causes the motor 702 to rotate, as required. This, in turn, moves the cover from the open position to the closed position, or vice versa. The motor 702 is connected to the rechargeable battery of the charger (not shown). The rechargeable battery provides power to the motor 702.

[0138] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a charger comprising an aerosol-generating device release mechanism, the cover is shown in the open position. The aerosol-generating device release mechanism is a helical spring 802 located in the cavity 120 between electrical contacts 304 and 305. The helical spring is configured to urge the aerosol-generating device 300 out of the cavity 120 (i.e. above cavity opening 124), when the cover is in the open position. The spring 802 pushes on the bottom surface 804 of the aerosol-generating device 300. By urging the aerosol-generating device out of the cavity, the aerosol-generating device may be more easily removed from the charger by a user of the device. This is because a portion of the aerosol-generating device upon which a user can hold on to is provided. Because the aerosol-generating device release mechanism is provided as a spring

[0139] When the cover is in the closed position, the spring 802 is compressed and the aerosol-generating device is pushed against electrical contacts 304 and 305, as described with respect to previous embodiments. However, in order to close the cover, a user of the device is required to manually push the aerosol-generating device 300 below the level of the cover 110 such that profiled engagement member 312 is able to move into an overlapping relationship with the cavity opening.

[0140] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram outlining a method of using aerosol-generating systems according to the disclosure.

[0141] At step 902 an aerosol-generating device is received into the cavity of the charger. This is when the cover is in the open position.

[0142] At step 904 a user rotationally slides the cover from the open position to the closed position. As described previously, the cover engages the aerosol-generating device as it slides from the open position to the closed position. In the closed position, the cover urges the aerosol-generating device into engagement with at least one electrical contact. This ensures that the electrical connection between the aerosol-generating device and the charger is maintained. The electrical connection allows the aerosol-generating device to be charged by the charger. When the cover is closed, it protects the cavity, and the aerosol-generating device received in the cavity from dust from the surrounding environment.

[0143] At step 906 a user rotationally slides the cover from closed position to the open position. A user does this in order to be able to access the aerosol-generating device received in the cavity.

[0144] In some embodiments, the cover is biased closed. In these embodiments, the moveable elements automatically return to the closed position from the open position. Therefore, step 904 may be automatic.

[0145] In the open position, the aerosol-generating device is urged out of the cavity by an aerosol-generating device release mechanism. By urging the aerosol-generating device out of the cavity, a portion of the aerosol-generating device extends out of the cavity. A user of the aerosol-generating system can use this portion to aid removable of the aerosol-generating device. When the charger comprises an aerosol-generating device release mechanism, step 904 may require the user to manually push the aerosol-generating device into the cavity, compressing the aerosol-generating device release mechanism, before sliding the cover to the closed position.