EP-4740770-A2 - SMOKING SUBSTITUTE SYSTEM

EP4740770A2EP 4740770 A2EP4740770 A2EP 4740770A2EP-4740770-A2

Abstract

A smoking substitute device is described. The device comprises at least a controller configured to receive a user input to determine current state of the device and display the current state of the consumable cycle in response to a user input. In another device disclosed, the display of the current state of the consumable cycle is in response to a predetermined condition being reached.

Inventors

FERRIE, Kate
SHENTON, ROSS
LORD, CHRIS
MURRAY, Samantha
SUDLOW, TOM
BENYEZZAR, Med

Assignees

Imperial Tobacco Limited

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20200313

Claims (15)

A smoking substitute device for engagement with a consumable, the device including: a user input means; and a haptic feedback means for providing haptic user feedback; a controller configured to control the haptic feedback means; wherein the controller is configured to, during a consumable cycle of the consumable, determine when a predetermined portion of the consumable remains to be consumed; and when the predetermined portion of the consumable remains, provide a haptic feedback output from the haptic feedback means.
The smoking substitute device according to claim 1, wherein the device further includes a visual feedback means, and wherein the controller is further configured to, when the predetermined portion of the consumable remains, provide a visual feedback output from the visual feedback means.
The smoking substitute device according to claim 2 , wherein the visual feedback means includes one or more lights, optionally at least three lights.
The smoking substitute device according to claim 3, wherein the controller is further configured to: display a current progress of the consumable cycle via the one or more lights in response to a user request or in response to detecting a predetermined condition of the device.
The smoking substitute device according to claim 4, wherein the current progress is indicated to be one of a beginning state, at least one middle state, and a concluding state of the consumable cycle.
The smoking substitute device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the user input means comprises a button, and wherein the user request is a button press on the button.
The smoking substitute device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the controller is configured to display a battery status of the device via the one or more lights.
The smoking substitute device according to claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to display the battery status in response to receiving a user input to the user input means when the consumable cycle is not in progress.
The smoking substitute device according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to determine the predetermined portion of the consumable that remains to be consumed by determining a current progress of the consumable cycle.
The smoking substitute device according to claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to provide the haptic feedback output when there is 10% of the consumable cycle remaining.
The smoking substitute device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the consumable cycle has a predetermined duration, and wherein the controller is configured to determine the current progress of the consumable cycle based on a fraction of time remaining in the consumable cycle of predetermined duration.
The smoking substitute device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the controller is configured to determine the current progress of the consumable cycle based on a measured number of puffs taken on the consumable, relative to a predetermined number of puffs available in a full consumable cycle; or wherein the controller is configured to determine the current progress of the consumable cycle based on a total puff duration taken on the consumable, relative to a predetermined total puff duration available in a full consumable cycle.
The smoking substitute device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the controller is configured to display the current progress of the consumable cycle by illuminating a state number of one or more lights, wherein the state number is proportional to an amount of consumable cycle remaining or used, optionally wherein the device is configured successively illuminate the state number of lights.
The smoking substitute device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is a Heated Tobacco device configured to receive a consumable containing tobacco.
A smoking substitute system comprising the smoking substitute device according to any preceding claim and an aerosol forming article.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a smoking substitute system and particularly, although not exclusively, to a smoking substitute device. BACKGROUND The smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally thought that a significant amount of the potentially harmful substances are generated through the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion of the tobacco and the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself. Conventional combustible smoking articles, such as cigarettes, typically comprise a cylindrical rod of tobacco comprising shreds of tobacco which is surrounded by a wrapper, and usually also a cylindrical filter axially aligned in an abutting relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod. The filter typically comprises a filtration material which is circumscribed by a plug wrap. The wrapped tobacco rod and the filter are joined together by a wrapped band of tipping paper that circumscribes the entire length of the filter and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod. A conventional cigarette of this type is used by lighting the end opposite to the filter, and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker receives mainstream smoke into their mouth by drawing on the mouth end or filter end of the cigarette. 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 (or "substitute smoking systems") in order to avoid the smoking of tobacco. Such smoking substitute systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine. Smoking substitute systems include electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol (also referred to as a "vapour") that 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 with combustible tobacco products. Some smoking substitute systems use smoking substitute articles (also referred to as a "consumables") that are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end. 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. There are a number of different categories of smoking substitute systems, each utilising a different smoking substitute approach. One approach for a smoking substitute system 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. The vapour may contain nicotine and/or flavourings. In the HT approach the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. the tobacco does not undergo combustion. A typical HT smoking substitute system may include a device and a consumable. The consumable may include the tobacco material. The device and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating element of the device, 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 (entrained in the airflow) from the location of vaporisation 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 will normally contain the volatile compounds. In HT smoking substitute systems, heating as opposed to burning the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking. Consequently, the HT approach may reduce the odour and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco. There may be a need for improved design of smoking substitute systems, in particular HT smoking substitute systems, to enhance the user experience and improve the function of the H