Smoking substitute device

Abstract

Disclosed is a smoking substitute device comprising a body, a heating element projecting from an end of the body, a cap for engagement with the end of the body, the cap defining a cavity for receipt of the heating element when engaged with the body, and a lock configured to selectively prevent disengagement of the cap from the body based on a condition of the heating element.

1 . A smoking substitute device comprising:
 a body   a heating element projecting from an end of the body;   a cap for engagement with the end of the body, the cap defining a cavity for receipt of the heating element when engaged with the body; and   a lock configured to selectively prevent disengagement of the cap from the body based on a condition of the heating element.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the lock is configured to selectively prevent disengagement of the cap from the body based on a temperature of the heating element. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the lock is configured to selectively prevent disengagement of the cap from the body based on whether the heating element is active. 
     
     
         4 .- 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the lock forms part of the cap or the body and, when in a locked state, engages a retaining portion forming the other of the cap or the body. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the retaining portion comprises an aperture in which a portion of the lock is received. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the lock comprises an electro-mechanical device. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises an outer portion for gripping by a user, and an inner portion at least partly enclosing the heating element, and wherein the cap is configured such that a force to disengage the cap from the body, when in a locked state, is greater than a force to separate the outer portion from the inner portion. 
     
     
         10 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the lock is configured to provide a retaining force of 80N to 100N. 
     
     
         16 . A method of controlling a device according  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 measuring a temperature of the heating element;   comparing the measured temperature to a predetermined threshold temperature; and   controlling the lock to enter a locked state if the measured temperature exceeds the threshold temperature.   
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is further configured to engage with an aerosol-forming article. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the device is a heat-not-burn device and the aerosol-forming article is a heat-not-burn consumable. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the cap defines an opening to the cavity into which at least a portion of the aerosol-forming article may be received so as to be heated by the heating element. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a controller configured to control a state of the lock between a locked state and an unlocked state. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the lock to enter the locked state when the heating element is activated. 
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the lock to enter the unlocked state when the heating element is deactivated. 
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 20 , further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heating element, wherein the controller is configured to control the state of the lock based on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 20 , further comprising means for detecting when the cap is disengaged from the body, wherein the controller is configured to prevent a supply of power to the heating element when the cap is detected as being disengaged from the body. 
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 24 , wherein the means for detecting when the cap is disengaged from the body comprises a hall sensor and a magnet. 
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the lock comprises at least one of a bimetallic component, shape memory alloy wire, and expanding wax mechanism. 
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 26 , wherein the lock is configured to change shape in response to a temperature of the heating element.