AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE AND SYSTEM

• US 20150020832A1
• Filed: 12/28/2012
• Published: 01/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philip Morris Products SA (Philip Morris Limited)
• Original Assignee: Philip Morris Products SA (Philip Morris Limited)
• Inventors: Plojoux, Julien, Ruscio, Dani, Manca, Laurent, Greim, Olivier
• Granted Patent: US 10,548,350 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 131/329
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/20 Devices using solid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/40 Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/65 Devices with integrated communication means, e.g. wireless communication means
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/90 Arrangements or methods specially adapted for charging batteries thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an electrical system including a primary device and secondary device. The primary device includes: a source of electrical power; a cavity configured to receive the secondary device; at least one electrical contact within the cavity configured to contact a corresponding contact on the secondary device when the secondary device is in the cavity, the at least one electrical contact being electrically connected to the source of electrical power; and at least one data contact configured to transfer data between the primary device and the secondary device; wherein, the secondary device is keyed to the cavity of the primary device. The secondary device may be an aerosol-generating device, and the primary device may be a charging device for charging the aerosol-generating device. The secondary device may have a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. An electrical system comprising a primary device and a secondary device, the primary device comprising:

a source of electrical power;

a cavity configured to receive the secondary device;

at least one electrical contact within the cavity configured to contact a corresponding contact on the secondary device when the secondary device is in the cavity, the at least one electrical contact being electrically connected to the source of electrical power;

at least one data contact configured to transfer data between the primary device and the secondary device; and

a lid moveable between a first position to retain the secondary device in contact with the at least one electrical contact and the at least one data contact and a second position in which the secondary device is free to move out of contact with the at least one electrical contact and the at least one data contact, wherein in the first position the lid urges the secondary device into contact with the at least one electrical contact and the at least one data contact, and

wherein the secondary device is keyed to the cavity of the primary device.

17. The electrical system according to claim 16, wherein the keying comprises the cavity having a non-regular transverse cross-sectional shape, and the secondary device having a corresponding non-regular transverse cross-sectional shape.

18. The electrical system according to claim 17, in which the non-regular transverse cross-sectional shape of the cavity comprises a protrusion for keying with the non-regular transverse cross-sectional shape of the secondary device having a slot.

19. The electrical system according to claim 17, in which the non-regular transverse cross-sectional shape of the cavity comprises a slot for keying with the non-regular transverse cross-sectional shape of the secondary device having a protrusion.

20. The electrical system according to claim 16, wherein the secondary device comprises a coupling portion for coupling the secondary device to the at least one electrical contact and the at least one data contact, in which the coupling portion is stepped or tapered.

21. The electrical system according to claim 20 in which the tapered or stepped portion extends for between 5% and 20% of the length of the secondary device.

22. The electrical system according to claim 20, in which the coupling portion has a transverse cross-section that is non-circular, for example polygonal.

23. The electrical system according to claim 16, wherein the primary device is configured to prevent the supply of power to the secondary device through the at least one electrical contact when the lid is not in the first position.

24. The electrical system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the at least one electrical contact and the at least one data contact comprises a resilient element configured to urge the secondary device towards the lid when the secondary device is positioned in the cavity.

25. The electrical system according to claim 16, wherein the lid comprises at least one aperture allowing the escape of material from the cavity when the secondary device is in the cavity and the lid is in the first position.

26. The electrical system according to claim 16, wherein the source of electrical power in the primary device comprises a rechargeable battery.

27. The electrical system according to claim 16, wherein the secondary device is an electrically heated aerosol generating device comprising a heating element and a rechargeable power source.

28. The electrical system according to claim 27, wherein the primary device is configured to provide power to the secondary device in a manner suitable to recharge the rechargeable battery in the secondary device when the secondary device is in contact with the at least one electrical contact.