ELECTRICALLY HEATED SMOKING SYSTEM

• US 20100313901A1
• Filed: 05/21/2010
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philip Morris USA Incorporated (Altria Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Philip Morris USA Incorporated (Altria Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stahle, Fredrik, Chemla, Marc-Robert, Fernando, Felix
• Granted Patent: US 9,775,380 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 131/330
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/20 Devices using solid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/95 structurally associated with cases
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/16 hinged for upward or downward movement cigar or cigarette receptacles A24F15/00; suitcases, ètuis A45C; casings for cosmetic substances with hinged covers A45D40/22; toolboxes B25H3/02; hinges of door or similar type E05D ; boxes for switchboards with hinged covers H02B1/066
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/1081 Inserts or accessories added or joined to the container, e.g. coins, pens, cards, spacers B65D85/1009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

An electrically heated smoking system includes a secondary unit capable of receiving a smoking article having an aerosol-forming substrate. The secondary unit includes at least one heating element and an interface for connection to a primary power supply for supplying electrical power to the at least one heating element during a pre-heating mode, to increase the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate to an operating temperature. The secondary unit further includes a secondary power supply arranged to supply electrical power to the at least one heating element during a smoking mode, to maintain the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate at substantially the operating temperature. The secondary unit also includes secondary circuitry. The electrically heated smoking system optionally includes a primary unit.

Claims

1. An electrically heated smoking system comprising a secondary unit capable of receiving a smoking article having an aerosol-forming substrate, the secondary unit comprising:

at least one heating element;

an interface for connection to a primary power supply for supplying electrical power to the at least one heating element during a pre-heating mode, to increase the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate to an operating temperature;

a secondary power supply arranged to supply electrical power to the at least one heating element during a smoking mode, to maintain the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate at substantially the operating temperature; and

secondary circuitry.

2. The electrically heated smoking system of claim 1, wherein the secondary power supply is chargeable by the primary power supply, during a charging mode, so that the secondary power supply has sufficient charge to maintain the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate at substantially the operating temperature during the smoking mode.

3. The electrically heated smoking system of claim 1, wherein the interface provides bi-directional communication between the secondary unit and an intelligent device.

4. The electrically heated smoking system of claim 1, wherein supply of electrical power from the primary power supply to the at least one heating element, during the pre-heating mode, is controlled by the secondary circuitry.

5. The electrically heated smoking system of claim 1, further including a primary unit including the primary power supply and primary circuitry.

6. The electrically heated smoking system of claim 5, wherein supply of electrical power from the primary power supply in the primary unit to the at least one heating element, during the pre-heating mode, is controlled by the primary circuitry in the primary unit.

7. The electrically heated smoking system of claim 5, wherein the primary unit includes an interface for connection to an external power supply for supplying electrical power to the primary power supply.

8. The electrically heated smoking system of claim 5, further including a plurality of secondary units.

9. The electrically heated smoking system of claim 8, wherein the primary unit includes a plurality of connectable modules, each module including a docking port for a respective secondary unit.

10. The electrically heated smoking system of claim 5, wherein the primary unit includes storage means for one or more secondary units.

11. The electrically heated smoking system of claim 5, wherein the primary unit includes storage means for at least one smoking article.

12. The electrically heated smoking system of claim 5, wherein the primary unit includes a base portion and a lid portion.

13. The electrically heated smoking system of claim 1, wherein supply of electrical power from the secondary power supply to the at least one heating element, during the smoking mode, is controlled by the secondary circuitry.

14. The electrically heated smoking system of claim 1, wherein the secondary unit is insulated.

15. A primary unit for the electrically heated smoking system of claim 1, the primary unit comprising a primary power supply and primary circuitry.