CN117461898A - Aerosol supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol supply device and an aerosol supply system. The aerosol supply device includes: a main housing including a heating element extending within the main housing; a container arranged around the heating element and arranged to receive an aerosol-generating article, the container having one or more external projections; and a rotatable tube having one or more helical tracks, wherein the one or more protrusions on the container engage with the one or more helical tracks, and wherein in use the rotatable tube is rotatable to translate the container relative to the heating element to remove or at least partially remove aerosol-generating article from the heating element.

Description

Aerosol supply device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol supply device and an aerosol supply system.

Background

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, etc. burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by producing products that release the compounds without burning. Examples of such products are so-called "heat but not burn" products or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating but not burning materials. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Aerosol delivery systems are known that cover the above devices or products. Common systems use a heater to generate an aerosol from a suitable medium, which is then inhaled by the user. Typically, the medium used needs to be replaced or changed to provide a different aerosol for inhalation.

It is known to use resistive heaters to generate aerosols from a suitable medium.

Conventional aerosol delivery devices include a cylindrical heating chamber into which a rod-like consumable is inserted.

One problem with known aerosol provision devices is that the aerosol-generating article may become stuck on the heating element.

It is desirable to provide an improved aerosol provision device.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision device comprising:

a main housing including a heating element extending within the main housing;

a container disposed about the heating element and arranged to receive the aerosol-generating article, the container having one or more external projections; and

a rotatable tube having one or more helical tracks, wherein the one or more protrusions on the container engage the one or more helical tracks, and wherein, in use, the rotatable tube is rotatable to translate the container relative to the heating element to remove or at least partially remove the aerosol-generating article from the heating element.

Known aerosol-supplying devices comprising a heater element suffer from the problem that the aerosol-generating article may become stuck to the heater element in use. Aerosol-supplying devices according to various embodiments are particularly advantageous in that the container sits around the aerosol-generating article and can be translated relative to the heating element by rotation of the rotatable tube. This facilitates removal of the aerosol-generating article from the heating element.

Optionally, the container is translatable between a first position wherein the container is fully advanced into the main housing and a second position wherein the container is at least partially advanced out of the main housing.

Optionally, the container comprises a base portion comprising an aperture through which the heating element passes, and wherein the base portion of the container moves towards the free end of the heating element when moving from the first position to the second position.

Optionally, in the second position, the base portion of the container passes over the free end of the heating element.

Optionally, the aerosol provision device further comprises a tubular cap arranged to cover the rotatable tube, and wherein the tubular cap is arranged to engage the rotatable tube such that, in use, rotation of the tubular cap drives rotation of the rotatable tube.

Optionally, the container is translatable between a first position wherein the container is fully contained within the tubular cap and a second position wherein the container protrudes from the open end of the tubular cap.

Alternatively, the container may be translatable in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol provision device.

Optionally, the tubular cap is configured to be slipped over the rotatable tube.

Alternatively, the tubular cover may have a frustoconical cross-sectional profile including a first arcuate segment having a curved outer surface and a second linear segment having a planar outer surface.

Alternatively, the outer dimensions of the container may substantially correspond to the inner dimensions of the rotatable tube.

Optionally, the one or more protrusions may comprise a first protrusion and a second protrusion, wherein the one or more helical tracks may comprise a first helical track and a second helical track, and wherein the first protrusion is arranged to engage the first helical track and the second protrusion is arranged to engage the second helical track.

Optionally, the second protrusion is located on the opposite side of the container from the first protrusion.

Optionally, the one or more protrusions each comprise a circular cross-sectional profile.

Alternatively, the container is cylindrical and the rotatable tube is cylindrical.

Optionally, the rotatable tube comprises one or more retaining elements arranged to engage a tubular cover arranged to cover the rotatable tube.

Optionally, each of the one or more retaining elements is resiliently biased such that it engages the tubular cover.

Optionally, each of the one or more retaining elements comprises a beveled portion arranged to allow the tubular cap to pass over the retaining element during assembly of the aerosol provision device.

Optionally, the container comprises a first alignment feature and the main housing comprises a second alignment feature, and wherein the first alignment feature is arranged to engage the second alignment feature.

Optionally, the first alignment feature is arranged to engage the second alignment feature when the container is fully advanced into the main housing.

Optionally, one of the first alignment feature or the second alignment feature comprises an alignment protrusion, and wherein the other of the first alignment feature or the second alignment feature comprises a cutout shaped to receive the alignment protrusion.

According to another aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising:

an aerosol supply device as described above; and

an aerosol-generating article for insertion into an aerosol-supplying device.

Drawings

Various embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows an aerosol provision device according to an embodiment located within a charging unit;

fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol provision device located within a charging unit;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a container and rotatable tube of an aerosol delivery device according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows the rotatable tube shown in FIG. 3 alone;

FIG. 5 shows a focused view of the retaining element of the rotatable tube shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates the assembly of a rotatable tube to a container;

FIG. 7 illustrates the assembly of a tubular cap onto the assembled container and rotatable tube; and

fig. 8 shows a perspective view of an embodiment focused on the engagement of the first and second alignment features.

Detailed Description

Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed or described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be conventionally implemented and are not discussed or described in detail for the sake of brevity. Thus, it will be appreciated that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods discussed herein, which are not described in detail, may be implemented in accordance with conventional techniques for implementing these aspects and features.

According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol-supply system is an aerosol-supply system in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials of the aerosol-supply system (or components thereof) do not burn or burn in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible sol supply system, e.g., an electric non-combustible sol supply system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not required.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible sol supply system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also referred to as a heated but non-combusting system. One example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that uses a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or more of which may be heated, to generate an aerosol. Each aerosol-generating material may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the mixing system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, a tobacco or non-tobacco product.

In general, a non-combustible sol supply system may include a non-combustible sol supply device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible sol supply device.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material and configured for use with a non-combustible aerosol delivery device. These consumables are sometimes referred to in this disclosure as articles of manufacture.

In some embodiments, a non-combustible sol supply system, such as a non-combustible sol supply device thereof, may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon matrix that can be energized to distribute power in the form of heat to the aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material adjacent the exothermic power source.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system may include a region for receiving a consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating region, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and/or an aerosol modifier.

In some embodiments, a consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol delivery device may include an aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage region, an aerosol generating material delivery member, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating region, a housing, a packaging material, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol modifier.

An aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating an aerosol, for example, when heated, irradiated or stimulated in any other way. The aerosol-generating material may for example be in the form of a solid, liquid or semi-solid (e.g. gel), which may or may not contain an active substance and/or a fragrance.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder and an aerosol-former. Optionally, active agents and/or fillers may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of plant material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

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.

An aerosol generator is a device configured to cause the generation of an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to thermal energy in order to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause aerosol to be generated from 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 or electrostatic energy.

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 transfer component, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a packaging material, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol modifier. The consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, which in use emits 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 delivery system may comprise a modular assembly comprising a reusable aerosol delivery device and a replaceable aerosol-generating article. In some implementations, the non-combustible sol supply device may include a power source and a controller (or control circuit). The power source may, for example, comprise an electrical power source, such as a battery or rechargeable battery. In some implementations, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may further comprise an aerosol generating component. However, in other implementations, the aerosol-generating article may comprise, in part or in whole, an aerosol-generating component.

For the sake of completeness, aerosol provision devices comprising inductive elements are known. The aerosol provision device may comprise one or more inductors and a susceptor arranged to be heated by the one or more inductors.

A susceptor is a heating material that can be heated by penetration with a varying magnetic field (e.g., an alternating magnetic field). The susceptor may be an electrically conductive material such that it penetrates with a varying magnetic field resulting in inductive heating of the heating material. The heating material may be a magnetic material such that it is penetrated by a varying magnetic field resulting in 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. An aerosol provision device configured to generate a varying magnetic field is referred to herein as a magnetic field generator.

Various embodiments will now be described in more detail.

Fig. 1 shows an aerosol provision device 100 according to one embodiment, which is shown as being located within an elongated cavity of a charging unit 101. The charging unit 101 may include a power source (not shown). The power source may include, for example, a battery (disposable or rechargeable), a rechargeable supercapacitor, a rechargeable Solid State Battery (SSB), a rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery (LiB), or the like, a hermetically sealed battery, a pouch-cell battery, or some combination thereof. Although the aerosol provision device 100 is shown in combination with the charging unit 101, it will be appreciated that the aerosol provision device 100 may be powered in any other way. For example, the power supply provided with the aerosol provision device 100 may be charged by inserting the power supply into the aerosol provision device 100, or the power supply may be replaceable, for example in the form of a replaceable battery.

The aerosol provision device 100 may remain in the charging unit 101 for a predetermined time in order to allow for sufficient charging of the aerosol provision device 100. For example, the charging unit 101 may be arranged to charge the aerosol provision device 100 to full charge for a period of < 10 minutes, 10-20 minutes, 20-30 minutes, 30-40 minutes, 40-50 minutes, 50-60 minutes or > 60 minutes.

The charging unit 101 and/or the aerosol provision device 100 may optionally have an indicator to give a visual or other indication to the user of the charge level of the aerosol provision device 100. In addition, a separate indicator may be present to give a visual representation of the charge level of the charging unit 101. The current charge level of the aerosol provision device 100 and/or the charging unit 101 may be determined by a control device provided in the aerosol provision device 100 and/or the charging unit 101.

The visual indicator may include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). However, other embodiments are contemplated in which the visual indicator may be replaced by an audio indicator (e.g., a speaker) or a tactile indicator.

The aerosol provision device 100 may comprise a housing, which may have a tubular and/or cylindrical shape, however, other embodiments are conceivable, wherein the aerosol provision device 100 may take other desired forms, e.g. the aerosol provision device 100 may be box-shaped. According to one embodiment, the housing of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise an electrical insulator and may be formed, for example, from polyetheretherketone ("PEEK").

According to one embodiment, the distal end of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise one or more orientation features and/or one or more magnets for securing the distal end of the aerosol provision device 100 to the base portion of the charging unit 101.

The aerosol provision device 100 may be inserted into the cavity of the charging unit 101 in order to recharge the aerosol provision device 100 by receiving power from the charging unit 101. The charging unit 101 may include an internal battery to provide power to the aerosol provision device 100. The charging unit 101 may also be connected to an external power source.

The charging unit 101 may comprise a cover or lid 102 that is slidable by a user between an open position and a closed position. A cap or cover 102 is provided at the entrance of a cavity provided within the charging unit 101 and configured to receive the aerosol provision device 100.

The aerosol provision device 100 comprises an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material. According to one embodiment, the aerosol-supplying device 100 comprises an electrical resistance heater for heating the aerosol-generating article.

When the lid or cover 102 is in the open position, the opening to the cavity is exposed, thereby enabling a user to remove the aerosol provision device 100 from the charging unit 101 (in order to use the aerosol provision device 100) or alternatively insert the aerosol provision device 100 into the charging unit 101 (in order to charge the aerosol provision device 100).

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view showing the aerosol provision device 100 positioned or docked within the charging unit 101. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a main housing 105, wherein the resistive heating element 104 protrudes within the main housing 105. The aerosol provision device 100 further comprises a removable cap 106 which may be magnetically held to the main housing 105.

The removal cap 106 includes a receptacle 120 for receiving a consumable. In use, the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the container 120. The container 120 comprises a tubular housing having a base portion 121. The base portion 121 of the container 120 has an aperture 119 and the resistive heating element 104 is arranged to protrude through the aperture 119. The aerosol-generating article may be inserted into the aerosol-supplying device 100 by inserting the aerosol-generating article through an opening in the removable cap 106, and then inserting the aerosol-generating article into the container 120 and onto the heating element 104. The heating element 104 has a blade-like profile and in use, the aerosol-generating article may be pushed onto the heating element 104 such that the blade-like profile of the heating element 104 is inserted into the distal end of the aerosol-generating article. The heating element 104 is arranged to internally heat the aerosol-generating article.

The heating element 104 comprises a free end 107 which protrudes freely into a cavity 109 defined within the aerosol provision device 100.

At the end of the period of use, when the aerosol-generating article has been consumed, the container 120 may then be translated relative to the heating element 104 contained within the main housing 105. It will be appreciated that the process of translating the container 120 will have the effect that the base portion 121 of the container 120 will contact the underside of the aerosol-generating article. When the container 120 is translated relative to the heating element 104, then the base portion 121 of the container 120 will contact the distal end of the aerosol-generating article and will cause the aerosol-generating article to be pulled off or otherwise removed from the heating element 104. Translation of the container 120 relative to the heating element 104 and the mechanism for driving such translation will be discussed in more detail below.

Referring to fig. 3, the aerosol provision device 100 further comprises a rotatable tube 124 which is rotatable relative to the main housing 105 and arranged to translate the container 120 relative to the heater element 104. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the container 120 assembled with the rotatable tube 124.

The rotatable tube 124 may have a partial circumferential groove 300 that may engage with a corresponding protrusion (not shown) provided on the tubular main housing 105 of the aerosol provision device 100. The partial circumferential groove 300 may extend 90 ° around the circumference at the bottom of the rotatable tube 124, for example. It will be appreciated that portions of circumferential groove 300 may extend at different proportions around the circumference.

Embodiments are also contemplated wherein the tubular main housing 105 may include a partial circumferential groove 300 and the rotatable tube 124 may include a protrusion that engages with the partial circumferential groove 300.

It will be appreciated that the rotatable tube 124 can be rotated, for example, 90 ° relative to the main housing 105. As will be discussed in more detail below, when the rotatable tube 124 is rotated 90 °, then the protrusions 122, 123 will rise along the helical tracks 126, 128, with the result that the container 120 will move linearly upwards in a direction away from the heating element 104.

The container 120 is arranged around a heating element 104 (see fig. 2) which protrudes inside the main housing 105. The container 120 may receive an aerosol-generating article (not shown) in use and the aerosol-generating article may be pushed onto the heating element 104, which may comprise a blade heating element. In one embodiment, the container 120 includes a first protrusion 122 and a second protrusion 123 (which is not shown in fig. 3, but can be seen in fig. 6). The first protrusion 122 and the second protrusion 123 are external protrusions extending away from the outer surface 121 of the container 120. The first protrusion 122 and the second protrusion 123 may extend in a radial direction, and thus each extend radially outward.

The rotatable tube 124 may include a first helical track 126 and a second helical track 128. The first protrusion 122 engages the first helical track 126 and the second protrusion 123 engages the second helical track 128. Although the depicted embodiment includes two protrusions 122, 123 and two helical tracks 126, 128, any number of protrusions and helical tracks may be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the first protrusion 122 and the second protrusion 123 are disposed on opposite sides of the container 120, and the helical tracks 126, 128 are located on opposite sides of the rotatable tube 124. However, the protrusions 122, 123 and corresponding helical tracks 126, 128 may be arranged in any suitable location such that when the rotatable tube 124 is rotated, its interaction drives translation of the container 120.

In some embodiments, the first protrusion 122 and the second protrusion 123 may have circular cross-sectional profiles. Having a circular cross-sectional profile may ensure that the first protrusion 122 and the second protrusion 123 travel smoothly within the corresponding helical tracks 126, 128. However, the first and second protrusions 122, 123 may have any cross-sectional profile that allows the protrusions 122, 123 to travel within the helical tracks 126, 128. In some embodiments, as depicted, the container 120 is cylindrical and the rotatable tube 124 is also cylindrical. This may allow rotatable tube 124 to rotate relative to container 120.

In some embodiments, the rotatable tube 124 may also include one or more retaining elements 130. Although only one retaining element 130 is visible in fig. 3, the rotatable tube 124 may include a second retaining element 130 disposed on an opposite side of the rotatable tube 124. Any number of retaining elements 130 may be provided on the rotatable tube 124. The one or more retaining elements 130 may be used to secure the rotatable tube to the cover.

The container 120 may also include one or more first alignment features 132. The first alignment feature 132 does not extend radially outward sufficiently to inhibit or prevent the container 120 from moving linearly upward within the rotatable tube 124. The first alignment feature 132 will be discussed in more detail below with reference to fig. 8.

As the rotatable tube 124 rotates, the engagement of the first and second protrusions 122, 123 with the first and second helical tracks 126, 128, respectively, will cause the container 120 to translate relative to the rotatable tube 124. The helical tracks 126, 128 serve to convert rotation of the rotatable tube 124 into linear translation of the container 120.

The rotatable tube 124 is maintained in a fixed vertical position within the aerosol provision device 100. For example, rotatable tube 124 may be attached to main housing 105 and may be rotated approximately 90 ° relative to main housing 105.

As a result, rotation of the rotatable tube 124 will cause the container 120 to translate relative to the heating element 104. This translation may be used to remove (e.g., separate) the aerosol-generating article from the heating element 104 when the aerosol-generating article is disposed in the container 120. This simple action of rotating the rotatable tube 124 in order to remove the aerosol-generating article from the aerosol-supply device 100 may improve the ease of use of the aerosol-supply device 100 for a user.

In some embodiments, the container 120 may translate between a first position in which the container 120 is fully advanced into the main housing 105 (i.e., the position of the container 120 is shown in fig. 2 and 3) and a second position in which the container 120 is at least partially advanced out of the main housing 105.

It will thus be appreciated that the position of the container 120 shown in fig. 3 is such that the container 120 is fully downwardly located within the aerosol-supplying device 100 such that the aerosol-generating article can be fully inserted onto the heating element 104. When the rotatable tube 124 is then rotated, the container 120 will move upwards relative to the main housing 105, as a result of which the base portion 121 of the container 120 will pull the aerosol-generating article away from the heating element 104. In some embodiments, the container 120 may translate in a longitudinal direction relative to the aerosol provision device 100.

In some embodiments, when the container is in the first position (wherein the container 120 is fully advanced into the main housing 105), a portion of the container 120 may still protrude from the main housing 105. When the container 120 is then moved into the second position, the container 120 travels outside of the main housing 105, and the container 120 will extend from the main housing 105 an increased amount.

As previously described, the container 120 may include a base portion 121 that includes an aperture 119 through which the heating element 104 protrudes. In some embodiments, the base portion 121 of the container may move toward the free end 107 of the heating element 104 (see fig. 2) when the container 120 moves from the first position to the second position. Movement towards the free end 107 of the heating element 104 may advantageously release the aerosol-generating article from the heating element 104, thereby making it easier for a user to remove the aerosol-generating article from the aerosol-supply device 100.

In some embodiments, the base portion 121 of the container 120 may pass the free end 107 of the heating element 104 when the container 120 is in the second position. In this way, any aerosol-generating article within the container 120 may become completely detached from the heating element 104. This may further facilitate removal of the aerosol-generating article from the aerosol-supply device 100.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of rotatable tube 124 in isolation. The rotatable tube 124 comprises a hollow core 134 through which the container 120 extends in use. The first helical track 126 and the second helical track 128 follow a helical profile, but do not have to form a complete helix. As depicted, each helical track 126, 128 extends around only a portion of the circumference of the rotatable tube 124. The extent and form of the helical tracks 126, 128 or each of them may depend on the amount of translation desired for the container 120, the amount of force that a user can apply to the rotatable tube 124, and/or the amount by which a user can possibly rotate the rotatable tube 124.

Fig. 5 shows a view of the holding element 130 focused on the rotatable tube 124 described above. In some embodiments, the retaining element 130 includes a beveled portion 136. The retaining element 130 may be used to secure the tubular cover.

Fig. 6 shows the assembly of rotatable tube 124 and container 120. As shown, the container 120 may first be inserted into the hollow core 134 of the rotatable tube 124. The width of the container 120 at its widest point (i.e., where the first protrusion 122 and the second protrusion 123 are disposed) may be wider than the hollow core 134 of the tube 124. As such, at least one of the rotatable tube 124 or the container 120 may be formed of an elastically deformable material to allow insertion of the container 120 into the rotatable tube 124. As shown on the far right hand side of fig. 6, when the container 120 is fully inserted into the rotatable tube 124, the first and second protrusions 122, 123 will engage the respective first and second helical tracks 126, 128.

The aerosol provision device 100 may also include a cap or tubular cover 106a as shown in fig. 7. The cap or tubular cover 106a may be attached to a rotatable tube 124 in which the container 120 is disposed. The rotatable tube 124 and the container 120 may be inserted into the hollow core of the cap or tubular cover 106a. In some embodiments, as depicted, a cap or tubular cover 106a may be fitted over the rotatable tube 124. The cap or tubular cover 106a may engage the rotatable tube 124 such that rotation of the cap or tubular cover 106a drives rotation of the rotatable tube 124, which results in translation of the container 120. The cap or tubular cover 106a may be secured to a retaining element 130 provided on the rotatable tube 124.

According to one embodiment, the cap or tubular cover 106a is arranged to engage the rotatable tube 124 such that, in use, rotation of the cap or tubular cover 106a drives rotation of the rotatable tube 124. The container 120 is translatable between a first position in which the container 120 is fully contained within the cap or tubular cover 106a and a second position in which the container 120 protrudes from the open end of the cap or tubular cover 106a.

In some embodiments, the container 120 may be translatable between a first position, as shown in fig. 7, in which the container 120 is fully contained within the cap or tubular cover 106a, and a second position, in which the container 120 protrudes from the open end 146 of the cap or tubular cover 106a. In this way, it is possible to remove the aerosol-generating article contained within the container 120 without removing the cap or tubular cover 106a. This may further improve the convenience of use of the aerosol provision device 100.

Referring to fig. 7, in some embodiments, the cap or tubular cover 106a may include a frustoconical cross-sectional profile including a first arcuate segment having a curved outer surface 140 and a second linear segment having a planar outer surface 142. The planar outer surface 142 may allow a user to achieve improved gripping of the cap or tubular cover 106a, thereby allowing the user to more easily rotate the cap or tubular cover 106a. In some embodiments, the cap or tubular cover 106a may include alternative gripping means to facilitate improved gripping by the user.

Referring to fig. 8, in some embodiments, the container 120 includes at least one first alignment feature 132. In some embodiments, the first alignment feature 132 may be in the form of an alignment protrusion extending outside of the container 120. The first alignment feature 132 may extend radially outward from the container 120. The first alignment feature 132 may be arranged to engage a second alignment feature 148 arranged on the main housing 105. In some embodiments, the second alignment feature 148 may be in the form of a cutout in the main housing 105 shaped to receive the first alignment feature 132. Any suitable first and second alignment features 132, 148 may be utilized. While the first alignment feature 132 is shown in the form of a protrusion and the second alignment feature 148 is shown in the form of a cutout, this arrangement may be reversed, or indeed any other suitable arrangement may be used.

In some embodiments, the first alignment feature 132 may engage with the second alignment feature 148 when the container 120 is fully advanced into the main housing 105. However, it is contemplated that the first and second alignment features 132, 148 may be disposed at any other suitable location such that they engage at any other suitable location of the container 120 relative to the main housing 105. Engagement of the first alignment feature 132 and the second alignment feature 148 may help ensure that the components of the aerosol provision device 100 are aligned and assembled in the correct orientation. When the container 120 translates out of the fully advanced position shown in fig. 8, the first alignment feature 132 may disengage the second alignment feature 148. When the container 120 moves back into the fully advanced position shown in fig. 8, the first alignment feature may reengage the second alignment feature 148. The first alignment feature 132 and the second alignment feature 148 may not necessarily contact each other when engaged. Alternatively, the first alignment feature 132 may be located within, but not in contact with, the second alignment feature 148.

While in the above embodiments the one or more protrusions are disposed on the container and the one or more helical tracks are disposed on the rotatable tube, it will be appreciated that the arrangement may be reversed such that the one or more protrusions are disposed on the rotatable tube and the one or more helical tracks are disposed on the container.

According to various embodiments, the aerosol provision device 100 is disclosed as having a rotatable tube 124. The rotatable tube 124 may rotate relative to the main housing 105, and the rotational movement of the rotatable tube 124 may be translated into linear movement of the container 120. The container 120 includes a base portion 121 having an aperture 119, and wherein the heating element 104 protrudes through the aperture 119. The aerosol-generating article may be secured to the heating element 104. When the container 120 is moved upwards due to the rotation of the rotatable tube 124, the container 120 may then cause the aerosol-generating article to be pulled out of the heating element 104.

The various embodiments described herein are only used to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as representative examples of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, that other embodiments may be utilized, and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the appropriate combination of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. in addition to those specifically described herein. In addition, the present disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims (21)

1. An aerosol provision device comprising:

a main housing including a heating element extending within the main housing;

a container arranged around the heating element and arranged to receive an aerosol-generating article, the container having an external one or more projections; and

a rotatable tube having one or more helical tracks, wherein the one or more protrusions on the container engage with the one or more helical tracks, and wherein in use the rotatable tube is rotatable to translate the container relative to the heating element to remove or at least partially remove aerosol-generating article from the heating element.

2. The aerosol provision device of claim 1, wherein the container is translatable between a first position in which the container is fully advanced into the main housing and a second position in which the container is at least partially advanced out of the main housing.

3. The aerosol provision device of claim 2, wherein the container comprises a base portion comprising an aperture through which the heating element passes, and wherein the base portion of the container moves toward the free end of the heating element when moving from the first position to the second position.

4. An aerosol provision device according to claim 3, wherein in the second position the base portion of the container passes over the free end of the heating element.

5. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a tubular cap arranged to cover the rotatable tube, and wherein the tubular cap is arranged to engage the rotatable tube such that, in use, rotation of the tubular cap drives rotation of the rotatable tube.

6. The aerosol provision device of claim 5, wherein the container is translatable between a first position in which the container is fully contained within the tubular cap and a second position in which the container protrudes from the open end of the tubular cap.

7. An aerosol provision device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the tubular cap is configured to be slipped over the rotatable tube.

8. The aerosol provision device of any one of claims 5, 6 or 7, wherein the tubular cap has a frusto-circular cross-sectional profile comprising a first arcuate section having a curved outer surface and a second linear section having a planar outer surface.

9. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is translatable in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol provision device.

10. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the external dimensions of the container substantially correspond to the internal dimensions of the rotatable tube.

11. The aerosol provision device of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more projections comprise a first projection and a second projection, wherein the one or more helical tracks comprise a first helical track and a second helical track, and wherein the first projection is arranged to engage with the first helical track and the second projection is arranged to engage with the second helical track.

12. The aerosol provision device of claim 11, wherein the second protrusion is located on an opposite side of the container from the first protrusion.

13. The aerosol provision device of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more projections each comprise a circular cross-sectional profile.

14. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is cylindrical and wherein the rotatable tube is cylindrical.

15. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the rotatable tube comprises one or more retaining elements arranged to engage a tubular cap arranged to cover the rotatable tube.

16. The aerosol provision device of claim 15, wherein each of the one or more retaining elements is resiliently biased such that it engages the tubular cap.

17. An aerosol provision device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein each of the one or more retaining elements comprises a chamfered portion arranged to allow the tubular cap to pass over the retaining element during assembly of the aerosol provision device.

18. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises a first alignment feature and the main housing comprises a second alignment feature, and wherein the first alignment feature is arranged to engage the second alignment feature.

19. The aerosol provision device of claim 18, wherein the first alignment feature is arranged to engage the second alignment feature when the container is fully advanced into the main housing.

20. The aerosol provision device of claim 18 or 19, wherein one of the first or second alignment features comprises an alignment protrusion, and wherein the other of the first or second alignment features comprises a cutout shaped to receive the alignment protrusion.

21. An aerosol delivery system comprising:

an aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim; and

an aerosol-generating article for insertion into the aerosol-supplying device.