Refillable article and method

Abstract

A a method for determining when a refillable article including an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material stored within the refillable article reaches a determined lifetime, the method including: identifying a cumulative operation value based on the cumulative operation of the aerosol generator of the article; comparing the cumulative operation value with a lifetime threshold; determining that the article reaches a determined lifetime when the cumulative operation value equals or surpasses the lifetime threshold. At least one of the cumulative operation value and the lifetime threshold is based, in part, on information indicative of inhalation characteristics of a user when using the article for generating aerosol from the stored aerosol-generating material. Also described is a refillable article, an aerosol provision device, and a refilling unit.

1 . A method for determining when a refillable article comprising an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material stored within the refillable article reaches a determined lifetime, the method comprising:
 identifying a cumulative operation value based on the cumulative operation of the aerosol generator of the article;   comparing the cumulative operation value with a lifetime threshold;   determining that the article reaches a determined lifetime when the cumulative operation value equals or surpasses the lifetime threshold,   wherein at least one of the cumulative operation value and the lifetime threshold is based, in part, on information indicative of inhalation characteristics of a user when using the article for generating aerosol from the stored aerosol-generating material.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information indicative of inhalation characteristics include at least one of: a duration of inhalation, an average duration of inhalation over a previous number of inhalations; a duration of activation of the aerosol generator, an average duration of activation of the aerosol generator over a previous number of inhalations, a strength of inhalation, and an average strength of inhalation over a previous number of inhalations. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the cumulative operation value and the lifetime threshold is additionally based on a power supplied to the aerosol generator. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lifetime threshold is based in part, on the information indicative of inhalation characteristics of a user when using the article for generating aerosol from the stored aerosol-generating material. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein determining the lifetime threshold includes:
 obtaining a default lifetime threshold for the article;   obtaining the information indicative of user inhalation characteristics; and   adjusting the default lifetime threshold for the article on the basis of the obtained user inhalation characteristics.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the inhalation characteristics of a user are provided for each inhalation, and wherein after each inhalation, the default lifetime threshold is adjusted. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein only when the information indicative of inhalation characteristics satisfy predetermined criteria is the default lifetime threshold adjusted on the basis of the obtained information indicative of inhalation characteristics of a user. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein, when the information indicative of inhalation characteristics of user indicates at least one of:
 the duration of an inhalation or the average duration of a plurality of inhalations is below a predetermined threshold;   the intensity of an inhalation or the average intensity of a plurality of inhalations is below a predetermined threshold; and   the time between consecutive inhalations or the average time between consecutive inhalations for a plurality of inhalations is greater than a predetermined threshold, the lifetime threshold is increased.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein, when the information indicative of inhalation characteristics of user indicates at least one of:
 the duration of an inhalation or the average duration of a plurality of inhalations is above a predetermined threshold;   the intensity of an inhalation or the average intensity of a plurality of inhalations is above a predetermined threshold; and   the time between consecutive inhalations or the average time between consecutive inhalations for a plurality of inhalations is below a predetermined threshold, the lifetime threshold is decreased.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cumulative operation value is based in part, on the information indicative of user inhalation characteristics when using the article for generating aerosol from the stored aerosol-generating material. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein determining the cumulative operation value includes:
 obtaining a default parameter for calculating the cumulative operation value for the article;   obtaining the information indicative of user inhalation characteristics; and   adjusting the default parameter for the cumulative operation value for the article on the basis of the obtained information indicative of user inhalation characteristics.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the information indicative of user inhalation characteristics are provided for each inhalation, and wherein after each inhalation, the default parameter for the cumulative operation value is adjusted. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the cumulative operation value is updated for each activation of the aerosol generator or for each inhalation by adding a value, based on the default parameter for the cumulative operation value for the given activation of the aerosol generator or the given inhalation, to the cumulative operation value prior to the activation of the aerosol generator or inhalation. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein only when the information indicative of user inhalation characteristics satisfy predetermined criteria is the default parameter for the cumulative operation value adjusted on the basis of the obtained information indicative of user inhalation characteristics. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein, when the information indicative of inhalation characteristics of user indicates at least one of:
 the duration of an inhalation or the average duration of a plurality of inhalations is below a predetermined threshold;   the intensity of an inhalation or the average intensity of a plurality of inhalations is below a predetermined threshold; and   the time between consecutive inhalations or the average time between consecutive inhalations for a plurality of inhalations is greater than a predetermined threshold, the cumulative operation value is decreased or decreases at a greater rate.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein, when the information indicative of inhalation characteristics of user indicates at least one of:
 the duration of an inhalation or the average duration of a plurality of inhalations is above a predetermined threshold;   the intensity of an inhalation or the average intensity of a plurality of inhalations is above a predetermined threshold; and   the time between consecutive inhalations or the average time between consecutive inhalations for a plurality of inhalations is below a predetermined threshold, the cumulative operation value is increased or increases at a greater rate.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cumulative operation value includes a number of activations of the aerosol generator of the article or a number of inhalations on the article. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the cumulative operation value and the lifetime threshold is based, additionally, on a status of the article indicative of the usage of the article with respect to the amount of aerosol-generating material stored in the article. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , the method including providing the at least one of the cumulative operation value and the lifetime threshold is based, in part, on information indicative of inhalation characteristics of a user when using the article for generating aerosol from the stored aerosol-generating material to the user. 
     
     
         20 . A refillable article for use with a refilling unit to refill the article with aerosol-generating material, and for use with an aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from the aerosol-generating material for user inhalation, the article comprising:
 a storage area for storing aerosol-generating material;   an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from the aerosol-generating material; and   a data storing element configured to:
 store a cumulative operation value based on the cumulative operation of the aerosol generator of the article; and 
 store information indicative of user inhalation characteristics when using the article for generating aerosol from the stored aerosol-generating material. 
   
     
     
         21 . The refillable article of  claim 20 , wherein the information indicative of user inhalation characteristics include at least one of: a duration of inhalation, an average duration of inhalation over a previous number of inhalations; a duration of activation of the aerosol generator, an average duration of activation of the aerosol generator over a previous number of inhalations, a strength of inhalation, and an average strength of inhalation over a previous number of inhalations. 
     
     
         22 . The refillable article of  claim 20 , wherein the refillable article comprises control circuitry configured to:
 compare the cumulative operation value with a lifetime threshold;   determine that the article reaches a determined lifetime when the cumulative operation value equals or surpasses the lifetime threshold,   wherein at least one of the cumulative operation value and the lifetime threshold is based, in part, on the information indicative of user inhalation characteristics when using the article for generating aerosol from the stored aerosol-generating material.   
     
     
         23 . The refillable article of  claim 22 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine at least one of the cumulative operation value and the lifetime threshold is based, in part, on the information indicative of user inhalation characteristics. 
     
     
         24 . The refillable article of  claim 23 , wherein when the lifetime threshold is based, in part, on the information indicative of user inhalation characteristics, the control circuitry is configured to:
 obtain a default lifetime threshold for the article;   obtain the information indicative of user inhalation characteristics; and   adjust the default lifetime threshold for the article on the basis of the obtained information indicative of user inhalation characteristics.   
     
     
         25 . The refillable article of  claim 23 , wherein when the lifetime threshold is based, in part, on the information indicative of user inhalation characteristics, the control circuitry is configured to:
 obtain a default parameter for calculating the cumulative operation value for the article;   obtain the information indicative of user inhalation characteristics; and   adjust the default parameter for the cumulative operation value for the article on the basis of the obtained information indicative of user inhalation characteristics.   
     
     
         26 . An aerosol provision device for use with an article comprising an aerosol generator, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises:
 a power source configured to couple to an aerosol generator of the article when the article is engaged with the aerosol provision device;   a controller configured to control operations of the aerosol provision device, wherein the controller is configured to:
 identify a cumulative operation value based on the cumulative operation of the aerosol generator of the article; 
 compare the cumulative operation value with a lifetime threshold; and 
 determine that the article reaches a determined lifetime when the cumulative operation value equals or surpasses the lifetime threshold, 
   wherein at least one of the cumulative operation value and the lifetime threshold is based, in part, on the information indicative of user inhalation characteristics when using the article for generating aerosol from the stored aerosol-generating material.   
     
     
         27 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 26 , wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to obtain the cumulative operation value from a data containing element of an article coupled to the aerosol provision device. 
     
     
         28 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 26 , wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to identify the cumulative operation value by monitoring the activation of the aerosol generator of the article when the article is coupled to the aerosol provision device. 
     
     
         29 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 26 , wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to obtain the lifetime threshold from a data containing element of an article coupled to the aerosol provision device. 
     
     
         30 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 26 , wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to store and/or calculate the lifetime threshold. 
     
     
         31 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 26 , wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to prevent further activation of the aerosol generator when it is determined that the article coupled to the aerosol provision device reaches a determined lifetime. 
     
     
         32 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 26 , wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to cause the at least one of the cumulative operation value and the lifetime threshold is based, in part, on information indicative of inhalation characteristics of a user when using the article for generating aerosol from the stored aerosol-generating material to be provided to the user. 
     
     
         33 . A refilling unit for refilling an article comprising an aerosol generator for use with an aerosol provision device, wherein the refilling unit comprises:
 an article port for receiving at least a refillable article;   an aerosol transfer mechanism for transferring aerosol-generating material to the refillable article received in the article port; and   a controller configured to control operations of the refilling unit, wherein the controller is configured to:
 identify a cumulative operation value based on the cumulative operation of the aerosol generator of the article; 
 compare the cumulative operation value with a lifetime threshold; and 
 determine that the article reaches a determined lifetime when the cumulative operation value equals or surpasses the lifetime threshold, 
   wherein at least one of the cumulative operation value and the lifetime threshold is based, in part, on information indicative of user inhalation characteristics when using the article for generating aerosol from the stored aerosol-generating material.   
     
     
         34 . The refilling unit of  claim 33 , wherein the refilling unit is configured to obtain the cumulative operation value from a data storing element of an article received in the article port. 
     
     
         35 . The refilling unit of  claim 33 , wherein the refilling unit is configured to prevent further refilling of an article coupled to the refilling unit when it is determined that the article coupled to the refilling unit reaches a determined lifetime. 
     
     
         36 . The refilling unit of  claim 33 , wherein the refilling unit is configured to provide the at least one of the cumulative operation value and the lifetime threshold that is based, in part, on information indicative of inhalation characteristics of a user when using the article for generating aerosol from the stored aerosol-generating material, to the user. 
     
     
         37 . A refillable article for use with refilling means to refill the article with aerosol-generating material, and for use with an aerosol provision means for generating aerosol from the aerosol-generating material for user inhalation, the article comprising:
 storage means for storing aerosol-generating material;   aerosol generator means for generating aerosol from the aerosol-generating material; and   data storing means configured to:   store a cumulative operation value based on the cumulative operation of the aerosol generator of the article; and   store information indicative of user inhalation characteristics when using the article for generating aerosol from the stored aerosol-generating material.   
     
     
         38 . Aerosol provision means for use with an article comprising aerosol generator means, wherein the aerosol provision means comprises:
 power means configured to couple to aerosol generator means of the article when the article is engaged with the aerosol provision means;   controller means configured to control operations of the aerosol provision means, wherein the controller means is configured to:
 identify a cumulative operation value based on the cumulative operation of the aerosol generator means of the article; 
 compare the cumulative operation value with a lifetime threshold; and 
 determine that the article reaches a determined lifetime when the cumulative operation value equals or surpasses the lifetime threshold, 
   wherein at least one of the cumulative operation value and the lifetime threshold is based, in part, on information indicative of user inhalation characteristics when using the article for generating aerosol from the stored aerosol-generating material.   
     
     
         39 . Refilling means for refilling an article comprising aerosol generator means for use with aerosol provision means, wherein the refilling means comprises:
 receiving means for receiving at least a refillable article;   aerosol transfer means for transferring aerosol-generating material to the refillable article received in the receiving means; and   controller means configured to control operations of the refilling means, wherein the controller means is configured to:
 identify a cumulative operation value based on the cumulative operation of the aerosol generator of the article; 
 compare the cumulative operation value with a lifetime threshold; and 
 determine that the article reaches a determined lifetime when the cumulative operation value equals or surpasses the lifetime threshold, 
   wherein at least one of the cumulative operation value and the lifetime threshold is based, in part, on information indicative of user inhalation characteristics when using the article for generating aerosol from the stored aerosol-generating material.