Delivery device

Abstract

A delivery device is disclosed and includes an elongate housing; a battery received in the housing; an end cap attached to and closing an end of the housing; and a vent opening in the end cap in fluid communication with the battery. A delivery system including the delivery device and a substrate aerosolizing module including a heater and a consumable having an aerosolizable substrate is also disclosed. The substrate aerosolizing module is configured to aerosolize the substrate in response to activation of the delivery device. Also disclosed is an end cap attachable to an end of a housing of the delivery device, and a delivery device and an accessory for charging the delivery device.

1 . A delivery device comprising:
 an elongate housing;   a battery received in the housing;   an end cap attached to and closing an end of the housing; and   a vent opening in the end cap in fluid communication with the battery.   
     
     
         2 . A delivery device according to  claim 1 , comprising a conduit in the housing extending between the battery and the vent opening in the end cap. 
     
     
         3 . A delivery device according to  claim 1 , comprising a mouthpiece at an opposite end of the housing and a pressure sensor in the housing, the pressure sensor being configured to detect when a user draws on the device through the mouthpiece and to activate the device based on said detection. 
     
     
         4 . A delivery device according to  claim 3 , wherein the pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the vent opening in the end cap. 
     
     
         5 . A delivery device according to  claim 4 , comprising a conduit in the housing extending between the pressure sensor and the vent opening in the end cap. 
     
     
         6 . A delivery device according to  claim 5 , comprising a conduit in the housing extending between the battery and the vent opening in the end cap, wherein the conduit in the housing extending between the pressure sensor and the vent opening is at least partially the same conduit that extends between the battery and the vent opening in the end cap. 
     
     
         7 . A delivery device according to  claim 1 , comprising buzzer or speaker in the housing configured to provide an audible indication to a user relating to a function of the device. 
     
     
         8 . A delivery device according to  claim 7 , wherein the buzzer or speaker is positioned relative to the vent opening such that the vent opening acts as an acoustic channel to enhance sound delivery and magnitude. 
     
     
         9 . A delivery device according to  claim 7 , comprising a conduit in the housing extending between the buzzer or speaker and the vent opening in the end cap. 
     
     
         10 . A delivery device according to  claim 9 , wherein the buzzer or speaker is disposed within the housing so as to generate a sound wave in the conduit. 
     
     
         11 . A delivery device according to  claim 7 , wherein the buzzer or speaker is in fluid communication with the vent opening in the end cap. 
     
     
         12 . A delivery device according to  claim 9 , when dependent on  claim 6 , wherein the conduit extending between the buzzer or speaker and the vent opening in the end cap is at least partially the same conduit that extends between the battery and the vent opening in the end cap, and between the pressure sensor and the vent opening in the end cap. 
     
     
         13 . A delivery device according to  claim 1 , comprising a secondary vent opening in the housing in fluid communication with the battery, in addition to the vent opening in the end cap. 
     
     
         14 . A delivery device according to  claim 13 , comprising a membrane formed from a gas permeable material extending over the secondary vent opening in the housing. 
     
     
         15 . A delivery device according to  claim 1 , wherein the end cap comprises a push-fit portion received within the end of the housing and a head portion that protrudes from said end of the housing. 
     
     
         16 . A delivery device according to  claim 1 , comprising a membrane formed from a gas permeable material extending over the vent opening in the end cap. 
     
     
         17 . A delivery system comprising the delivery device according to  claim 1 , comprising a substrate aerosolising module including a heater and a consumable comprising an aerosolisable substrate, the substrate aerosolising module being configured to aerosolise the substrate in response to activation of the delivery device. 
     
     
         18 . A delivery system according to  claim 17 , and an accessory for charging the delivery device, wherein the delivery device and the accessory are attachable to each other in a charging configuration, the accessory comprising a guide member that locates in the passage in the end cap when the delivery device and charging accessory are in said charging configuration. 
     
     
         19 . A delivery system and charging accessory according to  claim 18 , wherein the length of the guide member of the accessory is less than the length of the passage in the end cap. 
     
     
         20 . A delivery system and charging accessory according to  claim 18 , wherein the guide member and/or the passage are shaped such that gas can still pass through the passage when the delivery device is attached to the accessory with the guide pin received in the passage. 
     
     
         21 . An end cap attachable to an end of a housing of a delivery device to close said end, the end cap comprising:
 a vent opening extending through the end cap and a membrane comprising a gas permeable material attached to, and extending over, the vent opening in the end cap.   
     
     
         22 . An end cap according to  claim 21 , comprising a push-fit portion defining an inner end surface for insertion into a housing of a delivery device, and a larger head portion defining an exterior surface, wherein the membrane is attached to, and extends over, the inner end surface of the end cap. 
     
     
         23 . A delivery device and an accessory for charging the delivery device, the delivery device and the accessory being attachable to each other in a charging configuration, wherein the delivery device comprises:
 a housing;   a battery received in the housing; and   a vent opening in the housing, the vent opening being in fluid communication with the battery; and   wherein the accessory for charging the delivery device comprises:   a locating member that is received in the vent opening when the delivery device and charging accessory are in said charging configuration.   
     
     
         24 . A delivery device and an accessory for charging the delivery device according to  claim 23 , wherein the housing comprises outer and inner surfaces and the vent opening comprises a passage extending through the housing from said outer to inner surfaces, a gas permeable membrane being located on said inner surface of the housing and extending across the vent opening. 
     
     
         25 . A delivery device and an accessory according to  claim 24 , wherein the locating member is shorter than the length of the passage such that the locating member does not contact the membrane when the delivery device and the charging accessory are in said charging configuration.