Patent Description:
Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products. There have been proposed various smoking substitute systems in order to avoid the smoking of tobacco.

Smoking substitute systems, which may also be known as electronic nicotine delivery systems, may comprise electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol, also referred to as a "vapour", which is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or flavourings without, or with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.

In general, smoking substitute systems are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and tobacco products.

The popularity and use of smoking substitute systems has grown rapidly in the past few years. Although originally marketed as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit tobacco smoking, consumers are increasingly viewing smoking substitute systems as desirable lifestyle accessories. Some smoking substitute systems are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end. Other smoking substitute systems do not generally resemble a cigarette (for example, the smoking substitute device may have a generally box-like form).

There are a number of different categories of smoking substitute systems, each utilising a different smoking substitute approach. A smoking substitute approach corresponds to the manner in which the substitute system operates for a user.

One approach for a smoking substitute system is the so-called "vaping" approach, in which a vaporisable liquid, typically referred to (and referred to herein) as "e-liquid", is heated by a heater to produce an aerosol vapour which is inhaled by a user. An e-liquid typically includes a base liquid as well as nicotine and/or flavourings. The resulting vapour therefore typically contains nicotine and/or flavourings. The base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine.

A typical vaping smoking substitute system includes a mouthpiece, a power source (typically a battery), a tank or liquid reservoir for containing e-liquid, as well as a heater. In use, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heater, which heats the e-liquid to produce an aerosol (or "vapour") which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.

Vaping smoking substitute systems can be configured in a variety of ways. For example, there are "closed system" vaping smoking substitute systems which typically have a heater and a sealed tank which is pre-filled with e-liquid and is not intended to be refilled by an end user. One subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute systems include a device which includes the power source, wherein the device is configured to be physically and electrically coupled to a consumable component including the tank and the heater. In this way, when the tank of the consumable component has been emptied, the device can be reused by connecting it to a new consumable component. Another subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute systems are completely disposable, and intended for one-use only.

There are also "open system" vaping smoking substitute systems which typically have a tank that is configured to be refilled by a user, so the system can be used multiple times.

An example vaping smoking substitute system is the myblu™ e-cigarette. The myblu™ e cigarette is a closed system which includes a device and a consumable component. The device and consumable component are physically and electrically coupled together by pushing the consumable component into the device. The device includes a rechargeable battery. The consumable component includes a mouthpiece, a sealed tank which contains e-liquid, as well as a vaporiser, which for this system is a heating filament coiled around a portion of a wick which is partially immersed in the e-liquid. The system is activated when a microprocessor on board the device detects a user inhaling through the mouthpiece. When the system is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the vaporiser, which heats e-liquid from the tank to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.

Another example vaping smoking substitute system is the blu PRO™ e-cigarette. The blu PRO™ e cigarette is an open system which includes a device, a (refillable) tank, and a mouthpiece. The device and tank are physically and electrically coupled together by screwing one to the other. The mouthpiece and refillable tank are physically coupled together by screwing one into the other, and detaching the mouthpiece from the refillable tank allows the tank to be refilled with e-liquid. The system is activated by a button on the device. When the system is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to a vaporiser, which heats e-liquid from the tank to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.

As the vapour passes through the consumable (entrained in the airflow) from the location of vaporization to an outlet of the consumable (e.g. a mouthpiece), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user. The aerosol may contain nicotine and/or flavour compounds.

In aerosol delivery devices comprising a sealed tank containing a liquid aerosol precursor e.g. an e-liquid or a flavoured aerosol precursor, it may be desirable to provide a bleed port extending between an inside and an outside of the tank in order to allow a bleed of air into the tank to avoid a vacuum build up as the volume of liquid aerosol precursor within the tank reduces. Any reduction of pressure within the tank may inhibit effective delivery of the liquid aerosol precursor for aerosolisation.

The provision of a bleed outlet may render the tank prone to leakage as the bleed outlet provides a passage for the liquid aerosol precursor from the tank, especially when the tank is in an inverted position where the liquid precursor may be in contact with the bleed outlet.

<CIT> relates to an electrically operated aerosol-generating system comprising a liquid reservoir comprising a rigid housing, an air inlet valve in the rigid housing configured to allow air into the liquid reservoir when a pressure difference between outside of the housing and inside of the housing exceeds a threshold pressure difference, a vaporiser configured to vaporise the liquid, and a pump connected to an outlet through the rigid housing and configured to pump liquid from the liquid reservoir to the vaporiser.

According to a first aspect there is a provided an aerosol-delivery component, comprising:.

By providing a bleed port in the tank wall portion, air is able to flow into the tank to prevent any reduction of pressure within the tank during use as liquid aerosol precursor is consumed in the first orientation of the component. By providing a valve configured to close the bleed port in the second orientation of the component, leakage of liquid aerosol precursor (e.g. e-liquid or liquid flavourant) from the tank is reduced since the bleed port is blocked.

The first orientation of the component may be a use orientation in which liquid precursor is depleted through vaporisation. In the first orientation, liquid aerosol precursor within the tank is not in contact with the tank wall portion defining the bleed port.

The first orientation may additionally be a substantially upright orientation of the component.

The tank wall portion defining the bleed port may be in an upper wall of the tank and the term "substantially upright" may define that the upper wall of the tank (with the bleed port) is vertically uppermost relative to an opposing lower wall of the tank.

The component may comprise a mouthpiece portion defining an air outlet and the term "substantially upright" may define that the mouthpiece portion and air outlet are vertically uppermost relative to the tank.

The upper wall of the tank may be proximal the mouthpiece.

The component may be an axially elongate component having a central elongate axis and the terms "substantially upright" and "vertically uppermost" are intended to define that the central elongate axis extending from the tank to the mouthpiece portion (and/or from a lowerwall of the tank to the upper wall of the tank) is oriented so as to be less than <NUM> degree, for example equal to or less than <NUM> or <NUM> degrees, such as equal to or less than <NUM> or <NUM> degrees from the vertical. The central elongate axis (extending from the tank to the mouthpiece/lower tank wall to upper tank wall) may be at an inversion angle of about <NUM> degrees or less from the vertical e.g. the central elongate axis of the component (extending from the tank to the mouthpiece/lower tank wall to upper tank wall) may be substantially vertically oriented in the first/use orientation (an at inversion angle of substantially <NUM> degrees).

The second orientation of the component may be a non-use orientation in which liquid precursor is not depleted through vaporisation. In the second orientation of the component, liquid aerosol precursor within the tank is in contact with at least part (e.g. a lowermost portion) of the tank wall portion.

The second orientation may additionally or alternatively be a substantially inverted orientation of the component.

The term "substantially inverted" may define that the mouthpiece portion and air outlet are vertically lowermost relative to the tank and/or that the upper wall of the tank (comprising the bleed port) is vertically lowermost relative to the lower wall of the tank.

The terms "substantially inverted" and "vertically lowermost" are intended to define that the central elongate axis extending from the tank to the mouthpiece portion is oriented so as to be equal to or greater than <NUM> degrees, for example equal to or greater than <NUM> or <NUM> degrees, such as equal to or greater than <NUM> or <NUM> degrees from the vertical. The central elongate axis (extending from the tank to the mouthpiece/lower tank wall to upper tank wall) may be at an inversion angle of about <NUM> degrees or more from the vertical e.g. the central elongate axis of the component (extending from the tank to the mouthpiece/lower tank wall to upper tank wall) may be substantially vertically inverted in the second/non-use orientation (at an inversion angle of substantially <NUM> degrees).

For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "substantially inverted" and "vertically lowermost" are also intended to define that the central elongate axis extending from the mouthpiece portion to the tank and from the upper tank wall to lower tank wall is oriented so as to be equal to or less than <NUM> degrees, for example equal to or less than <NUM> or <NUM> degrees, such as equal to or less than <NUM> or <NUM> degrees from the vertical. The central elongate axis (extending from the mouthpiece to the tank/upper tank wall to lower tank wall) may be at an inversion angle of about <NUM> degrees or less from the vertical e.g. the central elongate axis of the component (extending from the mouthpiece to the tank/upper tank wall to lower tank wall) may be substantially vertically oriented in the second/non-use orientation (at an inversion angle of substantially <NUM> degrees).

The tank wall portion defining the bleed port may be in an upper wall of the tank i.e. proximal the mouthpiece portion.

The bleed port may be an aperture or channel extending through the tank wall portion. It may open into a void within the component. The void may be defined within the mouthpiece portion.

The component (e.g. the mouthpiece portion) may comprise a bleed inlet to allow bleed of air into the void (and subsequently into the tank through the bleed port).

The bleed port will have a tank-side opening which will open into the tank and an opposing-side e.g. a void-side opening which may open into the mouthpiece portion e.g. into the void.

The valve has an open configuration in which the bleed port is at least partially e.g. fully open i.e. the tank-side opening of the bleed port is at least partially (e.g. fully) unobscured by the moveable valve member. The open configuration of the valve corresponds to the first/use orientation of the component.

The valve has a closed configuration in which the bleed port is at least partially e.g. fully blocked i.e. the tank-side opening is at least partially (e.g. fully) obscured by the moveable valve member to form a liquid seal. The closed configuration of the valve corresponds to the second/non-use orientation of the component.

The valve may comprise the movable valve member and a valve seat. The valve seat may comprise a sealing element e.g. a compressible sealing element.

The valve seat may be provided on and/or defined by the tank wall portion. In some embodiments, the valve seat may be provided as a separate component affixed to or integrally formed with the wall portion. In other embodiments, the valve seat may simply be provided by the wall portion at the periphery of the tank side opening of the bleed port.

The valve seat may at least partially e.g. fully encircle the tank-side opening of the bleed port.

The moveable valve member is formed of material that is non-buoyant in liquid aerosol precursor e.g. a metal material such as stainless steel.

In some embodiments the movable valve member may be a ball (e.g. a stainless-steel ball bearing) i.e. the valve may be a ball valve.

In other embodiments, the moveable member may be a pivotable flap.

The valve may further comprise a retaining member for retaining the moveable valve member.

For example, for the ball valve, the valve may further comprise a valve cage for retaining the moveable ball proximal the bleed port. The valve cage may have an open end affixed to the tank wall portion and a cage portion provided within the tank. The valve cage (portion) will be liquid permeable and may be formed of a meshed wire or fabric material.

The retaining member may bias the moveable valve member towards bleed port (i.e. towards the tank-side opening of the bleed port) as the component is moved from the first to the second orientation. For example, the valve cage portion may comprise tapered walls tapering from a narrower cage portion distal the bleed port to a wider cage portion proximal the bleed port.

Where the moveable member is a flap, the retaining member may comprise a hinge portion of the flap affixed (directly or indirectly) to the tank wall portion and an actuating portion of the flap may be pivotable about the hinge portion to block or unblock the tank-side opening of the bleed port.

The valve member may be actuated by gravity.

In the first orientation of the component and the open configuration of the valve, the weight of the moveable valve member (e.g. the weight of the ball or actuating portion of the flap) will cause it to fall away from the bleed port. The moveable ball valve member will be seated within the valve cage portion. The moveable flap valve member will remain secured to the wall portion at its pivoting portion.

The tank-side opening of the bleed port will be unobscured and thus air can enter the tank through the bleed port.

As the component is inverted from its first/upright/use orientation towards its second/inverted/non-use orientation, the weight of the liquid aerosol precursor that gradually exerts itself on the movable member increases as the inversion angle of the central elongate axis (from the tank to the mouthpiece portion) increases.

At inversion angle of about <NUM> degree or more the liquid aerosol precursor will contact a lower part of the tank wall portion and weight of the moveable valve member and liquid aerosol precursor is sufficient to cause the valve to close with the moveable valve member moving to block the tank-side opening of the bleed port.

Once the component is fully inverted (at an inversion angle of <NUM> degrees) the full weight of the moveable valve member and liquid aerosol precursor liquid will press the moveable valve member securely against the valve seat to prevent leakage of the liquid aerosol precursor.

The component comprises an airflow path that extends from an air inlet to the air outlet in the mouthpiece portion. In this respect, a user may draw fluid (e.g. air) into and along the airflow path by inhaling at the outlet (i.e. using the mouthpiece portion).

The air flow path passes a vaporiser between the air inlet and the outlet. The vaporiser may be housed in a vaporising chamber.

The airflow path may comprise a first portion extending from the air inlet towards the vaporiser. A second portion of the airflow path passes through the vaporising chamber and/or over/around the vaporiser to a conduit that extends to the outlet. The conduit may extend along the axial centre of the component.

References to "downstream" in relation to the airflow path are intended to refer to the direction towards the outlet/mouthpiece portion. Thus the second portion of the airflow path is downstream of the first portion of the airflow path. Conversely, references to "upstream" are intended to refer to the direction towards the air inlet. Thus the first portion of the airflow path (and the air inlet) is upstream of the second portion of the airflow path (and the outlet/mouthpiece portion).

The tank is for housing the liquid aerosol precursor. The liquid aerosol precursor may comprise an e-liquid, for example, comprising a base liquid and e.g. nicotine. The base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine.

The conduit may extend through the tank with the conduit walls defining an inner region of the tank. In this respect, the tank may surround at least a portion of the conduit e.g. the tank may be annular.

The conduit may extend through the void within the mouthpiece portion to the air outlet. The bleed inlet into the void may be provided through the conduit wall (downstream of the tank).

The tank may be defined by one or more side walls (e.g. laterally opposed first and second side walls) extending longitudinally from the mouthpiece portion.

The tank may further comprise opposing front and rear walls spaced by the laterally opposed first and second side walls.

The tank walls may be integrally formed with the mouthpiece portion.

The distance between the first and second side walls may define a width of the tank. The distance between the front and rear walls may define a depth of the tank. The width of the tank may be greater than the depth of the tank.

The length of the tank/component housing may be greater than the width of the tank/component housing. The depth of the tank/component housing may be smaller than each of the width and the length.

The tank walls may be integrally formed and may additionally be integrally formed with the mouthpiece portion. In that way, the component may be easily manufactured using injection moulding.

The component housing may comprise a lower shell that at least partly forms the base portion of the component. The lower shell may overlap the tank walls.

As discussed above, the air flow path passes over/around the vaporiser between the air inlet and the outlet. The vaporiser may be disposed in the vaporising chamber. The vaporising chamber may form part of the airflow path.

The vaporiser may comprise a heating element. Alternatively, the vaporiser may comprise an ultrasonic or flow expansion unit, or an induction heating system.

The wick may form the base of the tank so that the aerosol precursor may be in contact with the wick. The wick may comprise one or more channels on its upper surface (facing the tank), the channels being in fluid communication with the tank.

The wick may have a length and width defining its upper surface with a depth aligned with the longitudinal axis of the component. Thus, the upper surface and opposing lower surface of the wick may lie in respective planes that are perpendicularto the longitudinal axis of component and longitudinal to the first and third portions of the airflow path.

The wick may comprise a porous material e.g. a ceramic material. A portion of the wick e.g. at least a portion of the lower surface and/or at least a portion of at least one side wall extending between the upper and lower surface (in a depth direction of the wick) may be exposed to airflow in the second portion of the airflow path.

The heating element may be in the form of a heater track on the wick e.g. on the lower surface of the wick.

In other embodiments, the wick may be a cylindrical, porous wick e.g. formed of cotton or ceramic. It may be oriented so as to extend in the direction of the width dimension of the component (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the component). Thus, the wick may extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of airflow in the airflow path. Opposing ends of the wick may protrude into the tank and a central portion (between the ends) may extend across the airflow path so as to be exposed to airflow. Thus, fluid may be drawn (e.g. by capillary action) along the wick, from the tank to the exposed portion of the wick. The heating element may be in the form of a filament wound about the wick (e.g. the filament may extend helically about the wick). The filament may be wound about the exposed portion of the wick.

The heating element may be electrically connectable (or connected) to a power source. Thus, in operation (i.e. in the use orientation), the power source may supply electricity to (i.e. apply a voltage across) the heating element so as to heat the heating element. This may cause liquid stored in the wick (i.e. drawn from the tank) to be heated so as to form a vapour and become entrained in fluid flowing along the airflow path. This vapour may subsequently cool to form an aerosol in the airflow path (e.g. the third portion of the airflow path).

In a second aspect there is provided an aerosol-delivery system (e.g. a smoking substitute system) comprising a component according to the first aspect and an aerosol-delivery (e.g. smoking substitute) device.

The component may be an aerosol-delivery (e.g. a smoking substitute) consumable i.e. in some embodiments the component may be a consumable component for engagement with the aerosol-delivery (e.g. a smoking substitute) device to form the aerosol-delivery (e.g. s smoking substitute) system.

The device may be configured to receive the consumable component. For example the device and the consumable component may be configured to be physically coupled together. For example, the consumable component may be at least partially received in a recess of the device, such that there is snap engagement between the device and the consumable component. Alternatively, the device and the consumable component may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other, or through a bayonet fitting.

Thus, the consumable component may comprise one or more engagement portions for engaging with the device.

The device and consumable component may be coupled together by magnetic attraction. For example, the device may comprise at least one magnet whilst the component may comprise a magnet or ferrous metal plate/portion.

The consumable component may comprise an electrical interface for interfacing with a corresponding electrical interface of the device. One or both of the electrical interfaces may include one or more electrical contacts. Thus, when the device is engaged with the consumable component, the electrical interface may be configured to transfer electrical power from the power source to a heating element of the consumable component. The electrical interface may also be used to identify the consumable component from a list of known types. The electrical interface may additionally or alternatively be used to identify when the consumable component is connected to the device.

The device may alternatively or additionally be able to detect information about the consumable component via an RFID reader, a barcode or QR code reader. This interface may be able to identify a characteristic (e.g. a type) of the consumable. In this respect, the consumable component may include any one or more of an RFID chip, a barcode or QR code, or memory within which is an identifier and which can be interrogated via the interface.

In other embodiments, the component may be integrally formed with the aerosol-delivery (e.g. a smoking substitute) device to form the aerosol-delivery (e.g. s smoking substitute) system.

In such embodiments, the aerosol former (e.g. e-liquid) may be replenished by re-filling a tank that is integral with the device (rather than replacing the consumable). Access to the tank (for re-filling of the e-liquid) may be provided via e.g. an opening to the tank that is sealable with a closure (e.g. a cap).

Further features of the device are described below. These are applicable to both the device for receiving a consumable component and to the device integral with the component.

The device may comprise a power source e.g. a rechargeable battery. The device may comprise a controller.

A memory may be provided and may be operatively connected to the controller. The memory may include non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions which, when implemented, cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of a method. The device may comprise a wireless interface, which may be configured to communicate wirelessly with another device, for example a mobile device, e.g. via Bluetooth®. To this end, the wireless interface could include a Bluetooth® antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces, e.g. WiFi®, are also possible. The wireless interface may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote server.

An airflow (i.e. puff) sensor may be provided that is configured to detect a puff (i.e. inhalation from a user). The airflow sensor may be operatively connected to the controller so as to be able to provide a signal to the controller that is indicative of a puff state (i.e. puffing or not puffing). The airflow sensor may, for example, be in the form of a pressure sensor or an acoustic sensor. The controller may control power supply to a heating element in response to airflow detection by the sensor. The control may be in the form of activation of the heating element in response to a detected airflow. The airflow sensor may form part of the device.

In a third aspect there is provided a method of using the aerosol-delivery (e.g. smoking substitute) consumable component according to the first aspect, the method comprising engaging the consumable component with an aerosol-delivery (e.g. smoking substitute) device (as described above) having a power source so as to electrically connect the power source to the consumable component (i.e. to the vaporiser of the consumable component).

So that further aspects and features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments will now be discussed in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:.

<FIG> shows a first embodiment of a smoking substitute system <NUM>. In this example, the smoking substitute system <NUM> includes a device <NUM> and a component <NUM>. The component <NUM> may alternatively be referred to as a "pod", "cartridge" or "cartomizer". It should be appreciated that in other examples (i.e. open systems), the device may be integral with the component. In such systems, a tank of the aerosol delivery system may be accessible for refilling the device.

In this example, the smoking substitute system <NUM> is a closed system vaping system, wherein the component <NUM> includes a sealed tank <NUM> and is intended for single-use only. The component <NUM> is removably engageable with the device <NUM> (i.e. for removal and replacement). <FIG> shows the smoking substitute system <NUM> with the device <NUM> physically coupled to the component <NUM>, <FIG> shows the device <NUM> of the smoking substitute system <NUM> without the component <NUM>, and <FIG> shows the component <NUM> of the smoking substitute system <NUM> without the device <NUM>.

The device <NUM> and the component <NUM> are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the component <NUM> into a cavity at an upper end <NUM> of the device <NUM>, such that there is an interference fit and/or a magnetic connection between the device <NUM> and the component <NUM>. In other examples, the device <NUM> and the component may be coupled by screwing one onto the other, or through a bayonet fitting.

The component <NUM> includes a mouthpiece portion at an upper end <NUM> of the component <NUM>, and one or more air inlets (not shown) in fluid communication with the mouthpiece portion such that air can be drawn into and through the component <NUM> when a user inhales through the mouthpiece portion. The tank <NUM> containing e-liquid is located at the lower end <NUM> of the component <NUM>.

The tank <NUM> includes a window <NUM>, which allows the amount of e-liquid in the tank <NUM> to be visually assessed. The device <NUM> includes a slot <NUM> so that the window <NUM> of the component <NUM> can be seen whilst the rest of the tank <NUM> is obscured from view when the component <NUM> is inserted into the cavity at the upper end <NUM> of the device <NUM>.

The lower end <NUM> of the device <NUM> also includes a light <NUM> (e.g. an LED) located behind a small translucent cover. The light <NUM> may be configured to illuminate when the smoking substitute system <NUM> is activated. Whilst not shown, the component <NUM> may identify itself to the device <NUM>, via an electrical interface, RFID chip, or barcode.

The lower end <NUM> of the device <NUM> also includes a charging connection <NUM>, which is usable to charge a battery within the device <NUM>. The charging connection <NUM> can also be used to transfer data to and from the device, for example to update firmware thereon.

<FIG> are schematic drawings of the device <NUM> and component <NUM>. As is apparent from <FIG>, the device <NUM> includes a power source <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a wireless interface <NUM>, an electrical interface <NUM>, and, optionally, one or more additional components <NUM>.

The power source <NUM> is preferably a battery, more preferably a rechargeable battery. The controller <NUM> may include a microprocessor, for example. The memory <NUM> preferably includes non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions which, when implemented, cause the controller <NUM> to perform certain tasks or steps of a method.

The wireless interface <NUM> is preferably configured to communicate wirelessly with another device, for example a mobile device, e.g. via Bluetooth®. To this end, the wireless interface <NUM> could include a Bluetooth® antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces, e.g. WiFi®, are also possible. The wireless interface <NUM> may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote server.

The electrical interface <NUM> of the device <NUM> may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface <NUM> may be located in a base of the aperture in the upper end <NUM> of the device <NUM>. When the device <NUM> is physically coupled to the component <NUM>, the electrical interface <NUM> is configured to transfer electrical power from the power source <NUM> to the component <NUM> (i.e. upon activation of the smoking substitute system <NUM>).

The electrical interface <NUM> may also be used to identify the component <NUM> from a list of known components. For example, the component <NUM> may be a particular flavour and/or have a certain concentration of nicotine (which may be identified by the electrical interface <NUM>). This can be indicated to the controller <NUM> of the device <NUM> when the component <NUM> is connected to the device <NUM>. Additionally, or alternatively, there may be a separate communication interface provided in the device <NUM> and a corresponding communication interface in the component <NUM> such that, when connected, the component <NUM> can identify itself to the device <NUM>.

The additional components <NUM> of the device <NUM> may comprise the light <NUM> discussed above.

The additional components <NUM> of the device <NUM> also comprises the charging connection <NUM> configured to receive power from the charging station (i.e. when the power source <NUM> is a rechargeable battery). This may be located at the lower end <NUM> of the device <NUM>.

The additional components <NUM> of the device <NUM> may, if the power source <NUM> is a rechargeable battery, include a battery charging control circuit, for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, a battery charging control circuit could equally be located in a charging station (if present).

The additional components <NUM> of the device <NUM> may include a sensor, such as an airflow (i.e. puff) sensor for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute system <NUM>, e.g. caused by a user inhaling through a mouthpiece portion <NUM> of the component <NUM>. The smoking substitute system <NUM> may be configured to be activated when airflow is detected by the airflow sensor. This sensor could alternatively be included in the component <NUM>. The airflow sensor can be used to determine, for example, how heavily a user draws on the mouthpiece or how many times a user draws on the mouthpiece in a particular time period.

The additional components <NUM> of the device <NUM> may include a user input, e.g. a button. The smoking substitute system <NUM> may be configured to be activated when a user interacts with the user input (e.g. presses the button). This provides an alternative to the airflow sensor as a mechanism for activating the smoking substitute system <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the component <NUM> includes the tank <NUM>, an electrical interface <NUM>, a vaporiser <NUM>, one or more air inlets <NUM>, a mouthpiece portion <NUM>, and one or more additional components <NUM>.

The electrical interface <NUM> of the component <NUM> may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface <NUM> of the device <NUM> and an electrical interface <NUM> of the component <NUM> are configured to contact each other and thereby electrically couple the device <NUM> to the component <NUM> when the lower end <NUM> of the component <NUM> is inserted into the upper end <NUM> of the device <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). In this way, electrical energy (e.g. in the form of an electrical current) is able to be supplied from the power source <NUM> in the device <NUM> to the vaporiser <NUM> in the component <NUM>.

The vaporiser <NUM> is configured to heat and vaporise e-liquid contained in the tank <NUM> using electrical energy supplied from the power source <NUM>. As will be described further below, the vaporiser <NUM> includes a heating filament and a wick. The wick draws e-liquid from the tank <NUM> and the heating filament heats the e-liquid to vaporise the e-liquid.

The one or more air inlets <NUM> are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking substitute system <NUM>, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece portion <NUM>. When the component <NUM> is physically coupled to the device <NUM>, the air inlets <NUM> receive air, which flows to the air inlets <NUM> along a gap between the device <NUM> and the lower end <NUM> of the component <NUM>.

In operation, a user activates the smoking substitute system <NUM>, e.g. through interaction with a user input forming part of the device <NUM> or by inhaling through the mouthpiece portion <NUM> as described above. Upon activation, the controller <NUM> may supply electrical energy from the power source <NUM> to the vaporiser <NUM> (via electrical interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>), which may cause the vaporiser <NUM> to heat e-liquid drawn from the tank <NUM> to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece portion <NUM>.

An example of one of the one or more additional components <NUM> of the component <NUM> is an interface for obtaining an identifier of the component <NUM>. As discussed above, this interface may be, for example, an RFID reader, a barcode, a QR code reader, or an electronic interface which is able to identify the component. The component <NUM> may, therefore include any one or more of an RFID chip, a barcode or QR code, or memory within which is an identifier and which can be interrogated via the electronic interface in the device <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that the smoking substitute system <NUM> shown in <FIG> is just one exemplary implementation of a smoking substitute system. For example, the system could otherwise be in the form of an entirely disposable (single-use) system or an open system in which the tank is refillable (rather than replaceable).

<FIG> is a schematic view of an example of the component <NUM> described above. The component <NUM> comprises a tank <NUM> for storing e-liquid, a mouthpiece portion <NUM> and a conduit <NUM> extending along a longitudinal axis of the component <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment the conduit <NUM> is in the form of a tube having a substantially circular transverse cross-section (i.e. transverse to the longitudinal axis). The tank <NUM> surrounds the conduit <NUM>, such that the conduit <NUM> extends centrally through the tank <NUM>.

A component housing <NUM> defines an outer casing of the component <NUM>. The component housing <NUM> extends from a lower shell <NUM> at the lower end <NUM> of the component <NUM> to the mouthpiece portion <NUM> at the upper end <NUM> of the component <NUM>. The component housing may define a lip or shoulder which acts as a stop feature when the component <NUM> is inserted into the device <NUM> (i.e. by contact with an upper edge of the device <NUM>).

The tank <NUM>, the conduit <NUM> and the mouthpiece portion <NUM> are integrally formed with each other so as to form a single unitary component and may e.g. be formed by way of an injection moulding process. Such a component may be formed of a thermoplastic material.

The mouthpiece portion <NUM> comprises a mouthpiece aperture <NUM> defining an outlet of the conduit <NUM>. A vaporiser <NUM> is downstream of the inlet <NUM> of the component <NUM> and is fluidly connected to the mouthpiece aperture <NUM> (i.e. outlet) by the conduit <NUM>.

The vaporiser <NUM> comprises a porous ceramic wick and a heater track (not shown) printed onto the bottom surface (facing the inlet <NUM>) of the ceramic wick or the vaporiser may comprise a cylindrical porous wick with a coiled heating filament.

The porous ceramic wick and heater track vaporiser <NUM> may form the base of the tank <NUM> so that the aerosol precursor is in contact with the wick and may move axially into the wick.

Alternatively, the cylindrical wick and coiled heating filament may extend into opposing lower portions 106a, 106b of the tank so that the aerosol precursor may move radially into the wick.

The aerosol precursor is heated by the heater track (when activated e.g. by detection of inhalation), which causes the aerosol precursor to be vaporised and to be entrained in air flowing past the wick. This vaporised liquid may cool to form an aerosol in the conduit <NUM>, which may then be inhaled by a user.

The lower shell <NUM> of the component housing <NUM> has an opening that accommodates the electrical interface <NUM> of the consumable component <NUM> comprising two electrical contacts 136a, 136b that are electrically connected to the heater track. In this way, when the consumable component <NUM> is engaged with the device <NUM>, power can be supplied from the power source <NUM> of the device to the heater track.

The component <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> in a first (upright/use) orientation with the mouthpiece portion <NUM> and air outlet <NUM> being vertically uppermost relative to the tank <NUM>. A central axis of the component from the tank <NUM> to the mouthpiece portion <NUM> is substantially vertical. The component <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> in a second (inverted/use) orientation with the mouthpiece portion <NUM> and air outlet <NUM> being vertically lowermost relative to the tank <NUM>. The central axis of the component from the mouthpiece portion <NUM> to the tank <NUM> is substantially vertical.

The tank <NUM> has a tank wall portion <NUM> located at an upper wall <NUM> of the tank <NUM>. The tank wall portion <NUM> defines a bleed port <NUM> consisting of a channel that extends through the tank wall portion <NUM>. This bleed port <NUM> provides a route from inside the tank <NUM> to a void <NUM> within the component <NUM>, specifically, to a void <NUM> within the mouthpiece portion <NUM> of the component <NUM>.

The component <NUM> also comprises a valve <NUM>. The valve <NUM> includes a moveable valve member (see <FIG> and 6A-C) that is configured to at least partially open the bleed port <NUM> when the component <NUM> is in the first (substantially upright) orientation as illustrated in <FIG> and to block the bleed port <NUM> when the component <NUM> is in the second (substantially inverted) orientation as illustrated in <FIG>.

The component <NUM> further includes a bleed inlet <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, this bleed inlet <NUM> may be provided through the housing <NUM> of the mouthpiece portion <NUM>, however, the bleed inlet <NUM> may alternatively or additionally be provided through the wall of the conduit <NUM> downstream of the tank <NUM>.

<FIG> are schematic views of an exemplary valve <NUM>. The valve <NUM> consists of a ball valve including a movable valve member <NUM> in the form of a stainless-steel ball-bearing, and a valve cage <NUM> retaining the ball <NUM>. The cage <NUM> includes an open end <NUM> attached to the tank wall portion <NUM> and a cage portion <NUM> that extends from the open end <NUM> and into the tank <NUM>. The cage portion <NUM> is formed from a liquid permeable material (e.g. a meshed wire, fabric, etc.), such that liquid (and/or air) can flow through the cage portion <NUM>.

The cage <NUM> has a depth that is greater than the diameter of the ball <NUM>. Accordingly, the ball <NUM> is able to move along the axis of the cage <NUM> as the orientation of the component <NUM> (and thus valve) is changed.

<FIG> shows the ball valve <NUM> in the open configuration. The ball valve <NUM> is configured to be in open configuration when the component <NUM> is in the first (upright) orientation. In this open configuration, the weight of the ball <NUM> causes the ball <NUM> to rest at the lower end <NUM> of the cage <NUM> distal the bleed port <NUM>. In the open configuration, the bleed port <NUM> is unobstructed. Accordingly, air is able to pass through the bleed port <NUM> and transfer from the void <NUM> into the tank <NUM> of the component <NUM> to avoid a reduction of pressure within the tank <NUM> as liquid aerosol precursor is depleted.

<FIG> shows the ball valve <NUM> in a closed configuration. The ball valve <NUM> is configured to be in the closed configuration when the component <NUM> is in the second (inverted) orientation. In this configuration, the (non-buoyant) ball <NUM> sinks within the tank <NUM> and subsequently engages with a compressible sealing element <NUM> that surrounds the bleed port <NUM>, and thereby blocks and seals the bleed port <NUM>. As a result, liquid within the tank <NUM> is prevented from leaking out because of the liquid seal formed between the ball <NUM> and the sealing element <NUM>.

The valve cage portion <NUM> further comprises tapered walls <NUM> that taper from a narrower cage portion <NUM> distal the bleed port <NUM> to a wider cage portion <NUM> proximal the bleed port <NUM>. These tapered walls <NUM> bias the ball <NUM> towards the sealing element <NUM> / bleed port <NUM> when the component <NUM> is moved from the first (upright) to the second (inverted) orientation.

For example, <FIG> shows the ball valve <NUM> when the component <NUM> is oriented horizontally, i.e. such that the central elongate axis extending from the mouthpiece portion <NUM> to the tank <NUM> and from the upper tank wall <NUM> to lower tank wall <NUM> is approximately <NUM> degrees from the vertical. Here, the tapered walls <NUM> promote the non-buoyant ball <NUM> to roll along the cage <NUM> from the narrower cage portion <NUM> distal to the bleed port <NUM> to the wider cage <NUM> portion proximal to the bleed port <NUM>. Accordingly, in this substantially inverted orientation, the ball <NUM> engages with the sealing element <NUM> and provides a liquid seal, thereby preventing liquid leakage from the tank <NUM>.

<FIG> are schematic views of another, namely, a pivotable flap valve <NUM>. The pivotable flap valve <NUM> comprises a flap <NUM> that is connected to the tank wall portion <NUM> by a hinge <NUM>. The hinge <NUM> enables the flap <NUM> to pivot between an open and closed configuration. The open configuration (as shown in <FIG>) occurs when the component <NUM> is orientated in the first (upright) orientation. Here, the weight of the flap <NUM> causes the flap <NUM> to pivot open, which in turn results in the bleed port <NUM> being exposed, and air being able to enter and leave the tank <NUM>. On the other hand, the closed configuration (as shown in <FIG>) occurs when the component <NUM> is oriented in the second (inverted orientation). Here, the weight of the (non-buoyant) flap <NUM> causes the flap <NUM> to sink in the tank liquid and cover/engage with the sealing element <NUM> surrounding the bleed port <NUM>. Resultantly, the bleed port <NUM> is blocked and leakage of liquid from the tank is inhibited.

While exemplary embodiments have been described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting.

Claim 1:
An aerosol-delivery component (<NUM>), comprising:
a tank (<NUM>) for liquid aerosol precursor having a tank wall portion (<NUM>) that defines a bleed port (<NUM>); and
a valve (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having a moveable valve member (<NUM>, <NUM>),
characterised in that the moveable valve member is configured to at least partially open the bleed port in a first orientation of the component and configured to block the bleed port in second orientation of the component.