DELIVERY SYSTEM

There is provided a delivery system that includes a housing (6) having an opening (22) formed in a wall of the housing and through which a light source (29) within the housing can be seen. A battery (4) is contained within the housing so that the opening also functions as a vent to allow gases to escape from the housing through the opening, thereby preventing a build-up of pressure within the housing in the event that the battery is damaged In another embodiment, the housing (6) has an opening (22) in a wall of the housing through which lightfrom a light source (29) is visible and in which the opening is covered by a membrane (23). The membrane is such that the light is visible through the membrane.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification relates to a delivery system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision system, or an aerosol-free delivery system.

BACKGROUND

Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternative delivery systems to these articles by creating products that release compounds without combustion. Examples of such delivery systems are so-called “heat not burn” products or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating, but not burning, a substrate. For example, tobacco heating devices heat an aerosol generating substrate, which may be tobacco or other non-tobacco products which may or may not contain nicotine, to form an aerosol by heating the substrate without burning it.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a delivery device comprising a housing; an opening through a wall of the housing; a light source in the housing such that light emitted by the light source is visible through the opening, and a battery received in the housing, wherein the delivery device is configured such that the opening in the housing through which light from the light source is visible is a vent for the egress of gas from the housing.

The delivery device may have a membrane formed from a gas permeable material that extends over the opening and through which light emitted by the light source is visible. The membrane can be made from, or be coated with, a material that diffuses light emitted by the light source. The membrane may be formed from a material that is substantially impermeable to liquid. The membrane may have a pore size in the region of 0.6 μm. The membrane may have a thickness of between 0.11 mm-0.19 mm. The membrane can have a venting capacity of 1900-2400 ml/cm2/min at a pressure of 7 kpa.

The membrane may be attached to an inner surface of the housing.

The battery may be received in a carrier having open regions to enable gas emitted by the battery to circulate within the housing around the carrier.

The delivery device may comprise a circuit board mounted to the battery within the housing. In this case, the light source may be mounted to the circuit board and spaced from the opening.

The delivery device may comprise a light transmitting element on the circuit board. The light transmitting element may be positioned between the circuit board and the opening in the wall of the housing.

The light transmitting element may upstand towards, but remain spaced from, the opening to form a pressure relief gap between the light transmitting element and the wall of the housing around the opening.

If there is a membrane over the opening, which is attached to the inside of the housing so as to extend over the opening, the light transmitting element may upstand towards the membrane.

The light transmitting element has an upper surface that may face the membrane.

The upper surface of the light transmitting element may be close to, but spaced from, the membrane to form a pressure relief gap between the upper surface of the light transmitting element and the membrane.

In some embodiments, the upper surface of the light transmitting element may comprises regions that lie in contact with the membrane.

The regions of the upper surface in contact with the membrane may lie in contact at least a part of the periphery of the membrane that lies in contact with the housing.

The light transmitting element may be made from a resiliently deformable material.

The light transmitting element may be configured so that it assumes a deformed condition between the circuit board and the membrane, when located in the housing, so that the light transmitting element applies a biasing force against the membrane to push it against the housing.

The light transmitting element may be positioned so that it extends over the light source, and may have a recess in which the light source on the circuit board is received.

The light transmitting element may have an opening to additionally allow light from the light source to pass through the opening in the light transmitting element.

The delivery device may comprise a substrate aerosolising module including a heater and an aerosolisable substrate, the substrate aerosolising module being configured to aerosolise the substrate in response to a control signal from the control module.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a delivery device comprising a housing; an opening in the housing; a light source in the housing such that light emitted by the light source is visible through the opening, and a membrane extending over the opening through which light emitted by the light source is visible.

The membrane may be made from, or is coated with, a material that diffuses light emitted by the light source.

In any embodiment, the housing comprises a sleeve which is closed by an end cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes: non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials.

Embodiments according to the invention provide a delivery system that includes a housing having an opening formed in a wall of the housing and through which a light source within the housing, such as a light emitting diode (LED), can be seen. A battery is contained within the housing so that the opening also functions as a vent to allow gases to escape from the housing through the opening, thereby preventing a build-up of pressure within the housing in the event that the battery is damaged. The opening therefore provides a dual function of providing a window through which the LED or light source can be seen, as well as a vent opening. In any embodiments of the invention, there may also be a membrane extending across the opening. Light emitted by an LED or light source positioned beneath the membrane is transmitted, and so is visible, through the membrane.

In another embodiment of the invention, the housing has an opening in a wall of the housing through which light from a light source is visible and in which the opening is covered by a membrane. The membrane is such that the light is visible through the membrane. For example, the membrane may be made of light transmissive material and/or a material that diffuses light from the light source.

FIG.1is a schematic drawing of a delivery system1in the form of a non-combustible aerosol provision or delivery device1. The device1comprises two main components2,8.

The first component2of the device1includes a control module3, which includes a battery4and a circuit board5. The control module3is received within a housing6which encloses the control module3and forms the external appearance of the device1. The housing6may be a tubular sleeve, in which case the control module3is inserted into the housing6from one open end during assembly of the device and the open end of the housing6is then closed by an end cap7. However, the housing6may, alternatively, be formed from multiple parts or shells that are attached together to form an enclosure around the control module3. If the housing6is formed from two half-shells, for instance, the control module3may be placed in one half-shell part before the other half-shell part is placed on, and is attached to, the other half-shell part thereby encapsulating the control module3within the housing6. The housing6is preferably formed from a metal, such as aluminium, although other materials for the housing6are also possible.

The second component8of the device1includes a heater9and a liquid reservoir10that may collectively form an aerosol generating module. The first and second components2,8may be modular, i.e. the second component8may have its own housing12and be separable from the first component (at a join marked X inFIG.1) for repair or replacement. A releasable electrical connection joins the first and second components2,8to enable power and control signals to be transmitted between them. However, the first and second components2,8may not be separable, other than by disassembly of the device1. More specifically, the first and second components2,8may be connected together during assembly and received within the same integral housing6to form an integral unit.

When the device ofFIG.1is used, air is drawn into an air inlet of the heater9, as indicated by the arrow11. The heater9is controlled by the control module3and heats the incoming air. The heated air is directed to the liquid reservoir10, where an aerosol is generated. The aerosol exits the device1at an air outlet, as indicated by the arrow A, into the mouth of a user of the device1.

FIG.2is an exploded view of the control module3shown inFIG.1, with the second component8omitted, andFIG.3is a cross-sectional view of the control module3ofFIG.2once assembled and received within the housing6. In the embodiment ofFIG.2, it can be seen that the housing6is in the form of a sleeve and the remaining components of the control module3are inserted into the housing6from one end. The end is then closed by an end cap7to seal the housing6.

As shown inFIG.2, and also inFIG.3which shows a cross-sectional assembled view of device1, the control module3includes a frame or carrier13in which the battery4is received and held. A circuit board5is mounted to the top outside surface of the carrier13and is supported by both the carrier13and by the outside of one major face4aof the battery4. An insulated spacer or support pad15may be located between the major face4aof the battery4and the circuit board5where they overlie each other. The support pad15may be adhesive, so that the circuit board5is held in place on the major face4aof the battery4by the adhesive pad15. Various electrical circuit and control elements16are mounted to the circuit board5, which also has connectors17for electrical connection of the circuit board5to the aerosol generating module of the second component8. These connectors17are positioned on a section of the circuit board5that overhangs one end of the carrier13.

A metal or conductive plate18is mounted to the underside of the carrier13and to the other major face4bof the battery4on the opposite side of the battery4to the circuit board5. An insulated pad19or spacer may be located between the other major face4bof the battery4and the metal plate18and may be adhesive so that the metal plate18is held in place on the other major face4bof the battery4. The metal plate18forms an electrical connection between the battery4and the circuit and control elements16on the circuit board5. It will be understood that the carrier13is open, in the sense that it does not completely cover or surround the battery4. Even with the circuit board5and metal plate18mounted to the carrier13and extending over the major faces4a,4bof the battery4, the battery4is still partially exposed. This enables any heat or gases generated by the battery4, which may occur either as a result of normal use, or due to a malfunction, to escape into regions of the housing6that surround the battery4, rather than being trapped within the carrier13.

The control module3includes a press button on/off switch20, which is mounted to the metal plate18and is accessible through an aperture in the housing6. Pressing the on/off switch20connects, or disconnects, the battery4from the circuitry16on the circuit board5, thereby switching the device on or off, or performing other control functions as required.

As can be seen most clearly inFIGS.3and4, the carrier13, together with the battery4and circuit board5mounted thereto, is received within the housing6such that there is a space ‘S’ between the circuit board5and the wall of the housing6into which heat or gases generated by the battery4may dissipate internally. Electrical circuit and control components16that are mounted on the circuit board5occupy this space.

It is common for delivery devices1to have a light source such as a light-emitting diode (LED)29so that a user can tell if the device is powered, or to signal other functions such as the need for charging of the battery4. In the majority of known devices, the LED is provided on the circuit board5and an opening22is provided in the housing6through which the LED29can be seen, or in which the LED29is located. For this purpose, the opening22and the LED29on the circuit board5, are positioned so that they are in alignment when the device1is assembled., i.e. the LED29is positioned beneath the opening22. An LED29mounted to the circuit board5beneath the opening22is shown inFIGS.3and4. In other embodiments, the LED29is positioned offset from the opening22and is not directly beneath the opening22.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the opening22is covered by a membrane23which has properties that enable it to act as a light guide to diffuse light from the LED29. In certain embodiments, the membrane23may be made from a light transmissive material. Alternatively, it may be coated with an optical film, such as a diffuser film or light control film, to improve its performance as a light guide.

The membrane23is attached to the housing6over the opening. In particular, the membrane23is attached to the inside surface of the housing6so that it is recessed from the external surface of the housing6by the thickness of the housing6making it less accessible and so better protected. Preferably, the membrane23is larger than the opening22and so has a peripheral region24that extends beyond the opening and faces the inside surface of the housing6. A permanent adhesive25is applied to this peripheral region24in an annular pattern around the entire peripheral region, and attaches the membrane23to the housing6so that it is held against the housing6and extends across the opening22.

As the housing6is a sealed unit once assembled, gas may collect within the housing6resulting in a build-up of pressure. Therefore, the opening in the housing6, irrespective of whether or not a membrane23extends over it, may also act as a vent to enable any gases to escape and to maintain a nominal or atmospheric pressure within the device1. The opening22also allows air to circulate into and out of the housing6to minimise any temperature differences.

If the opening22also acts as a vent, the membrane23may be omitted altogether. If a membrane23is used, then it must be sufficiently permeable to allow air and/or gas to pass through it with little or no resistance. However, the membrane23may also be waterproof or at least have a degree of water resistance. For example, and with reference to the IP standard drawn up by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the device1may have what is commonly referred to as an ‘IP67 rating’, which means that it is resistant to the seeping of dust or dirt into the device1, which includes access through the membrane23. This rating also means that the device1can be submerged in fresh water to a depth of up to 1.5 metres for a period of half an hour, without the water penetrating the device1, and so the membrane23covering the vent22in the housing6needs to be able to prevent such penetration.

To allow for the passage of gas or air, it is envisaged that the membrane23may have a hole size of 0.65 μm, and a thickness of between 0.11 mm-0.9 mm, with a venting capacity of 1900-2400 ml/cm2/min at a pressure of 7 kpa, in addition to acting as a light guide to diffuse light emitted by the LED. One such material that meets these requirements is made by Dong Guan PUW EPTFE Material Co,. Ltd, under product No. PUW867.

A gap or spacing ‘S’ exists between the circuit board5and the membrane23. Although this gap relatively small, any foreign object or a finger inserted through the vent22in the housing6and which applies pressure to the membrane23may cause the membrane23to rupture or the adhesive25to fail, resulting in the membrane23becoming detached from the housing6. Furthermore, as the LED29is positioned beneath the membrane, the LED29may also be damaged. Therefore, in certain embodiments that include a membrane23may also include a membrane support26located between the membrane23and the circuit board5. Preferably, the membrane support26is mounted to the circuit board5and upstands in a direction towards the membrane23.

The membrane support26extends over the LED29on the circuit board5and has a recess31formed between feet32in which the LED29is received when the membrane support26is mounted to the circuit board5. The membrane support26may be made of a light transmissive material and be a light transmitting element, so that light can pass through it from the LED29, and through the membrane23, so that it is visible from outside the housing6. In addition, or alternatively, the membrane support26may have an opening31positioned in the vicinity of the LED29such that light from the LED29can pass through the opening31, through the membrane23, and be visible to a user from outside the device1.

A more detailed version of the membrane support26is shown inFIG.5A to5C, and from which it can be seen that the membrane support26has an upper surface27that faces, and which may lie in contact with, the underside of the membrane23, at least beneath a portion of the membrane23which extends across the opening. If the upper surface27of the membrane support26lies in contact with the membrane23, the upper surface27of the membrane support26may have regions that are not in contact with the membrane23so that spaces remain through which gas can pass over the upper surface27of the support26, and through the membrane23and opening22. In particular, and as shown inFIGS.5Aand B, the membrane support26may have raised areas30upon which the membrane23sits. The raised areas30form a space between the membrane23and the upper surface27. The raised areas30extend about only part of the vent22to allow gas to escape between the upper surface27and the membrane23and pass through the vent22.

If a membrane support26is provided, and pressure is applied to the membrane23through the opening22by a user, the membrane23is pressed against, and so supported by, the upper surface27or regions of the upper surface28of the membrane support26with little or no deflection, thereby preventing any damage to the membrane23or detachment of the membrane23from the housing6. Damage to the LED29is also prevented.

The membrane support26may be made from a deformable or flexible material, such as rubber, and it may be sized so that, when positioned in the housing6, it is deformed or squashed between the circuit board5and the membrane23. The membrane support26has a degree of resilience such that, once deformed, it applies a biasing force to the membrane23that pushes the membrane23against the housing6, i.e. the peripheral region24of the membrane23which is glued to the housing6is pushed against the housing6by the membrane support26. The membrane support26therefore also holds the membrane23in place, in addition to the adhesive25. In some embodiments, it may be found that the membrane23can be held in place only by the membrane support26, in which case the membrane23need not be glued or otherwise attached to the housing6. It is also possible for the membrane23to be glued or otherwise attached to the membrane support26which is then urged against the housing6by the deformation and resilience of the membrane support26. It will be understood that the membrane support26resists a degree of pressure if a force is applied to the membrane23through the vent22, prior to any deformation or substantial deformation of the membrane support26.

It will be appreciated, particularly fromFIG.4, that the housing6may narrow from one end towards the other. In this instance, the membrane support26may also be thinner at one end, i.e. its upper surface27may be angled so that it is parallel to the membrane23and the housing wall.

As the opening is used as a window through which the LED29can be seen, with the membrane23acting as a light diffuser, and the opening22can also provide a vent, with the membrane23having gas permeable properties, the number of openings that need to be provided in the housing6is reduced.

Although reference is made to a membrane support26, it will be understood that a support may be used in the absence of a membrane23. The support26may be made from a light transmissive material. It may upstand from the circuit board5towards the opening22, and can be spaced from the opening22to provide a pressure relief gap between the upper surface of the support26and the wall of the housing6to allow gas to escape from the housing6through the gap and the opening22in the housing6.

In other embodiments, the membrane support26may be formed from a rigid material when deployed with the membrane23. The membrane support26may be formed from any material in which the membrane support26has a higher rigidity than the membrane23. Preferably, the membrane is made from silicone or like material.

The thickness of the membrane23may be larger than the pressure relief gap between the upper surface27of the membrane support26and the wall of the housing6surrounding the vent22. The thicker membrane23may be formed from an elastically deformable material such that the thicker membrane23is compressible and deforms when the membrane23is squeezed by the membrane support26against the wall of the housing6surrounding the vent22. The biasing force applied against the membrane23by the membrane support26to push the membrane23against the housing6is increased since the thickness of the membrane23is larger than the pressure relief gap. In this situation, the membrane23will be further forced against the housing6by the rigidity of the membrane support26and the device1will have increased protection from the possible ingress of water through the vent22due to the tighter fit of the membrane23around the vent22.