EA039855B1 - Aerosol generating device with removable chamber - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable aerosol-generating device (2) for receiving an aerosol-generating substance comprises a chamber (4) arranged to receive an aerosol-generating substance and an aerosol-generating unit (6) configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substance for a user to inhale in use. The chamber (4) is configured to be releasably inserted into the device (2) through an opening (26) in the device (2). This allows the chamber (4) to be removed from the device (2) and cleaned between consecutive uses of the device (2).

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device with a removable chamber.

Devices that heat rather than burn a substance to form inhaled vapor have become popular with consumers in recent years.

Many hand-held vaporizers contain a chamber surrounded by a heating mechanism and connected to a mouthpiece. The vapor generating substance is placed inside the chamber and the heating mechanism causes the generation of vapor which can be inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece.

There are many different flavors and types of vapor generating agent that a user can choose from, depending on the flavor and inhalation sensation desired. Most vaporizers are compatible with these different flavors and styles of media, so a single vaporizer can be used with a number of different media to generate vapor.

However, evaporators are usually difficult to clean and maintain properly. Thus, reusing the same vaporizer with different flavors can result in the flavors of a substance bleed into the flavors of a subsequent substance due to lingering flavor present in the chamber and other internal components of the vaporizer. Thus, stagnant vapor begins to accumulate in the evaporator over time, and the quality of the user experience decreases.

In addition, dust and dirt can accumulate inside the evaporator due to repeated inhalation of air through the evaporator. Thus, over time, the vaporizer becomes unhygienic to use.

It would be desirable to provide a hand held vaporizer that can be properly cleaned and maintained between uses.

The present invention is directed to overcoming at least some of the above problems.

Brief description of the invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable aerosol generating device for containing an aerosol generating substance, the device comprising a chamber configured to receive the aerosol generating substance and an aerosol generating unit configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating substance for inhalation by the user upon use, wherein the chamber is releasably insertable into the device through an opening in the device.

Therefore, the camera can be removably attached to the aerosol generating device. This may allow the user to remove the camera from the aerosol generating device so that the camera can be cleaned after use.

The opening may be located in the aerosol generating unit. The chamber may be removably inserted into the aerosol generating unit through an opening in the aerosol generating unit. This can provide a device with a simple structure, since the chamber can be inserted directly into and removed from the aerosol generating unit where the aerosol is generated, and not to another part of the device that does not generate aerosol, and which, therefore, may require more complex designs.

The opening may be closable, preferably with a removable seal. This can ensure that once the aerosol generating substance is placed in the chamber, the aerosol generating substance is isolated from the environment. This can help preserve the aerosol generating agent and ensure that the quality of the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating agent is not impaired. Additionally, sealing the chamber may prevent movement or leakage of the aerosol generating agent from the chamber.

The opening can be configured to be closed, preferably with a removable seal, by a lid. The cover can effectively seal the hole while keeping the structure of the device simple. The lid may therefore be in an open position or a closed position.

The lid may include a shutter. The lid may include a cap. The lid may include any other suitable device that is capable of being releasably sealed or closed or opened.

The opening may be releasably sealed with a lid using a releasable sealant. The removable sealing means may comprise a sliding mechanism. For example, the lid may interact with the aerosol generating device such that the lid may slide away from the opening along the surface of the aerosol generating device to open the chamber. To reseal the chamber, the lid may slide towards the opening along the same or a different surface of the aerosol generating device.

The removable sealing means may comprise a swivel joint. For example, the lid may be attached to the aerosol generating device with a rod, and the lid may be rotatable relative to the rod in the plane of the lid to

- 1 039855 opening and closing holes. The removable sealing means may comprise a hinge. The releasable sealing means may comprise any other suitable mechanism for enabling the lid to releasably seal the opening.

The lid may remain attached to the aerosol generating device in either a pressurized or non-pressurized configuration. This can reduce the likelihood that the user will not properly install the lid when accessing the chamber, such as during cleaning or when filling the chamber with an aerosol generating agent.

In other embodiments, the lid may be attached to a device in a sealed configuration, but not attached to a device in an unsealed configuration. Therefore, the cover can be removably attached to the aerosol generating device. This can provide the user with easy access to the chamber, making it easier for the user to fill the chamber with an aerosol generating agent. Additionally, by completely removing the cover from the opening, the chamber can be more easily removed from the aerosol generating device since there will be a low risk that parts of the sealing mechanism interfere with the passage of the chamber in and out of the aerosol generating device. Therefore, the detachable cover can facilitate easy insertion and removal of the camera from the device.

The lid can be removably attached to the aerosol generating device using releasable attachment means. The removable attachment means may comprise a screw mechanism. The removable attachment means may comprise a tight fit mechanism. The removable attachment means may comprise a snap mechanism. The releasable attachment means may comprise any other suitable mechanism for releasably attaching the cap to the aerosol generating device.

The lid may include an air inlet. The lid may include a plurality of air inlets. The plurality of air inlets may be spaced at equal distances from each other. Air inlets may allow air to be drawn into the aerosol generating device during use. Therefore, the user can draw air into the device when the lid is in the closed position, which can be aerosolized and then inhaled by the user.

The air inlet may be located in the main body of the aerosol generating unit. In this case, the air inlets may be located between the cover and the chamber. The air inlets may be provided in the form of grooves. The grooves may extend from the center of the aerosol generating block towards the outer surface of the aerosol generating block. The grooves may allow air to be drawn into the device when the lid is in the closed position.

The chamber may remain in fluid communication with the atmosphere when the lid is in the closed position. This allows air to be drawn into the chamber without opening the lid.

The chamber may be configured to receive the aerosol generating agent through an opening in the aerosol generating device. This may allow the user to quickly and easily fill the chamber with an aerosol generating agent when needed.

The chamber may be positioned substantially opposite the mouthpiece, along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device. That is, the chamber may be at the first end of the device and the mouthpiece may be at the second end of the device. Aligning the components of the aerosol generating device on the same axis with each other can reduce the complexity of the aerosol generating device and help ensure proper alignment of the components.

The aerosol generating unit may include a heater. The heater may be configured to substantially surround the walls of the chamber. The heater may be an induction heater or a resistance heater. The heater may heat the aerosol generating substance contained within the chamber, thereby generating an aerosol. Thus, the chamber can be considered as an oven that can be removed from the device.

In other examples, the device may comprise an induction heater having an electromagnetic inductor surrounding or adjacent to the chamber. The induction heater provides the device with a means of transferring heat to the aerosol generating substance inside the chamber, so that the aerosol generating substance is heated and vapor is generated for inhalation.

While the aerosol generating agent will typically form a gas or a solid and/or liquid suspension in a gas when heated, it should be understood that the terms vapor and aerosol are used interchangeably herein and generally refer to a material that is formed when the aerosol generating agent is heated.

An electromagnetic inductor positioned adjacent to or surrounding the chamber provides heating of a large portion of the material to generate the aerosol, facilitating uniform, continuous heating and thus helping to maintain a controlled temperature in the chamber. Advantageously, the presence of an electromagnetic inductor surrounding or adjacent to the chamber ensures that a sufficient electromagnetic field is generated through the chamber. Thus, in this case, the device comprises an induction heating unit configured to heat

- 2 039855 chamber, and an aerosol generating substance contained inside the chamber for generating aerosol. The use of induction heating by means of an induction heating unit instead of using resistance heating allows the design of the aerosol generating device to remain simple and/or provides efficient heating of the aerosol generating material compared to a device having a resistance heating unit.

In examples where the device comprises an electromagnetic inductor, the chamber may further comprise a current collector. The current collector absorbs electromagnetic energy from an electromagnetic inductor and converts the absorbed energy into heat. In the case of an aerosol generating device comprising an electromagnetic inductor, the chamber may further comprise a current collector material such that the electromagnetic inductor heats the current collector material in use. The current collector material may include one or more, but not limited to, aluminum, iron, nickel, stainless steel, and their alloys, such as nickel-chromium.

The chamber may have a substantially cylindrical shape. Preferably, if the chamber acts as a current collector in the inductive heating embodiment, the chamber has a resonant frequency that is in the kilohertz range (preferably about 10 to about 500 kHz, most preferably 100 to 500 kHz), and preferably the electromagnetic inductor is a drive a solenoid having associated control electronics for automatically driving the solenoid at a frequency equal to or close to the resonant frequency of the chamber (or the resonant frequency of the combined pantograph load and driving solenoid, where the combined pantograph load may include one or more additional pantograph elements contained in the chamber) to maximize heating efficiency based on the electricity required to drive the solenoid.

The chamber may have an open end and a closed end. The open end of the chamber may be substantially opposite the closed end of the chamber. The chamber may be insertable into the aerosol generating device such that the open end of the chamber aligns with the opening of the aerosol generating device. This allows the user to fill the chamber with the aerosol generating agent without having to remove the chamber from the aerosol generating unit. Thus, the same opening can be used to insert the chamber into the device and fill the chamber with an aerosol generating agent.

The chamber may contain an opening. The opening may be located within the closed end of the chamber. Therefore, the opening may be substantially opposite the open end of the chamber. The opening may have a width or diameter less than the width or diameter of the chamber. The opening may have a width or diameter less than that of the open end of the chamber. The opening in the chamber may allow the generated aerosol to exit the chamber.

The aerosol generating device may include a mouthpiece. The chamber may be in fluid communication with the mouthpiece. Therefore, the aerosol generating unit may include a fluid passage that connects the chamber and the mouthpiece together. The fluid passage may be connected to the chamber at the opening of the chamber. This allows the user to inhale on the mouthpiece the aerosol generated in the chamber.

The mouthpiece may include an air outlet. The air outlet may be in fluid communication with the chamber through a fluid passage. The air outlet may provide a convenient and comfortable means for the user to inhale the aerosol from the device through the mouthpiece.

The chamber may be connected to the mouthpiece through a fluid passage. Therefore, the fluid passage provides fluid communication between the chamber and the mouthpiece. The fluid passage may be substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device. This configuration can help keep the design of the device simple.

The fluid passage may include a fluid conduit. A fluid tube may connect the chamber to the mouthpiece. The fluid conduit may allow the aerosol generated in the aerosol generating unit to flow from the chamber to the air outlet in the mouthpiece.

The fluid tube may be at least the same length as the length of the fluid passage. The fluid tube may have a length that is greater than the length of the fluid passage. This allows the user to remove the heating chamber from the device by pushing the end of the fluid tube that protrudes from the fluid passage. Therefore, the user does not need to contact the heating chamber in order to remove the heating chamber. In addition, having a tube longer than the length of the passage can help ensure that the aerosol is completely transferred from the chamber to the mouthpiece.

The fluid tube may be configured to be removably inserted into the fluid passage. Therefore, the fluid tube can be removable. The fluid tube may be inserted and removed through an opening in the aerosol generating device. The chamber and fluid tube can be inserted and removed from the device using the same

- 3 039855 holes, which can help keep the design of the aerosol generating device simple. The ability to remove the tube from the aerosol generating device may allow the user to clean the tube when the device is not in use. A clean fluid tube can help preserve the flavor and aroma of the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating agent.

There may be a tight fit or an interference fit between the outer surface of the fluid tube and the inner surface of the fluid passage. Therefore, the fluid tube can be held in place in the fluid passage by friction. This ensures that the fluid tube will not move during use. The friction fit will also ensure that the tube will not move if the camera has been removed.

The aerosol generating unit may include sealing means for sealing between the fluid tube and the fluid passage. The sealing means may also provide a seal between the opening in the chamber and the fluid passage. The sealing means can prevent the aerosol from leaking from the chamber and/or the fluid tube into the aerosol generating unit and the aerosol generating device. Therefore, the sealing means can ensure that the aerosol generating unit is fluid tight. This can help prevent damage to other parts of the aerosol generating unit that are not intended to come into contact with the aerosol. This can help extend the life of the aerosol generating device.

The sealant may comprise an O-ring. The sealing means may comprise any other suitable device capable of sealing against the fluid. The aerosol generating device may comprise a plurality of sealing means. Sealing means may be provided at each end of the fluid tube in the fluid passage. Therefore, both ends of the fluid passage can be fluid tight.

The mouthpiece may be detachable from the aerosol generating unit. Therefore, the mouthpiece may include a removable detachable means. The removable detachment means may comprise a screw mechanism. Once the mouthpiece is disconnected from the aerosol generating unit, the fluid tube portion can be opened. The open portion of the fluid tube may be used to remove the chamber from the aerosol generating unit. Therefore, the chamber may be removable from the aerosol generating device by means of a fluid tube to move the chamber through an opening in the aerosol generating device.

The fluid tube may be attached to the device.

In some embodiments, the chamber and fluid conduit are integral. That is, the chamber and the fluid tube form a single component. In other embodiments, the chamber and fluid tube are rigidly attached to each other. Thus, the chamber and the fluid tube can be inserted into and removed from the aerosol generating device together. This simplifies assembly and disassembly of the device, since the user has to remove and reinstall fewer components. Advantageously, fewer components and a simple design provide a device that is easier for the user to clean.

By providing a single component of the chamber and fluid conduit, an airtight connection between the chamber, fluid conduit and fluid passage is achieved. Advantageously, the single component eliminates the need for the user to properly seal two separate components when assembling the device. Therefore, the single component ensures that there is no air gap between the chamber and the fluid passage.

In some embodiments, the fluid passage and/or fluid conduit may comprise a low thermal conductivity material whose thermal conductivity is lower than that of the material from which the chamber is made. The low thermal conductivity material may be a heat resistant plastic. The material of which the chamber is made may contain metal such as stainless steel. By providing a fluid passage and/or a fluid conduit and a chamber containing materials having different thermal conductivity, a thermal break is created between the fluid passage or fluid conduit and the chamber. The thermal break prevents heat from spreading up the fluid passage from the chamber. This helps the aerosol generated in the chamber from the aerosol generating agent to be sufficiently cooled in a short period of time. Rapid cooling of the aerosol ensures that the aerosol reaches a temperature suitable for inhalation by the user by the time the aerosol reaches the mouthpiece.

According to another aspect, a method is provided for removing a chamber from an aerosol generating device, the method comprising the steps of providing the aerosol generating device comprising an opening and removably inserting the chamber into the aerosol generating device through the opening in the device, wherein the chamber is configured to receive a substance to generate aerosol.

- 4 039855

Brief description of graphic materials

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an aerosol generating device including a detachable chamber;

fig. 2 is a schematic view of an aerosol generating device comprising a removable chamber;

fig. 3 is a schematic view of an aerosol generating device comprising a removable chamber;

fig. 4 is a schematic view of an aerosol generating device including a removable chamber;

fig. 5 is a schematic view of an alternate fluid passage in an aerosol generating device; and fig. 6 is a schematic view of an alternative aerosol generating device comprising a removable chamber.

Detailed description

The portable aerosol generating device 2 according to the present invention is shown generally in FIG. 1. The aerosol generating device 2 is a hand held device, by which the inventors mean that the device can be held and supported by the user alone in one hand. The apparatus 2 includes a chamber 4 for containing the aerosol generating agent, an aerosol generating unit 6 for generating an aerosol from the aerosol generating agent, and a mouthpiece 8. The aerosol generating unit 6 heats the aerosol generating agent inside the chamber 4 to generate an aerosol. The aerosol may then be inhaled by the user at the mouthpiece 8. The aerosol generating agent may include at least one of tobacco, a humectant, glycerin, and propylene glycol. However, other volatiles can be used from which a vapor or aerosol can be generated.

The user inhales the aerosol by drawing air into the device 2 through the chamber 4 containing the aerosol generating agent and out of the mouthpiece 8 as the chamber 4 heats up. Heating is achieved by a chamber 4 located in a heating portion 10 of the aerosol generating unit 6 surrounded by a heating element or heater 12. The chamber 4 is in fluid communication with an air inlet 14 formed in the aerosol generating device 2 and an outlet air hole 16 in the mouthpiece 8 when the device 2 is assembled. Air is drawn through the device by the application of negative pressure, which is typically created by the user drawing in air from an air outlet.

The aerosol generating unit 6 comprises a generally cylindrical body having a first end 18 and a second end 20. The first end 18 is substantially opposite the second end 20 of the unit 6. The heating portion 10 is located at the first end 18 of the unit 6 as can be seen more clearly in Fig. 3.

Heating portion 10 is substantially surrounded by heater 12. Heater 12 is a resistance heater, however, any other suitable form of heating mechanism may be used instead.

The heating part 10 in the block 6 forms an opening 26 in the block 6, so the heating part 10 can receive the heating chamber 4 through the opening 26. Therefore, the heating part 10 is shaped to match the shape of the heating chamber 4. In particular, the inner surface of the heating chamber 4 part 10 substantially corresponds to the top surface of the heating chamber 4. Therefore, there is an interference fit between the heating part 10 and the chamber 4. As a result, the chamber 4 is held in place by friction. Therefore, movement or movement of the chamber 4 relative to the inside of the heating portion 10 is prevented while the aerosol generating device 2 is in use.

The heating chamber 4 has a generally cylindrical shape having a first end 22 and a second end 24. The first end 22 is open and the second end 24 is closed. Therefore, the chamber 4 has essentially the shape of a cap.

When the chamber 4 is inserted into the heating portion 10 of the aerosol generating unit 6, the open end 22 of the chamber 4 coincides with the opening 26 in the aerosol generating unit 6 formed by the heating portion 10.

As indicated, chamber 4 is designed to contain an aerosol generating agent. The user places the aerosol generating agent into the chamber 4 through the opening 26 in the aerosol generating unit 6 .

To ensure that the aerosol generating substance does not fall out of the chamber 4, the opening 26 in the aerosol generating unit 6 is sealed with a cover 28. Therefore, the cover acts as a damper. The lid 28 also ensures that the aerosol generating substance is sealed against the environment to ensure efficient aerosol generation from the aerosol generating substance.

The damper 28 is attached to the outer surface of the aerosol generating unit 6 at the first end 18 of the aerosol generating unit 6 . In this example, damper 28 is attached to block 6, generating

- 5 039855 sprayer, using a sliding mechanism. The first end of the aerosol generating unit 6 includes a guide on which the slider on the shutter 28 is slidably located. aerosol generating unit 6 and chamber 4, the user pushes the shutter 28 back along the guide towards the opening 26 until the opening 28 is completely closed. The damper 28 is held in place by a removable locking mechanism to prevent shifting to open the damper 28 when the aerosol generating device 2 is in use. As will be apparent, the sliding mechanism may comprise more than one guide. As will be apparent, although the flap is described as being attached by a sliding mechanism, in some examples a pivotal connection, such as a swivel, may be used instead.

In this example, the air inlets 14 are located in the shutter 28 so that when the chamber 4 is sealed, the user can draw air into the chamber 4 and through the aerosol generating unit 6 towards the mouthpiece 8. Therefore, the chamber 4 is in fluid communication. atmosphere when damper 28 is closed by providing air inlets 14.

In another example, the air inlets 14 are located inside the main body of the aerosol generating unit 6 between the damper 28 and the chamber 4. In this case, the air inlets 14 are provided in the form of grooves that extend from the heating part 10 towards the outer surface of the unit. 6 generating aerosol. Therefore, when the damper 28 is closed, air can still be drawn into the chamber 4 through the air inlets 14.

Therefore, in both examples, when shutter 28 is closed, chamber 4 remains in fluid communication with the atmosphere to allow air to be drawn into the chamber through air inlets 14.

The closed end 24 of the chamber 4 includes a small opening 30. The opening 30 is located substantially centrally in the closed end 24 of the chamber 4. The opening 30 in the chamber 4 allows the generated aerosol to exit the chamber 4. The width of the opening 30 is less than the overall width of the chamber 4. For example, cylindrical chamber 4 will have a closed end 24 whose opening 30 has a diameter smaller than that of chamber 4. As can be seen by way of example in FIG. 3, opening 30 in chamber 4 is substantially less than the overall width of the closed end 24 of chamber 4. This provides a controlled outlet for the aerosol to exit chamber 4 and concentrates the aerosol into a jet for inhalation by the user.

Chamber opening 30 is in fluid communication with mouthpiece 8 providing a passageway for the user to inhale the aerosol generated in chamber 4. Fluid passageway 32, which acts as a vapor passageway, connects chamber opening 30 to mouthpiece 8. Fluid passageway 32 environment is located essentially in the center of the block 6 that generates the aerosol, and is located essentially on the same axis with the longitudinal axis of the block 6 that generates the aerosol. Fluid passage 32 is substantially straight, providing the shortest path between chamber 4 and mouthpiece 8. Straight passage 32 also reduces the chance of aerosol condensation on the interior walls of fluid passage 32 at bends or curvatures in passage 32.

Inside the passage is a tube 34 for the fluid. The fluid tube may also be referred to as a steam tube. The tube 34 provides a fluid connection between the chamber 4 and the mouthpiece 8. The aerosol generated in the chamber 4 can flow along the tube 34 from the chamber 4 to the air outlet 16 in the mouthpiece 8.

The fluid tube 34 has a length that is greater than the length of the fluid passage 32. Therefore, when the tube 34 is located in the passage 32, the end 36 of the tube 34 protrudes outward from the passage 32. The protruding end 36 extends into the mouthpiece 8, as can be seen, for example, in FIG. 1. The provision of a protruding tube 34 ensures that the aerosol is completely transferred to the mouthpiece 8 for inhalation by the user.

The fluid tube 34 is insertable into and removed from the fluid passage 32 through an opening 26 in the aerosol generating unit 6. Therefore, both the fluid tube 34 and the chamber 4 are inserted into the aerosol generating unit 6 through the same opening 26, which keeps the design of the device 2 simple and ensures that all components of the aerosol generating device 2 are correctly positioned on the the same axis with each other to facilitate the flow of the aerosol within the aerosol generating unit 6.

To prevent the tube 34 from the aerosol generating unit 6 from falling out or moving, a tight fit is provided between the outer surface of the fluid tube 34 and the inner surface of the fluid passage 32. Therefore, the fluid tube 34 is held in place by friction. The friction fit also prevents tube 34 from falling out of opening 26 when chamber 4 is removed from aerosol generating unit 6.

Between the other end 38 of the tube 34 and the chamber 4 is a sealing means 40 for sealing the connection between the chamber 4 and the fluid tube 34 in the fluid passage 32. The sealing means 40 is an O-ring as shown in FIG. 1 and 2.

- 6 039855

The sealing means 40 keeps the aerosol generating unit 6 fluid-tight and ensures that the aerosol is contained within the aerosol generating unit 6.

The sealing means 40 may be removed from the aerosol generating unit 6 in order to allow the fluid tube 34 to be removed from the fluid passage 32.

The mouthpiece 8 can also be detached from the aerosol generating unit 6. The mouthpiece 8 is attached to the aerosol generating unit 6 by means of removable attachment means such as a screw mechanism. When the mouthpiece 8 is attached to the aerosol generating unit 6, the fluid tube 32 is in fluid communication with the air outlet 16 in the mouthpiece 8. When the mouthpiece 8 is detached from the aerosol generating unit 6, the protruding end 36 of the fluid tube 34 environment is open and available to the user.

To remove the chamber 4 from the aerosol generating unit 6, the user first removes the cover 28 from the first end 18 of the aerosol generating unit 6 to depressurize the opening 26 in the aerosol generating unit 6. This opens chamber 4 through opening 26 and provides free passage for chamber 4 to exit heating portion 10 as shown in FIG. 2.

The user then removes the mouthpiece 8 from the second end 20 of the aerosol generating unit 6, for example by unscrewing the mouthpiece 8. This exposes the end 36 of the fluid tube 34 that protrudes from the aerosol generating unit 6 as shown in FIG. 3.

To remove the chamber 4, the user then presses on the open end 36 of the fluid tube 34. The open end 36 of the tube 34 is pushed towards the main body of the aerosol generating unit 6 until the end 36 of the fluid tube 34 is flush with the end 20 of the aerosol generating unit 6 . By pressing the end 36 of the fluid tube 34, the tube 34 is forced through the fluid passage 32 and presses against the sealing means 40, which in turn presses against the closed end 24 of the chamber 4. The fluid tube 34 moves the seal 40 and the chamber 4 so that both of them can be removed through the opening 26 in the aerosol generating unit 6.

The user can then grasp the first end 38 of the fluid tube 34, which is now open within the heating portion 10, and pull the fluid tube 34 out of the fluid passage 32 through the opening 26 in the aerosol generating unit 6 as shown in FIG. 4. The user can then clean the fluid tube 24 and the heating chamber 4.

To reassemble the device 2, the user first inserts the fluid tube 34 into the fluid passage 32 through the opening 26 in the aerosol generating unit 6. The user pushes the fluid tube 34 all the way into the fluid passage 32 until the second end 36 of the tube 34 protrudes from the mouth end 20 of the aerosol generating unit 6. The user then inserts the seal 40 and then the chamber 4 through the same hole 26.

Once the seal 40 and chamber 4 are in place, the user can reseal the opening 26 by closing the shutter 28. The user can also reattach the mouthpiece 8 to the other end 20 of the aerosol generating unit 6. The aerosol generating device 2 is thus completely reassembled and ready for use.

In other examples, a second sealing means 42 is provided on the protruding end 36 of the fluid tube 34, as can be seen in FIG. 5. The second sealing means 42 is another O-ring and seals the connection between the fluid passage 32, the fluid tube 34 and the mouthpiece 8.

In FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of a portable aerosol generating device 200. In a manner similar to that previously described, heating is achieved by chamber 204 surrounded by a heating element, or heater, 212. In some embodiments, heating element 212 is a flexible sheet heating element. The walls of the chamber 204 are made of stainless steel. The stainless steel efficiently conducts heat from the heating element 212 to the chamber 204 to heat the aerosol generating agent within the chamber 204.

As previously described, chamber 204 includes opening 230 in fluid communication with mouthpiece 208 through fluid passage 232. The fluid tube portion 234 that connects the chamber opening 230 to the mouthpiece 208 and is located within the fluid passage 232 is integral with the chamber 204, as can be seen in FIG. 6. That is, the fluid tube 234 and chamber 204 form an integrated chamber and airflow tube assembly 214. This block 214 is configured to be inserted into and removed from the fluid passage 232 in the aerosol generating block 206 in the manner described previously. The aerosol generating device 200 of this embodiment therefore contains fewer individual components, making it easier to assemble and disassemble the device. The single airflow chamber and tube assembly 214 also provides a strong, fluid-tight connection between the chamber 204 and the fluid tube 234. This ensures that substantially all of the aerosol generated in the chamber 204 can be inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece 208. Further, the chance of any aerosol leaking into the aerosol generating device 200 is greatly reduced.

The fluid tube portion 234 of the airflow tube block 214 is made of

- 7 039855 material having a lower thermal conductivity than the material from which the chamber 204 is made. Therefore, a thermal break is introduced into the block 214 at the point where the chamber 204 and the fluid tube portion 234 are connected together. The thermal break prevents or reduces heat transfer from the chamber 204 up the fluid tube portion 234. This ensures that the temperature inside the fluid tube portion 234 is lower than the temperature inside the chamber 204. This contributes to efficient cooling of the aerosol.

CLAIM

Claims (15)

CLAIM 1. A portable aerosol generating device for inhaling an aerosol by a user, the device comprising a chamber configured to receive an aerosol generating substance and an aerosol generating unit configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating substance, the chamber being configured to a removable insert into the device through an opening in the device, wherein said aerosol generating device also comprises a mouthpiece and a fluid passageway, the chamber being capable of being connected to the mouthpiece by means of a fluid passageway, and a fluid tube configured to be removable inserts in the fluid passage. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening is located in the aerosol generating unit, and wherein the chamber is releasably inserted into the aerosol generating unit through the opening. 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening is closable. 4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber is configured to receive an aerosol generating agent through the opening. 5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber contains an opening. 6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid tube is removably inserted into the fluid passage through an opening in the aerosol generating device. 7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the fluid tube is greater than the length of the fluid passage. 8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one sealing means for sealing between the fluid tube and the fluid passage or the fluid tube and the chamber. 9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the chamber is removable from the aerosol generating device by using a fluid tube to move the chamber through an opening in the device. 10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the fluid tube is attached to the device. 11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the chamber and the fluid tube are integrally formed. 12. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the fluid tube comprises a low thermal conductivity material, the thermal conductivity of which is less than that of the material from which the chamber is made. 13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the apparatus comprises an induction heater having an electromagnetic inductor surrounding or adjacent to the chamber. 14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that the chamber contains a current collector. 15. A method for removably inserting a chamber into a portable aerosol generating device for inhaling an aerosol by a user according to any one of claims 1 to 14, said method comprising the steps of removably inserting a fluid tube into a fluid passage and removably inserting a camera through an opening in device in such a way as to ensure the connection of the specified chamber with the mouthpiece of the device through the passage for the fluid.