Patent Publication Number: US-2023157366-A1

Title: Delivery system

Description:
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/cm 2 /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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Example embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following schematic drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic drawing of a device in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded view of a control module of the device shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of the assembled control module of  FIGS.  1  and  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is an enlarged view of a portion (encircled as X in  FIG.  3   ) of the assembled control module of  FIG.  3   ; and 
         FIG.  5 A to  5 C  shows a top perspective, side cross-sectional and bottom views, respectively, of the membrane support. 
     
    
    
     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.  1    is a schematic drawing of a delivery system  1  in the form of a non-combustible aerosol provision or delivery device  1 . The device  1  comprises two main components  2 ,  8 . 
     The first component  2  of the device  1  includes a control module  3 , which includes a battery  4  and a circuit board  5 . The control module  3  is received within a housing  6  which encloses the control module  3  and forms the external appearance of the device  1 . The housing  6  may be a tubular sleeve, in which case the control module  3  is inserted into the housing  6  from one open end during assembly of the device and the open end of the housing  6  is then closed by an end cap  7 . However, the housing  6  may, alternatively, be formed from multiple parts or shells that are attached together to form an enclosure around the control module  3 . If the housing  6  is formed from two half-shells, for instance, the control module  3  may 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 module  3  within the housing  6 . The housing  6  is preferably formed from a metal, such as aluminium, although other materials for the housing  6  are also possible. 
     The second component  8  of the device  1  includes a heater  9  and a liquid reservoir  10  that may collectively form an aerosol generating module. The first and second components  2 ,  8  may be modular, i.e. the second component  8  may have its own housing  12  and be separable from the first component (at a join marked X in  FIG.  1   ) for repair or replacement. A releasable electrical connection joins the first and second components  2 ,  8  to enable power and control signals to be transmitted between them. However, the first and second components  2 ,  8  may not be separable, other than by disassembly of the device  1 . More specifically, the first and second components  2 ,  8  may be connected together during assembly and received within the same integral housing  6  to form an integral unit. 
     When the device of  FIG.  1    is used, air is drawn into an air inlet of the heater  9 , as indicated by the arrow  11 . The heater  9  is controlled by the control module  3  and heats the incoming air. The heated air is directed to the liquid reservoir  10 , where an aerosol is generated. The aerosol exits the device  1  at an air outlet, as indicated by the arrow A, into the mouth of a user of the device  1 . 
       FIG.  2    is an exploded view of the control module  3  shown in  FIG.  1   , with the second component  8  omitted, and  FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of the control module  3  of  FIG.  2    once assembled and received within the housing  6 . In the embodiment of  FIG.  2   , it can be seen that the housing  6  is in the form of a sleeve and the remaining components of the control module  3  are inserted into the housing  6  from one end. The end is then closed by an end cap  7  to seal the housing  6 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , and also in  FIG.  3    which shows a cross-sectional assembled view of device  1 , the control module  3  includes a frame or carrier  13  in which the battery  4  is received and held. A circuit board  5  is mounted to the top outside surface of the carrier  13  and is supported by both the carrier  13  and by the outside of one major face  4   a  of the battery  4 . An insulated spacer or support pad  15  may be located between the major face  4   a  of the battery  4  and the circuit board  5  where they overlie each other. The support pad  15  may be adhesive, so that the circuit board  5  is held in place on the major face  4   a  of the battery  4  by the adhesive pad  15 . Various electrical circuit and control elements  16  are mounted to the circuit board  5 , which also has connectors  17  for electrical connection of the circuit board  5  to the aerosol generating module of the second component  8 . These connectors  17  are positioned on a section of the circuit board  5  that overhangs one end of the carrier  13 . 
     A metal or conductive plate  18  is mounted to the underside of the carrier  13  and to the other major face  4   b  of the battery  4  on the opposite side of the battery  4  to the circuit board  5 . An insulated pad  19  or spacer may be located between the other major face  4   b  of the battery  4  and the metal plate  18  and may be adhesive so that the metal plate  18  is held in place on the other major face  4   b  of the battery  4 . The metal plate  18  forms an electrical connection between the battery  4  and the circuit and control elements  16  on the circuit board  5 . It will be understood that the carrier  13  is open, in the sense that it does not completely cover or surround the battery  4 . Even with the circuit board  5  and metal plate  18  mounted to the carrier  13  and extending over the major faces  4   a,    4   b  of the battery  4 , the battery  4  is still partially exposed. This enables any heat or gases generated by the battery  4 , which may occur either as a result of normal use, or due to a malfunction, to escape into regions of the housing  6  that surround the battery  4 , rather than being trapped within the carrier  13 . 
     The control module  3  includes a press button on/off switch  20 , which is mounted to the metal plate  18  and is accessible through an aperture in the housing  6 . Pressing the on/off switch  20  connects, or disconnects, the battery  4  from the circuitry  16  on the circuit board  5 , thereby switching the device on or off, or performing other control functions as required. 
     As can be seen most clearly in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the carrier  13 , together with the battery  4  and circuit board  5  mounted thereto, is received within the housing  6  such that there is a space ‘S’ between the circuit board  5  and the wall of the housing  6  into which heat or gases generated by the battery  4  may dissipate internally. Electrical circuit and control components  16  that are mounted on the circuit board  5  occupy this space. 
     It is common for delivery devices  1  to have a light source such as a light-emitting diode (LED)  29  so that a user can tell if the device is powered, or to signal other functions such as the need for charging of the battery  4 . In the majority of known devices, the LED is provided on the circuit board  5  and an opening  22  is provided in the housing  6  through which the LED  29  can be seen, or in which the LED  29  is located. For this purpose, the opening  22  and the LED  29  on the circuit board  5 , are positioned so that they are in alignment when the device  1  is assembled., i.e. the LED  29  is positioned beneath the opening  22 . An LED  29  mounted to the circuit board  5  beneath the opening  22  is shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   . In other embodiments, the LED  29  is positioned offset from the opening  22  and is not directly beneath the opening  22 . 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the opening  22  is covered by a membrane  23  which has properties that enable it to act as a light guide to diffuse light from the LED  29 . In certain embodiments, the membrane  23  may 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 membrane  23  is attached to the housing  6  over the opening. In particular, the membrane  23  is attached to the inside surface of the housing  6  so that it is recessed from the external surface of the housing  6  by the thickness of the housing  6  making it less accessible and so better protected. Preferably, the membrane  23  is larger than the opening  22  and so has a peripheral region  24  that extends beyond the opening and faces the inside surface of the housing  6 . A permanent adhesive  25  is applied to this peripheral region  24  in an annular pattern around the entire peripheral region, and attaches the membrane  23  to the housing  6  so that it is held against the housing  6  and extends across the opening  22 . 
     As the housing  6  is a sealed unit once assembled, gas may collect within the housing  6  resulting in a build-up of pressure. Therefore, the opening in the housing  6 , irrespective of whether or not a membrane  23  extends over it, may also act as a vent to enable any gases to escape and to maintain a nominal or atmospheric pressure within the device  1 . The opening  22  also allows air to circulate into and out of the housing  6  to minimise any temperature differences. 
     If the opening  22  also acts as a vent, the membrane  23  may be omitted altogether. If a membrane  23  is used, then it must be sufficiently permeable to allow air and/or gas to pass through it with little or no resistance. However, the membrane  23  may 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 device  1  may 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 device  1 , which includes access through the membrane  23 . This rating also means that the device  1  can 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 device  1 , and so the membrane  23  covering the vent  22  in the housing  6  needs to be able to prevent such penetration. 
     To allow for the passage of gas or air, it is envisaged that the membrane  23  may 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/cm 2 /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 board  5  and the membrane  23 . Although this gap relatively small, any foreign object or a finger inserted through the vent  22  in the housing  6  and which applies pressure to the membrane  23  may cause the membrane  23  to rupture or the adhesive  25  to fail, resulting in the membrane  23  becoming detached from the housing  6 . Furthermore, as the LED  29  is positioned beneath the membrane, the LED  29  may also be damaged. Therefore, in certain embodiments that include a membrane  23  may also include a membrane support  26  located between the membrane  23  and the circuit board  5 . Preferably, the membrane support  26  is mounted to the circuit board  5  and upstands in a direction towards the membrane  23 . 
     The membrane support  26  extends over the LED  29  on the circuit board  5  and has a recess  31  formed between feet  32  in which the LED  29  is received when the membrane support  26  is mounted to the circuit board  5 . The membrane support  26  may be made of a light transmissive material and be a light transmitting element, so that light can pass through it from the LED  29 , and through the membrane  23 , so that it is visible from outside the housing  6 . In addition, or alternatively, the membrane support  26  may have an opening  31  positioned in the vicinity of the LED  29  such that light from the LED  29  can pass through the opening  31 , through the membrane  23 , and be visible to a user from outside the device  1 . 
     A more detailed version of the membrane support  26  is shown in  FIG.  5 A to  5 C , and from which it can be seen that the membrane support  26  has an upper surface  27  that faces, and which may lie in contact with, the underside of the membrane  23 , at least beneath a portion of the membrane  23  which extends across the opening. If the upper surface  27  of the membrane support  26  lies in contact with the membrane  23 , the upper surface  27  of the membrane support  26  may have regions that are not in contact with the membrane  23  so that spaces remain through which gas can pass over the upper surface  27  of the support  26 , and through the membrane  23  and opening  22 . In particular, and as shown in  FIGS.  5 A  and B, the membrane support  26  may have raised areas  30  upon which the membrane  23  sits. The raised areas  30  form a space between the membrane  23  and the upper surface  27 . The raised areas  30  extend about only part of the vent  22  to allow gas to escape between the upper surface  27  and the membrane  23  and pass through the vent  22 . 
     If a membrane support  26  is provided, and pressure is applied to the membrane  23  through the opening  22  by a user, the membrane  23  is pressed against, and so supported by, the upper surface  27  or regions of the upper surface  28  of the membrane support  26  with little or no deflection, thereby preventing any damage to the membrane  23  or detachment of the membrane  23  from the housing  6 . Damage to the LED  29  is also prevented. 
     The membrane support  26  may be made from a deformable or flexible material, such as rubber, and it may be sized so that, when positioned in the housing  6 , it is deformed or squashed between the circuit board  5  and the membrane  23 . The membrane support  26  has a degree of resilience such that, once deformed, it applies a biasing force to the membrane  23  that pushes the membrane  23  against the housing  6 , i.e. the peripheral region  24  of the membrane  23  which is glued to the housing  6  is pushed against the housing  6  by the membrane support  26 . The membrane support  26  therefore also holds the membrane  23  in place, in addition to the adhesive  25 . In some embodiments, it may be found that the membrane  23  can be held in place only by the membrane support  26 , in which case the membrane  23  need not be glued or otherwise attached to the housing  6 . It is also possible for the membrane  23  to be glued or otherwise attached to the membrane support  26  which is then urged against the housing  6  by the deformation and resilience of the membrane support  26 . It will be understood that the membrane support  26  resists a degree of pressure if a force is applied to the membrane  23  through the vent  22 , prior to any deformation or substantial deformation of the membrane support  26 . 
     It will be appreciated, particularly from  FIG.  4   , that the housing  6  may narrow from one end towards the other. In this instance, the membrane support  26  may also be thinner at one end, i.e. its upper surface  27  may be angled so that it is parallel to the membrane  23  and the housing wall. 
     As the opening is used as a window through which the LED  29  can be seen, with the membrane  23  acting as a light diffuser, and the opening  22  can also provide a vent, with the membrane  23  having gas permeable properties, the number of openings that need to be provided in the housing  6  is reduced. 
     Although reference is made to a membrane support  26 , it will be understood that a support may be used in the absence of a membrane  23 . The support  26  may be made from a light transmissive material. It may upstand from the circuit board  5  towards the opening  22 , and can be spaced from the opening  22  to provide a pressure relief gap between the upper surface of the support  26  and the wall of the housing  6  to allow gas to escape from the housing  6  through the gap and the opening  22  in the housing  6 . 
     In other embodiments, the membrane support  26  may be formed from a rigid material when deployed with the membrane  23 . The membrane support  26  may be formed from any material in which the membrane support  26  has a higher rigidity than the membrane  23 . Preferably, the membrane is made from silicone or like material. 
     The thickness of the membrane  23  may be larger than the pressure relief gap between the upper surface  27  of the membrane support  26  and the wall of the housing  6  surrounding the vent  22 . The thicker membrane  23  may be formed from an elastically deformable material such that the thicker membrane  23  is compressible and deforms when the membrane  23  is squeezed by the membrane support  26  against the wall of the housing  6  surrounding the vent  22 . The biasing force applied against the membrane  23  by the membrane support  26  to push the membrane  23  against the housing  6  is increased since the thickness of the membrane  23  is larger than the pressure relief gap. In this situation, the membrane  23  will be further forced against the housing  6  by the rigidity of the membrane support  26  and the device  1  will have increased protection from the possible ingress of water through the vent  22  due to the tighter fit of the membrane  23  around the vent  22 . 
     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.