CN114375164A

CN114375164A - Holder for heated, non-burning aerosol-generating article

Info

Publication number: CN114375164A
Application number: CN202080063136.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M.普拉特纳; P.布莱克; L.S.布丘伊吉尔; T.约翰蒂斯
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2019-09-12
Filing date: 2020-09-03
Publication date: 2022-04-19
Also published as: US20220378099A1; KR20220061104A; JP2022548445A; WO2021047998A1; EP4027820A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an aerosol generating material holder (100) comprising a first part (10) made of a heat conductive material and a second part (20), preferably made of a heat conductive material, wherein the first part (10) is configured to be receivable by a heating element (220) of a heating device (500) and the second part (20) is configured to receive an aerosol generating material containing cartridge (300) to be heated by the heating element (220) to generate an aerosol. The invention also relates to an aerosol-generating article (300), a holder (100) comprising a holder (100) according to the invention.

Description

Holder for heated, non-burning aerosol-generating article

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of tobacco, and in particular to an adapter or holder for an aerosol-generating article for use in an electrically heated aerosol-generating system. The invention also relates to an aerosol-generating article having an adapter or holder incorporated therein.

Background

Heated, non-burning aerosol generating articles have been introduced to the market since the end of the 20 th century and have become increasingly popular due to increased tobacco control measures and awareness.

Various proposals have been made to provide simulated smoking articles that provide tobacco taste without burning tobacco. For example, patent document US 6532965B 1 relates to a smoking article using vapour as an aerosol generating source. It discloses a non-burning cigarette device comprising an upstream cylindrical section and a downstream cylindrical section for receiving a tobacco rod. The upstream cylindrical section has a first upstream chamber (fuel mixture chamber) followed by a flame holder. The first upstream chamber contains a porous media saturated with an ethanol-water mixture. A flame chamber is provided in the downstream cylindrical section, wherein combustion of a mixture of ethanol vapour and air (steam) is produced in the flame chamber. The vapor then condenses downstream of the flame holder, thereby producing an aerosol. A cigarette disposed within a downstream tubular section in the cigarette receiving chamber is heated by the hot gases and steam/aerosol and by a heated metallic downstream tubular section through which the combustion gases travel and in which the cigarette is disposed.

Patent document CN 109123799 relates to an aerosol generating system for multi-stage heating of a non-combustible cigarette comprising a power source, a controller and a cavity for receiving the cigarette. The cigarette comprises a filter section, a first hollow section, a tobacco section and a second hollow section, wherein the second hollow section is received by a heat-generating device.

The invention disclosed in the above-mentioned patent documents has the disadvantage of inserting the smoking article directly into a heat-generating smoking device, which may not be optimal for all types of non-combustible smoking articles in terms of size, shape, heating temperature, etc.

It is known from other documents to provide an intermediate element or holder to receive an aerosol generating article of the heated but non-burning type in a corresponding electronic heating device having a protruding heating element, such as a heating blade or needle. Examples of such holders are disclosed in WO 2019/064119 a1, WO 2019/021119 a1, US 2008/149118 a1 or CN 209090043U, etc.

However, these solutions are still not satisfactory for the consumer as they raise the risk of damaging and/or destroying the heating element due to vibrations and/or distortions of the heating element during insertion of the holder onto the heating element.

Disclosure of Invention

The inventors of the present invention have found a novel solution to the problems discussed above by means of a new and inventive adapter (holder) for an aerosol-generating article for use in a heating device as defined in the claims.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides an aerosol-generating material holder comprising a first portion made of a thermally conductive material and a second portion, preferably at least partially made of a thermally conductive material, wherein the first portion is configured to be receivable by a heating element of a heating device and the second portion is configured to receive an aerosol-generating material-containing cartridge (charge) to be heated by the heating element to generate an aerosol. The first part of the holder of the invention advantageously comprises at least one guide member at its free end or on its free edge to automatically guide the insertion of the heating element into the first part without deforming the heating element. Thereby, a proper adjustment and alignment of the first portion and the heating element is ensured, thereby preventing undesired vibrations and twisting of the heating element during insertion of the holder onto the heating element.

A second aspect of the invention relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising a holder according to the invention and a cartridge containing an aerosol-generating material arranged in a second portion of the holder.

Due to the novel aerosol generating material holder, the inventors have surprisingly found that the holder effectively reduces the temperature of the aerosol generating material being heated by the heating element of the heating device, as certain types of aerosol generating articles are preferably to be heated at lower temperatures (e.g. below 300 ℃). Such a reduction in temperature is particularly advantageous when the aerosol generating material to be heated is in the form of a mousse or foam rather than in conventional form (i.e. solid or liquid form). This is because the aerosol-generating material in its foam-like form provides a more dense, uniform aerosol rich in tobacco flavour when heated, for example below 300 ℃. Furthermore, such holders according to the invention may be used to accommodate and hold aerosol generating materials (and aerosol generating articles) having different sizes or shapes.

In other words, the holder according to the invention suppresses the heating temperature from the heating element (or heating element) having a high heating temperature (up to about 380 ℃), and thus suppression of the temperature by the holder of the invention is optimal for heating certain types of aerosol-generating materials or aerosol-generating articles requiring a lower heating temperature.

For this purpose, the material of construction of the holder will be selected in view of its thermal conductivity in view of the particular device used for the aerosol-generating article of the invention with which it is used. Heat from the device heater may then be efficiently transferred to all or part of the holder, for example the entire cylindrical wall of the holder, or to a proximal or distal portion of the holder (from the heating source) so that the aerosol generating material may be optimally heated when in use.

In addition, the aerosol temperature (the temperature required to generate the aerosol) and the temperature of any mouthpiece through which the user inhales, such aerosols being of a lower temperature than aerosols from existing heated but non-burning articles, so the aerosol generating material (such as a foam) requires much less heating than existing products. Indeed, when the aerosol generating material is heated between about 200 ℃ and 280 ℃ and preferably about 250 ℃, the user gets a better smoking experience when aerosol generation is achieved.

According to one embodiment, a sheath (cutting) member and/or a slit opening is further provided to the first portion of the holder for receiving a heating element of the heating device. The sheath component serves to encapsulate or enclose the heating element of the heating device such that direct contact between the heating element and the aerosol-generating material of the aerosol-generating article may be prevented. The slit opening provided to the longitudinal end of the first part is designed in such a way that it receives the heating element of the heating device when the holder is inserted into the heating device, so that a permanent contact is achieved between said heating element and the holder at least around the inner wall of the slit opening.

According to one embodiment, the first and second portions are connected to each other around a common longitudinal axis. Such a common longitudinal axis forms the boundary of the first and second portions, wherein those portions may be constructed using similar or different materials.

According to another embodiment, the holder comprises a connecting member joining the first part and the second part, wherein the connecting member may be arranged such that the first part is rotatable relative to the second part. This embodiment has the following advantages: the user can more easily install the holder into the heating device so that the holder can be easily inserted or removed and does not destroy or deform other fragile components, such as the heating element. For example, the connection portion may be a resilient element (such as a spring), wherein the first portion will automatically rotate based on the geometry of the heat generating component/heating element of the heating device.

According to a further embodiment, the first part comprises mating members configured to enable the holder to be inserted into the heating device in mating contact with the heating element without deforming the heating element or the first part. This embodiment has the following advantages: the user can more easily install the holder into the heating device so that the holder can be easily inserted or removed and does not destroy or deform other fragile components, such as the heating element. As an example, the mating member is for guiding the insertion of the first portion of the holder for receiving the heating element of the heating device.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one guiding member comprises an inclined surface arranged to guide the heating element into the first portion by sliding during insertion. Such a guide member may for example exhibit a conical or frustoconical shape, the vertex of which lies on the longitudinal axis of the first portion, which is joined to the axis of the heating element in order to be properly inserted thereon. This configuration allows the holder to be inserted and easily received by the heating element.

According to a preferred embodiment, the second portion may be air permeable. For example, due to its microporous structure, the holder may be made of a material that is gas permeable over the entire surface. Detailed examples of such materials and their properties are given below.

In one variant of the invention, the second portion comprises at least one perforation having a diameter of between 0.2 and 5mm, preferably between 0.5 and 2 mm.

In another variant of the invention, the second part comprises at least one perforation having at least 0.03mm²Preferably at 0.125mm²And 10.00mm²Between, more preferably at 0.196mm²And 5mm²The open area in between. It is envisaged that a plurality of openings or perforations may be provided to the holder to increase air circulation so that air flows from the distal end to the mouth end when in use.

In a further variant of the invention, the first part, and at least the part of the second part contacting the first part, may be made of a metal, such as brass, copper, bronze, aluminium, zinc, titanium or a combination thereof, an alloy made of two or more metals, or a composite material comprising a metallic material and a non-metallic material. The choice of the material to be selected is based on criteria (e.g. distribution of heat and temperature) and this can be achieved within the common general knowledge of the skilled person.

In a further variant of the invention, a thermally insulating material may be arranged to inhibit heat transfer from the first part to the second part. This has the advantage that heat transfer to the walls of the heating device is avoided and the heat is confined to the holder. In another example, the thermally insulating material may be arranged to a certain portion of the holder, for example to a distal portion of the second portion. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for the following holder types: the holder extends beyond the heating device when it is fully inserted into the heating device (for the purpose of easy mounting of the holder into the heating device). The exposed portion of the holder may be provided with a thermally insulating material in order to prevent the user from being burned.

In another preferred embodiment, the thermal insulation material may be arranged such that the maximum heating temperature of the aerosol-generating material-containing cartridge received in the second portion is about 250 ℃, preferably between about 230 ℃ and 250 ℃.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first portion of the holder may be provided in the form of a tuning fork configured to be receivable in mating engagement with a heating surface of a heating element of the heating device. This has the following advantages: the holder of the invention can easily be inserted into a heating device and thereby reduce the risk of deforming the heating element of the heating device.

In a further variant of the invention, the tuning fork comprises a first branch and a second branch arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal symmetry plane of the first part. This has the following advantages: the holder of this embodiment can easily be inserted into the heating device and thereby reduce the risk of deforming the heating element of the heating device.

In another variant of the invention, the branches are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal symmetry plane. This embodiment has the following advantages: the first portion of the holder may be inserted and received by the heating element without risking damage to the fragile component (such as the heating element).

In reference to a given value, "about" or "approximately" is intended to include values within 10% of the specified value. All values given in this disclosure are to be understood as being supplemented by the word "about" unless clearly contradicted by context.

The tobacco component-containing agent can be any compound, mixture, particulate matter, and/or solution that contains and/or carries a tobacco component, either artificially contained or naturally contained in tobacco, such as tobacco, tobacco particles, tobacco flavors, and/or nicotine. In contrast, an example of a non-tobacco specific flavor that is added manually would be menthol.

As used herein, the term "holder" and the term "adapter" are used interchangeably and will be understood to mean a device for connecting pieces of elements that cannot be directly connected and/or that is used with the intent to alter a characteristic (e.g., temperature) of a recipient. The device itself is not from several elements to be connected, but they together form an integrated part.

As used herein, the term "heated aerosol-generating article" refers to an aerosol-generating article for generating an aerosol and comprising an aerosol-generating material which is intended to be heated rather than combusted in order to release volatile compounds which may form an aerosol.

As used herein, the term "aerosol generating material" refers to a material that is capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating, which material can form an aerosol. Aerosols generated from the aerosol-generating materials of the aerosol-generating articles described herein may be visible or invisible, and may include vapors (e.g., particles of a substance in a gaseous state, which are typically liquid or solid at room temperature) as well as droplets of gases and condensed vapors.

The aerosol former can be any compound, mixture, and/or solution capable of forming an aerosol, for example, when heated and/or mixed with a tobacco-containing agent. Well-known examples include humectants such as glycerin and propylene glycol, other alcohols (such as ethanol), and the like.

As used herein, wt. -% is to be understood as a weight percentage based on the total weight of the foam, unless explicitly specified otherwise. In the present disclosure, all amounts are given in wt. -% unless explicitly stated otherwise or apparent from the context. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, in certain foams, all amounts given in wt. -% add up to 100wt. -%. Thus, unless otherwise indicated or clear from context, weight percentages are calculated by dividing the mass of each component by the total mass of the foam.

Drawings

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an aerosol-generating article inserted into a heating device that is heated but not burned according to the prior art.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the present invention in conjunction with a heating device and an aerosol-generating article.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic view representing a holder according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein a sheath member is provided to a first part of the holder.

Figure 4 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of a longitudinal half section of the invention in conjunction with a heating device and an aerosol generating article.

Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a longitudinal half-section of the present invention installed in a heating device, with an aerosol-generating article inserted in the present invention.

Fig. 6a shows a schematic view of the invention in perspective view.

Fig. 6b shows a schematic view of the invention in another perspective view.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic view representing a holder according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the first part is arranged in the form of a tuning fork shape.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an example of an aerosol generating article 300 inserted into a heated but non-burning heating device 500 according to the prior art. The heating device 500 has an appearance like a hand-held flashlight, wherein a heated but non-burning aerosol generating article 300 may be inserted into the heating device 500 for generating an aerosol when the aerosol generating material is heated by the battery powered heating device 500. When the aerosol generating article 300 is fully inserted into the heating device 500, it can be seen that only the mouth end portion of the aerosol generating article 300 extends beyond the heating device 500. The tobacco-containing material may be included in an aerosol generating material of the aerosol generating article 300.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view comprising a heating device 500, a holder 100 according to one embodiment of the invention, and an aerosol-generating article 300. As can be seen in fig. 2, in use, the first portion 10 of the holder 100 is aligned parallel to the open end of the heating device 500, while the aerosol-generating article 300 is aligned parallel to the second portion 20 of the holder 100. The holder 100 may have a mainly cylindrical shape, especially in e.g. the second part 20, wherein the first part 10 and the second part 20 are connected to each other around a common longitudinal axis.

The first part 10 may comprise a sheath component 10a connected to a guide member 10b, wherein the guide member 10b is capable of guiding a heating element of the heating device such that the holder 100 may be inserted therein. The guide member 10b may present a funnel to receive the heating element 220 (not shown) of the heating device 500.

Preferably, a plurality of

perforations

55, 65 may be provided into the side walls of the holder 100 to allow air to circulate through these walls and into the aerosol-generating article 300 inserted into the holder in use. The

perforations

55, 65 may have at least 0.03mm²Preferably at 0.125mm²And 10mm²Between, more preferably at 0.196mm²And 5mm²The open area in between.

The holder 100 according to the invention has a diameter which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the heating device 500, so that the holder 100 can be inserted into the inner cavity of the heating device 500 and locked in the ready-to-use position. An exemplary aerosol-generating article 300 includes a portion containing an aerosol-generating material 301 and a filter portion 302 (shown in fig. 4).

When in use, the holder 100 may first be inserted into the heating device 500, wherein the first portion 10 of the holder 100 is inserted through the open end of the heating device 500. The first portion 10 may have a shape that is compatible with (i.e., complementary to) the shape of the heating element 220 such that the holder 100 of the present invention may be inserted into a stable and fixed position around and in permanent contact with the heating element 220 within the heating device 500. In order to easily insert the holder into the heating device, in particular when the heating element 220 is an element protruding into the inner cavity of the heating device 500, according to features not shown in the figures, the first part 10 and the second part 20 of the holder 100 may be connected by a connecting part arranged such that the first part 10 is rotatable with respect to the position (or angle) of the heating element 220 when the second part 20 of the holder 100 is rotated by a user. Such a rotatable arrangement avoids applying shear forces to the heating element 220, for example, when inserting the holder 100, which may damage the heating element 220.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holder 100 is configured such that it reduces or prevents debris, dirt or chunks (chunk) of aerosol generating material from adhering to the heating element 220 during or after use, which reduces the efficiency of heating and is an annoyance to users who need to clean their device regularly.

Fig. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the holder 100 comprises a first part 10 and a second part 20, the first part 10 may further be provided with a guiding member 10b and a sheath part 10a, such that the heating element 220 of the heating device 500 may be inserted into the first part 10 of the holder 100 from one longitudinal end without contacting the aerosol generating material received in the second part 20 of the holder.

The sheath member thus forms a sleeve for the heating element 220, which exhibits a front slit opening 10s (not shown since it is blocked by 10 b; shown in fig. 4 and 6 a). The slit opening 10s is designed to allow the heating element 220 to be inserted and then enclosed by the sheath member 10a of the first portion 10 of the holder 100. For easy insertion of the heating member 220 into the sheath member 10a, its free end may comprise guiding means 10b (such as a funnel end or the like) extending from the edge of the slit for providing a guiding surface for the heating element 220 towards the slit when contact is made between the funnel end and the heating element 220.

In other words, the sheath component 10a functions like a "sheath". For example, as soon as the first portion 10 of the holder 100 encloses or encloses the heating element 220 and is in the locked position, the heat generated from the heating element 220 can then be transferred evenly to the first portion 10 and the second portion 20 of the holder 100. Thus, the holder 100 of the present invention acts as an adapter to connect between the heating element 220 of the heating device 500 and the aerosol generating article 300 received in the second portion 20 of the holder 100, so as to heat the aerosol generating material contained therein only by conduction of material from the first portion 10 to the second portion 20. This advantageously completely prevents debris and dirt from being generated onto the heating element 220 of the heating device, thereby ensuring that the heating device operates properly over time. It further allows to suppress the heating temperature from the heating element 220 to the aerosol generating material 301, which may be advantageous depending on the properties of the material and ensures the best release of aroma components and vapours from the material upon heating. In this regard, further disclosed herein are: the wall of the first portion 10 may be provided with

minimal perforations

55, 65 or no single perforation may be provided to the wall of the first portion 10 of the holder 100 in order to avoid debris or dirt adhering to the surface of the heating element 220. In addition to the sheath part 10a, the first part 10 may additionally be provided with a cylindrical wall, so that the holder 100 may appear as a cylindrically shaped part, as can be seen in fig. 2.

To this end, restated: the first portion 10 of the holder 100 with the sheath part 10a, the guide member 10b, the slit opening 10s and/or the additional cylindrical wall on the outside can be applied to all embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the longitudinal half section of the representation of fig. 2, showing the heating element 220 disposed within the heating device 500. The first portion 10 of the holder 100, which has the guide member 10b and the sheath component 10a provided thereto, is capable of transferring heat generated from the heating element 220 to the aerosol-generating material 301 via the second portion 20 by conduction.

Once the holder 100 is inserted into the correct position (i.e., when the first portion 10 encapsulates the heating element 220), the aerosol-generating article 300 may then be inserted into the holder 100 through the second portion 20 of the holder 100, as shown in fig. 5. The filter portion 302 of the aerosol-generating article 300 extends beyond the heating device 500 to enable a user to insert it into the mouth and draw on it to inhale an aerosol generated by heating the aerosol-generating material 301 (by conduction of heat from the heating element 220 to the holder 100). For this purpose, the holder 100 is advantageously made of a heat-conductive material, as explained in more detail below.

The second portion 20 of the holder 100 generally has a substantially cylindrical shape for receiving the aerosol-generating article 300 (and more particularly the aerosol-generating material portion 301 thereof). As can be seen in fig. 5, the holder 100 separates the direct contact between the heating device 500 (and the heating element 220) and the aerosol-generating article 300, and forms a thermally conductive intermediate connecting element therebetween. While preferably having a generally cylindrical outer shape, the holder 100 may advantageously be internally shaped so as to accommodate various types of aerosol-generating articles 300 having potentially various cross-sections (i.e., cylindrical, oval, rectangular, star-shaped, etc.) and sizes.

This provides the manufacturer of aerosol-generating articles with a large degree of freedom to design such aerosol-generating articles 300 and to provide a custom holder 100 that meets the objectives for use in a given heating device 500 and its corresponding heating element 220.

Furthermore, once the holder 100 is properly positioned in the heating device 500, it may be held in place for an extended period of time without having to be removed between uses. Any used aerosol-generating article 300 may simply be removed and replaced with a new aerosol-generating article 300 for each further use. The holder 100 will only be removed from the heating device 500 when needed for cleaning purposes (i.e. to remove debris or chunks of aerosol generating material sticking to the surface of the holder 100).

The holder 100 may be provided with different lengths. For example, fig. 5 and 8 show that the holder 100 is not exposed to the outside of the heating device 500 when it is fully inserted into the heating device 500. This may be more aesthetically beneficial than practical, as a user may spend a longer time trying to insert the holder 100 into the heating device 500 without deforming or destroying fragile components (such as the heating element 220). In other words, since the holder 100 is completely hidden in the heating device 500, this embodiment of the holder 100 will not be noticed by others.

Alternatively, in another embodiment, it is foreseeable that a small portion (of the second portion 20) of the holder 100 extends beyond the heating device 500 when the holder 100 is fully inserted into the heating device 500. This embodiment has the following advantages: the user can more easily install the holder 100 into the heating apparatus 500 to push the holder into the heating apparatus 500. In this embodiment, it is foreseen that in this embodiment, the portion of the holder 100 exposed beyond the heating means 500 is made of a thermally insulating material, so that the user will be protected from the heat conducted through the first two

portions

10, 20 of the holder 100.

The holder 100 of the present invention is advantageously designed to allow a close arrangement between the holder 100 and the heating device 500 (and more particularly with the heating element 220 thereof) so that heat generated from the heating device 500 when in use can be efficiently transferred or transmitted to the holder 100 to heat the aerosol-generating material 301 of the aerosol-generating article 300 inserted into the second portion 20 of the holder 100. Thus, the material of the first portion 10 of the holder 100 and preferably a part of its second portion 20 is chosen to be thermally conductive. For example, the first portion 10, and at least the portion of the second portion 20 that contacts the first portion 10, may be made of a metal, such as brass, copper, bronze, aluminum, zinc, titanium, or an alloy made of two or more metals. Alternatively, it may be formed or constructed from a composite material comprising a metallic material and a non-metallic material.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and

second portions

10, 20 of the holder 100 may be formed of different thermally conductive materials such that, in use, a heating temperature gradient is achieved through the holder 100 from the heating element 220 to the aerosol generating material 301 contained in the second portion 20 of the holder.

In fact, currently available battery powered heating devices 500 typically generate heating temperatures up to 380 ℃ by their heating elements 220. However, such temperatures may not be ideal for all types of aerosol generating materials, as some types of aerosol generating materials, such as the aerosol generating material disclosed in applicant's patent application WO 2018122375 a1, require much lower heating temperatures (e.g., below 300 ℃) to produce a more dense, tobacco-flavor-rich, uniform aerosol.

Thus, the holder 100 of the present invention may advantageously be configured as a tool by appropriate material construction of the respective first and

second portions

10, 20 to adjust and inhibit the heating temperature and further distribute the heat of the heating element 220 of the heating device 500 to the surface of the holder 100, thereby effectively reducing the heating temperature to an optimal heating temperature for the determined aerosol generating material 301.

By way of example, it is envisioned that the first portion 10 of the holder 100 may be made of a first thermally conductive material having a first thermal conductivity, while the second portion 20 of the holder 100 may be made of a second thermally conductive material having a second thermal conductivity, wherein the second thermal conductivity is lower than the first thermal conductivity.

Alternatively, it is also foreseen that when the first and second portions are made of the same material and are connected together, for example by means of a connection element of the thermal suppression type, a thermal insulating material is arranged to suppress the heat conduction from the first portion 10 to the second portion 20. Such a heat inhibited material may be selected such that the maximum heating temperature of the cartridge containing the aerosol-generating material 301 received in the second portion 20 is about 250 ℃, preferably between about 230 ℃ and 250 ℃.

Fig. 6a illustrates a perspective view of a holder 100 according to a second embodiment of the invention for use with a heating device 500 comprising a blade-shaped heating element 220. The holder 100 comprises a first portion 10 provided in a simple cylindrical shape instead of a sheath as described above and simply continuous with a second portion 20. In other words, the first part 10 may be provided in the form of an opening, wherein the opening at its free end or on its free edge serves as a guiding means 10 b' to automatically guide the insertion of the heating element 220 into the first part 10 and to the second part 20 without deforming the heating element 220. The entire holder 100 can be inserted into the heating device 500 in mating contact with the heating element 220 without deforming the heating element or the first part 10. To this end, the guide member 10 b' may be provided with an inclined surface (not shown in fig. 6 a). This embodiment has the advantages of easy manufacture and low production cost. In use, as represented in figure 8, when the heating element 220 is in the shape of a blade, it may extend through a slit opening in the end of the first portion 10 of the holder 100 and pierce the portion of the article 300 having the aerosol generating material 301. Alternatively, if the heating element 220 is formed by a cylindrical furnace in a heating device, the wall of the holder 100 forms a mating sleeve that contacts the cylindrical furnace and is hollow to receive the aerosol-generating article 300.

The outer wall of the holder 100 may further comprise a plurality of perforations or holes 55, 65, which may for example be circular 55 or rectangular 65. These perforations facilitate circulation of air from the internal cavity of the heating device 500 through the holder 100 and the aerosol-generating article 300 inserted therein to generate an inhalable aerosol at the filter 302 in use.

Fig. 6b is another perspective view of the holder 100 according to a second embodiment, wherein the second portion 20 of the holder 100 in this particular embodiment has a cylindrical shape with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the aerosol-generating article 300. Accordingly, it is foreseeable that the shape of the second portion 20 could be tailored accordingly to match the shape and size of the aerosol-generating article 300.

The holder 100 of fig. 6a and 6b may be used for a heating device 500 as previously described, comprising a sleeve or a substantially tubular heating element forming the inner wall of the inner cavity of the heating device 500. In such cases, the outer diameter of the holder is selected to match the inner diameter of the heating element 220 of the heating device, while allowing the holder to slide in and out of the heating device. In such a configuration, the holder will preferably exhibit a longer second portion 20 arranged for protruding from the heating device inner cavity so as to allow a user to manually insert and remove the holder from the heating device 500.

In a further alternative third embodiment represented in fig. 7, the first portion 10 of the holder 100 may also be provided in the form of a tuning fork 10f (i.e. exhibiting a U-shape or Y-shape) for receiving the blade-shaped heating element 220 of the heating device 500. The tuning fork 10f may be in the form of a first branch and a second branch arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal symmetry plane of the first part, said branches being substantially flexible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal symmetry plane. Such a Y-shaped structure 10f of the first portion 10 of the holder 100 allows a user to insert the holder 100 without much effort, as the holder 100 can be slid into and find its correct position to couple with the heating element 220. This may be done, for example, when the user inserts the holder 100 into the heating device 500 while rotating the holder.

In this regard, the first part 10 in the form of a tuning fork may comprise a guide member 10b "and a sheath component 10 a", wherein the guide member 10b "may have a slanted surface arranged to guide the heating element 220 into the first part 10 by sliding during insertion, as shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 8 is another schematic view of the longitudinal half-sections of the various parts when the heating device 500, holder 100 and aerosol-generating article 300 are properly inserted and ready for use. The holder 100 shown in this fig. 8 is similar to those in fig. 6a and 6 b.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating material holder (100) comprising a first portion (10) made of a heat-conductive material and a second portion (20), preferably made of a heat-conductive material, the first portion (10) being configured to be receivable by a heating element (220) of a heating device (500) and the second portion (20) being configured to receive an aerosol-generating material-containing cartridge (300) to be heated by the heating element (220) to generate an aerosol, characterized in that the first portion (10) comprises at least one guide member (10b, 10 b', 10b ") at its free end or on its free edge to automatically guide insertion of the heating element (220) into the first portion (10) without deforming the heating element (220).

2. The holder (100) according to claim 1, wherein a sheath member (10a, 10 a') and/or a slit opening (10s) is further provided to the first portion (10) of the holder (100) for receiving a heating element (220) of the heating device (500).

3. The holder (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the holder comprises a connecting part connecting the first part (10) and the second part (20), wherein the connecting part is arranged such that the first part (10) is rotatable relative to the second part (20).

4. The holder (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (10) comprises mating members configured such that the holder (100) can be inserted into the heating device (500) in mating contact with the heating element (220) without deforming the heating element or the first part (10).

5. The holder (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one guiding member (10b, 10 b', 10b ") comprises an inclined surface arranged to guide the heating element into the first portion by sliding during insertion.

6. The holder (100) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one guide member (10b) has a conical or frustoconical shape.

7. The holder (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second portion (20) is gas permeable.

8. The holder (100) according to claim 7, wherein the second portion (20) comprises at least one perforation (55, 65) having at least 0.03mm²Preferably at 0.125mm²And 10mm²Between, more preferably at 0.196mm²And 5mm²The open area in between.

9. The holder (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (10), and at least a part of the second part (20) contacting the first part (10), is made of a metal, such as brass, copper, bronze, aluminium, zinc, titanium or combinations thereof, an alloy made of two or more metals, or a composite material comprising a metallic material and a non-metallic material.

10. The holder (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a thermally insulating material is arranged to inhibit heat transfer from the first part (10) to the second part (20).

11. The holder (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (10) of the holder is provided in the form of a tuning fork configured to be fittingly receivable into engagement with a heating surface of a heating element (220) of a heating device (500).

12. Holder according to claim 11, wherein the tuning fork comprises a first branch and a second branch arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal symmetry plane of the first part (10).

13. A holder according to claim 12, wherein the branches are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal symmetry plane.

14. An aerosol-generating article (300) comprising a holder (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and an aerosol-generating material-containing cartridge arranged in the second portion (20) of the holder (100).

15. An aerosol-generating article (300) according to claim 14, further comprising a filter connected to the outlet of the second portion (20) of the holder (100).