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EP-4742497-A2 - SMOKING SUBSTITUTE SYSTEM

EP4742497A2EP 4742497 A2EP4742497 A2EP 4742497A2EP-4742497-A2

Abstract

A smoking substitute system comprising a heated tobacco device with wireless charging capability is provided. The system also comprises a wireless charging dock configured to wirelessly charge the device. Specifically, a heated tobacco device is provided, comprising a rechargeable battery (305) and a wireless charging module (306) configured to wirelessly receive energy for charging the rechargeable battery.

Inventors

  • FERRIE, Kate
  • SHENTON, ROSS
  • LORD, CHRIS
  • MURRAY, Samantha
  • SUDLOW, TOM

Assignees

  • Imperial Tobacco Limited

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20200313

Claims (15)

  1. A smoking substitute device (101, 201, 301), comprising: a rechargeable battery (205, 305); and a wireless charging module (306) configured to wirelessly receive energy for charging the rechargeable battery (205, 305).
  2. The device (101, 201, 301) of claim 1, comprising a device controller (108, 303), coupled to the rechargeable battery (205, 305), and configured to control an output power from the wireless charging module (306).
  3. The device (101, 201, 301) of claim 1 or 2, comprising a wireless interface configured to communicate wirelessly with an external device.
  4. The device (101, 201, 301) of claim 3, wherein the wireless charging module (306) is configured to continuously monitor a charging level and charging state of the rechargeable battery (305) and wherein the wireless interface is configured to wirelessly transmit a confirmation message upon determining that the rechargeable battery (305) is fully charged.
  5. The device (101, 201, 301) of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101, 201, 301) is adapted for receiving energy only wirelessly for charging the rechargeable battery (205, 305), and wherein the device (101, 201, 301) in particular does not comprise a dedicated power input port.
  6. The device (101, 201, 301) of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless charging module (306) comprises a first plurality of coils, optionally wherein at least one of the first plurality of coils is located adjacent to the rechargeable battery (205, 305).
  7. The device (101, 201, 301) of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless charging module is located at a predetermined distance from a flat outer surface of the device (101, 201, 301), optionally wherein the predetermined distance is up to 5mm.
  8. The device (101, 201, 301) of at least one of the preceding claims, comprising output means for indicating, to a user, one or more of: charge level, charging status, or that the device is in a preferred charging orientation.
  9. The device (101, 201, 301) of claim 8, wherein the output means comprises a plurality of LEDs located on a body of the device.
  10. The device (101, 201, 301) of claim 8 or 9, wherein the output means is configured to generate one of a haptic feedback, audio and/or visual feedback to inform the user about one of a beginning, progressing and ending of the wireless charging operation.
  11. The device (101, 201, 301) of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises an elongate body having: a first end configured for engagement with an aerosol-forming article, and a second end configured for engagement with a wireless charging dock for wirelessly charging the device.
  12. The device (101, 201, 301) of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is a heated tobacco device.
  13. A system (321), comprising: the heated tobacco device (101, 201, 302) of at least one of the preceding claims; a wireless charging dock (302) configured to wirelessly charge the heated tobacco device (101, 201, 301); and a system controller (322), coupled to the wireless charging dock (302), and configured to control an output power from the wireless charging dock (302) to the heated tobacco device (101, 201, 301).
  14. The system (321) of claim 13, wherein the wireless charging dock (302) comprises: a power supply (309); and a second plurality of coils coupled to the power supply (309).
  15. The system (321) of claim 13 or 14, wherein the wireless charging dock comprises an engagement means to provide engagement of the heated tobacco device at the correct location of the heated tobacco device on the wireless charging dock, optionally wherein the engagement means is a magnetic engagement means.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a smoking substitute system and particularly, although not exclusively, to a heated tobacco device with wireless charging capability and a system for enabling the wireless charging capability of the heated tobacco 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