CN117082991A

CN117082991A - Non-combustible sol supply device

Info

Publication number: CN117082991A
Application number: CN202280025188.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杰里米·坎贝尔; 安迪·芬奇; 乔恩·彼得·弗雷德里克·斯普拉特利; 丹尼尔·托马斯·埃亨; 马修·赖特; 丹尼尔·安东尼·沃尔顿; 安德鲁·理查德·布坎南·霍尔基特; 詹姆斯·加菲尔德·普赖尔; 卢克·詹姆斯·沃伦
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2021-02-03
Filing date: 2022-02-01
Publication date: 2023-11-17
Also published as: JP2024504776A; GB202101466D0; EP4287867A1; KR20230129460A; BR112023015181A2; WO2022167430A1

Abstract

A non-combustible aerosol provision device (100) is provided for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material included in a consumable. The device comprises: a receiving portion (102) for receiving a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material; and an adapter (1402, 206) for receipt in the receiving portion, wherein the adapter is configured to adapt the receiving portion to receive each of a plurality of consumables (300, 302) having different sizes one at a time.

Description

Non-combustible sol supply device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a non-combustible sol supply device. The non-combustible sol supply means generates an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the non-combustible sol supply means.

Background

Articles such as cigarettes, cigars, and the like burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these tobacco-burning articles by making products that release the compounds without burning. Examples of such products are so-called heated but not combusted products, also called tobacco heating products or tobacco heating devices, which release compounds by heating but not combusting a material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine or a combination such as a blend.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a non-combustible sol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material included in a consumable, the non-combustible sol supply device comprising: a receiving portion for receiving a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material; and an adapter for receiving in the receiving portion, wherein the adapter is configured to adapt the receiving portion to receive each of a plurality of consumables having different sizes one at a time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a non-combustible aerosol provision device for heating aerosol-generating material in a consumable to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material, the non-combustible aerosol provision device comprising: a receiving portion for selectively receiving each of the plurality of adapters one at a time; a plurality of adapters for receipt in the receiving portion one at a time, wherein each adapter of the plurality of adapters is configured to adapt the receiving portion to receive a respective consumable from a plurality of consumables having different sizes one at a time, each consumable of the plurality of consumables comprising an aerosol-generating material.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a non-combustible sol supply system comprising: the non-combustible sol supply device according to the second aspect; a first consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material, the first consumable having a first consumable length and a first consumable width; and a second consumable comprising aerosol-generating material, the second consumable having a second consumable length different from the first consumable length and a second consumable width different from the first consumable width.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a non-combustible sol supply device for generating an aerosol from aerosol-generating material in a consumable, the non-combustible sol supply device comprising: a receiving portion for receiving a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material; and an adapter for removable receipt in the receiver, wherein:

the receiving portion is configured to receive a first consumable having a first size when the adapter is not received in the receiving portion, and the adapter is configured to adapt the receiving portion to receive a second consumable having a second size different from the first size when the adapter is received in the receiving portion; and the adapter includes a retention element configured to hold the second consumable in place.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a non-combustible aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material comprised in a consumable;

fig. 2 shows a schematic side cross-sectional block diagram of a second non-combustible sol supply device for generating an aerosol by means of an aerosol generating material comprised in a consumable according to the first concept;

fig. 3A shows a schematic side view of a first consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material;

fig. 3B shows a schematic side view of a second consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material;

fig. 4A shows a schematic perspective view of an adapter according to a first example of the first concept;

fig. 4B shows a schematic perspective enlarged view and a schematic top view of an adapter according to a first example of the first concept;

fig. 4C shows a schematic perspective enlarged view of a side section of an adapter according to a first example of the first concept;

fig. 4D shows a schematic internal perspective view of a second non-combustible sol supply device according to a first example of the first concept;

fig. 4E shows a first schematic side cross-sectional view and a second schematic top view of an adapter according to a first example of the first concept;

Fig. 4F shows a second schematic side cross-sectional view and a third schematic top view of an adapter according to a first example of the first concept;

fig. 5A shows a schematic perspective view of a side section of an adapter according to a second example of the first concept;

fig. 5B shows a first schematic top view of an adapter according to a second example of the first concept;

fig. 5C shows a schematic perspective enlarged view of a side section of an adapter according to a second example of the first concept;

fig. 5D shows a schematic perspective exploded view of a side section of an adapter according to a second example of the second concept and a schematic perspective view of an adapter according to a second example of the second concept;

fig. 5E shows a schematic internal perspective view of a second non-combustible sol supply device according to a second example of the first concept;

fig. 5F shows a first schematic side cross-sectional view and a second schematic top view of an adapter according to a second example of the first concept;

fig. 5G shows a second schematic side cross-sectional view and a third schematic top view of an adapter according to a second example of the first concept;

fig. 6A shows a schematic perspective view of a side section of an adapter according to a third example of the first concept;

Fig. 6B shows a first schematic perspective enlarged view of a side section of an adapter according to a third example of the first concept;

fig. 6C shows a second schematic perspective enlarged view of a side section of an adapter according to a third example of the first concept;

fig. 6D shows a schematic perspective view of an adapter according to a third example of the first concept;

fig. 6E shows a schematic internal perspective view of a second non-combustible sol supply device according to a third example of the first concept;

fig. 6F shows a first schematic side cross-sectional view and a first schematic top view of an adapter according to a third example of the first concept;

fig. 6G shows a second schematic side cross-sectional view and a second schematic top view of an adapter according to a third example of the first concept;

fig. 7A shows a first schematic side cross-section of a second non-combustible sol supply device according to a fourth example of the first concept;

fig. 7B shows a second schematic side cross-sectional view of a second non-combustible sol supply device according to a fourth example of the first concept;

fig. 8A shows a first schematic perspective view of a second non-combustible sol supply device according to a fifth example of the first concept;

fig. 8B shows a second schematic perspective view of a second non-combustible sol supply device according to a fifth example of the first concept;

Fig. 8C shows a first schematic internal perspective view of a second non-combustible sol supply device according to a fifth example of the first concept;

fig. 8D shows a second schematic internal perspective view of a second non-combustible sol supply device according to a fifth example of the first concept;

fig. 8E shows a third schematic internal perspective view of a second non-combustible sol supply device according to a fifth example of the first concept;

fig. 9 shows a schematic side cross-sectional block diagram of a third non-combustible sol supply device for generating an aerosol by means of an aerosol-generating material comprised in a consumable according to the second concept;

fig. 10A shows a first schematic side cross-section of a first adapter according to a first example of a second concept;

fig. 10B shows a schematic side cross-section of a second adapter according to a first example of a second concept;

fig. 10C shows a second schematic side cross-section of a first adapter according to a first example of a second concept;

fig. 10D shows a schematic perspective view of a third non-combustible sol supply device according to the first example of the second concept;

fig. 10E shows a schematic perspective view and a schematic exploded perspective view of a first adapter according to a first example of a second concept;

Fig. 11A shows a schematic perspective view of a first adapter according to a second example of the second concept;

fig. 11B shows a schematic perspective enlarged view of a first adapter according to a second example of the second concept;

fig. 11C shows a schematic perspective enlarged view of a side section of a first adapter according to a second example of the second concept;

fig. 11D shows a schematic top view and a schematic side cross-sectional view of a second adapter according to a second example of the second concept;

fig. 11E shows a schematic top view and a schematic side cross-sectional view of a first adapter according to a second example of the second concept;

fig. 11F shows a schematic internal perspective view of a third non-combustible sol supply device according to a second example of the second concept;

fig. 11G shows a second schematic perspective view of a first adapter according to a second example of the second concept, the first adapter comprising a first optional feature;

fig. 11H shows a schematic perspective enlarged view of a first adapter according to a second example of the second concept, the first adapter comprising a first example of the second optional feature;

fig. 11I shows a schematic perspective view of a side section of a first adapter according to a second example of the second concept, the first adapter comprising a first example of the second optional feature;

Fig. 11J shows a schematic perspective enlarged view of a side section of a first adapter according to a second example of a second concept, the first adapter comprising a second example of a second optional feature;

fig. 12A shows a schematic perspective view of a first adapter according to a third example of the second concept;

fig. 12B shows a schematic perspective view of a side section of a first adapter according to a third example of the second concept;

fig. 12C shows a schematic perspective enlarged view of a side section of a first adapter according to a third example of the second concept;

fig. 12D shows a second schematic perspective enlarged view of a side section of a first adapter according to a third example of the second concept;

fig. 12E shows a third schematic perspective enlarged view of a side cross-section of a first adapter according to a third example of a second concept;

fig. 12F shows a schematic internal perspective view of a third non-combustible sol supply device according to a third example of the second concept;

fig. 12G shows a schematic top view and a schematic side cross-section of a second adapter according to a third example of the second concept;

fig. 12H shows a schematic top view and a schematic side cross-section of a first adapter according to a third example of the second concept;

Fig. 13A shows a first schematic perspective view of a first adapter according to a fourth example of the second concept;

fig. 13B shows a second schematic perspective view of a first adapter according to a fourth example of the second concept;

fig. 13C shows a first schematic perspective view of a second adapter according to a fourth example of the second concept;

fig. 13D shows a second schematic perspective view of a second adapter according to a fourth example of the second concept;

fig. 14 shows a schematic side cross-sectional block diagram of a fourth non-combustible sol supply device for generating an aerosol by means of an aerosol-generating material comprised in a consumable according to a third concept;

fig. 15A shows a schematic perspective view of a side section of an adapter according to a third concept;

fig. 15B shows a schematic perspective enlarged view of an adapter according to a third concept; and

fig. 15C shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of a fourth non-combustible sol supply device according to the third concept.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a non-combustible sol supply device 100. The non-combustible sol supply device 100 includes a receiving portion such as a chamber, cavity or holder. The receiving portion is for receiving a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material. For example, the receiving portion may be the heating chamber 102. The following description is in the context of an example in which the receiving portion is a heating chamber.

An aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating an aerosol, for example, when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. The aerosol-generating material may for example be in solid, liquid or gel form, which may or may not contain an active substance and/or a fragrance. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an "amorphous solid," which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e., non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. Amorphous solids are solid materials that can retain some fluid (e.g., liquid) within their interior. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, from about 50wt%, 60wt%, or 70wt% amorphous solids to about 90wt%, 95wt%, or 100wt% amorphous solids.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.

A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of an aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed by a user during use. The consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material delivery component, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter, and/or an aerosol modifier. The consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, which in use releases heat to cause the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol. The heater may for example comprise a combustible material, a material which is heatable by electrical conduction or a susceptor.

The non-combustible aerosol provision device 100 is for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material in a consumable. The non-combustible aerosol provision device 100 comprises an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material. In some examples, the non-combustible aerosol-supplying device 100 is used to heat an aerosol-generating material included in a consumable to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material. In such an example, the aerosol generator is used to provide heat to the aerosol-generating material. In other examples, the aerosol generator is configured such that the aerosol is generated by the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, electrostatic energy, or by using ultrasonic energy. In some such examples, the aerosol generator comprises one or more piezoelectric elements that subject the aerosol-generating material to vibration.

The non-combustible aerosol provision device 100 may be configured to deliver an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol-generating material. The consumable 106 may be a Tobacco Heating Product (THP) product. The non-combustible aerosol supply device 100 may for example be a hand-held device for providing an inhalable aerosol.

Hereinafter, the non-combustible sol supply device 100 is referred to as the device 100. The following description is in the context of an example in which the device 100 is configured to heat an aerosol-generating material.

The device 100 is configured to heat aerosol-generating material in a consumable received in the heating chamber 102 as described. The apparatus 100 comprises a heating device 104 configured to provide energy for heating the aerosol-generating material received in the consumable in the heating chamber 102. In some examples, the heating device 104 includes one or more resistive heating elements disposed in thermal contact with the heating chamber 102. The flow of current against the resistance of the one or more resistive heating elements generates heat. This process is known as joule heating, ohmic heating or resistive heating.

A susceptor is a material that can be heated by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically conductive material such that it is penetrated by a varying magnetic field to cause inductive heating of the heating material. The heating material may be a magnetic material such that it is penetrated by a varying magnetic field causing hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be electrically conductive and magnetic such that the susceptor may be heated by two heating mechanisms. The device configured to generate a varying magnetic field is referred to herein as a magnetic field generator.

In some examples, the heating device 104 is a magnetic field generator configured to generate a varying magnetic field to inductively heat the susceptor. The magnetic field generator may comprise one or more inductors through which an alternating current is passed to generate the varying magnetic field. In some examples, the magnetic field generator includes one or more susceptors. In other examples, the magnetic field generator may not include susceptors, and one or more susceptors may alternatively be provided as part of/with a consumable intended for use with the device 100. The apparatus 100 includes a power source 106. The power supply 106 supplies power to the various components of the device 100. In some examples, the power source 106 is a battery. In some examples, the power source 106 includes a battery and a DC-DC converter, and power is supplied from the battery through the DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter may allow the power supply 106 to supply power at a voltage different from the voltage of the battery. In some examples, the apparatus 100 may include a DC-to-AC converter for converting DC current from, for example, a battery to AC current, e.g., to supply power to one or more inductors of the heating device 104 where the heating device 104 is an induction heating device. In the following examples, the power source 106 is simply referred to as a battery 106.

In the example of fig. 1, the non-combustible sol supply 100 includes a processor 108 in data communication with a computer readable memory 110. The processor 108 is configured to control the operation of aspects of the apparatus 100. The processor 108 controls aspects by executing instructions stored on the computer-readable memory 110. For example, the processor 108 may control the operation of the heating device 104. For example, the processor may control the delivery of power from the battery 106 to the heating device 104 by controlling various electrical components, such as a switch or the like (not shown in fig. 1).

In the example of fig. 1, the apparatus 100 includes a retention device 112. The retention device 112 is configured to hold consumables intended for use with the apparatus 100 in place one at a time. For example, the retention device 112 holds the consumable received in the heating chamber 102 in place.

It should be understood that the device 100 may include other components not shown in fig. 1, such as ventilation inlet/outlet, control interface, charging port, etc. It should be noted that fig. 1 is merely a schematic sketch showing a number of components that may be included in the device 100. Fig. 1 is not intended to convey the particular location of various components. For example, the retaining device 112 may be provided at any location within/within the apparatus 100 as long as the retaining device is used to hold the consumable received in the heating chamber 102 in place.

The device 100 also includes a housing 114 in which the above-described components may be housed. More specific examples of the apparatus 100 will be described below.

As mentioned herein, the proximal end of the device 100 or a constituent part of the device 100 is the end closest to the user's mouth when the user inhales the aerosol provided by the device 100, in use. As mentioned herein, the distal end of the device 100 or a constituent part of the device 100 is the end furthest from the user's mouth when the user inhales the aerosol provided by the device 100 in use.

Fig. 3A and 3B illustrate a first consumable 300 of the plurality of consumables and a second consumable 302 of the plurality of consumables. The first length of the first consumable 300 is less than the second length of the second consumable 302. In other words, the second consumable 302 is longer than the first consumable 300. Further, in this example, the first width of the first consumable 300 is greater than the second width corresponding to the second consumable 302.

In some examples, the consumable may have a gas flow structure (e.g., an opening or section of material that allows gas flow) disposed toward a proximal end of the consumable. It may be desirable during use that the airflow structure is at least partially covered to prevent airflow. For example, it may be desirable to have the consumable in question function with the device 100 in a desired manner. The airflow structure may be disposed at a particular distance from a respective proximal end of each of the plurality of consumables. Thus, in the event that first consumable 300 and second consumable 302 cannot be caused to protrude from device 100, for example, by substantially equal amounts, consumables of different lengths may not be used with device 100 in a manner that would be expected to use the consumables. Ensuring that consumables of different lengths protrude the same amount from one another may ensure that airflow structures located at a particular distance from the respective proximal ends of the consumables are at least partially covered by the housing 114 and/or the adapter for intended receipt in the heating chamber 102. Concepts and examples relating to the device 100 including one or more adapters will be described below.

In some instances, it may be advantageous to ensure that only a predetermined length of consumable protrudes from the device 100 to reduce the likelihood that the consumable is inadvertently removed from the device 100, e.g., when the device 100 is knocked or the like. In some examples, one or more adapters for receipt in the heating chamber 102 may enable cleaning of the heating chamber 102 (e.g., when one or more adapters are inserted into and removed from the heating chamber 102). In some examples, one or more adapters may support the proximal end of the consumable in use to reduce the risk of damaging the consumable in use.

First conception

Fig. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional block diagram of a device 100 according to a first concept. In fig. 2, reference numeral 202 indicates the proximal end of the device 100, and reference numeral 204 indicates the distal end of the device 100. Proximal end 202 is the end of device 100 that the user holds more toward the user's mouth (e.g., toward their mouth) than distal end 204 when it is used to inhale aerosol as intended. On the other hand, when the device 100 is used to inhale an aerosol as intended, the distal end 204 of the device 100 is the end of the user that holds it farther from the user's mouth than the proximal end 202.

Not all of the components that may be part of the apparatus 100 are shown in fig. 2. In this concept, the heating chamber 102 is used to receive a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material. The apparatus 100 of this concept includes an adapter 206 for receiving in the heating chamber 102, wherein the adapter 206 is configured to adapt the heating chamber 102 to receive each of a plurality of consumables having different sizes one at a time.

As used herein, different dimensions do not refer to variations in consumable dimensions due to manufacturing tolerances. As used herein, different sizes refer to different expected sizes of consumables. For example consumables having different intended widths and/or lengths for fitting into receptacles of different sizes. Consumables of different intended sizes may be referred to as different types of consumables. Different types of consumables differ only in their size or may differ otherwise (such as internal construction, internal structure, etc.).

For example, the consumables of the plurality of consumables may differ in size by having mutually different lengths and/or by having mutually different widths. In examples where the consumable is rod-shaped (e.g., similar to a conventional cigarette), the width of the consumable may be considered the outer diameter of the consumable.

In examples 1, 2 and 3 according to the first concept, the adapter 206 comprises a first cylindrical body starting at the adapter proximal end of the adapter and extending towards the adapter distal end. The first cylindrical body includes a retention element configured to retain each of the plurality of consumables one at a time.

In examples 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 according to the first concept, the retention element is configured to hold a first consumable of the plurality of consumables and a second consumable of the plurality of consumables in place one at a time, wherein the first consumable has a first given size and the second consumable has a second given size. For example, the retention element is configured to hold the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 in place one at a time. In some examples, the retention element may be omitted.

In examples 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 according to the first concept, the adapter comprises a first stop positioned towards the adapter distal end of the adapter, the first stop being dimensioned to prevent the first consumable from moving beyond the first stop in the direction of the adapter distal end and to allow the second consumable to move beyond the first stop in the direction of the adapter distal end. In some examples, the first stop may be omitted.

In examples 1, 2 and 3 according to the first concept, the adapter comprises a second cylindrical body positioned towards the adapter distal end to provide the first stop, the second cylindrical body having an innermost diameter smaller than a first width corresponding to the first given dimension and larger than a second width corresponding to the second given dimension. For example, the innermost diameter is less than the width of the first consumable 300 and greater than the width of the second consumable 302. In some examples, the second cylindrical body may be omitted.

A plurality of examples of the apparatus 100 according to the first concept will be described below. The following examples describe more specific features associated with the adapter 206.

Example 1 of the first concept

Fig. 4A to 4F show the device comprising the adapter according to example 1 of the first concept. In fig. 4A to 4F, the adapter of example 1 according to the first concept is marked with reference numeral 206 a. The first cylindrical body 402 begins at the adapter proximal end 404 and extends toward the adapter distal end 406. The first cylindrical body 402 includes a retention element 408. The first cylindrical body 402 includes a cylindrical body proximal end 410 and a cylindrical body distal end 412.

A portion of the adapter 206a, or what is described as the proximal end, is that portion that faces the proximal end 202 of the device 100 when the adapter is received in the heating chamber 102. Similarly, a portion of the adapter 206a, or what is described as a distal end, is that portion of the adapter 206a that faces the distal end 204 of the device 100 when received in the heating chamber 102. Fig. 4B is a schematic perspective enlarged view of the adapter 206a, showing the retention element 408 and showing a schematic top view of the adapter 206 a. Referring to fig. 4B, the retention element 408 includes two or more resilient protrusions 414. The resilient tab 414 is disposed toward the cylindrical body proximal end 410. The resilient protrusion extends from the first cylindrical body 402 into a cavity defined by the first cylindrical body 402. The resilient protrusions 414 are deformable to receive and hold in place the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 one at a time between the resilient protrusions. In this example, the protrusions 414 are disposed circumferentially relative to each other.

The first cylindrical body 402 may include a material that enables the formation of the resilient tab 414. For example, the first cylindrical body 402 may include spring aluminum or another spring metal suitable for forming the first cylindrical body 402. In some examples, the base structure (e.g., cylindrical portion) of the first cylindrical body 402 may be made of one material, while the resilient protrusions 414 may be made of another material. For example, a rigid material (for structural strength) may be selected for the base structure, and a material having elastic properties may be selected for the elastic protrusions 414.

Fig. 4B shows the retention element 414 in an initial arrangement. The resilient tab 414 is biased toward the initial arrangement. In the initial arrangement, no significant force is applied (e.g., by inserting the consumable into the first cylindrical body 402) to the resilient tab 414 to deform it away from its equilibrium position/form. The resilient tab 414 in the initial arrangement defines an initial size gap, which in this example is defined by an inner circumference 416 indicated by the dashed line in fig. 4B. The gap defined by the inner circumference 416 is less than the minimum width among the plurality of consumables.

When a consumable is inserted into the first cylindrical body 402, a force is applied to the elastic protrusion 414 such that the size of the gap is changed so that the inserted consumable can be received and held. The resilient tab 414 is offset from the original arrangement (which is pushed outwardly) to change (in this case increase) the size of the gap.

The resilient protrusions 414 are configured to each simultaneously contact the inserted consumable. In this example, the first cylindrical body 402 is intended for use with consumables having a substantially circular cross-section. The resilient protrusions 414 form a substantially circular boundary on the inner side of the first cylindrical body 402 such that each of the resilient protrusions 414 is capable of contacting a consumable having a substantially circular cross-section.

In this example, because the resilient tab 414 is biased toward an initial arrangement that provides a gap of a size that is less than the smallest width among the plurality of consumables, the resilient tab 414 presses the inserted consumable radially inward to hold it in place.

The resilient protrusions 414 may be urged outwardly and deform in a substantially continuous manner. Thus, the first cylindrical body 402 may be used to hold in place any consumable intended for use with the first cylindrical body 402 having a width greater than the gap defined by the initially disposed inner circumference 416 and having a width less than or equal to where the geometry of the first cylindrical body 402 and the resilient protrusions 414 may be reasonably accommodated.

In this example, the resilient tab 414 holds at least the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 in place. When consumables are inserted one at a time into the adapter 206a received in the heating chamber 102, the resilient protrusions 414 hold each of these consumables in place such that the resilient protrusions are centrally aligned within the first cylindrical body 402 and thus also within the heating chamber 102. To achieve this, the resilient protrusions 414 are arranged such that when the adapter 206a is received in the heating chamber 102, the gap between the resilient protrusions is centrally aligned with the heating chamber 102.

Referring again to fig. 4A, a second cylindrical body 418 is also shown. Second cylinder body 418 may include a flame retardant meta-aramid material (e.g.) Cotton, paper, other para-aramid (e.g.)>) Heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibres (e.g. +.>) Etc.

Fig. 4C is a schematic perspective enlarged view showing a side section of a second cylindrical body 418 attached to the first cylindrical body 402. The first stop is depicted as being labeled with reference numeral 420. Fig. 4D is an interior perspective view of the housing 114 showing the adapter 206a received in the heating chamber 102. Consumable may be inserted into adapter 206a as indicated by arrow 422. In some examples, consumables may be inserted into adapter 206a before adapter 206a itself is received in heating chamber 102.

In this example, the first stop 420 enables each of the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 to protrude from the device 100 by a substantially equal amount when received in the adapter 206a, which itself is received in the heating chamber 102 for use.

As used herein, the amount a given consumable protrudes from the device 100 is the amount (e.g., length) of the given consumable that is not covered by the housing 114 or any other element, such as the described adapter.

In the example of fig. 3A and 3B, the first consumable 300 has a length that is less than the second consumable 302 and a width that is greater than the second consumable. The second cylindrical body 418 provides a first stop 420. In this example, second cylindrical body 418 is sized such that first consumable 300 is too wide to be inserted into second cylindrical body 418, and conversely, when first consumable is inserted into adapter 206a, the distal end of first consumable 300 rests on first stop 420. Second cylindrical body 418 is positioned relative to first cylindrical body 402 such that first consumable 300 (when inserted into adapter 206a received in heating chamber 102) protrudes a given amount from the proximal end of device 100.

In this example, second cylindrical body 418 is sized such that second consumable 302 is sufficiently narrow to be inserted into second cylindrical body 418 without being blocked by first stop 420. In this example, the inner diameter of second cylindrical body 418 is such that second consumable 302 contacts the inner surface of second cylindrical body 418 so as to be held in place by second cylindrical body 418 due to friction between the outer surface of second consumable 302 and the inner surface of second cylindrical body 418. In this way, for the second consumable 302, the second cylindrical body 418 serves as a retention structure disposed at the adapter distal end 404. In some examples, the distal end of the adapter distal end 406 may be disposed such that the second consumable 302 cannot protrude from the adapter distal end 406. In some examples, when the adapter 206a is received in the heating chamber 102, the heating chamber 102 and/or the adapter 206a when received in the heating chamber 102 may be configured such that the second consumable 302 does not advance past a certain point. In any of these examples, the arrangement is such that a given amount of second consumable 302 (when inserted into adapter 206a received in heating chamber 102) protrudes from the proximal end of device 100 substantially the same as a given amount of first consumable 300 protrudes from the proximal end of the device.

Thus, when the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 are received in the adapter 206a and the adapter is received in the heating chamber 102, the adapter 206a enables the first consumable and the second consumable to be centered in the heating chamber 102 and protrude from the device 100 by substantially the same amount.

Fig. 4E is a schematic view and a schematic side sectional view from top to bottom of the adapter 206a with the first consumable 300 inserted therein. Fig. 4F is a schematic view and a schematic side sectional view from top to bottom of the adapter 206a with the second consumable 302 inserted therein. Because first consumable 300 is wider than second consumable 302, resilient tab 414 is pushed outward more when first consumable 300 is inserted into adapter 206a than when second consumable 302 is inserted. In addition, it can be seen that the distal end of the first consumable 300 is blocked by the first stop 420, while the second consumable 302 is inserted deeper into the adapter 206a, such that both consumables protrude substantially the same amount.

In this example, first cylindrical body 402 and second cylindrical body 418 together provide a tube for receiving each of a plurality of consumables one at a time. The proximal adapter end 404 corresponds to the proximal end of the tube and the distal adapter end 406 corresponds to the distal end of the tube. The retention element 408 is a first retention structure formed toward the proximal end of the tube for holding each of the plurality of consumables in place one at a time.

As discussed above, in some examples, the first stop 420 may be omitted. In some such examples, the plurality of consumables may comprise consumables of substantially the same width. In such an example, the second cylindrical body 418 may provide a second retention feature formed toward the distal end of the tube for holding each of the plurality of consumables in place one at a time. In such an example, the inner diameter of second cylindrical body 418 may be such that a plurality of consumables (one at a time) contact the inner surface of second cylindrical body 418 to be held in place by second cylindrical body 418 due to friction between the outer surface of the consumable in question and the inner surface of the second cylindrical body.

Example 2 of the first concept

Fig. 5A to 5G show the described device and adapter according to example 2 of the first concept. In fig. 5A to 5G, the adapter according to example 2 of the first concept is marked with reference numeral 206 b. Fig. 5A shows a schematic perspective view of a side cross section of the adapter 206 b. In this example, the first cylindrical body 502 comprises corrugated material (corrugated material). Corrugated material is used as the retention element.

The first cylindrical body 502 includes corrugated material formed in a cylindrical shape. As used herein, the term corrugated material is used to refer to a continuous sheet of material that has been folded back and forth to form a corrugated sheet of material, for example. In other words, the continuous sheet material is repeatedly folded into, for example, a tight sinusoidal pattern.

For example, the corrugated material may be corrugated paper. The following description is in the context of the corrugated material being corrugated paper. The paper folded as described above is formed into a cylindrical sheet as shown in fig. 5A to form a first cylindrical body 502. The first cylindrical body 502 is (serves as) a retention element for holding the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 in place in the first cylindrical body.

The first cylindrical body 502 begins at the adapter proximal end 504 and extends toward the adapter distal end 506. A portion of the adapter 206b, or what is described as the proximal end, is that portion that faces the proximal end 202 of the device 100 when the adapter is received in the heating chamber 102. Similarly, a portion of the adapter 206b, or what is described as a distal end, is that portion of the adapter 206b that faces the distal end 204 of the device 100 when received in the heating chamber 102.

Fig. 5B is a schematic view of the adapter 206B from top to bottom. In fig. 5B, an example of a fold of corrugated paper of the first cylindrical body 502 can be seen. It can be seen that the folds of paper define the innermost diameter of the first cylindrical body 502. The folds are deformable to accommodate and hold in place the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 between the folds. Fig. 5B shows the retention element in an initial arrangement formed by the fold described. The fold is biased toward the initial arrangement. In the initial arrangement, no significant force is applied (e.g., by inserting the consumable into the first cylindrical body 502) to the fold to deform it away from the equilibrium position/form. The folds in the initial arrangement define an initial size gap, which in this example is defined by an inner circumference 508 indicated by the dashed line in fig. 5B. The gap defined by the inner circumference 508 is less than the minimum width among the plurality of consumables.

When the consumable is inserted into the first cylindrical body 502, a force is applied to the folded portion such that the size of the gap is changed so that the inserted consumable can be received and held. The folds deviate from the original arrangement (which is pushed outwards) to change (in this case increase) the size of the gap.

The fold is configured to contact the inserted consumable. In this example, the first cylindrical body 502 is intended for use with consumables having a substantially circular cross-section. The folds form a substantially circular boundary on the inner side of the first cylindrical body 502, such that the folds are able to contact consumables having a substantially circular cross section.

In this example, because the fold is biased toward an initial arrangement that provides a gap of a size less than the smallest width among the plurality of consumables, the fold presses the inserted consumable radially inward to hold it in place.

The folds may be pushed outwards and deformed in a substantially continuous manner. Thus, the first cylindrical body 502 may be used to hold in place any consumable intended for use with the first cylindrical body 502 having a width greater than the gap defined by the initially disposed inner circumference 508 and having a width less than or equal to where the geometry of the first cylindrical body 502 and the fold may be reasonably accommodated.

In this example, the fold holds at least the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 in place one at a time. When consumables are inserted one at a time into the adapter 206b received in the heating chamber 102, the fold holds each of these consumables in place such that they are centrally aligned within the first cylindrical body 502 and thus also within the heating chamber 102. To achieve this, the folds are arranged such that when the adapter 206b is received in the heating chamber 102, the gap between the folds is aligned centrally with the heating chamber 102.

Referring again to fig. 5A, a second cylindrical body 510 is also shown. Second cylindrical body 510 may include a flame retardant meta-aramid material (e.g.) Cotton, paper, other para-aramid (e.g.)>) Heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibres (e.g. +.>) Etc.

Fig. 5C is a schematic perspective enlarged view showing a side cross-section of a second cylindrical body 510 positioned toward the adapter distal end 506 relative to the first cylindrical body 502. In this example, the first cylindrical body 502 and the second cylindrical body 510 are positioned relative to one another. Fig. 5D is a schematic perspective exploded view showing side sections of the first and second cylindrical bodies 502, 510 and the adapter 206b of the housing 512 and a schematic perspective view of the adapter 206 b. A housing 512 encloses both the first cylindrical body 502 and the second cylindrical body 510 to fix their relative positions.

For example, the housing 512 may include aluminum or another material that may function as a susceptor. In use, the housing 512 may be inductively heated to provide heat to the aerosolizable material in the inserted consumable.

The first stop is depicted as being marked with reference number 514. Fig. 5E is an interior perspective view of the housing 114 showing the adapter 206b received in the heating chamber 102. The consumable may be inserted into adapter 206b as indicated by arrow 516. In some examples, consumables may be inserted into adapter 206b before adapter 206b itself is received in heating chamber 102.

In this example, the first stop 514 enables each of the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 to protrude from the device 100 by a substantially equal amount when received in the adapter 206b, which itself is received in the heating chamber 102 for use.

In the example of fig. 3A and 3B, the first consumable 300 has a length that is less than the second consumable 302 and a width that is greater than the second consumable. The second cylindrical body 510 provides a first stop 514. In this example, the first stop 514 is in the form of a flange provided by the radially innermost edge of the second cylindrical body 510. In this example, second cylindrical body 510 is sized such that first consumable 300 is too wide to be inserted into second cylindrical body 510, and conversely, when first consumable is inserted into adapter 206b, the distal end of first consumable 300 rests on first stop 514.

As described above, in example 2, the gap defined by the inner circumference 508 is less than the smallest width among the plurality of consumables. As described above, in example 2, the fold holds the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 in place at least one at a time. In other examples, the fold may define an inner diameter such that the fold is deformable to hold the wider first consumable 300 in place rather than the thinner second consumable 302. In such an example, the radially innermost edge of the second cylindrical body 510 may be aligned with the radially innermost edge of the fold of the first cylindrical body 502. In such an example, the described flange only occurs when the fold is deformed, for example, when the first consumable 300 is inserted.

The second cylindrical body 510 is positioned relative to the first cylindrical body 502 such that the first consumable 300 (when inserted into the adapter 206b received in the heating chamber 102) protrudes a given amount from the proximal end of the device 100.

In this example, the second cylindrical body 510 is sized such that the second consumable 302 is sufficiently narrow to be inserted into the second cylindrical body 510 without being blocked by the first stop 514. In this example, the inner diameter of second cylindrical body 510 is such that second consumable 302 contacts the inner surface of second cylindrical body 510 so as to be held in place by second cylindrical body 510 due to friction between the outer surface of second consumable 302 and the inner surface of second cylindrical body 510. In this way, for the second consumable 302, the second cylindrical body 510 serves as a retention structure disposed at the adapter distal end 506. In some examples, the distal end of the adapter distal end 506 may be disposed such that the second consumable 302 cannot protrude from the adapter distal end 506. In some examples, when adapter 206b is received in heating chamber 102, heating chamber 102 and/or adapter 206b when received in heating chamber 102 may be configured such that second consumable 302 does not advance past a point. In any of these examples, the arrangement is such that a given amount of second consumable 302 (when inserted into adapter 206b received in heating chamber 102) protrudes from the proximal end of device 100 substantially the same as a given amount of first consumable 300 protrudes from the proximal end of the device.

Thus, when the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 are received in the adapter 206b and the adapter is received in the heating chamber 102, the adapter 206b enables the first consumable and the second consumable to be centered in the heating chamber 102 and protrude from the device 100 by substantially the same amount.

Fig. 5F is a schematic view and a schematic side sectional view from top to bottom of the adapter 206b with the first consumable 300 inserted therein. Fig. 5G is a schematic view and a schematic side sectional view from top to bottom of the adapter 206b with the second consumable 302 inserted therein. Because the first consumable 300 is wider than the second consumable 302, the fold is pushed outward more when the first consumable 300 is inserted than when the second consumable 302 is inserted. In addition, it can be seen that the distal end of the first consumable 300 is blocked by the first stop 514, while the second consumable 302 is inserted deeper into the adapter 206b, such that both consumables protrude substantially the same amount.

In this example, the first cylindrical body 502 and the second cylindrical body 510 together provide a tube for receiving each of a plurality of consumables one at a time. The proximal adapter end 504 corresponds to the proximal end of the tube and the distal adapter end 506 corresponds to the distal end of the tube. The described folds provide a first retention structure formed toward the proximal end of the tube for holding each of a plurality of consumables in place one at a time.

As discussed above, in some examples, the first stop 514 may be omitted. In some such examples, the plurality of consumables may comprise consumables of substantially the same width. In such an example, the second cylindrical body 510 may provide a second retention structure formed toward the distal end of the tube for holding each of the plurality of consumables in place one at a time. In such an example, the inner diameter of the second cylindrical body 510 may be such that a plurality of consumables contact the inner surface of the second cylindrical body 510 one at a time, so as to be held in place by the second cylindrical body 510 due to friction between the outer surface of the consumable in question and the inner surface of the second cylindrical body.

Example 3 of the first concept

Fig. 6A to 6G show the described device and adapter according to example 3 of the first concept. In fig. 6A to 6G, the adapter according to example 3 of the first concept is marked with reference numeral 206 c. Fig. 6A shows a schematic perspective view of a side cross section of the adapter 206 c. In this example, first cylindrical body 602 includes a plurality of resilient fingers extending from first cylindrical body 602 into a cavity defined by first cylindrical body 602.

The first cylindrical body 602 is a retention element (serving as) for holding the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 in place one at a time in the first cylindrical body. The resilient fingers 604 are deformable to receive the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 one at a time and to hold the first consumable and the second consumable in place. The first cylindrical body 602 begins at the adapter proximal end 606 and extends toward the adapter distal end 608. A portion of the adapter 206c, or what is described as the proximal end, is that portion that faces the proximal end 202 of the device 100 when the adapter is received in the heating chamber 102. Similarly, a portion of the adapter 206c, or what is described as a distal end, is that portion of the adapter 206c that faces the distal end 204 of the device 100 when received in the heating chamber 102.

Fig. 6B is a schematic perspective enlarged view of a side cross section of the first cylindrical body 602. Fig. 6B shows the retention element formed by the described first cylindrical body 602 and resilient fingers 604 in an initial arrangement. The resilient fingers 604 are biased toward an initial arrangement in which the resilient fingers 604 extend inwardly into the cavity defined by the cylindrical shape without substantially impeding any obstruction. In the initial arrangement, no significant force is applied (e.g., by inserting the consumable into the first cylindrical body 602) to the resilient fingers 604 to deform them away from the equilibrium position/form. The resilient fingers 604 in an initial arrangement define an initial size gap within the first cylindrical body 602. The gap of the initial size is less than the minimum width among the plurality of consumables.

When a consumable is inserted into first cylindrical body 602, a force is applied to resilient fingers 604 such that the size of the gap changes so that the inserted consumable can be received and retained. The resilient fingers 604 deviate from the original arrangement (which is pushed outward) to change (in this case increase) the size of the gap.

The resilient fingers 604 are configured to contact the inserted consumable. In this example, first cylindrical body 602 is intended for use with consumables having a substantially circular cross-section. The resilient fingers 604 form a substantially circular boundary on the inside of the first cylindrical body 602 such that the resilient fingers 604 are able to contact a consumable having a substantially circular cross section.

In this example, because the resilient fingers 604 are biased toward an initial arrangement that provides a gap of a size that is less than the smallest width among the plurality of consumables, the resilient fingers 604 press the inserted consumable radially inward to hold it in place.

The resilient fingers 604 may be urged outwardly and deform in a substantially continuous manner. Thus, first cylindrical body 602 may be used to hold in place any consumable intended for use with first cylindrical body 602 having a width greater than the gap defined by the initial arrangement and having a width less than or equal to where the geometry of first cylindrical body 602 and resilient fingers 604 may be reasonably accommodated.

In this example, the resilient fingers 604 hold at least the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 in place. When consumables are inserted one at a time into the adapter 206c received in the heating chamber 102, the resilient fingers 604 hold each of these consumables in place such that they are centrally aligned within the first cylindrical body 602 and thus also within the heating chamber 102. To achieve this, the resilient fingers 604 are arranged such that when the adapter 206c is received in the heating chamber 102, the gap between the resilient fingers is centrally aligned with the heating chamber 102.

In this example, the first cylindrical body 602 includes an elastic sheet formed in a cylindrical shape. The resilient fingers 604 protrude from the surface of the resilient sheet such that when the resilient sheet is formed into a cylindrical shape, the resilient fingers 604 extend into the cavity defined by the cylindrical shape. In other examples, first cylindrical body 602 may not include an elastic sheet. In some examples, the first cylindrical body 602 may include a rigid or inelastic flexible material, and the elastic fingers may be disposed on (e.g., by attachment to) an inner surface of the cylindrical shape. The depicted resilient tabs and resilient fingers 604 may comprise a resilient material (such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, etc.).

Referring again to fig. 6A, a second cylindrical body 610 is also shown. Second cylindrical body 510 may include a flame retardant meta-aramid material (e.g.) Cotton, paper, other para-aramid (e.g.)>) Heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibres (e.g. +.>) Etc.

Fig. 6C is a schematic perspective enlarged view showing a side cross-section of a second cylindrical body 610 positioned toward the adapter distal end 608 relative to the first cylindrical body 602. In this example, the first cylindrical body 602 and the second cylindrical body 610 are positioned relative to one another. Fig. 6D is a schematic perspective view of adapter 206c, showing first cylindrical body 602 and second cylindrical body 610 surrounded by housing 612. Housing 612 encloses both first cylindrical body 602 and second cylindrical body 610 to fix their relative positions.

For example, the housing 612 may include aluminum or another material that may function as a susceptor. In use, the housing 612 may be inductively heated to provide heat to the aerosolizable material in the inserted consumable. In some examples, the housing 612 may be omitted.

The first stop is depicted as being labeled with reference numeral 614. Fig. 6E is a schematic interior perspective view of the housing 114, showing the adapter 206c received in the heating chamber 102. Consumables may be inserted into adapter 206c as indicated by arrow 616. In some examples, consumables may be inserted into adapter 206c before adapter 206c itself is received in heating chamber 102.

In this example, the first stop 614 enables each of the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 to protrude from the device 100 by a substantially equal amount when received in the adapter 206c, which is itself received in the heating chamber 102 for use.

In the example of fig. 3A and 3B, the first consumable 300 has a length that is less than the second consumable 302 and a width that is greater than the second consumable. The second cylindrical body 610 provides a first stop 614. In this example, the first stop 614 is in the form of a flange provided by the radially innermost edge of the second cylindrical body 610. In this example, the second cylindrical body 610 is sized such that the first consumable 300 is too wide to be inserted into the second cylindrical body 610, and conversely, when the first consumable 300 is inserted into the adapter 206c, the distal end of the first consumable 300 rests on the first stop 614. The second cylindrical body 610 is positioned relative to the first cylindrical body 602 such that the first consumable 300 (when inserted into the adapter 206c received in the heating chamber 102) protrudes a given amount from the proximal end of the device 100.

As described above, in example 3, the resilient fingers 604 hold the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 in place at least one at a time. In other examples, the resilient fingers 604 may define an inner diameter such that the resilient fingers are deformable to hold the wider first consumable 300 in place rather than the thinner second consumable 302. In such an example, the radially innermost edge of the second cylindrical body 610 may be aligned with the radially innermost edge defined by the resilient fingers 604. In such an example, the described flange only occurs when the fold is deformed, for example, when the first consumable 300 is inserted.

In this example, the second cylindrical body 610 is sized such that the second consumable 302 is sufficiently narrow to be inserted into the second cylindrical body 610 without being blocked by the first stop 614. In this example, the inner diameter of the second cylindrical body 610 is such that the second consumable 302 contacts the inner surface of the second cylindrical body 610 so as to be held in place by the second cylindrical body 610 due to friction between the outer surface of the second consumable 302 and the inner surface of the second cylindrical body 610. In this way, for the second consumable 302, the second cylindrical body 610 serves as a retention structure disposed at the adapter distal end 608. In some examples, the distal end of the adapter distal end 608 may be disposed such that the second consumable 302 cannot protrude from the adapter distal end 608. In some examples, when the adapter 206c is received in the heating chamber 102, the heating chamber 102 and/or the adapter 206c when received in the heating chamber 102 may be configured such that the second consumable 302 does not advance past a certain point. In any of these examples, the arrangement is such that a given amount of second consumable 302 (when inserted into adapter 206c received in heating chamber 102) protrudes from the proximal end of device 100 substantially the same as a given amount of first consumable 300 protrudes from the proximal end of the device.

Thus, when the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 are received in the adapter 206c and the adapter is received in the heating chamber 102, the adapter 206c enables the first consumable and the second consumable to be centered in the heating chamber 102 and protrude from the device 100 by substantially the same amount.

Fig. 6F is a schematic view and a schematic side sectional view from top to bottom of the adapter 206c with the first consumable 300 inserted therein. Fig. 6G is a schematic view and a schematic side sectional view from top to bottom of the adapter 206c with the second consumable 302 inserted therein. Because first consumable 300 is wider than second consumable 302, resilient fingers 604 are urged outwardly more when first consumable 300 is inserted than when second consumable 302 is inserted. In addition, it can be seen that the distal end of the first consumable 300 is blocked by the first stop 514, while the second consumable 302 is inserted deeper into the adapter 206c such that both consumables protrude substantially the same amount.

In this example, the first cylindrical body 602 and the second cylindrical body 610 together provide a tube for receiving each of a plurality of consumables one at a time. The proximal adapter end 606 corresponds to the proximal end of the tube and the distal adapter end 608 corresponds to the distal end of the tube. The depicted resilient fingers 604 provide a first retention feature formed toward the proximal end of the tube for holding each of a plurality of consumables in place one at a time.

As discussed above, in some examples, the first stop 614 may be omitted. In some such examples, the plurality of consumables may comprise consumables of substantially the same width. In such an example, the second cylindrical body 610 may provide a second retention structure formed toward the distal end of the tube for holding each of the plurality of consumables in place one at a time. In such an example, the inner diameter of the second cylindrical body 610 may be such that a plurality of consumables contact the inner surface of the second cylindrical body 610 one at a time, so as to be held in place by the second cylindrical body 610 due to friction between the outer surface of the consumable in question and the inner surface of the second cylindrical body.

Example 4 of the first concept

Fig. 7A and 7B show the described adapter according to example 4 of the first concept. In fig. 7A and 7B, the adapter according to example 4 of the first concept is marked with reference numeral 206 d. Fig. 7A is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the adapter 206d with the first consumable 300 inserted therein. In the example of fig. 7A, the first consumable 300 comprises a first housing 301 that may comprise a susceptor that is heated in the presence of a varying magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generator of the device 100. Fig. 7B is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the adapter 206d with the second consumable 302 inserted therein. In the example of fig. 7B, the second consumable 302 includes a second housing 303 that may include a susceptor that is heated in the presence of a varying magnetic field generated by the heating device 104 of the apparatus 100. The adapter 206d includes a retention element 702 disposed toward the adapter proximal end 704. In this example, the retention element 702 includes two or more resilient members. Each of the two or more resilient members is an arm forming a cantilever spring. In fig. 7A and 7B, a first cantilever spring 702a and a second cantilever spring 702B are shown.

The first cantilever spring 702a and the second cantilever spring 702b are biased toward an initial arrangement, which is an arrangement that is formed when no force is applied to the cantilever springs and the cantilever springs are balanced. The cantilever spring is biased toward the initial arrangement. The first cantilever spring 702a and the second cantilever spring 702b each include: a fixed end secured to adapter 206d toward adapter proximal end 704; a free end. Adapter 206d includes a housing 706 that houses the components of adapter 206 d. The fixed end is fixed toward the adapter proximal end 704 of the housing 706.

The free end extends inwardly into the adapter 206 d. The free ends define a gap therebetween into which the consumable is inserted. When substantially no force is applied to the cantilever spring (i.e., in the initial arrangement), the gap between the free ends is minimal and less than the minimum width among the plurality of consumables. For example, the gap in the initial arrangement is smaller than the width of the second consumable 302 (in the case where the second consumable 302 has the smallest width among the plurality of consumables).

The cantilever spring deflects away from the initial arrangement to increase the size of the gap. For example, inserting a consumable between cantilever springs causes a force to be applied to both cantilever springs, causing the size of the gap to increase as the consumable pushes the cantilever springs away from each other. The fixed end of each of the first cantilever spring 702a and the second cantilever spring 702b contacts the consumable. Because the cantilever spring is biased toward the initial arrangement, the cantilever spring presses against the inserted consumable, thereby holding it in place.

The amount of deflection of the cantilever spring depends on the width of the consumable inserted. For example, when a wider first consumable 300 is inserted, the cantilever spring deflects more than for a second consumable 302 (as seen from fig. 7A and 7B).

In this example, when the consumable in question is received in adapter 206d and adapter 206d is received in the heating chamber, the cantilever spring holds each consumable in place such that each consumable is aligned centrally within the heating chamber. To achieve this, the cantilever springs are arranged such that when the adapter 206d is received in the heating chamber 102, the gap between the cantilever springs is centered with the heating chamber 102.

The cantilever spring may be urged away from the initial arrangement and deformed in a substantially continuous manner. Thus, the retention element 702 may be used to hold in place any consumable intended for use with the adapter 206d having a width greater than the gap of the original size and a width less than or equal to the width where the geometry of the adapter 206d and retention device 702 may be reasonably accommodated.

Fig. 7A and 7B illustrate the first stop 708 positioned toward the adapter distal end 710. In this example, a first stop 708 is formed in the housing 706 of the adapter 206 d. In this example, the first stop 708 is in the form of a flange. The first stop 708 forms an opening that is smaller in size than the width of the first consumable 300 and larger than the width of the second consumable 302. Thus, the first consumable 300 is too wide to be inserted into the opening formed by the first stop 708, and conversely, when the first consumable 300 is inserted into the adapter 206d, the distal end of the first consumable 300 rests on the first stop 708. The first stop 708 is positioned within the adapter 206d such that when the first consumable 300 is received in the adapter 206d and the adapter 206d is received in the heating chamber 102, the first consumable 300 protrudes from the device 100 by a substantially given amount.

A second stop 712 is provided that is more toward the adapter distal end 710 than the first stop 708. In this example, the second stop 712 is in the form of a flange. In other examples, the second stop 712 may be omitted. In this example, a second stop 712 is formed in the housing 706 of the adapter 206 d. The second stop 712 is sized such that the second consumable 302 can be inserted into the adapter 206d beyond the second stop 712. When the second consumable 302 is inserted into the adapter 206d, the distal end of the second consumable 302 rests on the second stop 712. The second stop 712 is positioned within the adapter 206d such that a given amount of the second consumable 302 protruding from the device 100 is substantially the same as a given amount of the first consumable 300 protruding due to the first stop 708 when the second consumable 302 is received in the adapter 206d and the adapter 206d is received in the heating chamber 102.

Because of the first stop 708 and the second stop 712, when the consumable in question is received in the adapter 206d and the adapter 206d is received in the heating chamber 102 for use, both the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 protrude from the device 100 by substantially the same amount.

In this example, when the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 are received in the adapter 206d and the adapter 206d is received in the heating chamber, the retention element 702 retains both the first consumable and the second consumable one at a time such that the first consumable and the second consumable are centered in the heating chamber 102. The consumable is seen to be substantially centrally aligned in fig. 7A and 7B. In fig. 7A, the first consumable 300 is received in the adapter 206d, which is received in the heating chamber 102. The distal end of the first consumable 300 rests on the first stop 708 such that the first consumable 300 protrudes from the device 100 a given amount. In fig. 7B, the second consumable 302 is received in the adapter 206d, which is received in the heating chamber 102. The distal end of second consumable 302 rests on second stop 712 such that a given amount of second consumable 302 protrudes from device 100 is the same as a given amount of first consumable 300 protrudes in the configuration shown in fig. 7A.

Example 5 of the first concept

More specifically, in example 5 of the first concept, the adapter includes a tube for receiving the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 one at a time. The tube includes a first retention feature formed toward the proximal end of the tube for holding the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 in place one at a time. The tube further includes a second retention feature formed toward the distal end of the tube for holding the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 in place one at a time.

Fig. 8A to 8E show the described adapter according to example 5 of the first concept. In fig. 8A to 8E, the adapter according to example 5 of the first concept is marked with reference numeral 206E. In this example, the adapter 206e includes a tube 802. Fig. 8A is a schematic perspective view of the device 100 and the adapter 206 e. The adapter 206e includes: a first retention feature 804 formed toward a proximal end 806 of the tube 802; and a second retention feature 808 formed toward a distal end 810 of the tube 802.

The first retention structure 804 includes two or more resilient tabs 804a that extend inwardly into the cavity defined by the tube 802. The resilient tabs 804a are deformable to receive and hold in place the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 one at a time between the resilient tabs. Similarly, the second retention structure 808 includes two or more resilient tabs 808a that extend inwardly into the cavity defined by the tube 802. The resilient tabs 808a are deformable to receive and hold in place the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 one at a time between the resilient tabs. The two or more resilient protrusions 804a are disposed circumferentially relative to each other. The two or more resilient protrusions 808a are disposed circumferentially relative to each other.

The tube 802 may include a material that enables the formation of the resilient tabs 804a, 808a. For example, the tube 802 may include spring aluminum or another spring metal suitable for forming the tube 802. In some examples, the base structure (e.g., cylindrical portion) of the tube 802 may be made of one material, while the resilient protrusions 804a, 808a may be made of another material. For example, a rigid material (for structural strength) may be selected for the base structure of the tube 802, and a material having elastic properties may be selected for the elastic protrusions 804a, 808a.

Fig. 8A shows tube 802 when not received in device 100. The retention structures 804, 808 are in an initial arrangement in which substantially no force is applied to the resilient protrusions 804a, 808a. The resilient tabs 804a, 808a are biased toward the initial arrangement. In the initial arrangement, no significant force is applied (e.g., by inserting the consumable into the tube 802) to the resilient tabs 804a, 808a to deform them away from their equilibrium position/form. The resilient protrusions 804a, 808a in the initial arrangement each define a gap of a respective initial size (note that in some examples, the size of the gap of the initial size defined by the resilient protrusion 804a of the first retention structure 804 may be different from the gap of the initial size defined by the resilient protrusion 808a of the second retention structure 808. In other examples, the respective gaps may have the same initial size in the initial arrangement). In the examples discussed below, the initial size of the gap defined by the resilient tab 804a of the first retention structure 804 is substantially the same as the initial size of the gap defined by the resilient tab 808a of the second retention structure 808.

When a consumable is inserted into the tube 802, a force is applied to the resilient protrusions 804a, 808a such that the dimensions of the respective gaps change so that the inserted consumable can be received and retained. The resilient tabs 804a, 808a deviate from the original arrangement (which is pushed outwardly) to change (in this case increase) the size of the corresponding gap.

The resilient protrusions 804a, 808a are configured to each simultaneously contact the inserted consumable. In this example, tube 802 is intended for use with consumables having a substantially circular cross-section. The resilient protrusions 804a, 808a form a substantially circular respective boundary on the inside of the tube 802 such that each of the resilient protrusions 804a, 808a is capable of contacting a consumable having a substantially circular cross-section.

In this example, the size of the respective gap defined by the resilient protrusions 804a, 808a is less than the minimum width among the plurality of consumables. This, in combination with the resilient protrusions 804a, 808a being biased towards the initial arrangement, means that the resilient protrusions 804a, 808a press the inserted consumable radially inwards in order to hold it in place.

The resilient tabs 804a, 808a may be urged outwardly and deform in a substantially continuous manner. Thus, the tube 802 may be used to hold in place any consumable intended for use with the tube 802 that has a width greater than at least one of the respective gaps defined by the resilient protrusions 804a, 808a in the initial arrangement and a width less than or equal to the width at which the geometry of the first tube 802 and resilient protrusions 804a, 808a may be reasonably accommodated.

In this example, each of the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 is held in place by a first retention feature 804 towards the proximal end of the consumable in question and by a second retention feature 808 towards the distal end of the consumable in question. When consumables are inserted one at a time into the adapter 206e received in the heating chamber 102, the resilient tabs 804a, 808a hold each of these consumables in place such that the consumables are centrally aligned within the tube 802 and thus also within the heating chamber 102. To achieve this, the resilient protrusions 804a, 808a are arranged such that when the adapter 206e is received in the heating chamber 102, the respective gaps between the resilient protrusions are centrally aligned with the heating chamber 102.

Fig. 8B is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus 100 with the adapter 206e partially received in the heating chamber 102. The adapter 206e may be inserted into the heating chamber 102 as indicated by arrow 812. In the example of fig. 8B, adapter 206e is partially received in the heating chamber, while no consumables are received in adapter 206 e. However, in some examples, consumables may be inserted into adapter 206e before adapter 206e is subsequently received in heating chamber 102. Fig. 8C is a schematic interior perspective view of adapter 206e fully received in heating chamber 102.

The adapter 206e is configured such that the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 protrude from the device 100 by a substantially equal amount when received in the adapter 206a, which is itself received in the heating chamber 102 for use.

In the example of fig. 3A and 3B, the first consumable 300 has a length that is less than the second consumable 302 and a width that is greater than the second consumable. The tube 802 may be configured with one or more placement structures (not shown) that prevent the consumable in question from moving deeper into the tube 802 such that both the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302 protrude from the device 100 by substantially the same amount.

For example, the tube 802 may include the first stop described. In such an example, the first stop is in contact with the first consumable 300 instead of the second consumable 302 such that the first consumable 300 is prevented from moving beyond a certain point into the tube 802 without preventing the second consumable 302 from moving beyond that point. This results in the first consumable 300 protruding from the device 100 a given amount when the adapter 206e is received in the heating chamber 102 and the first consumable 300 is received in the adapter 206 e. In another aspect, the tube 802 may be sized and/or configured with the heating chamber when the tube is received in the heating chamber 102, and/or the tube may include a second stop such that when the adapter 206e is received in the heating chamber 102 and the second consumable 302 is received in the adapter 206e, the second consumable 302 also protrudes by substantially the same given amount (the amount the first consumable 300 protrudes).

Fig. 8D is a schematic interior perspective view of the apparatus 100 with the first consumable 300 received in the heating chamber 102. Fig. 8E is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus 100 with the second consumable 302 received in the heating chamber 102. Because the first consumable 300 is wider than the second consumable 302, the resilient protrusions 804a, 808a are urged outwardly more when the first consumable 300 is inserted than when the second consumable 302 is inserted.

Second concept

Fig. 9 is a schematic sketch of a device 100 according to a second concept. In fig. 9, reference numeral 202 indicates the proximal end of the device 100, and reference numeral 204 indicates the distal end of the device 100.

Not all of the components that may be part of the apparatus 100 are shown in fig. 9. In this concept, the heating chamber 102 is used to receive a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material. In this concept, the heating chamber 102 of the apparatus 100 is configured to selectively receive each of the plurality of adapters one at a time. In this concept, the apparatus 100 comprises a plurality of adaptors for being received in the heating chamber 102 one at a time, wherein each of the adaptors is configured to adapt the heating chamber 102 to receive, one at a time, a respective consumable from a plurality of consumables having different sizes, each consumable comprising an aerosol generating material.

In the example of fig. 9, the plurality of adapters includes: a first adapter 902 for receiving a first consumable of the plurality of consumables; and a second adapter 904 for receiving a second consumable of the plurality of consumables. In other examples, multiple adapters may be provided in addition to the two adapters.

A non-combustible sol supply system may be provided comprising the device 100 according to the second concept and comprising a first consumable 300 and a second consumable 302. When the first consumable 300 is received in the first adapter 902 and the first adapter 902 is received in the heating chamber 102, the first consumable 300 is substantially centrally aligned within the heating chamber 102 and the first consumable 300 protrudes from the proximal end 202 of the device 100 by a substantially given amount. When the second consumable 302 is received in the second adapter 904 and the second adapter 904 is received in the heating chamber 102, the second consumable is substantially centered within the heating chamber 102 and the second consumable 302 protrudes from the proximal end 202 of the device 100 a given amount.

Examples of the apparatus 100 according to the second concept may include the following features to achieve the above-described centering and highlighting of the consumable. The first adapter 902 may include a first cavity for receiving the first consumable 300, wherein the first cavity is centrally aligned within the heating chamber 102 when the first adapter 902 is received in the heating chamber 102. The first adapter 902 may include a first stop located a first distance from the proximal end 202 of the device 100 when the first adapter 902 is received in the heating chamber 102, wherein the first stop is to prevent the first consumable 300 from moving beyond the first stop toward the distal end 204 of the device 100. The second adapter 904 may include a second cavity for receiving the second consumable 302, wherein the second cavity is centrally aligned within the heating chamber 102e when the second adapter 904 is received in the heating chamber 102. The second adapter 904 may include a second stop located at a second distance from the proximal end 202 of the device 100 that is different from the first distance when the second adapter 904 is received in the heating chamber 102, wherein the second stop is for preventing the second consumable 302 from moving beyond the second stop toward the distal end 204 of the device 100.

A number of examples of the second concept will be described below. In the following description, examples a to E are examples of the second concept.

Example A of the second concept

Fig. 10A to 10E show a first adapter and a second adapter according to example a of the second concept. The first adapter according to example a of the second concept is marked with reference numeral 902a and the second adapter according to example a of the second concept is marked with reference numeral 904 a.

Fig. 10A is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the first adapter 902 a. The first adapter 902a includes a first tubular segment 1002 configured to receive the first consumable 300. The first tubular section 1002 defines the first cavity described. The first consumable 300 can be inserted into the first cavity of the first tubular section 1002. The inner diameter of the first tubular section 1002 is slightly larger than the width of the first consumable 300 so that the first consumable 300 can be received in the first tubular section.

The first tubular section 1002 terminates at a first termination depth 1004 toward the first adapter distal end 1006 of the first adapter 902a, which is the first distance from the proximal end 202 of the device 100 when the first adapter 902a is received in the heating chamber 102, such that the first consumable 300 protrudes from the proximal end 202 of the device 100 by a substantially given amount. The first stop is disposed at a first termination depth 1004. The first tubular segment 1002 may not be completely sealed at the first termination depth 1004. In some examples, there may be a first stop in the form of a flange at the first termination depth 1004 that prevents further advancement of the first consumable 300 into the first tubular section 1002. For example, a first stop at the first termination depth 1004 may narrow the first tubular section 1002 such that the first consumable 300 is too wide to advance beyond the stop at the first termination depth 1004 and the distal end of the first consumable 300 rests on the first stop at the first termination depth 1004. One or more air paths may be provided toward the first adapter distal end 1006 of the first adapter 902a to enable air to flow toward and reach the distal end of the first consumable 300.

The first adapter 902a further includes a first retention element 1008 disposed toward the first adapter proximal end 1010 of the first adapter 902 a. The first retaining element 1008 is configured to hold the first consumable 300 in place. Details of the first retention element 1008 will be described further below.

Fig. 10B is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the second adapter 904 a. The second adapter 904a includes a second tubular segment 1012 configured to receive the second consumable 302. The second tubular segment 1012 defines the second lumen as described. The second consumable 302 can be inserted into the second cavity of the second tubular segment 1012. The inner diameter of the second tubular section 1012 is slightly larger than the width of the second consumable 302 so that the second consumable 302 can be received in the second tubular section.

The second tubular segment 1012 terminates at a second termination depth 1014 toward a second adapter distal end 1016 of the second adapter 904a, which is the second distance from the proximal end 202 of the device 100 when the second adapter 904a is received in the heating chamber 102, such that the second consumable 302 protrudes from the proximal end 202 of the device 100 by substantially the same given amount (i.e., by substantially the same given amount as the first consumable 300 protrudes from the proximal end of the device in the case of the first adapter 902 a). The second distance is greater than the first distance. Thus, when the second adapter 904a is received in the heating chamber 102, the second termination depth 1014 is farther from the proximal end 202 than the first termination depth 1004 when the first adapter 902a is received in the heating chamber 102. The second stop is disposed at a second termination depth 1014. The second tubular segment 1012 may not be completely sealed at the second termination depth 1014. In some examples, a second stop in the form of a flange may be present at the second termination depth 1014 that prevents further advancement of the second consumable 302 into the second tubular segment 1012. For example, a second stop located at the second termination depth 1014 may narrow the second tubular section 1012 such that the second consumable 302 is too wide to advance beyond the stop located at the second termination depth 1014 and the distal end of the second consumable 302 rests on the second stop located at the second termination depth 1014. One or more air paths may be provided toward the second adapter distal end 1016 of the second adapter 904a to enable air to flow toward and reach the distal end of the second consumable 302.

The second adapter 904a further includes a second retention element 1018 disposed toward a second adapter proximal end 1020 of the second adapter 904 a. The second retention element 1018 is configured to hold the second consumable 302 in place. Details of the second retention element 1018 will be described further below. In other examples, first retention element 1008 and second retention element 1018 may be omitted.

The first retention element 1008 and the second retention element 1018 each include two or more resilient members. In this example, the two or more resilient members include two or more arms forming a cantilever spring. In the example of fig. 10A, arm 1008a is shown, and in the example of fig. 10B, arm 1018a is shown.

The cantilever springs 1008a, 1018a are biased toward the initial arrangement. Each cantilever spring comprises: fixed ends, support structures 1008b, 1018b fixed to respective retention elements (the support structures being fixedly attached towards the distal end of the adapter in question); and a free end that is free to move. The free end of each cantilever spring includes a bend. For example, the cantilever spring 1008a of the first retention element 1008 includes a curved portion 1008c, and the cantilever spring 1018a of the second retention element 1018 includes a curved portion 1018c. A first gap into which the first consumable 300 is to be inserted is defined between the curved portions 1008c, and a second gap into which the second consumable 302 is to be inserted is defined between the curved portions 1018c. In the initial arrangement of the cantilever spring 1008a of the first retention element 1008, the first gap is minimal. In the initial arrangement of the cantilever spring 1018a of the second retention element 1018, the second gap is minimal. In a corresponding initial arrangement, substantially no force is exerted on the cantilever spring (e.g., by inserting a consumable) to deform the cantilever spring away from its equilibrium position/form.

The size of the first gap in the respective initial arrangement is at least smaller than the width of the first consumable 300. When the first consumable 300 is inserted into the first gap, the cantilever springs 1008a of the first retaining element 1008 deflect away from the corresponding initial arrangement to increase the size of the first gap. For example, inserting the first consumable 300 causes a force to be applied to the cantilever spring 1008a, causing the size of the first gap to increase as the first consumable 300 pushes the cantilever springs 1008a away from each other. The plurality of cantilever springs 1008a each contact the first consumable at a bend 1008 c. Because the cantilever spring 1008a is biased toward its initial arrangement, the cantilever spring presses against the first consumable 300, thereby holding it in place.

The size of the second gap in the respective initial arrangement is smaller than the width of the second consumable 302. When the second consumable 302 is inserted into the second gap, the cantilever springs 1018a of the second retention element 1018 deflect away from the corresponding initial arrangement to increase the size of the second gap. For example, inserting the second consumable 302 causes a force to be applied to the cantilever spring 1018a, causing the size of the second gap to increase as the second consumable 302 pushes the cantilever springs 1018a away from each other. The plurality of cantilever springs 1018a each contact a second consumable at bend 1018 c. Because cantilever spring 1018a is biased toward its initial arrangement, the cantilever spring presses against second consumable 302, thereby holding it in place.

When the first consumable 300 is inserted into the first adapter 902a received in the heating chamber 102, the first retaining element 1008 holds the first consumable 300 in place such that the first consumable 300 is centrally aligned within the heating chamber 102. To achieve this, the cantilever springs 1008a are arranged such that when the first adapter 902a is received in the heating chamber 102, the gap between the cantilever springs is centered with the heating chamber 102.

Similarly, when the second consumable 302 is inserted into the second adapter 904a received in the heating chamber 102, the second retention element 1018 holds the second consumable 302 in place such that the second consumable 302 is centrally aligned within the heating chamber 102. To achieve this, the cantilever springs 1018a are arranged such that when the second adapter 904a is received in the heating chamber 102, the gap between the cantilever springs is centrally aligned with the heating chamber 102.

It should be noted that the above description is a specific example of the first retention element and the second retention element. In other versions of example a of the second concept, different mechanisms may be provided as retention elements, so long as those mechanisms are capable of holding the consumable in place when the adapter 902a, 904a in which the consumable is present is received in the heating chamber 102, such that the consumable is centrally aligned within the heating chamber 102.

The first adapter 902a and the second adapter 904a can include one or more grooves, wherein an elastic ring is disposed in each of the one or more grooves. For example, as shown in fig. 10A, the first adapter 902a includes a first groove 1022. In the first groove 1022, an elastic ring 1024 is placed. The elastic ring 1024 may be referred to as an O-ring. Fig. 10C is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the first adapter 902a received in the heating chamber 102. In fig. 10C, a portion of the heating chamber 102 is shown in outline, and some of the plurality of elastic rings 1024 are in contact with the inner wall of the heating chamber 102 (the remaining elastic rings 1024 may be in contact with other portions of the heating chamber 102 not shown or other inner portions of the housing 114). When the first adapter 902a is inserted into the heating chamber 102, a seal is formed between the first adapter 902a and the heating chamber 102 via the elastic ring 1024 corresponding to the first adapter 902 a. The elastic ring 1024 deforms when, for example, pressed against the inner wall of the heating chamber 102, thereby forming a seal.

Further, for example, as shown in fig. 10B, the second adapter 904B includes a second groove 1026. An elastic ring 1028 is provided in the second groove 1026. Similar to the description of the first adapter 902a above, when the second adapter 904a is inserted into the heating chamber 102, a seal is formed between the second adapter 904a and the heating chamber 102 via the elastic ring 1028 corresponding to the second adapter 904 a. In other examples, the first grooves 1022 and the elastic ring 1024 and/or the second grooves 1026 and the elastic ring 1028 may be omitted.

In this example, each of the plurality of adapters (i.e., first adapter 902a and second adapter 904a in example a) includes a heating element for heating a respective consumable of the plurality of consumables. The first adapter 902a includes a heating element configured to generate heat to heat the first consumable 300. For example, when the first adapter 902a is received in the heating chamber 102, power can be supplied to the heating element for heating (e.g., when the heating element is a resistive heating element). Similarly, the second adapter 904a includes a heating element configured to generate heat to heat the second consumable 302. For example, when the second adapter 904a is received in the heating chamber 102, power may be supplied to the heating element for heating (e.g., when the heating element is a resistive heating element).

In this example, the heating element is a susceptor element. In this example, the first tubular section 1002 and the second tubular section 1012 comprise susceptor elements spanning the length of the respective tubular sections, wherein the susceptor elements are configured to generate heat in response to penetration of the susceptor elements by a varying magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generator of the device 100. In the example of fig. 10A, the first adapter member 902a comprises a first susceptor element 1030. In the example of fig. 10B, the second adapter member 904a includes a second susceptor element 1032. The susceptor elements 1030, 1032 may be tubes comprising susceptors surrounding portions of the respective consumables comprising the aerosol-generating material. In the example of fig. 10C, the heating device 104 shown includes a coil that acts as an inductor that generates a varying magnetic field to inductively heat the susceptor element.

In some examples, the heating element may not be a susceptor element. In some examples, the heating element may not be provided as part of the adapter.

In some examples, the first adapter 902a and the second adapter 904a each include a tab configured to fit into a slot in the housing 114 of the device 100 such that a portion of the tab protrudes outward from the housing 114 of the device 100 to enable a user to manipulate the respective adapters. In the example of fig. 10A, the first adapter 902a includes a first tab 1034. In the example of fig. 10B, the second adapter 904a includes a second tab 1036.

Fig. 10D shows a schematic perspective view of the device 100, wherein the first adapter 902a is received in the heating chamber 102. The first consumable 300 is received in the first adapter 902a. The first tab 1034 can be seen protruding from the housing 114 such that it can be manipulated, for example, to facilitate removal of the first adapter 902a. The second tab 1036 may function in a similar manner.

The first adapter 902a and the second adapter 904a enable both the first consumable 300 and the second consumable 302, respectively, to be received in the heating chamber 102 for use in a manner in which the first consumable and the second consumable are centrally aligned within the heating chamber 102 and protrude from the device 100 a given amount. Fig. 10E shows a schematic perspective exploded view of the first adapter 902a and a schematic perspective view of the first adapter 902a to illustrate the various components of the specific example shown.

Example B of the second concept

Fig. 11A to 11J show a first adapter and a second adapter according to example B of the second concept. The first adapter according to example B of the second concept is marked with reference numeral 902B and the second adapter according to example B of the second concept is marked with reference numeral 904B.

Each of the first adapter 902b and the second adapter 904b includes an absorptive element comprising an absorptive material. In this example, the absorbing elements of each of the first adapter 902b and the second adapter 904b are cylindrical absorbing elements. In this example, the proximal end of the cylindrical absorbent element forms an oblique angle with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical absorbent element. In other examples, the proximal end of the cylindrical absorbent element may not form an oblique angle with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical absorbent element. Each of the first adapter 902b and the second adapter 904b further includes a base pad positioned toward the distal end of the cylindrical absorbent element. In some examples, the base pad may be omitted.

Fig. 11A is a schematic perspective view of the first adapter 902 b. The first adapter 902b comprises a first cylindrical absorbent element 1102. The first cylindrical absorbent element 1102 defines a first cavity.

In fig. 11A, the central axis of the first cylindrical absorbent element 1102 is labeled with reference numeral 1104. The proximal end 1106 of the first cylindrical absorbent element 1102 is angled relative to the central axis such that the angle between the central axis 1104 and the proximal end 1106 is other than 90 °. As used herein, the term referring to the angle of the proximal end 1106 is intended to refer to the angle of the top surface of the first cylindrical absorbent element 1102 at the proximal end 1106. For example, the acute angle between the proximal end 1106 and the central axis 1104 may be 45 °. Fig. 11B is a schematic perspective view of the proximal end 1106 of the first cylindrical absorbent element 1102 and illustrates the angle of the proximal end 1106 relative to the central axis 1104.

The inner diameter of the first cylindrical absorbent element 1102 is such that the first consumable 300 may be inserted therein while remaining in place (e.g., in the event that the first cylindrical absorbent element 1102 is tilted upside down with the first consumable 300 received therein, sufficiently held so as not to fall/move under gravity). The first consumable 300 is retained due to friction between the outer surface of the first consumable and the inner surface of the first cylindrical absorbent element 1102. The first cylindrical absorbent element 1102 is sized and configured such that when the first cylindrical absorbent element is received in the heating chamber 102 and the first consumable 300 is received in the first cylindrical absorbent element 1102, the first consumable 300 is substantially centrally aligned within the heating chamber 102. This is achieved by arranging the first cylindrical absorbing element 1102 such that when the first adapter 902b is received in the heating chamber 102, the opening into which the first consumable 300 is to be inserted is substantially centrally aligned with the heating chamber 102.

Fig. 11C is a schematic perspective enlarged view of a side section of the first cylindrical absorbent element 1102, showing the distal end 1106 of the first cylindrical absorbent element 1102. The first adapter 902b includes a first base pad 1108 facing the distal end 1106 of the first cylindrical absorbent element 1102. The first base pad 1108 serves as a first stop. The first base pad 1108 prevents the inserted consumable from moving beyond the first base pad 1108, and the distal end of the inserted consumable instead rests on the first base pad 1108. In the case of first adapter 902a, first base pad 1108 is sized and positioned such that when first adapter 902a is received in heating chamber 102 for use and first consumable 300 is received in first adapter 902b, first consumable 300 protrudes from device 100 a given amount.

Fig. 11D is a schematic view and a schematic side sectional view from above of the second adapter 904b with the second consumable 302 inserted therein. The second adapter 904b includes a second cylindrical element 1110. The second cylindrical element 1110 defines a second cavity. The absorbent material of the first cylindrical absorbent element 1102 and/or the second cylindrical absorbent element 1110 may include a flame retardant meta-aramid material (e.g.) Cotton, paper, other para-aramid (e.g.)>) Heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibres (e.g. +.>) Etc.

The proximal end 1112 of the second cylindrical absorbent element 1110 is angled relative to the central axis 1114 such that the angle between the central axis 1114 and the proximal end 1112 is other than 90 °. For example, the acute angle between the proximal end 1112 and the central axis 1114 may be 45 °.

The inner diameter of the second cylindrical absorbent element 1110 is such that the second consumable 302 may be inserted therein while remaining in place in a manner similar to the manner in which the first consumable 300 is held within the first cylindrical absorbent element 1102 (e.g., with the second cylindrical absorbent element 1110 tilted upside down with the second consumable 302 received therein, sufficiently held so as not to fall/move under gravity). The second consumable 302 is retained due to friction between the outer surface of the second consumable 302 and the inner surface of the second cylindrical absorbent element 1110.

The second cylindrical absorbent element 1110 is sized and configured such that when it is received in the heating chamber 102 and the second consumable 302 is received in the second cylindrical absorbent element 1110, the second consumable 302 is substantially centrally aligned within the heating chamber 102. This is achieved by arranging the second cylindrical absorbing element 1110 such that when the second adapter 904b is received in the heating chamber 102, the opening into which the second consumable 302 is to be inserted is substantially centrally aligned with the heating chamber 102.

Similar to the first adapter 902b, the second adapter 904b includes a second base pad 1116 toward the distal end 1118 of the second cylindrical absorbent element 1110. The second base pad 1116 serves as a second stop. The second base pad 1116 prevents the inserted consumable from moving beyond the second base pad 1116 and the distal end of the inserted consumable instead rests on the second base pad 1116. In the case of the second adapter 904a, the second base pad 1116 is sized and positioned such that when the second adapter 904a is received in the heating chamber 102 for use and the second consumable 302 is received in the second adapter 904b, the second consumable 302 protrudes from the device 100 by substantially a given amount (i.e., by substantially the same amount as the first consumable 300 protrudes from the device in the case of the first adapter 902 b).

Thus, the second adapter 904b functions in the same manner as the first adapter 902b, except that the second adapter is configured to center the second consumable 302 within the heating chamber 102 such that the second consumable 302 protrudes a given amount.

The first base pad 1108 and the second base pad 1116 may include a flame retardant meta-aramid material (e.g. ) Cotton, paper, other para-aramid (e.g.)>) Heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibres (e.g. +.>) Etc. The base pad may be integral with the corresponding cylindrical absorbent element, or the base pad may be formed as a separate component and subsequently assembled.

The above-described angled proximal end of the cylindrical absorbent element may advantageously enable easier insertion of the corresponding consumable. The consumable may be inserted into the cylindrical absorbent element when it is received in the heating chamber or before it.

Fig. 11E is a schematic view and a schematic side sectional view from above of the first adapter 902b with the first consumable 300 inserted therein. As can be seen from fig. 11E compared to fig. 11D, the first cylindrical absorbent element 1102 has a larger inner diameter than the second cylindrical absorbent element 1110 in order to accommodate a wider first consumable 300, and has a first base pad 1108 that is larger than the second base pad 1116, such that the amount by which the shorter first consumable 300 protrudes from the device 100 is substantially the same as the amount by which the second consumable 302 protrudes from the device in the case of the second adapter 904 b.

In this example, the described base pad occupies the respective distal end entirely physically, but is breathable (allows air to pass through). In other examples, the described base pad prevents further movement of the inserted consumable, but may be hollow, and the base pad may have an inner diameter that is less than the width of the consumable, the base pad intended to prevent movement of the consumable. This is to allow air to pass at the distal end.

Fig. 11F is a schematic interior perspective view of the apparatus 100 with the first adapter 902b received in the heating chamber 102. The first adapter 902b and the second adapter 904b may be inserted into the heating chamber 102 as indicated by arrow 1120.

In some examples, the first adapter 902b and the second adapter 904b can each optionally include a housing that includes a susceptor (e.g., aluminum). Fig. 11G is a schematic perspective view of a first adapter 902b including an optional aluminum housing 1122. The second adapter 904b can include a similar housing. The respective housings may generate heat in the presence of a varying magnetic field provided by the heating device 104 of the apparatus 100 to heat the respective consumables.

In some examples, each of the first adapter 902b and the second adapter 904b can optionally include an inner shell layer covering an inner surface of the respective cylindrical absorbent element, wherein the inner shell layer includes susceptors. FIG. 11H is a schematic perspective view of a proximal end 1106 of a first adapter 902a including an optional inner shell layer 1124. The inner shell layer 1124 is in effect a tube disposed within the first cylindrical absorbent element 1102. In this example, the inner diameter within the first adapter 902b is such that the first adapter holds the first consumable 300 in place in the manner described above.

FIG. 11I is a schematic perspective view of a side cross-section of a first adapter 902b including an optional inner shell layer 1124. In this example, inner shell layer 1124 includes a smooth/uniform surface. In other examples, inner shell layer 1124 may be perforated. Fig. 11J is a schematic perspective enlarged view of the proximal end 1106 of the first adapter 902 b. In this example, inner shell layer 1124 is perforated.

The inner shell layer may include aluminum or other susceptors. The second adapter 904b can include an inner shell layer similar to that described above for the first adapter 902 b.

Example C of the second concept

Fig. 12A to 12H show a first adapter and a second adapter according to example C of the second concept. The first adapter according to example C of the second concept is marked with reference numeral 902C and the second adapter according to example C of the second concept is marked with reference numeral 904C.

Each of the first adapter 902c and the second adapter 904c includes a columnar element formed of corrugated material. In this example, the corrugated material is corrugated paper. In other examples, the corrugated material may be a material other than paper.

In this example, each of the first adapter 902c and the second adapter 904c includes: a base pad positioned toward the distal end of the columnar element; and an inner shell layer covering the inner surface of the columnar elements, wherein the inner shell layer includes susceptors. In some examples, the base pad may be omitted. In some examples, the inner shell layer may be omitted.

Fig. 12A is a schematic perspective view of the first adapter 902 c. The first adapter 902c includes a first columnar element 1202 made of corrugated paper. As used herein, the term corrugated paper is used to refer to continuous paper that has been folded back and forth to form corrugated sheet-like paper, for example. In other words, the continuous paper is repeatedly folded into, for example, a tight sinusoidal pattern. The sheet thus folded is formed into a first columnar member 1202.

In this example, the folds of corrugated paper of the first columnar element 1202 form an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the heating chamber 102. The fold is biased toward the initial arrangement. When the first adapter 902c is received in the heating chamber 102, the fold is slightly deformed and pressed against the inner surface of the heating chamber 102 such that the first adapter 902c is received in the heating chamber and held in place.

Fig. 12B is a schematic perspective view of a side cross-section of the first adapter 902 c. The first adapter 902c further includes a first base pad 1204 positioned toward the distal end 1206 of the first cylindrical element 1202. The first adapter 902c is intended to receive the first consumable 300 for use. First columnar element 1202 defines the first cavity described. In this example, the first base pad 1204 is the first stop described. The first pad 1204 prevents the inserted consumable from moving beyond the first pad 1204 and the distal end of the inserted consumable instead rests on the first pad 1204. In the case of the first adapter 902c, the first base pad 1204 is sized and positioned such that when the first adapter 902c is received in the heating chamber 102 for use and the first consumable 300 is received in the first adapter 902c, the first consumable 300 protrudes from the device 100 a given amount.

The first adapter 902c further includes a first inner shell layer 1208 covering an inner surface of the first cylindrical element 1202. In other examples, the first inner shell layer 1208 may be omitted. The first columnar element 1202 and the first inner shell layer 1208 are sized such that the first inner shell layer 1208 remains in place within the first columnar element 1202. In some examples, inner shell layer 1208 may be secured in place, for example, by gluing in place to first columnar element 1202. The first inner shell layer may comprise aluminum or another susceptor. In other examples, the first inner shell layer may comprise a material other than a susceptor.

The inner diameter of the first inner shell layer 1208 is such that the first consumable 300 can be inserted therein while remaining in place (e.g., with the first adapter 902c tilted upside down with the first consumable 300 received therein, sufficiently held so as not to drop/move under gravity). The first consumable 300 is retained due to friction between the outer surface of the first consumable 300 and the inner surface of the first inner housing layer 1208. The first columnar element 1202 and the first inner housing layer 1208 are sized and disposed such that when the first adapter 902c is received in the heating chamber 102 and the first consumable 300 is received in the first adapter 902c, the first consumable 300 is substantially centrally aligned within the heating chamber 102. This is achieved by arranging the first adapter 902c such that when the first adapter 902c is received in the heating chamber 102, the opening of the inner housing layer 1208 into which the first consumable 300 is to be inserted is substantially centrally aligned with the heating chamber 102. In this example, the first columnar element 1202 and the first inner shell layer 1208 define a first cavity.

Fig. 12C is a schematic perspective enlarged view of a side cross-section of the distal end 1206 of the first adapter 902C. In this example, the first inner shell layer 1208 includes a substantially smooth/uniform surface. In other examples, the inner shell layer 1208 may be perforated. Fig. 12D is a schematic perspective enlarged view of a side cross-section of a proximal end 1210 of a first adapter 902C according to a specific example of example C of the second concept. Fig. 12E is a schematic perspective enlarged view of a side cross-section of a proximal end 1210 of a first adapter 902C according to another specific example of example C of the second concept. In the example shown in fig. 12D and 12E, the inner shell layer 1208 is perforated. In the example of fig. 12E, the perforations are larger than in the example of fig. 12D.

Thus, when the first consumable 300 is received in the first adapter 902c and the first adapter is received in the heating chamber 102 for use, the first consumable 300 is substantially centrally aligned within the heating chamber and protrudes from the device 100 by the given amount described.

Fig. 12F is a schematic interior perspective view of the apparatus 100 with the first adapter 902c received in the heating chamber 102. The first adapter 902c (and the second adapter 904c described below) may be inserted into the heating chamber 102 as indicated by arrow 1212.

Fig. 12G is a schematic view and a schematic side sectional view from above of the second adapter 904c with the second consumable 302 inserted therein. The second adapter 904c is intended for use with a second consumable 302. The second adapter 904c includes a second cylindrical element 1214 made of corrugated paper. In other examples, the second cylindrical element 1214 may comprise corrugated material other than paper. The fold of corrugated paper is slightly deformed and pressed against the inner surface of the heating chamber 102 so that the second adapter 904c is received therein and held in place in the same manner as described above with respect to the first adapter 902 c.

The second adapter 904c also includes a second base pad 1216 positioned toward the distal end 1218 of the second cylindrical element 1214. The second adapter 904c is intended to receive the second consumable 302 for use. The second cylindrical element 1214 defines a first cavity. In this example, the second base pad 1216 is the second stop described. Second base pad 1216 prevents the inserted consumable from moving beyond second base pad 1216, and the distal end of the inserted consumable instead rests on second base pad 1216. In the case of the second adapter 904c, the second base pad 1216 is sized and positioned such that when the second adapter 904c is received in the heating chamber 102 for use and the second consumable 302 is received in the second adapter 904c, the second consumable 302 protrudes from the device 100 by a given amount (i.e., by substantially the same amount as the first consumable 300 protrudes from the device in the case of the first adapter 902 c).

The second adapter 904c also includes a second inner shell layer 1218 that covers the inner surface of the second cylindrical element 1214. In other examples, the second inner shell layer 1218 may be omitted. The second cylindrical element 1214 and the second inner shell layer 1218 are sized such that the second inner shell layer 1218 remains in place within the second cylindrical element 1214. In some examples, the inner shell layer 1218 may be secured in place, for example, by gluing in place to the second cylindrical element 1214. The second inner shell layer may comprise aluminum or another susceptor. In other examples, the second inner shell layer may comprise a material other than a susceptor.

The inner diameter of the second inner shell layer 1218 is such that the second consumable 302 can be inserted therein while remaining in place (e.g., with the second adapter 902c tilted upside down with the second consumable 302 received therein, sufficiently held so as not to drop/move under gravity). The second consumable 302 is retained due to friction between the outer surface of the second consumable 302 and the inner surface of the second inner housing layer 1218. The second cylindrical element 1214 and the second inner housing layer 1218 are sized and disposed such that the second consumable 302 is substantially centrally aligned within the heating chamber 102 when the second adapter 904c is received in the heating chamber 102 and the second consumable 302 is received in the second adapter 904 c. This is achieved by arranging the second adapter 904c such that when the second adapter 904c is received in the heating chamber 102, the opening of the second inner housing layer 1218 into which the second consumable 302 is to be inserted is substantially centrally aligned with the heating chamber 102. In this example, the second cylindrical element 1214 and the second inner shell layer 1218 define a first cavity.

The second inner shell layer 1218 may include a substantially smooth/uniform surface or perforated surface as described above with respect to the first inner shell layer 1208 of the first adapter 902 c.

Thus, when the second consumable 302 is received in the second adapter 904c and the second adapter is received in the heating chamber 102 for use, the second consumable 302 is substantially centrally aligned within the heating chamber and protrudes from the device 100 by the given amount described.

Fig. 12H is a schematic view and a schematic side sectional view from above of the first adapter 902c with the first consumable 300 inserted therein. As can be seen from fig. 12G and 12H, the longer second consumable 302 is inserted deeper into the second adapter 904c due to the size and/or position of the second base pad 1216 as compared to the shorter first consumable 300 in the first adapter 902 c. Furthermore, it can be seen that the diameter of the inner shell layer varies according to the width of the corresponding consumable.

Example D of the second concept

Fig. 13A to 13D show a first adapter and a second adapter according to example D of the second concept. The first adapter according to example D of the second concept is marked with reference numeral 902D and the second adapter according to example D of the second concept is marked with reference numeral 904D.

Each of the first adapter 902d and the second adapter 904d includes a sheath for receiving a respective consumable, the sheath comprising plastic or cardboard. In other examples, the jacket may comprise materials other than plastic and materials other than cardboard. The sheath includes a plurality of slits extending downwardly along a portion of the length of the respective adapter from the proximal end of the respective adapter toward the distal end of the respective adapter. In other examples, the sheath may not include any slits.

Fig. 13A is a schematic perspective view of the first adapter 902 d. In the example of fig. 13A, the first adapter 902d includes a first sheath 1302 comprising plastic. In other examples, the first sheath 1302 may comprise cardboard.

The first sheath 1302 includes a pair of slits 1304. The pair of slits 1304 extend downward along a portion of the length of the first adapter 902 d. The pair of slits 1304 extend from a proximal end 1306 of the first adapter 902d (the slits beginning at the proximal end 1306) toward a distal end 1308 of the first adapter 902 d.

When substantially no force is applied at the proximal end 1306 (e.g., due to insertion of a consumable), the opening to the first sheath 1302 is minimal in the initial arrangement. The first adapter 902d is intended to receive the first consumable 300. The size of the opening in the initial arrangement is slightly smaller than the width of the first consumable 300. The opening is biased toward the initial arrangement. When the first consumable 300 is inserted, the size of the opening increases due to the pair of slits 1304. Due to this bias, the opening (and other portions of the first sheath 1302 along the pair of slits 1304) is pressed inward into the first consumable 300, thereby holding it in place.

The first consumable 300 is retained in the first adapter 902d such that when the first adapter 902d is received in the heating chamber 102 and the first consumable 300 is received in the first adapter 902d, the first consumable is centrally aligned with the heating chamber 102. This is achieved because the first adapter 902d is configured and dimensioned such that when the first adapter 902d is received in the heating chamber 102, the opening to the first sheath 1302 is aligned centrally with the heating chamber 102.

The first sheath 1302 has a length and is configured to be received in the heating chamber 102 such that the first consumable 300 protrudes from the device 100 a given amount. For example, the first sheath 1302 may be configured to be received within the heating chamber 102 to a depth such that the first consumable 300 protrudes from the device 100 a given amount. For example, heating chamber 102 may include one or more physical structures that determine the insertable depth of first sheath 1302.

Thus, the first adapter 902d is configured such that when it is received in the heating chamber 102 and the first consumable 300 is received in the first adapter 920d, the first consumable 300 is centrally aligned within the heating chamber and protrudes from the device 100 a given amount.

The proximal end 1306 of the first adapter 902d may be flared as shown in fig. 13A to enable easy insertion of a consumable. Fig. 13B is a schematic perspective view of the first adapter 902d with the first consumable 300 inserted therein.

Fig. 13C is a schematic perspective view of the second adapter 904 d. In the example of fig. 13A, the second adapter 904d includes a second sheath 1310 that comprises cardboard. In other examples, the second sheath 1310 may comprise plastic. The first sheath 1302 and the second sheath 1310 may comprise the same material as each other or different materials from each other.

The second sheath 1310 includes a pair of slits 1312. The slits 1312 are arranged in the same manner as described above with respect to the first sheath 1302. When substantially no force is applied at the proximal end 1314 (e.g., due to insertion of a consumable), the opening to the second sheath 1310 is minimal in the initial arrangement. The second adapter 904d is intended to receive the second consumable 302. The size of the opening in the initial arrangement is slightly smaller than the width of the second consumable 302. The opening is biased toward the initial arrangement. When the second consumable 302 is inserted, the size of the opening increases due to the pair of slits 1312. Due to this bias, the opening (and other portions of the second sheath 1310 along the pair of slits 1312) is pressed inwardly into the second consumable 302, thereby holding it in place.

The second consumable 302 is retained in the second adapter 904d such that when the second adapter 904d is received in the heating chamber 102 and the second consumable 300 is received in the second adapter 904d, the second consumable is centrally aligned with the heating chamber 102. This is accomplished in the same manner as described above for the first adapter 902 d.

The second sheath 1310 has a length and is configured to be received in the heating chamber 102 such that the second consumable 300 protrudes from the device 100 a given amount. For example, the second sheath 1310 may be configured as described above with respect to the first sheath 1302 to achieve this.

Thus, the second adapter 904d is configured such that when it is received in the heating chamber 102 and the second consumable 302 is received in the second adapter 904d, the second consumable 302 is centrally aligned within the heating chamber and protrudes from the device 100 a given amount. In other words, the second consumable 302 protrudes by substantially the same amount as the first consumable 300 protrudes from the device 100 in the case of the first adapter 902 d. Fig. 13D is a schematic perspective view of a second adapter 904D with a second consumable 302 inserted therein.

Third concept

Fig. 14 is a schematic sketch of a device 100 according to a third concept. In fig. 14, reference numeral 202 indicates the proximal end of the device 100, and reference numeral 204 indicates the distal end of the device 100.

Not all of the components that may be part of the apparatus 100 are shown in fig. 14. In this concept, the heating chamber 102 is used to receive a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material. In this concept, the apparatus 100 further includes an adapter 1402 for removable receipt in the heating chamber 102. In this concept, the heating chamber is configured to receive a first consumable having a first size when the adapter is not received in the heating chamber and to receive a second consumable having a second size different from the first size when the adapter is received in the heating chamber.

In this concept, the device 100 includes an adapter 1402. The adapter 1402 is for removable receipt in the heating chamber 102. In this concept, the heating chamber 102 is configured to receive the first consumable 300 when the adapter 1402 is not received in the heating chamber 102, and the adapter 1402 is configured to adapt the heating chamber 102 to receive the second consumable 302 when the adapter 1402 is received in the receiving portion. Adapter 1402 includes a retention element configured to hold second consumable 302 in place. In some examples, the retention element may be omitted.

In this concept, the heating chamber 102 is sized to receive the first consumable 300 when the first consumable is centered within the heating chamber 102. This means that when the first consumable 300 is received in the heating chamber 102, and when the adapter 1402 is not received in the heating chamber 102 (i.e., when the first consumable 300 is received in the heating chamber 102 as intended for use without involving the adapter 1402), the first consumable 300 is substantially centrally aligned within the heating chamber 102. This is achieved by providing the heating chamber 102 with a suitable physical configuration such that the first consumable 300 is substantially centrally aligned when received in the heating chamber.

The heating chamber 102 includes a first stop 1404 at a first distance from the proximal end 202 for preventing the first consumable 300 from moving beyond the first stop toward the distal end 204. In some examples, the heating chamber 102 terminates at a first distance from the proximal end 202 such that the first consumable 300 cannot advance further. In these examples, an air flow structure (channel, aperture, etc.) may be provided, for example, at the location where the heating chamber terminates. In other examples, a stop, such as a flange, may be provided to prevent the first consumable 300 from moving beyond the flange. This means that when the first consumable 300 is received in the heating chamber 102, and when the adapter 1402 is not received in the heating chamber 102, the first consumable 300 protrudes from the proximal end 202 of the device 100 by a given amount.

To enable the second consumable 302 to be used with the device 100, the second consumable 302 is inserted into an adapter 1402 received in the heating chamber 102. The adapter 1402 may be inserted first, followed by the second consumable 302, or vice versa.

The adapter 1402 includes an adapter cavity for receiving the second consumable 302. When the adapter 1402 is received in the heating chamber 102, the adapter cavity is aligned centrally within the heating chamber 102. This means that when the adapter 1402 and the second consumable 302 are received in the heating chamber 102, the second consumable 302 is substantially centrally aligned within the heating chamber. Further, adapter 1402 includes a second stop (not shown) that is located at a second distance from proximal end 202 that is different from the first distance when adapter 1402 is received in heating chamber 102. The second stop is for preventing the second consumable 302 from moving beyond the second stop toward the distal end 204. The second distance is such that the second consumable 302 protrudes from the proximal end 202 of the device 100 by a substantially given amount. In other words, when adapter 1402 is used with second consumable 302, second consumable 302 protrudes the same amount as first consumable 300.

Fig. 15A is a schematic perspective view of a side cross-section of one example of an adapter 1402. In this example, adapter 1402 includes tube 1502. The tube 1502 is intended to contain a second consumable 302.

In this example, adapter 1402 also includes a retention element 1504 attached to proximal end 1506 of tube 1502. The retention element 1504 is configured to hold the second consumable 302 in place.

In this example, the retention element 1504 includes a plurality of resilient arms 1504a that define an initial size gap between the resilient arms in an initial arrangement. The gap of this initial size is smaller than the width of the second consumable 302. Spring arm 1504a is biased toward the initial arrangement. The initial arrangement is one that is achieved when substantially no force is applied to the resilient arm 1504a (e.g., by insertion of a consumable).

When the second consumable 302 is inserted, a force is applied to the spring arm 1504a causing the spring arm to move against its bias to increase the size of the gap. This enables the second consumable 302 to be accommodated. Due to the bias of spring arm 1504a, the spring arm presses against second consumable 302 to hold it in place. The adapter 1402 is configured and dimensioned such that when the adapter 1402 is received in the heating chamber 102, the gap is centrally aligned with the heating chamber 102. This enables the second consumable 302 to be centered within the heating chamber 102 when it is received in the adapter 1402 and the adapter 1402 is received in the heating chamber 102.

Fig. 15B is a schematic perspective view of the retention element 1504 and the proximal end 1506 of the tube 1502. The retention element 1504 includes a clip portion 1505 configured to attach to the proximal end 1506 of the tube 1502. In this example, the retention element 1504 may be detachable from the proximal end of the tube 1502. For example, the user attaches the retention element 1504 to the proximal end 1506 of the tube 1502 using the grip 1505. The user removes the retention element 1504 from the proximal end 1506 of the tube 1502 by releasing (e.g., manually releasing) the grip 1505. In other examples, retention element 1504 may be integrally formed with tube 1502. In some examples, the retention element 1504 may be omitted. The retention element 1504 may include a material suitable for forming the spring arms 1504a and the clip portions 1504 b. For example, the retention element 1504 may be molded from a polymeric material.

The adapter 1402 is configured such that when it is received in the heating chamber 102 and the second consumable 302 is received in the adapter 1402, the second consumable protrudes from the device 100 by a given amount (i.e., the same amount as the first consumable 300 protrudes).

To achieve this, in some examples, adapter 1402 may be inserted into heating chamber 102 to a depth greater than first consumable 300 (which is wider than second consumable 302) can be inserted. The greater depth may cause the longer second consumable 302 to stand out the same amount. For example, heating chamber 102 may include physical structures (stops, etc.) that prevent first consumable 300 from moving beyond a certain point into heating chamber 102, but allow adapter 1402 to be inserted farther than that point.

As used herein, the amount a given consumable protrudes from the device 100 is the amount (e.g., length) of the given consumable that is not covered by the housing 114 or any other element, such as the described adapter. Thus, in some examples, adapter 1402 may be inserted to the same depth as the insertion depth of the first consumable, but may protrude from heating chamber 102 and cover a portion of second consumable 302 toward its proximal end when inserted as intended such that second consumable 302 protrudes a given amount.

Fig. 15C is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the device 100. Adapter 1402 may be inserted into heating chamber 102 as indicated by arrow 1508. The tube 1502 may include a susceptor (e.g., aluminum) and may generate heat for heating the aerosol-generating material in the presence of a varying magnetic field generated by, for example, the heating device 104.

The above examples should be understood as illustrative examples of the present invention. Other examples of the invention are contemplated. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one example may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the examples, or any combination of any other of the examples. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A non-combustible aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material included in a consumable, the non-combustible aerosol provision device comprising:

a receiving portion for receiving a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material; and

an adapter for receiving in the receiving portion, wherein the adapter is configured to adapt the receiving portion to receive each of a plurality of consumables having different sizes one at a time.

2. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 1, wherein the adapter includes:

a first cylindrical body beginning at an adapter proximal end of the adapter and extending towards an adapter distal end, the adapter proximal end being an end of the adapter closest to a user's mouth when the user inhales an aerosol provided by the non-combustible aerosol provision device in use when the adapter is received in the receiving portion, and the adapter distal end being an end of the adapter furthest from the user's mouth when the user inhales an aerosol provided by the non-combustible aerosol provision device in use when the adapter is received in the receiving portion, wherein:

The first cylindrical body includes a retention element configured to retain each of a plurality of the consumables one at a time.

3. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 2, wherein:

the retention element includes two or more resilient protrusions extending from the first cylindrical body into a cavity defined by the first cylindrical body, wherein the resilient protrusions are deformable to receive and retain each of a plurality of the consumables one at a time between the plurality of resilient protrusions.

4. A non-combustible sol supply device according to claim 3 wherein:

two or more of the resilient protrusions are disposed toward the adapter proximal end of the adapter, and wherein two or more of the protrusions are disposed circumferentially relative to each other.

5. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 2, wherein:

the first cylindrical body includes a corrugated material formed in a cylindrical shape, wherein the corrugated material serves as the retention element.

6. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 2, wherein:

The retention element includes a plurality of resilient fingers extending from the first cylindrical body into a cavity defined by the first cylindrical body, and the resilient fingers are deformable to receive a plurality of the consumables one at a time and hold the consumables in place.

7. The non-combustible sol supply device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the adapter comprises:

a first stop positioned toward an adapter distal end of the adapter and sized to prevent a first consumable of a first given size of the plurality of consumables from moving beyond the first stop in a direction of the adapter distal end and to allow a second consumable of a second given size of the plurality of consumables to move beyond the first stop in a direction of the adapter distal end, wherein:

the proximal end of the adapter is the end of the adapter closest to the user's mouth when the adapter is received in the receiving portion when the user inhales the aerosol provided by the non-combustible aerosol provision device in use, and the distal end of the adapter is the end of the adapter furthest from the user's mouth when the user inhales the aerosol provided by the non-combustible aerosol provision device in use when the adapter is received in the receiving portion.

8. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 7, wherein the adapter includes:

a second stop positioned further toward the adapter distal end than the first stop, the second stop sized to prevent the second consumable from moving beyond the second stop in the direction of the adapter distal end.

9. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 1, wherein the adapter includes:

a tube for receiving each of a plurality of said consumables one at a time, wherein said tube comprises:

a first retention structure formed toward the proximal end of the tube for holding each of a plurality of the consumables in place one at a time; and

a second retention structure formed toward the distal end of the tube for holding each of a plurality of the consumables in place one at a time, wherein:

the proximal end of the tube is the end closest to the user's mouth when the adapter is received in the receiving portion when the user inhales aerosol provided by the non-combustible aerosol supply device in use, and the distal end of the tube is the end furthest from the user's mouth when the adapter is received in the receiving portion when the user inhales aerosol provided by the non-combustible aerosol supply device in use.

10. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 9, wherein:

each of the first retention structure and the second retention structure comprises:

two or more resilient protrusions, wherein the resilient protrusions are deformable to receive a first consumable and a second consumable between the resilient protrusions and to hold the first consumable and the second consumable in place.

11. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 10, wherein:

two or more of the resilient protrusions extend from the tube into a cavity defined by the tube and are disposed circumferentially relative to each other.

12. A non-combustible sol supply device for heating an aerosol-generating material in a consumable to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material, the non-combustible sol supply device comprising:

a receiving portion for selectively receiving each of the plurality of adapters one at a time;

a plurality of said adapters for receipt in said receiving portion one at a time, wherein each adapter of the plurality of said adapters is configured to adapt said receiving portion to receive a respective consumable from a plurality of consumables of different sizes one at a time, each consumable of the plurality of consumables comprising an aerosol generating material.

13. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 12, wherein:

a plurality of the adapters include a first adapter, the first adapter including:

a first tubular section configured to accommodate a first consumable of a plurality of the consumables, wherein the first tubular section terminates at a first termination depth towards a first adapter distal end of the first adapter, wherein the first adapter distal end of the first adapter is an end furthest from a user's mouth when the first adapter is received in the receiving portion when a user inhales an aerosol provided by the non-combustible aerosol supply device in use; and

a first retention element disposed towards a first adapter proximal end of the first adapter and configured to hold in place the first consumable having a first width, the first adapter proximal end being an end of the first adapter closest to a user's mouth when the user inhales an aerosol provided by the non-combustible aerosol supply device in use when the first adapter is received in the receiving portion,

and wherein a plurality of said adaptors comprise a second adaptor comprising:

A second tubular section configured to accommodate a second consumable of the plurality of consumables, wherein the second tubular section terminates at a second termination depth towards a second adapter distal end of the second adapter, wherein the second adapter distal end of the second adapter is an end furthest from a user's mouth when the second adapter is received in the receiving portion when a user inhales an aerosol provided by the non-combustible aerosol supply device in use; and

a second retention element disposed towards a second adapter proximal end of the second adapter and configured to hold in place the second consumable having a second width, the second adapter proximal end being an end of the second adapter closest to a user's mouth when the user inhales an aerosol provided by the non-combustible aerosol supply device in use when the second adapter is received in the receiving portion.

14. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein:

each of a plurality of said adapters comprises one or more grooves, wherein an elastic ring is present in each of one or more of said grooves; and is also provided with

When a given adapter of the plurality of adapters is received in the receiving portion, a seal is formed between the given adapter of the plurality of adapters and the receiving portion via one or more of the elastic rings corresponding to the given adapter of the plurality of adapters.

15. A non-combustible sol supply device according to claim 13 or claim 14 when dependent on claim 13, wherein:

the non-combustible sol supply means comprises a magnetic field generator;

each of the first and second tubular sections comprises a susceptor element spanning the length of the respective tubular section; and is also provided with

The susceptor element is configured to generate heat in response to penetration of the susceptor element by a varying magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator.

16. The non-combustible sol supply device of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein:

the non-combustible sol supply device includes a housing;

the first adapter and the second adapter each include a tab configured to fit into a slot in the housing such that a portion of the tab protrudes outwardly from the housing to enable a user to manipulate the respective adapter.

17. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 12, wherein:

each adapter of the plurality of said adapters comprises:

an absorbent member comprising an absorbent material.

18. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 17, wherein:

the absorbent member is a cylindrical absorbent member; and is also provided with

The proximal end of the cylindrical absorbent element forms an oblique angle with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical absorbent element, the proximal end of the cylindrical absorbent element being the end closest to the mouth of the user when the user inhales aerosol provided by the non-combustible aerosol supply device in use when the cylindrical absorbent element is received in the receiving portion.

19. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein:

Each of the plurality of said adaptors comprises a base pad positioned towards a distal end of the cylindrical absorption element, the distal end of the cylindrical absorption element being the end furthest from the user's mouth when the cylindrical absorption element is received in the receptacle when aerosol provided by the non-combustible aerosol provision device is inhaled in use by the user.

20. The non-combustible sol supply device of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein:

each adapter of the plurality of said adapters comprises:

a housing comprising a susceptor.

21. The non-combustible sol supply device of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein:

Each adapter of the plurality of said adapters comprises:

an inner shell layer covering an inner surface of the cylindrical absorbent element, wherein the inner shell layer comprises a susceptor.

22. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 12, wherein:

each adapter of the plurality of said adapters comprises:

cylindrical elements made of corrugated material.

23. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 22, wherein:

each adapter of the plurality of said adapters comprises:

a base pad positioned towards a distal end of the columnar element, the distal end of the columnar element being the end furthest from the user's mouth when the user inhales aerosol provided by the non-combustible aerosol supply device in use when the columnar element is received in the receptacle.

24. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 22 or claim 23, wherein:

Each adapter of the plurality of said adapters comprises:

an inner shell layer covering an inner surface of the columnar element, wherein the inner shell layer includes a susceptor.

25. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 12, wherein:

each adapter of the plurality of said adapters comprises:

a sheath for receiving a respective consumable of a plurality of said consumables, said sheath comprising plastic or cardboard.

26. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 25, wherein:

the sheath includes a plurality of slits extending along a portion of the length of the respective adapter from the proximal end of the respective adapter toward the distal end of the respective adapter;

the proximal end of the respective adapter is the end closest to the user's mouth when the respective adapter is received in the receiving portion when the user inhales the aerosol provided by the non-combustible aerosol provision device in use, and

the distal end of the respective adapter is the end furthest from the user's mouth when the respective adapter is received in the receiving portion when the user inhales an aerosol provided by the non-combustible aerosol supply device in use.

27. The non-combustible sol supply device of any one of claims 12 to 26, wherein:

Each adapter of the plurality of said adapters comprises a heating element for heating a respective consumable of the plurality of said consumables.

28. The non-combustible sol supply device of any one of claims 12 to 27, wherein:

the plurality of said adapters comprises: a first adapter for receiving a first consumable of a plurality of said consumables; and a second adapter for receiving a second consumable of the plurality of consumables, wherein:

the first adapter includes a first cavity for receiving the first consumable, wherein the first cavity is centrally aligned within the receiving portion when the first adapter is received in the receiving portion;

the first adapter comprises a first stop located a first distance from a proximal end of the non-combustible sol supply device when the first adapter is received in the receiving portion, wherein the first stop is for preventing the first consumable from moving beyond the first stop towards a distal end of the non-combustible sol supply device;

the second adapter includes a second cavity for receiving the second consumable, wherein the second cavity is centrally aligned within the receiving portion when the second adapter is received in the receiving portion;

The second adapter comprises a second stop located at a second distance from the proximal end of the non-combustible sol supply device that is different from the first distance when the second adapter is received in the receiving portion, wherein the second stop is for preventing the second consumable from moving beyond the second stop towards the distal end of the non-combustible sol supply device;

the proximal end of the non-combustible sol supply means is the end closest to the mouth of the user when the user inhales the aerosol provided by the non-combustible sol supply means in use, and

the distal end of the non-combustible sol supply means is the end furthest from the user's mouth when the user inhales the aerosol provided by the non-combustible sol supply means in use.

29. A non-combustible sol supply system comprising:

a non-combustible sol supply device according to claim 28;

a first consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material, the first consumable having a first consumable length and a first consumable width; and

a second consumable comprising aerosol-generating material, the second consumable having a second consumable length different from the first consumable length and a second consumable width different from the first consumable width, wherein:

When the first consumable is received in the first adapter and the first adapter is received in the receiving portion, the first consumable is aligned centrally within the receiving portion and the first consumable protrudes a given amount from a proximal end of the non-combustible sol supply device; and is also provided with

When the second consumable is received in the second adapter and the second adapter is received in the receiving portion, the second consumable is aligned centrally within the receiving portion and the second consumable protrudes from the proximal end of the non-combustible sol supply device by the given amount.

30. A non-combustible aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from aerosol-generating material in a consumable, the non-combustible aerosol provision device comprising:

an adapter for removable receipt in the receiving portion, wherein:

the receiving portion is configured to receive a first consumable having a first size when the adapter is not received in the receiving portion, and the adapter is configured to adapt the receiving portion to receive a second consumable having a second size different from the first size when the adapter is received in the receiving portion; and is also provided with

The adapter includes a retention element configured to hold the second consumable in place.

31. The non-combustible sol supply device of claim 30, wherein the adapter comprises a tube.

32. A non-combustible sol supply device according to claim 30 or claim 31 wherein the retention element is attached to a proximal end of the tube, the proximal end of the tube being the end closest to a user's mouth when the adaptor is received in the receptacle when the user inhales an aerosol provided by the non-combustible sol supply device in use.

33. The non-combustible sol supply device of any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein:

the receptacle is sized to receive the first consumable when the first consumable is centered in alignment within the receptacle;

the receiving portion comprises a first stop located a first distance from a proximal end of the non-combustible sol supply device for preventing the first consumable from moving beyond the first stop towards a distal end of the non-combustible sol supply device;

the adapter includes an adapter cavity for receiving the second consumable, wherein the adapter cavity is centrally aligned within the receiving portion when the adapter is received in the receiving portion;

The adapter comprises a second stop located at a second distance from the proximal end of the non-combustible sol supply device that is different from the first distance when the adapter is received in the receiving portion, wherein the second stop is for preventing the second consumable from moving beyond the second stop towards the distal end of the non-combustible sol supply device; and is also provided with

The proximal end of the non-combustible sol supply means is the end closest to the user's mouth when the user inhales the aerosol provided by the non-combustible sol supply means in use.