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 aerosol delivery devices in order to avoid the smoking of tobacco.

Such aerosol delivery devices can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine.

Aerosol delivery devices, which may also be known as electronic nicotine delivery devices, 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, aerosol delivery devices 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 aerosol delivery devices 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 aerosol delivery devices as desirable lifestyle accessories. Some aerosol delivery devices are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end. Other aerosol delivery devices do not generally resemble a cigarette (for example, the aerosol delivery device may have a generally box-like form).

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

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

An example vaping aerosol delivery device is the myblu™ e-cigarette. The myblu™ e cigarette is a closed system device which includes a main body and a consumable component. The main body and consumable component are physically and electrically coupled together by pushing the consumable component into the main body. The main body 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 device is a heating filament coiled around a portion of a wick which is partially immersed in the e-liquid. The device is activated when a microprocessor on board the device detects a user inhaling through the mouthpiece. When the device 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 aerosol delivery device is the blu PRO™ e-cigarette. The blu PRO™ e cigarette is an open system device which includes a main body, a (refillable) tank, and a mouthpiece. The main body 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 device is activated by a button on the main body. When the device 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.

An alternative to the "vaping" approach is the so-called Heated Tobacco ("HT") approach in which tobacco (rather than an e-liquid) is heated or warmed to release vapour. HT is also known as "heat not burn" ("HNB"). The tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco. In the HT approach the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. the tobacco does not undergo combustion.

The heating, as opposed to burning, of the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking.

A typical HT aerosol delivery device may include a main body and a consumable component. The consumable component may include the tobacco material. The main body and consumable component may be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating element of the main body, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes components in the tobacco material to be released as vapour. A vapour may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.

As the vapour passes through the consumable component (entrained in the airflow) from the location of vaporization to an outlet of the component (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.

<CIT> proposes a method performed by an electrical charger device for an electronic cigarette, and an electrical charger device, the method comprising: establishing a communicative pairing between the electrical charger device and a computing device; establishing a communicative pairing between the electrical charger device and the electronic cigarette; acquiring data relating to a user of the electronic cigarette; determining a charge level to be provided to the electronic cigarette based on the acquired data; and charging the electronic cigarette when the electrical charger device and the electronic cigarette are electrically connected based on the determined charge level.

<CIT> proposes an electrical charger device comprising an interface configured to establish a wireless communicative pairing between the electrical charger device and an electronic cigarette, the wireless communicative pairing being establishable when the electronic cigarette and the electrical charger device are within communication range of one another; and a controller configured to acquire data related to the electronic cigarette, and configured to prohibit use of the electronic cigarette based on the acquired data and configurable rules.

The present inventor(s) have observed that most aerosol delivery devices currently on the market are configured to operate in isolation of other devices, which limits the functions the aerosol delivery devices can perform.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a portable charger for supplying power to an aerosol delivery device according to claim <NUM>.

In this way, the charger may provide a means for communication between an aerosol delivery device and a cloud-based server, without the aerosol delivery device itself needing to have all of the hardware required to provide such functionality. In other words, an aerosol delivery device that is able to communicate with the charger of the first aspect does not need hardware to allow it to communicate with the cloud-based server directly, because it can do so via the portable charger. This may reduce the size, weight and power consumption of the aerosol delivery device.

For the avoidance of doubt, the term "directly" is used herein to mean that the portable charger does not transmit data via an intermediate user device, such as a computer, mobile phone or tablet, upon which the data may be stored and then on-transmitted.

The second communication interface may be configured to wirelessly receive data from the cloud-based server. The second communication interface may be configured to transmit the data received from the cloud-based server to the aerosol delivery device.

The second communication interface may be configured to exchange the data (i.e. receive and/or transmit data) with the cloud-based server via a low-power wide-area (LPWA) network (i.e. according to a LPWA radio technology standard). The second communication interface may be configured to exchange data with the cloud-based server via a cellular network.

The LPWA network may be a Narrowband-loT (NB-loT) network. Thus, the second communication interface may be configured to exchange data with the cloud-based server via an NB-loT network (i.e. according to the NB-loT radio technology standard).

The LPWA network may otherwise be an LTE-M, LoRAWAN, WiSUN, or DASH7 network (and the second communication interface may be configured to exchange data according to a corresponding radio technology standard).

The portable charger is configured for physical connection with the aerosol delivery device. The portable charger may comprise a connector configured for physical (e.g. direct/wired) connection with the aerosol delivery device.

The connector may be configured for providing power to the aerosol delivery device (i.e. from a power source of the portable charger). The connector may additionally or alternatively be configured to receive data from and/or transmit data to the aerosol delivery device. Thus, the connector may form part of the first communication interface. The connector may be a USB connector, such as a USB-C connector.

The first communication interface is configured to exchange data (i.e. receive and/or transmit data) wirelessly with the aerosol delivery device. The first communication interface may be configured to exchange data with the aerosol delivery device via a short-distance wireless technology, such as Bluetooth® (including e.g. Bluetooth Low Energy®). The first communication interface may comprise a Bluetooth® module.

Thus, more generally, the first communication interface may be configured to exchange data with the aerosol delivery device via a first communication means and the second communication interface may be configured to exchange data with the cloud-based server via a second communication means that is different to the first communication means.

The second communication interface may be configured to as to have a greater range (i.e. be able to transmit data over a further distance) than the first communication interface. The first communication interface may comprise a first antenna. The second communication interface may comprise a second antenna. The first antenna may have a first range and the second antenna may have a second range that is greater range than the first range.

The data that the first communication interface is configured to receive (and which the second communication interface is configured to transmit), may comprise information regarding the aerosol delivery device (e.g. may be telemetry data). For example, the data may comprise usage information (e.g. puff data or battery level), information regarding an operating condition of the aerosol delivery device, location information and/or information regarding a consumable component connected to the aerosol delivery device.

Usage information may include information relating to or describing a number of times the aerosol delivery device has been activated. This information could for example include a number of times the device has been activated starting from a first activation by a user, and/or a number of times the device has been activated since the device was last charged.

The information relating to usage of the aerosol delivery device may include information relating to or describing one or more lengths of time for which the aerosol delivery device has been activated. This information could for example include an average length of time the aerosol delivery device has been activated by a user (per activation), and/or a total length of time aerosol delivery device has been activated by a user (over all activations).

The data that the second communication interface is configured to receive (and which the first communication interface may be configured to transmit) may comprise instructions for controlling the aerosol delivery device. Such instructions may be for, for example, updating the firmware of the aerosol delivery device (or the portable charger), controlling access to the aerosol delivery device, controlling an interface of the aerosol delivery device and/or controlling an operating parameter of the aerosol delivery device.

The portable charger may comprise a memory which is configured to store data received from the cloud-based server and/or the aerosol delivery device. The memory may include non-volatile memory. In this way, the data may be stored on the portable charger before being transmitted to the cloud-based server and/or the aerosol delivery device. This may be advantageous in situations where, for example, there is no connection between the portable charger and the cloud-based server. The data to be transmitted can be stored on the memory and then transmitted by the communication interface to the cloud-based server at a later time. The memory may also be configured to act as a buffer, for example when the rate at which data is received from the aerosol delivery device is greater than the rate at which data can be transferred to the cloud-based server.

The portable charger may also include a controller (e.g. comprising a processor) configured to process the data.

As discussed above, the portable charger may comprise a power source for supplying power to the aerosol delivery device. The power source may be a rechargeable power source, such as a rechargeable battery. The portable charger may comprise a power supply connector for connecting the power supply to an external power source (i.e. for recharging the rechargeable power source).

The portable charger may be in the form of a charging case. Thus, for example, the portable charger may comprise a cavity for receipt of at least a portion of the aerosol delivery device. The cavity may substantially enclose the aerosol delivery device when received therein. The connector (for power supply to and/or data exchange with, the aerosol delivery device) may be disposed in the cavity.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an aerosol delivery system according to claim <NUM>.

The device communication interface is configured for exchanging data (i.e. communicating) with the portable charger (i.e. the first communication interface of the portable charger). That is, the device communication interface is configured to transmit data to and/or receive data from the portable charger.

The aerosol delivery device is configured for physical connection with the portable charger. The aerosol delivery device may comprise a connector configured for physical (e.g. direct or wired) connection with the portable charger (i.e. with a connector of the portable charger).

The connector of the aerosol delivery device may be configured for receiving a power supply from the portable charger (i.e. from a power source of the portable charger). The connector of the aerosol delivery device may additionally or alternatively be configured to receive data from and/or transmit data to the portable charger. Thus, the connector may form part of the device communication interface. The connector may be a USB connector, such as a USB C connector.

The device communication interface may be configured to exchange data (i.e. receive and/or transmit data) wirelessly with the portable charger (i.e. may be in the form of or comprise a wireless interface). The device communication interface may be configured to exchange data with the portable charger via a short-distance wireless technology, such as Bluetooth® (including e.g. Bluetooth Low Energy®). The device communication interface may comprise a Bluetooth® module.

The device communication interface is configured for both physical/wired connection and wireless connection with the portable charger. Thus, for example, the device communication interface may communicate with portable charger via a physical/wired connection when the aerosol delivery device is physically connected to the portable charger and may communicate wirelessly otherwise (i.e. when physically separated from the portable charger).

The aerosol delivery device may comprise a sensor to measure an operating condition of the aerosol delivery device. The device communication interface may be configured to transmit data generated by the sensor to the portable charger.

The aerosol delivery device may comprise a puff (or inhale) sensor for detecting the presence of a puff and/or measuring the intensity of the puff. For example, the puff sensor may be a pressure sensor or other form of airflow sensor.

The aerosol delivery device may be configured to, e.g. based on measurements by the puff sensor, generate information relating to usage of the aerosol delivery device. The usage information may include information relating to or describing one or more lengths of time for which the aerosol delivery device has been activated. This information could for example include an average length of time the aerosol delivery device has been activated by a user (per activation), and/or a total length of time aerosol delivery device has been activated by a user (over all activations).

The aerosol delivery system may comprise a component. The component may form part of the device, or the component may be connectable the device. Where the component is connectable to the device, it may be a consumable component. The usage information may comprise an estimate of the remaining content of the consumable component (and/or the amount of consumable consumed).

The aerosol delivery device may comprise a consumable sensor to detect the amount of consumable remaining in the consumable component and/or to detect information about the consumable (such as the type of consumable).

The device communication interface may be configured to transmit usage information to the portable charger.

The aerosol delivery device may comprise a rechargeable power source (such as a battery or a capacitor) and a battery sensor for detecting a level of charge of the battery. The device communication interface may be configured to transmit data indicative of the level of charge to the portable charger.

The aerosol delivery device may comprise a location sensor configured to detect a location of the aerosol delivery device. For example, the location sensor may be a GPS or GLONASS sensor. The device communication interface may be configured to transmit data indicative of the location of the aerosol delivery device to the portable charger.

The aerosol delivery device may comprise a memory. The memory may include non-volatile memory. The memory may be configured to store measurements/data generated by one or more of the sensors discussed above. The memory may be configured to store data (such as instructions) received from the portable charger (via the device communication interface).

The aerosol delivery device may comprise a controller for controlling the aerosol delivery device. The one or more sensors of the aerosol delivery device discussed above may be operatively connected to the controller. For example, the puff 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 memory may be operatively connected to the controller. The memory may include instructions which, when implemented, cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of a method.

The data that the device communication interface is configured to receive may comprise instructions for controlling the aerosol delivery device (i.e. by the controller). Such instructions may be for, for example, updating firmware of the aerosol delivery device.

The instructions may, for example, comprise instructions to control access to the aerosol delivery device. Thus, for example, the instructions may cause the controller to lock or unlock the aerosol delivery device. This may allow the aerosol delivery device to be locked and unlocked remotely. As an example, instructions to unlock the device may only be provided once an age verification process has been performed.

The instructions may comprise instructions for controlling an interface of the aerosol delivery device, such as an LED pattern/colours and/or vibrations of a haptic feedback unit.

The instructions may comprise instructions for controlling an operating parameter of the aerosol delivery device, such as the amount of power supplied to a heater of the aerosol delivery device.

The aerosol delivery device may comprise a main body may be configured to be physically coupled and/or electrically coupled to the component (i.e. an aerosol-delivery (e.g. a smoking substitute) component).

The aerosol delivery device may further comprise a source of power which may be a battery, or a capacitor.

The main body may house the power source and/or other electrical components. The main body may house the controller.

The front and/or rear surface of the main body may include visual user feedback means (i.e. forming part of the user interface), for example one or more lights e.g. one or more LEDs.

In some embodiments, the main body may include an illumination region configured to allow light provided by a light source (e.g. one or more LEDs) within the main body to shine through.

The aerosol delivery device may comprise a haptic feedback unit (e.g. an electric motor and a weight mounted eccentrically on a shaft of the electric motor), which may be configured to provide the haptic feedback indication(s).

The controller may control power supply to a heating element in response to airflow detection by the puff sensor (discussed above). The control of the power supply may be in the form of activation of a heating element of the aerosol delivery device in response to a detected airflow. The puff sensor may form part of the main body. The heating element may be used in a vaporiser to vaporise an aerosol precursor. The vaporiser may be housed in a vaporising chamber.

The main body may be an elongate body i.e. with a greater length than depth/width. It may have a greater width than depth.

The main body may have a length of between <NUM> and <NUM> e.g. between <NUM> and <NUM> such as between <NUM> and <NUM>. The maximum depth of the main body may be between <NUM> and <NUM> e.g. between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The main body may have a front surface that is curved in the transverse dimension. The main body may have a rear surface that is curved in the transverse dimension. The curvatures of the front surface and rear surface may be of the opposite sense to one another. Both front and rear surfaces may be convex in the transverse dimension. They may have an equal radius of curvature.

The radius of curvature of the front surface may be between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably been <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably substantially <NUM>.

The front and rear surfaces may meet at opposing transverse edges of the main body. This leads to a mandorla-/lemon-/eye-shaped cross-sectional shape of the device body.

The transverse edges may have a radius of curvature that is significantly smaller than the radius of curvature of either the front or rear surface. This leads to the transverse edges being substantially "pointed" or "sharp". The transverse edges may have a radius of curvature in the transverse dimension of less than <NUM>, preferably less than <NUM>, preferably less than <NUM>, preferably less than <NUM>.

The transverse edges may extend substantially the full longitudinal length of the main body. However, in some embodiments, the transverse edges may only extend along a longitudinal portion of the main body.

The main body may have a curved longitudinal axis i.e. curved in a direction between the front and rear faces.

The cavity of the portable charger (e.g. charging case) may have a shape that is complementary to at least a portion of the main body, such that the portion of the main body fits closely within the cavity.

As mentioned above, the aerosol delivery system may comprise an (e.g. consumable) aerosol-delivery component configured to be coupled to the main body of the device. The component may be an aerosol-delivery (e.g. a smoking substitute) component.

The component may house an aerosol precursor. Specifically, the component may comprise a tank, and the tank may contain the aerosol-precursor. The component may comprise a heating element. The heating element may be used in a vaporiser to vaporise the aerosol-precursor. The vaporiser may be housed in a vaporising chamber.

The component may be configured to be physically and/or electrically coupled to the main body.

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

The component may comprise one or more engagement portions for engaging with the main body.

The component may comprise an electrical interface for interfacing with a corresponding electrical interface of the main body and for identifying when the component is electrically coupled to the main device. One or both of the electrical interfaces may include one or more electrical contacts. Thus, when the main body is coupled to the component, the electrical interface may configured to transfer electrical power from the main body to the component. The electrical interface may also be used to identify the component from a list of known types.

The main body may be able to detect information about the component coupled to the main body 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 component. In this respect, the 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. The aerosol delivery device may be configured to transmit (i.e. via the device communication interface) such information to the portable charger.

An airflow path may extend through the main body and the component, the airflow path extending from an air inlet to an outlet. The outlet may be at a mouthpiece portion of the component. 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). The airflow path passes the vaporiser between the air inlet and the air outlet.

The airflow path may comprise a first portion extending from the air inlet towards the vaporiser. The second portion of the airflow path passes through the vaporising chamber to a conduit that extends to the air 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 air outlet/outlet portion. Thus the second and third portions of the airflow path are 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/third portions of the airflow path (and the air outlet/outlet portion).

References to "upper", "lower", "above" or "below" are intended to refer to the component when in an upright/vertical orientation i.e. with elongate (longitudinal/length) axis of the component vertically aligned and with the mouthpiece vertically uppermost.

As noted above, the component may comprise a tank for housing an aerosol precursor (e.g. a liquid aerosol precursor). The 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.

At least a portion of one of the walls defining the tank may be translucent or transparent.

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 the conduit e.g. the tank may be annular.

As discussed above, the air flow path passes the vaporiser between the air inlet to the air outlet. The vaporiser may comprise a wick e.g. an elongate wick which may have a cylindrical shape.

The wick 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.

The wick may comprise a porous material. A portion of the wick may be exposed to airflow in the airflow path. The wick may also comprise one or more portions in contact with liquid aerosol precursor stored in the tank. For example, 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 is electrically connected (or connectable) to the power source. Thus, in operation, 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 airflow along the airflow path. This vapour may subsequently cool to form an aerosol e.g. in the conduit.

In some 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. opening to the tank that is sealable with a closure (e.g. a cap).

The aerosol delivery system may further comprise the cloud-based server. The cloud-based server may be configured to exchange data with the portable charger.

The cloud-based server may be configured to receive data from the portable charger, and store the received data. The cloud-based server may be configured to transmit data to the portable charger. The cloud-based server may be configured to perform operations on the received and/or stored data.

The cloud-based server may be configured to transmit instructions for controlling the aerosol delivery device to the portable charger (i.e. for subsequent transmission to the aerosol delivery device by the portable charger). The instructions may include one or more of: instructions for controlling access to the aerosol delivery device, instructions for controlling a user interface of the aerosol delivery device, and/or instructions for controlling an operating parameter of the aerosol delivery device.

The cloud-based server may be configured to receive usage information from the portable charger. The cloud-based server may be configured to act upon that usage information. Thus, for example, the cloud-based server may be configured to generate consumable component replacement orders based on the usage information.

In some embodiments, the system may comprise a plurality of portable chargers and aerosol delivery devices, and the cloud-based server may be configured to communicate with the portable charger. The cloud-based server may be configured to receive location data, indicative of the location of a corresponding aerosol delivery device, from first and second portable chargers. The cloud-based server may be configured to compare the location received from the first portable charger with the location received from the second portable charger and transmit an alert signal to one or both portable charges based on the comparison. Thus, for example, the comparison may comprise determining a distance between the locations and an alert signal may be transmitted to the portable chargers if the distance is below a threshold distance (i.e. indicating proximity of the aerosol delivery devices connected to the portable charges).

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:.

Aspects and embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures.

<FIG> shows a first embodiment of an aerosol delivery device <NUM>. In this example, the aerosol delivery device <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> and a consumable component <NUM>. The consumable component <NUM> may alternatively be referred to as a "pod", "cartridge" or "cartomizer".

In this example, the aerosol delivery device <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 main body <NUM> (i.e. for removal and replacement). <FIG> shows the aerosol delivery device <NUM> with the main body <NUM> physically coupled to the component <NUM>, <FIG> shows the main body <NUM> of the aerosol delivery device <NUM> without the component <NUM>, and <FIG> shows the component <NUM> of the aerosol delivery device <NUM> without the main body <NUM>.

The main body <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 main body <NUM>, such that there is an interference fit between the main body <NUM> and the component <NUM>. In other examples, the main body <NUM> and the component may be coupled by screwing one onto the other, or through a bayonet fitting.

The component <NUM> includes a mouthpiece (not shown in <FIG>) at an upper end <NUM> of the component <NUM>, and one or more air inlets (not shown) in fluid communication with the mouthpiece such that air can be drawn into and through the component <NUM> when a user inhales through the mouthpiece. 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 main body <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 main body <NUM>.

The lower end <NUM> of the main body <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 aerosol delivery device <NUM> is activated. Whilst not shown, the component <NUM> may identify itself to the main body <NUM>, via an electrical interface, RFID chip, or barcode.

The lower end <NUM> of the main body <NUM> also includes a device connector <NUM>, which is usable to charge a battery within the main body <NUM>. The device connector <NUM> can also be used to transfer data to and from the main body, for example to update firmware thereon. This is described further below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

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

The power source <NUM> is 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.

As will be described below, the communication interface <NUM> is configured to communicate wirelessly with a portable charger, e.g. via Bluetooth®. To this end, the communication interface <NUM> may include a Bluetooth® antenna. The communication interface <NUM> may also communicate with the portable charger via a physical connection (such as the connector <NUM>).

The electrical interface <NUM> of the main body <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 main body <NUM>. When the main body <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 aerosol delivery device <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 main body <NUM> when the component <NUM> is connected to the main body <NUM>. Additionally, or alternatively, there may be a separate interface provided in the main body <NUM> and a corresponding interface in the component <NUM> such that, when connected, the component <NUM> can identify itself to the main body <NUM>.

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

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> also comprise the connector <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 main body <NUM>.

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may 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 the portable charger (discussed further below).

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may include a sensor, such as an airflow (i.e. puff) sensor for detecting airflow in the aerosol delivery device <NUM>, e.g. caused by a user inhaling through a mouthpiece <NUM> of the component <NUM>. The aerosol delivery device <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 main body <NUM> may include a user input, e.g. a button. The aerosol delivery device <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 aerosol delivery device <NUM>.

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may include an accelerometer. The accelerometer may be configured to sense movement of the aerosol delivery device.

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 <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 main body <NUM> and an electrical interface <NUM> of the component <NUM> are configured to contact each other and thereby electrically couple the main body <NUM> to the component <NUM> when the lower end <NUM> of the component <NUM> is inserted into the upper end <NUM> of the main body <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 main body <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 aerosol delivery device <NUM>, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece <NUM>. When the component <NUM> is physically coupled to the main body <NUM>, the air inlets <NUM> receive air, which flows to the air inlets <NUM> along a gap between the main body <NUM> and the lower end <NUM> of the component <NUM>.

In operation, a user activates the aerosol delivery device <NUM>, e.g. through interaction with a user input forming part of the main body <NUM> or by inhaling through the mouthpiece <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 <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 main body <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that the aerosol delivery device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is just one exemplary implementation of an aerosol delivery device. For example, the device could otherwise be in the form of an entirely disposable (single-use) system.

<FIG> is a section view of the component <NUM> described above. The component <NUM> comprises a tank <NUM> for storing e-liquid, a mouthpiece <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 tank housing <NUM> of the tank <NUM> defines an outer casing of the component <NUM>, whilst a conduit wall <NUM> defines the conduit <NUM>. The tank housing <NUM> extends from the lower end <NUM> of the component <NUM> to the mouthpiece <NUM> at the upper end <NUM> of the component <NUM>. At the junction between the mouthpiece <NUM> and the tank housing <NUM>, the mouthpiece <NUM> is wider than the tank housing <NUM>, so as to define a lip <NUM> that overhangs the tank housing <NUM>. This lip <NUM> acts as a stop feature when the component <NUM> is inserted into the main body <NUM> (i.e. by contact with an upper edge of the main body <NUM>).

The tank <NUM>, the conduit <NUM> and the mouthpiece <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 such as polypropylene.

The mouthpiece <NUM> comprises a mouthpiece aperture <NUM> defining an outlet of the conduit <NUM>. The vaporiser <NUM> is fluidly connected to the mouthpiece aperture <NUM> and is located in a vaporising chamber <NUM> of the component <NUM>. The vaporising chamber <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 wick <NUM> and a heater filament <NUM> coiled around the porous wick <NUM>. The wick <NUM> extends transversely across the chamber vaporising <NUM> between sidewalls of the chamber <NUM> which form part of an inner sleeve <NUM> of an insert <NUM> that defines the lower end <NUM> of the component <NUM> that connects with the main body <NUM>. The insert <NUM> is inserted into an open lower end of the tank <NUM> so as to seal against the tank housing <NUM>.

In this way, the inner sleeve <NUM> projects into the tank <NUM> and seals with the conduit <NUM> (around the conduit wall <NUM>) so as to separate the vaporising chamber <NUM> from the e-liquid in the tank <NUM>. Ends of the wick <NUM> project through apertures in the inner sleeve <NUM> and into the tank <NUM> so as to be in contact with the e-liquid in the tank <NUM>. In this way, e-liquid is transported along the wick <NUM> (e.g. by capillary action) to a central portion of the wick <NUM> that is exposed to airflow through the vaporising chamber <NUM>. The transported e-liquid is heated by the heater filament <NUM> (when activated e.g. by detection of inhalation), which causes the e-liquid to be vaporised and to be entrained in air flowing past the wick <NUM>. This vaporised liquid may cool to form an aerosol in the conduit <NUM>, which may then be inhaled by a user.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the main body <NUM> engaged with the component <NUM> at the upper end <NUM>. The main body <NUM> includes a charging connection <NUM> at the lower end <NUM>.

The front surface <NUM> of a housing <NUM> of the main body <NUM> is curved in the transverse dimension. The rear surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is curved in the transverse dimension. The curvatures of the front surface <NUM> and rear surface <NUM> are of the opposite sense to one another. Both front and rear surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> are convex in the transverse dimension. This leads to a mandorla-/lemon-/eye-shaped cross sectional shape of the main body <NUM>.

The front surface <NUM> and rear surface <NUM> meet at two transverse edges <NUM>. The transverse edges <NUM> have a radius of curvature that is significantly smaller than the radius of curvature of either the front <NUM> or rear surface <NUM>. This leads to the transverse edges being substantially "pointed" or "sharp". The transverse edges may have a radius of curvature in the transverse dimension of less than <NUM> millimetre.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the transverse edges <NUM> extend substantially the full longitudinal length of the main body <NUM>.

The front surface <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may include visual user feedback means.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic transverse cross section through the main body <NUM> of <FIG>, in accordance with an embodiment. The front surface <NUM> and rear surface <NUM> are shown meeting at the transverse edges <NUM> on either side of the housing <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. The radius of curvature in the transverse dimension of the front surface <NUM> is equal to the radius of curvature in the transverse dimension of the rear surface <NUM>.

The radius of curvature of the front surface <NUM> may be between <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an aerosol delivery system <NUM> comprising an aerosol delivery device <NUM>, which may be the same as those described above, a portable charger in the form of a charging case <NUM>, and a cloud-based server <NUM>. For clarity, only the power source <NUM>, controller <NUM>, connector <NUM>, and the communication interface <NUM> of the aerosol delivery device <NUM> are illustrated.

The charging case <NUM> comprises a cavity <NUM> shaped and sized for receipt of the aerosol delivery device <NUM> (as is shown in <FIG>). An end of the cavity comprises a connector <NUM> for electrical connection with the connector <NUM> of the aerosol delivery device <NUM>. The connector <NUM> is operatively connected to a power source <NUM> of the charging case <NUM>. The power source <NUM>, in this case, is a rechargeable battery, which is rechargeable via a power supply connector <NUM> of the charging case <NUM>. The power source <NUM> supplies power to a first communication interface <NUM>, memory <NUM> and second communication interface <NUM>.

The first communication interface <NUM> is configured to exchange data wirelessly with the aerosol delivery device <NUM>. In particular, the first communication interface <NUM> is configured to exchange data with the communication interface <NUM> of the aerosol delivery device via a Bluetooth® connection. To facilitate this, both the first communication interface <NUM> and the device communication interface <NUM> comprise Bluetooth® antennas.

The second communication interface <NUM> is configured to wirelessly exchange data directly with the cloud-based server <NUM>. Thus, the communication is made without first transmitting the data to an intermediate user device such as a computer or mobile phone (but may be transmitted to the cloud-based server <NUM> via infrastructure, such as cell towers, forming part of a network facilitating the communication). In the present embodiment the second communication interface <NUM> communicates with the cloud-based server via an LPWA network, in the form of an NB-loT network <NUM> according to the NB-loT technology standard.

Thus, the first <NUM> and second <NUM> communication interfaces are configured to connect to two different types of device in two different ways. In particular, the range of the second communication interface <NUM> is much larger than that of the first communication interface <NUM>. In this way, the charging case <NUM> can be used by the aerosol delivery device <NUM> to communicate with the cloud-based server <NUM>. This means the aerosol delivery device <NUM> itself does not need to contain the components required to communicate with the cloud-based server. It also minimises the power requirements of the aerosol delivery device <NUM>.

The aerosol delivery device <NUM> (e.g. the device communication interface <NUM>) is configured to transmit data to the cloud-based server <NUM> (via the charging case <NUM>), including: usage data (e.g. puff/inhale data), battery charge level data, location data, and data indicative of the nature of a connected consumable component. As this data passes through the charging case <NUM>, it may be stored in the memory <NUM>. Where, for example, data is received and the connection between the aerosol delivery device <NUM> and the charging case <NUM> is not active, the data can be stored in the memory until the connection is activated.

The cloud based server <NUM> is configured to transmit data to the aerosol delivery device <NUM> (via the charging case <NUM>), including: instructions to update the firmware of the device <NUM>, instructions to control the interface of the device <NUM>, instructions to control an operating parameter of the device <NUM> (e.g. heater power), and instructions to lock or unlock access to the device <NUM>. Again, the data may be stored in the memory <NUM> of the charging case <NUM>.

As noted above, the aerosol delivery device <NUM> can be received in a cavity <NUM> of the charging case <NUM> to charge the power source <NUM> of the aerosol delivery device <NUM>. This is shown in <FIG>. As is apparent from this figure, when the aerosol delivery device <NUM> is received in the cavity <NUM>, the connectors <NUM>, <NUM> of the aerosol delivery device <NUM> and charging case <NUM> form an electrical connection. In this way, power may be supplied from the power source <NUM> of the charging case <NUM> to the power source <NUM> of the aerosol delivery device <NUM>. In some embodiments, data may also be transferred via this connection (e.g. as an alternative to the wireless connection between the first communication interface <NUM> and the device communication interface <NUM>). In this embodiment, however, the wireless connection is simply maintained for any exchange of data required while the aerosol delivery device <NUM> is received in the cavity <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A portable charger (<NUM>) for supplying power to an aerosol delivery device (<NUM>), the portable charger (<NUM>) comprising:
a first communication interface (<NUM>) configured to receive data from an aerosol delivery device (<NUM>), and a second communication interface (<NUM>) configured to wirelessly transmit the received data directly to a server (<NUM>);
characterised in that the server is a cloud-based server, and in that the first communication interface (<NUM>) is configured for both physical/wired and wireless connection with the aerosol delivery device (<NUM>).