US2024206550A1PendingUtilityA1

A control module for a modular aerosol generating device, a module for a modular aerosol generating device and a modular aerosol generating device

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Assignee: NICOVENTURES TRADING LTDPriority: Jul 24, 2018Filed: Jul 24, 2019Published: Jun 27, 2024
Est. expiryJul 24, 2038(~12 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Richard HepworthPatrick Molony
A24F 40/30A24F 40/46A24F 7/00A24F 40/44A24F 40/60A24F 40/42A24F 40/20A24F 40/10A24F 40/50A24F 40/40
47
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Claims

Abstract

There is described a control module for a modular aerosol generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol. The control module is arranged so that a user can configure the aerosol generating device by selectively connecting to the control module different configurations of modules of a first module type and a second module type. The modules of the first module type contain an e-liquid for generating an aerosol and the modules of the second module type contain a material and comprise a heater that can be activated to heat the material. The configurations comprise: a first single module configuration comprising a module of the first module type, a second single module configuration comprising a module of the second module type, and at least one multi module configuration comprising at least two modules selected from modules of the first and second module types connected together in a stacked arrangement.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A control module for a modular aerosol generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol wherein the control module is arranged so that a user can configure the aerosol generating device by selectively connecting to the control module different configurations of modules of a first module type and a second module type, wherein modules of the first module type contain an e-liquid for generating an aerosol and wherein modules of the second module type contain a material and comprise a heater that can be activated to heat the material, wherein the configurations comprise: a first single module configuration comprising a module of the first module type, a second single module configuration comprising a module of the second module type, and at least one multi module configuration comprising at least two modules selected from modules of the first and second module types connected together in a stacked arrangement. 
     
     
         2 . A control module according to  claim 1  wherein the configurations comprise a first multi-module configuration comprising a module of the first module type and a module of the second module type connected together in a stacked arrangement and wherein the module of the first module type is closer to the control module than is the module of the second module type. 
     
     
         3 . A control module according to  any preceding claim  wherein the configurations comprise a second multi-module configuration comprising a module of the first module type and a module of the second module type connected together in a stacked arrangement and wherein the module of the second module type is closer to the control module than is the module of the first module type. 
     
     
         4 . A control module according to  any preceding claim  wherein the configurations comprise a third multi-module configuration comprising two modules of the second module type connected together in a stacked arrangement. 
     
     
         5 . A control module according to  any preceding claim  wherein the configurations comprise a fourth multi-module configuration comprising two modules of the first module type connected together in a stacked arrangement. 
     
     
         6 . A control module according to any of  claims 2 to 5  wherein the control module is configured to enable a user to use the control module to select a first mode in which, in use, when a module of the first module type and a module of the second module type are connected together in a stacked arrangement, the control module controls the module of the first module type to generate an aerosol flow from the e-liquid in a time period when the heater of the module of the second module type is in-active. 
     
     
         7 . A control module according to any of  claims 2 to 6  wherein the control module is configured to enable a user to use the control module to select a second mode in which, in use, when a module of the first module type and a module of the second module type are connected together in a stacked arrangement, the control module controls the module of the first module type to generate an aerosol flow from the e-liquid in a time period when the heater of the module of the second module type is active. 
     
     
         8 . A control module according to  any preceding claim , wherein the control module comprises a first power connection for making a first electrical connection with a first or only module connected to the control module to supply power to the first or only module and a second power connection and a second power connection for making a second electrical connection to a first module connected to the control module to supply power, via the first module, to a second module connected to the first module. 
     
     
         9 . A control module according to  any preceding claim  wherein the control module is configured to identify what type of module or order of types of modules is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         10 . A module of a first module type for use with a control module of any of  claims 1 to 9 , the module of the first module type comprising a housing containing an e-cig liquid for generating a flow of aerosol when controlled by the control module. 
     
     
         11 . The module of  claim 10 , the module comprising an aerosol generator for generating a flow of aerosol from the e-cig liquid when controlled by the control module. 
     
     
         12 . The module of  claim 11  wherein the aerosol generator comprises at least one of a heater, a heater and wick arrangement and a piezo electric arrangement. 
     
     
         13 . The module of any of  claims 10 to 12  further comprising a first connection interface for releasably connecting the module to the control module or for connecting the module to another module in a stack of modules that, in use, is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         14 . The module of  claim 13  wherein the first connection interface comprises a first electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to the control module to receive power from the control module to power the module when the module is the first module or the only module connected to the control module. 
     
     
         15 . The module of  claim 13 or claim 14  wherein the first connection interface comprises a second electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to the control module to receive power from the control module and route the power to a further module when the module is the first module in a stack of modules connected to the control module and the further module is a subsequent module in the stack of modules. 
     
     
         16 . The module of any of  claims 10 to 15  further comprising a second connection interface for releasably connecting the module to a mouthpiece or for connecting the module to a subsequent module in a stack of modules that, in use, is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         17 . The module of  claim 16  wherein the second connection interface comprises a second electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to the control module to receive power from the control module and to route the power to a further module when the module is the first module in a stack of modules connected to the control module and the further module is a subsequent module in the stack of modules. 
     
     
         18 . A module of a second module type for use with a control module of any of  claims 1 to 9 , the module of the second module type comprising a housing containing a material and a heater for heating the material to generate a flow of aerosol from the material when controlled by the control module. 
     
     
         19 . The module of  claim 18  further comprising a first connection interface for releasably connecting the module to the control module or for connecting the module to another module in a stack of modules that, in use, is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         20 . The module of  claim 19  wherein the first connection interface comprises a first electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to the control module to receive power from the control module to power the module when the module is the first module or the only module connected to the control module. 
     
     
         21 . The module of  claim 19 or claim 20  wherein the first connection interface comprises a second electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to the control module to receive power from the control module and route the power to a further module when the module is the first module in a stack of modules connected to the control module and the further module is a subsequent module in the stack of modules. 
     
     
         22 . The module of any of  claims 18 to 21  further comprising a second connection interface for releasably connecting the module to a mouthpiece or for connecting the module to a subsequent module in a stack of modules that, in use, is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         23 . The module of  claim 22  wherein the second connection interface comprises an electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to a subsequent module in a stack of modules that, in use, is connected to the control module and for routing electrical power from the control module to the subsequent module. 
     
     
         24 . A kit comprising the control module of any of  claims 1 to 9  and at least one module of the module of the first module type of any of  claims 10 to 17  and/or at least one module of the module of the second module type of any of  claims 18 to 23 . 
     
     
         25 . A modular aerosol generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol, the device comprising:
 the control module of any of  claims 1 to 9 ;   at least one module of the module of the first module type of any of  claims 10 to 17 ; and/or;   at least one module of the module of the second module type of any of  claims 18 to 23 .   
     
     
         26 . A control module for a modular aerosol generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol wherein the control module is arranged so that a user can configure the aerosol generating device by selectively connecting to the control module different configurations of modules of a first module type and a second module type, wherein modules of the first module type contain an e-liquid for generating a vapour and wherein modules of the second module type contain a material and comprise a heater that can be activated to heat the material, wherein the configurations comprise: at least one multi module configuration comprising at least two modules of the first module type connected together in a stacked arrangement or at least two modules of the second module type connected together in a stacked arrangement. 
     
     
         27 . A control module according to  claim 26  wherein the configurations comprise a first multi-module configuration comprising a module of the first module type and a module of the second module type connected together in a stacked arrangement and wherein the module of the first module type is closer to the control module than is the module of the second module type. 
     
     
         28 . A control module according to  claim 26 or claim 27  wherein the configurations comprise a second multi-module configuration comprising a module of the first module type and a module of the second module type connected together in a stacked arrangement and wherein the module of the second module type is closer to the control module than is the module of the first module type. 
     
     
         29 . A control module according to any of  claims 26 to 28  wherein the control module is configured to enable a user to use the control module to select a mode in which, in use, when a module of the first module type and a module of the second module type are connected together in a stacked arrangement, the control module controls the module of the first module type to generate an aerosol flow from the e-liquid in a time period when the heater of the module of the second module type is in-active. 
     
     
         30 . A control module according to any of  claims 26 to 29  wherein the control module is configured to enable a user to use the control module to select a mode in which, in use, when a module of the first module type and a module of the second module type are connected together in a stacked arrangement, the control module controls the module of the first module type to generate an aerosol flow from the e-liquid in a time period when the heater of the module of the second module type is active. 
     
     
         31 . A control module according to any of  claims 26 to 30  wherein the control module comprises a first power connection for making a first electrical connection with a first or only module connected to the control module to supply power to the first or only module and a second power connection and a second power connection for making a second electrical connection to a first module connected to the control module to supply power, via the first module, to a second module connected to the first module. 
     
     
         32 . A control module according to any of  claims 26 to 31  wherein the control module is configured to identify what type of module or order of types of modules is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         33 . A module of a first module type for use with a control module of any of  claims 26 to 32  the module of the first module type comprising a housing containing an e-cig liquid for generating a flow of aerosol when controlled by the control module. 
     
     
         34 . The module of  claim 33 , the module comprising an aerosol generator for generating a flow of aerosol from the e-cig liquid when controlled by the control module. 
     
     
         35 . The module of  claim 34  wherein the aerosol generator comprises at least one of a heater, a heater and wick arrangement and a piezo electric arrangement. 
     
     
         36 . The module of any of  claims 33 to 35  further comprising a first connection interface for releasably connecting the module to the control module or for connecting the module to another module in a stack of modules that, in use, is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         37 . The module of  claim 36  wherein the first connection interface comprises a first electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to the control module to receive power from the control module to power the module when the module is the first module or the only module connected to the control module. 
     
     
         38 . The module of  claim 36 or claim 37  wherein the first connection interface comprises a second electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to the control module to receive power from the control module and route the power to a further module when the module is the first module in a stack of modules connected to the control module and the further module is a subsequent module in the stack of modules. 
     
     
         39 . The module of any of  claims 33 to 38  further comprising a second connection interface for releasably connecting the module to a mouthpiece or for connecting the module to a subsequent module in a stack of modules that, in use, is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         40 . The module of  claim 39  wherein the second connection interface comprises a second electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to the control module to receive power from the control module and to route the power to a further module when the module is the first module in a stack of modules connected to the control module and the further module is a subsequent module in the stack of modules. 
     
     
         41 . A module of a second module type for use with a control module of any of  claims 26 to 32 , the module of the second module type comprising a housing containing a material and a heater for heating the material to generate a flow of aerosol from the material when controlled by the control module. 
     
     
         42 . The module of  claim 41  further comprising a first connection interface for releasably connecting the module to the control module or for connecting the module to another module in a stack of modules that, in use, is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         43 . The module of  claim 41  wherein the first connection interface comprises a first electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to the control module to receive power from the control module to power the module when the module is the first module or the only module connected to the control module. 
     
     
         44 . The module of  claim 42 or claim 43  wherein the first connection interface comprises a second electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to the control module to receive power from the control module and route the power to a further module when the module is the first module in a stack of modules connected to the control module and the further module is a subsequent module in the stack of modules. 
     
     
         45 . The module of any of  claims 41 to 44  further comprising a second connection interface for releasably connecting the module to a mouthpiece or for connecting the module to a subsequent module in a stack of modules that, in use, is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         46 . The module of  claim 45  wherein the second connection interface comprises an electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to a subsequent module in a stack of modules that, in use, is connected to the control module and for routing electrical power from the control module to the subsequent module. 
     
     
         47 . A kit comprising the control module of any of  claims 1 to 9  and at least one module of the module of the first module type of any of  claims 10 to 17  and/or at least one module of the module of the second module type of any of  claims 18 to 23 . 
     
     
         48 . A modular aerosol generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol, the device comprising:
 the control module of any of  claims 26 to 32 ;   at least one module of the module of the first module type of any of  claims 33 to 40 ; and/or;   at least one module of the module of the second module type of any of  claims 41 to 46 .   
     
     
         49 . A control module for a modular aerosol generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol wherein the control module is arranged so that a user can configure the aerosol generating device by selectively connecting to the control module different configurations of modules of a first module type and a second module type, wherein modules of the first module type contain an e-liquid for generating an aerosol and wherein modules of the second module type contain a material and comprise a heater that can be activated to heat the material, wherein the configurations comprise: at least a first multi module configuration comprising a module of the first module type and a module of the second module type connected together in a stacked arrangement and wherein when the modular aerosol generating device is configured in the first multi module configuration the control module is controllable to operate the modular aerosol generating device in a first mode in which the module of the first module type generates an aerosol from the e-liquid and the heater of the module of the second module type is in-active and in a second mode in which the module of the first module type generates an aerosol from the e-liquid and the heater of the module of the second module type is active. 
     
     
         50 . A control module according to  claim 49  wherein the configurations comprise a first multi-module configuration comprising a module of the first module type and a module of the second module type connected together in a stacked arrangement and wherein the module of the first module type is closer to the control module than is the module of the second module type. 
     
     
         51 . A control module according to  claim 49 or claim 50  wherein the configurations comprise a second multi-module configuration comprising a module of the first module type and a module of the second module type connected together in a stacked arrangement and wherein the module of the second module type is closer to the control module than is the module of the first module type. 
     
     
         52 . A control module according to any of  claims 49 to 51  wherein the configurations comprise a third multi-module configuration comprising two modules of the second module type connected together in a stacked arrangement. 
     
     
         53 . A control module according to any of  claims 49 to 52  wherein the configurations comprise a fourth multi-module configuration comprising two modules of the first module type connected together in a stacked arrangement. 
     
     
         54 . A control module according to any of  claims 49 to 53 , wherein the control module comprises a first power connection for making a first electrical connection with a first or only module connected to the control module to supply power to the first or only module and a second power connection and a second power connection for making a second electrical connection to a first module connected to the control module to supply power, via the first module, to a second module connected to the first module. 
     
     
         55 . A control module according to any of  claims 49 to 54  wherein the control module is configured to identify what type of module or order of types of modules is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         56 . A module of a first module type for use with a control module of any of  claims 49 to 55 , the module of the first module type comprising a housing containing an e-cig liquid for generating a flow of aerosol when controlled by the control module. 
     
     
         57 . The module of  claim 56 , the module comprising an aerosol generator for generating a flow of aerosol from the e-cig liquid when controlled by the control module. 
     
     
         58 . The module of  claim 57  wherein the aerosol generator comprises at least one of a heater, a heater and wick arrangement and a piezo electric arrangement. 
     
     
         59 . The module of any of  claims 56 to 58  further comprising a first connection interface for releasably connecting the module to the control module or for connecting the module to another module in a stack of modules that, in use, is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         60 . The module of  claim 59  wherein the first connection interface comprises a first electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to the control module to receive power from the control module to power the module when the module is the first module or the only module connected to the control module. 
     
     
         61 . The module of  claim 59 or claim 60  wherein the first connection interface comprises a second electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to the control module to receive power from the control module and route the power to a further module when the module is the first module in a stack of modules connected to the control module and the further module is a subsequent module in the stack of modules. 
     
     
         62 . The module of any of  claims 56 to 61  further comprising a second connection interface for releasably connecting the module to a mouthpiece or for connecting the module to a subsequent module in a stack of modules that, in use, is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         63 . The module of  claim 62  wherein the second connection interface comprises a second electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to the control module to receive power from the control module and to route the power to a further module when the module is the first module in a stack of modules connected to the control module and the further module is a subsequent module in the stack of modules. 
     
     
         64 . A module of a second module type for use with a control module of any of  claims 49 to 55 , the module of the second module type comprising a housing containing a material and a heater for heating the material to generate a flow of aerosol from the material when controlled by the control module. 
     
     
         65 . The module of  claim 64  further comprising a first connection interface for releasably connecting the module to the control module or for connecting the module to another module in a stack of modules that, in use, is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         66 . The module of  claim 65  wherein the first connection interface comprises a first electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to the control module to receive power from the control module to power the module when the module is the first module or the only module connected to the control module. 
     
     
         67 . The module of  claim 65 or claim 66  wherein the first connection interface comprises a second electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to the control module to receive power from the control module and route the power to a further module when the module is the first module in a stack of modules connected to the control module and the further module is a subsequent module in the stack of modules. 
     
     
         68 . The module of any of  claims 65 to 67  further comprising a second connection interface for releasably connecting the module to a mouthpiece or for connecting the module to a subsequent module in a stack of modules that, in use, is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         69 . The module of  claim 68  wherein the second connection interface comprises an electrical connection for electrically connecting the module to a subsequent module in a stack of modules that, in use, is connected to the control module and for routing electrical power from the control module to the subsequent module. 
     
     
         70 . A kit comprising the control module of any of  claims 49 to 55  and at least one module of the module of the first module type of any of  claims 56 to 63  and/or at least one module of the module of the second module type of any of  claims 64 to 69 . 
     
     
         71 . A modular aerosol generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol, the device comprising:
 the control module of any of  claims 49 to 55 ;   at least one module of the module of the first module type of any of  claims 56 to 63 ; and/or;   at least one module of the module of the second module type of any of  claims 64 to 69 .

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