Patent Publication Number: US-2020281254-A1

Title: Inhaler with Optical Recognition and Consumable Therefor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2018/000587, filed Dec. 28, 2018, published in English, which claims priority to European Application No. 17211077.7 filed Dec. 29, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to electronic cigarettes with optical recognition capabilities and consumables therefor. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic cigarettes have gained popularity in the recent years. There are two main types; liquid vaporizers and heated tobacco inhaler devices. The heated tobacco inhaler devices are referred to as “heat-not-burn” electronic cigarette systems. They provide an authentic tobacco flavor, which is often appreciated by the user. Their working principle is to heat a tobacco material comprising an aerosol-forming substance (such as glycerin or propylene glycol) which vaporizes during heating and creates a vapor that extracts nicotine and flavor components from the tobacco material. The tobacco substance is heated to between 200 and 450° C., which is below the normal burning temperature of a conventional cigarette. The inhaler device is typically a hand-held heater device, which is configured to receive tobacco rod consumables. 
     In general, consumables for heated tobacco inhaler systems are only used one time whereafter they should be discarded. It is important that the heating temperature and the heating profile of the consumables are respected in order to assure that the tobacco in the tobacco rods is not burned. If the consumable is overly heated or used a second time, undesired volatile compounds may be released. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to ensure the correct usage of a smoking consumable in order to deliver a desired vapor composition. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, it relates to a consumable for an inhaler comprising a heating system and an optical reader, the consumable comprising an indicia containing information about the consumable,
         wherein the indicia provides authorization information before the consumable has been exposed to a temperature exceeding a temperature threshold, and wherein the indicia is altered after it has been exposed to a temperature exceeding the temperature threshold.       

     The present invention is based on the realization that an indicia could be altered to provide different sets of information such that the first set of information makes the consumable authorized for use and the second set of information makes it rejectable. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the indicia comprises a first indicia that is readable by the optical reader before the consumable has been exposed to a temperature exceeding the temperature threshold and a second indicia which is only readable by the optical reader after the consumable has been exposed to a temperature exceeding the temperature threshold. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the second indicia comprises an optically readable pattern or code. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the second indicia is partially overlapping the first indicia in order to distort the information. By overlapping the first and the second indicia, a rejection error message can be triggered on purpose for used consumables. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the first indicia and the second indicia are placed side-by-side. The first indicia and the second indicia may be placed within a distance of each other of 1-10 mm. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the second indicia is created by a heat-activated ink, which changes from transparent to optically readable when exposed to a temperature exceeding the temperature threshold. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the heat-activated ink is selected from the group comprising sodium chloride, ascorbic acid and sucrose. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the indicia is readable by an optical reader before it has been exposed to a temperature above the temperature threshold and wherein the indicia at least partially disappears or partially fades away after the consumable has been exposed to a temperature above the temperature threshold. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the indicia comprises a thermochromic ink, which irreversibly becomes transparent after having been exposed to a temperature exceeding the temperature threshold. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the indicia becomes transparent after having been exposed to a temperature exceeding 60° C. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the second indicia is printed on the same sheet as the first indicia. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the second indicia is printed on a different sheet from the first indicia. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the second indicia is only readable after having been exposed to a temperature exceeding 60° C. In an exemplary embodiment, the second indicia permanently marks the consumable. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, it relates to an inhaler for heated cigarette rods comprising a mouthpiece section and a power supply section, the mouthpiece portion comprising a cavity configured to receive a consumable, wherein the inhaler further comprises an optical reader system configured to read an indicia located on the consumable, and wherein the optical reader system comprises a control unit configured to determine if the consumable has been exposed to a temperature exceeding a temperature threshold. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the control unit is further configured to read a second indicia. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the optical reader system is configured to read and recognize a first set of information, which authorizes the consumable, and a second set of information, which rejects the consumable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings, which by way of example illustrate embodiments of the present invention and in which like features are denoted with the same reference numerals. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of an inhaler according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a consumable according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3 a  to 3 c    are schematic cross-sectional views of an inhaler and a consumable according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4 a  to 4 d    are schematic perspective views of a consumable according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5 a    is a schematic perspective view of a used consumable according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5 b    is a schematic perspective view of a spacer portion of the consumable of  FIG. 5   a.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the context of the present disclosure, the term consumable can relate to heated tobacco rods, but may also relate to other types of consumables which are configured to be heated in order to release a vapor. Examples of other types of consumables may include rigid or flexible capsules containing tobacco substances or any other suitable herbal substance in the form of e.g. a powder or loose leaf. The inhaler is preferably in the form of an electronic cigarette, which can be configured to generate a continuous supply of an aerosol. 
     As used herein, the term “inhaler” or “apparatus” may include an electronic cigarette configured to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for smoking. An aerosol for smoking may refer to an aerosol with particle sizes of 0.5-7 microns. The particle size may be less than 10 or 7 microns. The inhaler may be portable. 
     Referring to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 3   a  to  3   c , an inhaler  2  according to the present invention is illustrated. The inhaler  2  has a housing  4  and comprises a mouthpiece section  6 , a power supply section  12  and a heating system  24 . The inhaler  2  is configured to receive consumables  32 , which may be in the form of tobacco rods. The consumables  32  may comprise a tobacco portion  34  made from a tobacco substrate and an aerosol-forming substance such as glycerin or propylene glycol. 
     The power supply section  12  comprises a power supply unit  14 , an activation mechanism  19 , a control unit  16  and a sensing module  18 . The power supply unit  14  may for instance comprise batteries, such as rechargeable Lithium batteries. If rechargeable batteries are used, the housing  4  of the inhaler  2  may be provided with a socket adapted to engage with an external battery recharger. 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 c   , the mouthpiece section  6  comprises a cavity  12  configured to receive a consumable  32 . The heater system  24  is located in the cavity  12 , and is configured to heat the tobacco portion  34  of the consumables  32  such that the aerosol-forming substance evaporates. The heating system  24  may comprise a heater element in the form of a blade or a rod. When the consumable  32  is introduced into the cavity  12 , the blade  24  is inserted into the tobacco portion  34  of the consumable  32 . However, the heating system  24  of the present invention is not limited to an internal heating system  24  and other types of heating systems  24  such as an external induction heating systems are also possible. 
     The mouthpiece section  6  may comprise a fixed portion  8  and a slidable portion  10 . The slidable portion  10  may act as a guide to introduce the consumable  32  into the cavity  12  to make sure that the consumable  32  is accurately positioned and is aligned with the blade. 
     The control unit  16  is configured to activate the inhaler  2  and to control the heating system  24 . The control unit  16  can be configured to receive data in the form of user input and/or information from the sensing module  18 . The control unit  16  can be triggered by an activation mechanism  19 . The activation mechanism  19  can be in the form of a single user-activated button  19 , or an interface enabling multiple activation mechanisms, and optionally also a display. 
     The sensing module  18  may comprise an airflow sensor  20  configured to detect an airflow when a user inhales from the inhaler  2 . To ensure that the operating temperature remains in a “heat-not-burn” temperature range, the sensing module  18  may comprise a temperature sensor  22 . The temperature sensor  22  may be configured to sense the temperature and communicate the measured temperature to the control unit  16 . The control unit  16  receives temperature data from the temperature sensor  22 , compares the data with an allowable temperature range and regulates the power supply to the heating system  24  accordingly. In that way, the control unit  16  can ensure that the temperature range is within a desired range, such as between 200 and 450° C. The control unit  16  may also comprise a timer  91 , configured to ensure that the consumable  32  is only be used during a certain amount of time. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2 , which illustrates an exploded view of a prior art consumable  32  in the form of a tobacco rod. The consumable  32  may comprise a plurality of rod-shaped elements in the form of a tobacco portion  34 , a mouthpiece portion  44 , a rigidified portion  58  and a spacer portion  52  located between the tobacco portion  34  and the rigidified portion  58 . 
     The rod-shaped elements are assembled and held together by a tipping paper  48  and a plug wrap  50 . The plug wrap  50  further enhances the stability between the filter portion  34  and the rigidified portion  58 . The tobacco portion  34  may comprise tobacco substrate mixed together with an aerosol-forming substance. The tobacco portion  34  may be shaped as a plug and retained within a paper sheet in the form of a tobacco wrap  42 . 
     The mouthpiece portion  44  may comprise a filter portion  45  retained within a filter wrap  51 . The filter portion may  45 , for instance, comprise a conventional filter material such as acetate fibers and the filter wrap  51  is typically made from paper material. 
     The rigidified portion  58  is located between the mouthpiece portion  44  and the tobacco portion  44 . The rigidified portion  58  is configured to provide a rigid extension to the tobacco portion  34  and to enhance the airflow from the tobacco portion  34  and the mouthpiece portion  44 . The rigidified portion  58  may be a corrugated sheet material, which is maintained within a paper sheet wrap  62 . Longitudinal air channels are created through the rigidified portion  58  which enhance the airflow through the consumable  32 . 
     The spacer portion  52  comprises a filter  55  retained within a filter wrap  56 . The spacer portion comprises a central channel  54  in order to facilitate and centralize the airflow through the consumable  32 . The central channel  54  may also be used as a positioning support for a heater, such as a heating blade  26 . 
     The consumables  32  of the present invention may be provided with a similar structure as the prior art structure illustrated in  FIG. 2 . However, as seen in  FIG. 4 a   , the consumables  32  of the present invention are further provided with an indicia  68 , which contains information configured to authenticate the consumable  32 . In use of the inhaler  2 , an authentic indicia  68  enables the heating system  24  of the inhaler  2 . On the contrary, non-authentic indicia blocks the heating system  24  and preferably triggers an error message to the user. Additionally, the indicia  68  may comprise product-related information such as the brand, manufacturing date, expiration date etc. The indicia  68  is a code, which is optically readable and may for instance be in the form of a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode. 
     The consumable  32  in  FIG. 4 a    is in an unused stage, i.e. it has not been exposed to a temperature exceeding a temperature threshold T. In the illustrated example, only a first indicia  68  is visible. The temperature threshold is providing an alternation of the indicia  68  of the consumable. Hence, when the consumable has been exposed to temperatures exceeding the temperature threshold T, the consumable  32  can no longer be authenticated. 
     As seen in  FIG. 4 a   , the indicia  68  comprises a set of first information I 1  about the consumable  32 . The first information I 1  contains data in order to identify the consumable  32 . The first information I 1  thus provides authentication data to enable the control unit  16  of the inhaler  2  to accept or reject the consumable  32 . The indicia  68  may also provide product-related information such as the brand, the flavor, the manufacturing date/expiration date of the consumable  32 . If the optical reader has determined a non-authorized indicia I 1 , it will send a signal to the control unit, which will block the heating system The inhaler device  2  can be configured to provide a notification to the user, at least if the consumable  32  is not authorized. The inhaler  2  may further comprise a display configured to display information extracted from the consumable. Hence, the inhaler  2  may provide indicators on whether the consumable is authorized. The display may also display product-related information such as best-before date, flavor etc. Alternatively, the inhaler  2  can be connected to an independent computing device such as a mobile phone or other external computing device, which can provide authentication and product-related information. 
     The temperature threshold T is selected within a range between 60° C. and 200° C. The lower temperature ranges are advantageous as they provide a more reactive response from the indicia  68  and thus making sure that the indicia is altered. The temperature threshold T is exceeded as heat from the heating system  24  is transferred to the indicia. 
     The consumable  32  in  FIGS. 4 b  to 4 d    illustrate various embodiments of consumables  32 , which have been exposed to temperatures above the threshold T. 
     The indicia  68  may be located on the tipping paper  48  or the plug wrap and may be a printed patter. The indicia  68  may be located on the tipping paper  48  over the rigidified portion  58 . By positioning the indicia  68  over the rigidified portion  58 , the indicia is less prone to become creased. 
       FIGS. 4 b  to 4 d    illustrate different embodiments of the consumable of  FIG. 4 a    after it has been exposed to temperatures above the temperature threshold T. As seen in  FIGS. 4 b  to 4 d   , the indicia  68  is configured to be altered after it has been exposed to temperatures above the temperature threshold T. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 b  and 4 c   , the indicia  68  is altered after it has been exposed to temperatures above the temperature threshold T to comprise a first indicia  68   a  and a second indicia  68   b . The first indicia  68   a  may correspond to the indicia which is visible before the consumable  32  has been exposed to the temperature threshold T. The second indicia  68   b  can be an additional readable indicia, such as a second readable code  68   b , which contains information that it has been used. The second indicia  68   b  may be superposing or at least partially superposing the first indicia  68   a  to distort the information on the first indicia  68  and to make it unreadable. It may be advantageous to provide the second indicia in the form of a clear indication to the user, such as a written message stating “Used” or a suitable symbol for communicating that the consumable should be discarded and is not suitable for further use. Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 c   , the second indicia  68   b  may contain a second set of information I 2 , which does not give a reading error to the optical reader  80 , but instead provides readable information indicating that the consumable  32  has been used. 
     The second indicia  68   b  may be heat-activated. In an advantageous embodiment, the second indicia is a thermally activated ink, which appears after it has been exposed to a temperature above the temperature threshold T. 
     Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 d   , the indicia  68  may be altered after being exposed to a temperature above the temperature threshold T such that the indicia  68  disappears or fades away. Similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 a   , the indicia  68  is configured to provide authentication information of the consumable  32  before it has been exposed to temperatures exceeding a temperature threshold T. However, as seen in  FIG. 4 d   , the indicia  68  disappears or partly fades away after it has been exposed to a temperature above the temperature threshold T. The indicia  68  is formed from a heat-sensitive composition, which disappears when heated over the temperature threshold T. 
     Preferably, the chemical to be used as invisible ink is stable and does not deteriorate if the consumable get moist. Examples of thermally activated inks which appears after being exposed to heat are (common table salt), ascorbic acid, sucrose (more). Additionally, compositions containing Zinc could be used either as an ink or to make the tipping paper  48  heat-sensitive and prone to change color when exposed to heat. 
     The heat-sensitive composition may comprise a thermochromic ink, which irreversibly turns transparent when heat is applied. An example of an irreversible ink is a formula comprising 1′,3′-dihydro-1-(3-fluorobenzyl)-3′,3′-dimethyl-6-nitrospiro {2H-1-henzopyran-2,2′-(2H)-indulu} in combination with a changing color agent such as 4-methylacetophenone. Spiropyrans, polydiacetylenes can also be used and has the capability of change color or becoming transparent when the temperature is altered. 
     Other examples of suitable thermochromic inks are further described in the documents US2010/0329950, EP2128610 and US20140037362, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Specifically, irreversible thermochromic inks in these documents are of relevance and can be used in the present invention. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 3 a  to 3 c   , the inhaler  2  of the present invention comprises an optical reader  80  comprising an image sensor configured to read the indicia  68  on the consumables  32 . The image sensor comprises a light source and an image detector. The optical reader  80  is connected to the control unit  16 , which is configured to read the information from the indicia  68  and compare it to a set of authorized information stored in the memory unit  90 . The memory unit  90  may provide a compensation to allow a deviation between the read information and the authorized information. By allowing minor deviations, false rejections due to a damaged indicia or a creased tipping paper  48  may be avoided. 
     The indicia  68  may be positioned on the rigidified portion  58  of the consumable  32 . By positioning the indicia  68  on the rigidified portion  58 , there is less risk of creasing the barcode. As seen in  FIG. 3 c   , the optical reader  80  can be positioned on the slidable portion  10  at a corresponding position, and over the rigidified portion  58  of the consumable  32 . By locating the indicia  68  over the rigidified portion  58 , a more stable support is provided for the indicia  68 , whereby the durability of the indicia  68  can be improved. In this embodiment, the optical reader  80  is located close to the cavity opening  11 . The position close to the cavity opening  11  is also advantageous as the volume of fumes and vapor is lower in this position than closer to the heater  24  where the vaporization of the aerosol takes place. 
     Alternatively, as seen in  FIG. 3 b   , the optical reader  80  may be located on the fixed portion  8  of the mouthpiece section  6 . This position corresponds to a position of the consumable  32  located over the spacer portion  52 . The position over the spacer portion  52  is located closer to the heating system  24  and more exposed to the vapor and fumes. In order to protect the optical reader  80 , the slidable portion may comprise a window  13  or an opening  13  at the position of the indicia  68 . 
     The window  13  is at least partially encircling the circumference of the slidable portion  10 . By partially encircling the slidable portion  10 , the optical reader  80  is able to read the indicia on the consumable indicia  68  irrespectively of the angular position of the consumable  32  within the slidable portion  10 . The indicia  68  can be a pattern, which is repeated around the circumference of the consumable  32  so that the optical reader is capable of reading the indicia irrespectively of the orientation of the consumable in the cavity  12 . 
       FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a consumable  32  of the present invention. The consumable  32  of  FIG. 5 a    is provided with an indicia  68 . The first indicia  68  comprises identification information in order to authorize the usage of the consumable  32  in the inhaler  2 . The consumable  32  may be configured as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The spacer portion  52  is similar to the embodiment in  FIG. 2 , but differs in that the spacer  52  is provided with at least one circumferential aperture  55 . The circumferential aperture  55  is configured to divert fumes or substances released from the tobacco portion  34  such to create a stain on the tipping paper. The circumferential aperture  55  may be connected to the central channel  54  of the spacer  52 . The circumferential aperture  55  is positioned to divert a portion of the fumes to a position adjacent or at least partially interfering with the indicia  68 . The fumes will thus make a deliberate stain in relation to the indicia  68  and provide information either to a reader or to make the code unreadable. 
     In another non-illustrated embodiment, the consumable  32  can be provided with a weakening in the tipping paper, such that the paper becomes stained when the consumable is exposed to heat. 
     The skilled person will realize that the present invention by no means is limited to the described exemplary embodiments. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Moreover, the expression “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps. Other non-limiting expressions include that “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality and that a single unit may fulfill the functions of several means. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope. Finally, while the invention has been illustrated in detail in the drawings and in the foregoing description, such illustration and description is considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.