US-12623037-B2 - Electronic aerosol provision system and method

US12623037B2US 12623037 B2US12623037 B2US 12623037B2US-12623037-B2

Abstract

An electronic aerosol provision system can include an airflow sensor operable to measure an airflow parameter; a profile recall unit operable to recall one or more inhalation airflow profiles, describing at least one of a velocity or an amount of air inhaled through the electronic aerosol provision system over a course of a puff by a user; and a comparison processing unit operable to compare a measured airflow parameter with at least a first inhalation airflow profile while providing aerosol to the user.

Inventors

Robert KERSEY
Patrick Moloney
Darryl BAKER

Assignees

Nicoventures Trading Limited

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20230919
Priority Date: 20190426

Claims (11)

1 . An electronic aerosol provision system comprising: an airflow sensor operable to measure an airflow parameter; a profile recall unit operable to recall one or more inhalation airflow profiles, describing at least one of a velocity or an amount of air inhaled through the electronic aerosol provision system over a course of a puff by a user; and a comparison processing unit operable to compare a measured airflow parameter with at least a first inhalation airflow profile while providing aerosol to the user.
2 . The electronic aerosol provision system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a feedback unit operable to provide feedback to the user responsive to a difference between the compared measured airflow parameter and the at least first inhalation airflow profile.
3 . The electronic aerosol provision system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a mobile phone; and an e-cigarette operable to communicate with the mobile phone, wherein the e-cigarette comprises the airflow sensor.
4 . The electronic aerosol provision system according to claim 3 , wherein the e-cigarette is operable to record the measured airflow parameter even when the e-cigarette is not in communication with the mobile phone, and is configured in these instances to subsequently transfer data pertaining to the measured airflow parameter when the e-cigarette is in communication with the mobile phone.
5 . The electronic aerosol provision system according to claim 3 , wherein the mobile phone comprises a user interface for recalling or setting the at least first inhalation airflow profile.
6 . The electronic aerosol provision system according to claim 3 , further comprising: a feedback unit operable to provide feedback to the user responsive to a difference between the compared measured airflow parameter and the at least first inhalation airflow profile, wherein the mobile phone comprises the feedback unit.
7 . The electronic aerosol provision system according to claim 1 , further comprising a display for providing a graphical representation of an inhalation airflow profile.
8 . The electronic aerosol provision system according to claim 7 , further comprising: a mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone comprises the display; and an e-cigarette operable to communicate with the mobile phone, wherein the e-cigarette comprises the airflow sensor.
9 . The electronic aerosol provision system according to claim 7 , wherein the display is further configured for providing a graphical representation of an inhalation of a user as a function of time.
10 . The electronic aerosol provision system according to claim 1 , wherein the profile recall unit comprises a communication unit operable to obtain from a remote server the one or more inhalation airflow profiles associated with an account of the user.
11 . A non-therapeutic method of operating an electronic aerosol provision system, comprising: measuring an airflow parameter within the electronic aerosol provision system; recalling one or more inhalation airflow profiles describing at least one of a velocity or an amount of air inhaled through the electronic aerosol provision system over a course of a puff by a user; and comparing a measured airflow parameter with at least a first inhalation airflow profile while providing aerosol to the user.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM The present application is a continuation application of Ser. No. 15/733,787 filed Oct. 26, 2020, which is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/GB2019/051162, filed Apr. 26, 2019, which claims priority from GB Patent Application No. 1806826.2, filed Apr. 26, 2018, each of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. FIELD The present disclosure relates to electronic aerosol provision systems such as nicotine delivery systems (e.g. electronic cigarettes and the like) and a corresponding method of aerosol provision. BACKGROUND Electronic aerosol provision systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally contain a reservoir of a source liquid containing a formulation, typically including nicotine, from which an aerosol is generated, e.g. through heat vaporization. An aerosol source for an aerosol provision system may thus comprise a heater having a heating element arranged to receive source liquid from the reservoir, for example through wicking/capillary action. Other source materials may be similarly heated to create an aerosol, such as botanical matter, or a gel comprising an active ingredient and/or flavoring. Hence more generally, the e-cigarette may be thought of as comprising or receiving a payload for heat vaporization. While a user inhales on the device, electrical power is supplied to the heating element to vaporize the aerosol source (a portion of the payload) in the vicinity of the heating element, to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user. Such devices are usually provided with one or more air inlet holes located away from a mouthpiece end of the system. When a user sucks on a mouthpiece connected to the mouthpiece end of the system, air is drawn in through the inlet holes and past the aerosol source. There is a flow path connecting between the aerosol source and an opening in the mouthpiece so that air drawn past the aerosol source continues along the flow path to the mouthpiece opening, carrying some of the aerosol from the aerosol source with it. The aerosol-carrying air exits the aerosol provision system through the mouthpiece opening for inhalation by the user. Usually an electric current is supplied to the heater when a user is drawing/puffing on the device. Typically, the electric current is supplied to the heater, e.g. resistance heating element, in response to either the activation of an airflow sensor along the flow path as the user inhales/draw/puffs or in response to the activation of a button by the user. The heat generated by the heating element is used to vaporize a formulation. The released vapor mixes with air drawn through the device by the puffing consumer and forms an aerosol. Alternatively or in addition, the heating element is used to heat but typically not burn a botanical such as tobacco, to release active ingredients thereof as a vapor/aerosol. The amount of vaporized/aerosolized payload inhaled by the user will depend on how long and how deeply the user inhales, and any heating/vapor flow delay between the beginning of inhalation and disengagement from the device. It is desirable that the user achieves a measure of control over this amount. SUMMARY Various approaches are described herein which seek to help address or mitigate this issue. In a first aspect, an electronic vapor provision system is provided. In another aspect, a method of electronic vapor provision is provided. Further respective aspects and features of the disclosure are defined in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic vapor provision system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an electronic vapor provision system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electronic vapor provision system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an electronic vapor provision system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electronic vapor provision system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an electronic vapor provision system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method of electronic vapor provision in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating example haptic feedback for an electronic vapor provision system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION An electronic aerosol provision system and method are disclosed. In the following description, a number of specific details are presented in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the pr