EA041019B1 - STEAM GENERATING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a heating unit for a steam generating device. Devices that heat rather than burn a substance to form inhaled vapor have become popular with consumers in recent years.

Such devices may use one of a number of different approaches to transferring heat to a substance to generate steam. One such approach is a steam generating device that supplies heat to a removable body containing an aerosol generating material. In such a device, proximity of the heat source to the body is generally desirable in order to maximize the thermal energy transferred from the heat source of the device to the aerosol generating material. Ideally, the removable body is in contact with the heat source to maximize heat transfer efficiency. However, in practice this may make it difficult to remove the spent body because the spent aerosol generating material may adhere to the heat source and/or its movement may be restricted due to friction. In addition, one or more of the heat sources and the aerosol generating material can often retain a significant amount of heat after use, presenting a risk of scalding the user when attempting to remove the spent bulk.

Attempts have been made to reduce the negative impact of this problem by creating devices using removable main parts having a double wall system: one wall for the heat source and the other for containing the aerosol generating material. However, due to the increased distance between the heat source and the aerosol generating material, such a solution may result in poor heat transfer capability and longer heating time in some cases, and may also increase the cost of consumables including the aerosol generating material.

In addition, there is a growing demand for devices that allow users to quickly replace spent aerosol generating material to ensure freshness and high quality vapor production. However, it is often difficult for consumers to determine when their current aerosol generating material has been used up and needs to be replaced. One solution is to implement a puff counter, which helps keep the user informed of the usage of the aerosol generating material. However, such puff counters often lack the ability to detect the introduction of a new body of aerosol generating material.

The invention is directed to eliminating at least one of the above problems.

Brief description of the invention

According to a first aspect, a heating unit is provided for a vapor generating device, the heating unit comprising: a heating chamber configured to contain an aerosol generating medium; a heater, in use located to provide heating of the heating chamber; and an ejector, in use, configured to controllably eject the aerosol generating medium from the heating chamber.

In the heating unit according to the first aspect, when the device user wishes to remove the aerosol generating medium in use, he can simply actuate the pusher to eject the aerosol generating medium from the heating chamber of the device. This allows for quick and easy removal of the aerosol generating medium without the need for excessive user interaction with the device. The use of the ejector also avoids the risk of the user having to get close to any heated elements. This allows the aerosol generating medium to be placed in close proximity to or in contact with the surface of the heating chamber while eliminating some of the problems noted above.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a method for detecting the actuation of the pusher while maintaining a simple and reliable design of the device as a whole. This goal is achieved by a driver configuration comprising electrical contacts and by having a detector configured to detect actuation of the driver, as detailed below.

The aerosol generating medium may be provided in one or more different forms. The aerosol generating medium may be a capsule that contains an aerosol generating substance within a breathable material. Any material containing an aerosol generating agent may have a high air permeability to allow air to flow through the high temperature resistant material. Examples of suitable breathable materials include cellulose fibers, paper, cotton and silk. The breathable material may also act as a filter. Alternatively, the aerosol generating medium may be an aerosol generating substance wrapped in paper.

Alternatively, the medium may be an aerosol generating material contained within a material that is not breathable, but which contains an appropriate perforation or opening to allow air to flow. Alternatively, the medium may be the bulk of the aerosol generating material itself. Preferably the main part is a mousse or foam of an aerosol generating agent. Alternatively, the medium may be formed substantially in the form of a stick, which may contain a mouthpiece filter. In such

- 1 041019 case, the medium may be a sheet, for example a paper-wrapped material generating an aerosol.

Preferably, the aerosol generating medium may be the main body containing the aerosol generating substance. The aerosol generating agent may be any suitable aerosol generating agent. Preferably, the aerosol generating substance is capable of forming an aerosol when heated. The substance may be a solid or semi-solid. Typically, the substance may contain material of plant origin, and in particular, the substance may contain tobacco. Exemplary types of aerosol generating solids include powder, granules, grains, filaments, porous material, foam, or sheets. Alternatively, the aerosol generating medium may comprise a cartridge or capsule containing a solid, semi-solid, or liquid substance.

Preferably, the aerosol generating agent may contain an aerosol generating agent. Examples of aerosol forming agents include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof such as glycerol or propylene glycol. When an aerosol generating agent is included, typically the aerosol generating agent may have an aerosolizing agent content of from about 5% to about 50% based on dry weight. Preferably, the aerosol generating agent may have an aerosol generating agent content of about 15% based on dry weight.

Typically, the body contains a humectant or tobacco containing moisture. Preferably, the body contains one or more of a humectant, tobacco, glycerin, and propylene glycol. Typically, the bulk may contain a percentage of a volatilizable or aerosolizable liquid (preferably a humectant such as propylene glycol and/or glycerin, but possibly additionally including other aerosolizable liquids such as water or ethanol, etc. .), exceeding 20 wt.%. In this context, 100% by weight is equal to the combined weight of the liquid and the vaporizable or aerosolizable substance such as tobacco, humectant and/or plant material.

Aspects of the present invention are particularly useful when, for example, the aerosol generating medium contains a major portion of tobacco foam. Typically, the bulk may contain from about 40 to 70 wt.% humectant. Such a body may contain a significant amount of moisture, which makes it difficult to manually remove the body from the heating chamber of the steam generating apparatus due to the body sticking to the walls of the heating chamber. Aspects of the present invention make it possible to easily remove such main parts from the device by actuating the ejector.

The heating assembly further comprises a detector, in use, configured to detect actuation of the ejector. The detector may be connected to other components of the device in order to activate certain functions of the device. For example, the detector may be configured to send a signal to the control module in response to detecting actuation of the ejector. This arrangement allows the device to perform different actions depending on the state or actuation of the detector. For example, specific device functions may depend on the state or actuation of the detector.

One of the preferred functions of the detector arrangement that sends a control signal to the control module when it detects the actuation of the ejector, may be to control the number of refills that the user can make. This can be advantageous from a safety point of view as it prevents the user from introducing unsuitable substances into the device. For example, the control module may be configured to read information from the packet of relevant portions of the aerosol generating medium and, based on this information, determine the expected number of times the user will eject in order to consume the entire number of portions associated with the (read) packet. This may then form the main part to control the device to allow the device to only perform the appropriate amount of emissions before a warning can be issued that the user needs to purchase a new package of parts and possibly take additional action such as preventing the device from operating any further. (in terms of heating the heating chamber enough to generate steam from the corresponding part of the aerosol generating medium) until a new packet is read by the device.

The steam generating device may be provided with a puff counter. A puff counter can typically be implemented to detect when a user inhales the vapor generated by the device or takes a puff on the vapor. Such an implementation can be achieved, for example, with sensors designed to detect the inhalation of air from the device, or with sensors installed to detect the use of a heater. Information from the puff counter can be used to activate certain functions in the device, and can also be used to provide useful information to the user, for example through a puff indicator or puff count indicator.

- 2 041019

One useful function of the puff counter is that the user can be informed of the number of puffs taken on a certain major portion of the aerosol generating medium in the chamber. When the bulk of the aerosol generating medium is ejected by the driver, the existing number of puffs can be reset. Typically, the control module may be configured to reset the puff counter in the vapor generating device in response to detecting actuation of the ejector. This arrangement allows the puff counter to be easily updated by using the aerosol generating material held within the device without the need for additional detection mechanisms, resulting in a lightweight and simple evaporation system that allows the user to monitor the status of the aerosol generating material contained therein.

The actuation of the driver may be detected by the detector through one or more approaches. The detector may be adapted to determine the position or orientation of the driver to determine when the driver has been actuated. The driver preferably comprises one or more electrical contacts, and the detector, in use, is configured to detect actuation of the driver based on the position of said one or more electrical contacts. For example, in a simple implementation, the detector may comprise one or more open circuits, and actuation of the ejector may place the electrical contacts of the ejector in a position or orientation such as to complete one or more open circuits in the detector. This arrangement provides a simple, rugged and reliable detector for detecting the actuation of the ejector.

At the same time, the pusher can be of any shape and size, and usually the pusher contains a tubular part. The tubular portion can typically be configured to have a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the steam generating device and can be used to provide extension away from the source of the ejection force. One or more electrical contacts may be located on the tubular part of the ejector. Such an arrangement enables efficient use of space, resulting in a simple structure of the device. The tubular portion may form an aerosol passage, as described below.

Typically, the heating chamber includes an opening, and the pusher, in use, is configured to push the aerosol generating medium towards the opening of the chamber. The hole may remain permanently exposed. Alternatively, the opening may be closed with a removable or retractable cover.

According to another aspect, a steam generating device is provided, comprising a heating assembly according to any of the above aspects. By using a heating unit having ejection capability, it is possible to provide an efficient steam generating apparatus which allows the user to easily remove and replace the aerosol generating material and which can quickly and reliably provide high quality steam.

The steam generating device may include an air inlet configured to supply air to the heating chamber. The steam generating device may further comprise a steam passage to carry the steam generated in the heating chamber from the heating chamber to the air outlet. At least part of the steam passage may be formed by a pusher. This allows for a compact design. In use, ambient air may enter the heating chamber of the heating unit through the air inlet. The vapor generated by the transfer of heat from the heater to the aerosol generating medium may then be carried by air into the heating chamber. The air may then be drawn from the heating chamber through the air outlet into the user's mouth for inhalation. The device may be provided with a mouthpiece in communication with an air outlet to facilitate inhalation by the user of the vapor generated by the device.

According to another aspect, a steam generating device is provided, comprising: a heating assembly according to any of the above aspects; and an air passage for transferring air from the air inlet to the heating chamber, wherein at least a portion of the air passage is formed by a pusher. The apparatus may further comprise a steam passage to transfer steam generated in the heating chamber from the heating chamber to an air outlet, wherein at least a portion of the steam passage is formed by a pusher.

At the same time, the driver forms part of the air passage, and when actuated, the driver may typically need to move relative to the rest of the air passage. The air passage may comprise a gasket and the pusher may be sealed within the passage with the gasket when the device is operating to generate steam. The gasket may be used to provide a fluid-tight seal within the passage, typically between the driver and other components of the passage, to allow a smooth and controlled flow of air and vapor through the device.

Typically, the pusher may be configured to eject the aerosol generating medium towards the outlet of the device. This arrangement can typically result in

- 3 041019 alignment in the direction of movement of the aerosol generating medium when ejected with the direction of the flow of air and vapor flowing through the device.

The device may further comprise a switch capable of actuating the ejector. Typically, the switch may comprise a sliding link mechanism comprising a sliding handle hinged to the lever, and the lever may be connected to the pusher such that movement of the sliding handle causes movement of the pusher. Actuating the driver may cause the driver to move in the direction of air flow through the device. Alternatively, or in combination, the switch may comprise an electromechanical system configured to actuate the ejector. Such an electromechanical system may include, for example, a motor to provide motorized actuation of the ejector and/or other components of the device.

The driver may eject the aerosol generating medium in one of a variety of ways. The pusher may apply force to the aerosol generating medium to accelerate ejection of the aerosol generating medium from the heating chamber. The force may be applied by the surface of the ejector. Typically, the driver may include a protrusion that, in use, is configured to apply force to the aerosol generating medium. This allows the force applied by the driver to the aerosol generating medium to match each actuation. The protrusion may have substantially the same cross-sectional shape and size as the cross-sectional shape and size of the heating chamber. This arrangement ensures that the driver is capable of ejecting all of the aerosol generating medium into the interior of the chamber when actuated.

At the same time, the protrusion can be of any shape and size, and usually the protrusion can contain two main surfaces. The protrusion may comprise a contact surface, configured to come into contact with the aerosol generating medium in use, and a passive surface. The protrusion contact surface may be a point of contact between the driver and the aerosol generating medium at which force from the driver is applied to the aerosol generating medium to accelerate ejection of the aerosol generating medium from the chamber. The passive surface of the protrusion may be opposite the contact surface. The passive surface may define a space in a steam generating device, the space forming part of the steam passage. The air flow path may provide fluid communication between the contact surface and the passive surface. This arrangement allows the steam generated in the heating chamber to be effectively communicated to the user.

Typically, the protrusion may be connected to the tubular part of the ejector. The tubular portion may form a steam passage that communicates with the space defined by the passive surface. This arrangement allows the steam generated in the heating chamber to be more effectively communicated to the user while still providing a simple design.

The airflow path of the protrusion may provide fluid communication of the contact surface with both the space and the steam passage of the tubular portion.

At the same time, the heating chamber may be attached to the heating unit, and in general, the heating chamber may be a detachable chamber. Removal of the heating chamber allows for easy cleaning and maintenance of the chamber, and allows the replacement of a part if necessary. The heating chamber can be manually removed by the user. Alternatively, the ejector in use can also be configured to eject the removable chamber. Since the pusher can better apply force to remove the heating chamber, this allows the heating chamber to better secure the heating assembly, further improving the performance of the device.

In such a case, the ejector is capable of ejecting both the aerosol generating medium and the heating unit. The user can select which components are to be ejected before actuating the ejector. This can be achieved with a switch or with an ejector whose action depends on its position or orientation. The pusher can be adjusted to the first and second positions, arranged so that the user can, in use, select the item to be ejected based on the position of the pusher. For example, the driver in the first position may be configured to eject the aerosol generating medium in use, and the driver in the second position may be configured to eject the heating chamber in use. This arrangement provides the user with flexibility and greatly simplifies use. By taking advantage of the position or orientation of the ejector as a mechanism for selecting which component is to be ejected from the heater assembly, the apparatus can be efficiently and compactly designed while still providing efficient performance of the removable heater chamber.

In practice, the vapor generating device can typically be loaded with a consumable material, such as an aerosol generating medium, which can be heated by the device to produce an aerosol or vapor inhaled by the user. As noted above, different aerosol generating consumables may provide different user experiences when inhaled with the device. Differences in inhalation experience may include, for example, differences in taste, nicotine content, smoke profile, and combinations thereof. Each consumable type can be associated with data specific to its type, such as recommended heat profile, recommended maximum puffs, and estimated shelf life.

In addition, consumables may be sold in bags containing multiple consumables (for example, in the form of mousse portions). Data related to the consumable may be provided, for example, on the packaging of the consumable. Data may be provided via text, QR code, RFID tags and/or other means of communication.

The steam generating device may include a communication unit configured to provide communication of parameters related to the operation of the device. Such settings may contain data related to the consumable to be used with the device. The communication unit may include an interface to allow the user to manually enter, for example, specific data related to consumables. Alternatively, or in combination, the communication unit may employ one or more communication methods to receive or transmit parameters. This may include, for example, WiFi standards, Bluetooth communication, RFID communication, Quick Response (QR) code communication, and character recognition techniques. The communication unit may communicate via an intermediate device, such as a smartphone, which in turn may include means for scanning a package containing appropriate consumable items. For example, a smartphone may include an application (or something similar, such as a progressive web application (PWA)), with which it can read the characters (such as a QR code) printed on the package, or the RFID tag embedded in the package. , and may then transmit this information, or information derived therefrom, to the device (eg, via a short range communication protocol such as Bluetooth, etc.).

With such a communication unit, the user can easily enter data related to the consumable he wishes to use with the device. The data may be stored in the device's memory, which may be built into the control module or provided separately. The device can then operate according to the entered data. For example, the heater can automatically adjust the heating time and temperature according to the input recommended heating profile of the consumable. The heater may also be configured to limit or stop its operation in accordance with the number of puffs read by the puff counter and the maximum recommended number of consumable puffs entered.

In one exemplary device, the ejector may be configured to eject a consumable when the consumable is deemed to be fully used or expired. For example, the ejector may be configured to automatically eject the consumable when the puff count reaches the maximum recommended number of puffs with the consumable, or if the consumable's estimated expiration time is thought to have been reached. Such controlled operation of the device may be performed by a control module or a separate processor installed on the device.

With such customized operating capabilities, the steam generating device can be optimally controlled to ensure safe and reliable steam generation while providing improved steam generation quality with each consumable.

In addition, as a security measure, the device may limit the number of times a user can use the device to generate an aerosol based (at least in part) on the number of pusher activations (hereinafter also referred to as ejection moments); Preferably, in addition to information on the number of ejection points detected, the limit on the number of times a user can use the aerosol generating device can also be based on the total heating duration between detected ejection points, etc. For example, if the data read from the package of the corresponding consumables items indicate that it contains X consumable items, then after, say, detecting X+Y ejection points (where Y is a number such as 2 to account for erroneous ejection points), the user may be informed that continued use of the device requires reading a new package of appropriate consumables. Then, in some embodiments, after such notification is provided to the user, further use of the aerosol generating device may be prevented until a new pack of appropriate consumables is read by the communication unit.

The heating duration information between ejection moments can also be used to prevent reading extra ejection moments, such as when the user needs to use multiple ejection activations to completely remove a spent consumable, which would count as only one ejection moment in certain embodiments. Similarly, if the user discards one part of the consumable before the user has completely used up the aerosol-forming substrate (for example, to replace it with another

- 5 041019 consumable (for example, having a different taste), and then wants to re-insert a partially used consumable), then such intermediate emissions may also not be considered emission points in certain embodiments.

Steam generating devices according to the various aspects disclosed above may use any combination of features from any of the other aspects as set forth above and apply those features to one or more respective components to provide similar benefits.

The proposed heating unit and steam generating device provide the ability to detect the activation of the ejector in a simple and reliable way, which allows the device to perform various actions depending on the state or actuation of the detector while maintaining a simple and reliable design of the device as a whole.

Brief description of graphic materials

An example of a steam generating device and a heating unit will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of a device generating steam, in general, in an exploded configuration;

in fig. 2A is a schematic close-up view of an example of a steam generating device in a first assembled configuration;

in fig. 2B is a schematic close-up view of an example of a steam generating device in a second assembled configuration;

in fig. 3A is a schematic close-up view of an example of a steam generating device in a first assembled configuration;

in fig. 3B is a schematic close-up view of an example of a steam generating device in a second assembled configuration;

in fig. 4 schematically shows the components of an exemplary steam generating device in a generally exploded configuration;

in fig. 5A is a schematic close-up view of an example of a steam generating device in a first assembled configuration;

in fig. 5B is a schematic close-up view of an example of a steam generating device in a second assembled configuration;

in fig. 5C is a schematic close-up view of an example of a steam generating device in a third assembled configuration;

in fig. 6A is a schematic illustration of an example of a steam generating device in a first assembled configuration;

in fig. 6B schematically shows an example of a steam generating device in a second assembled configuration;

in fig. 7A is a schematic illustration of an example of a steam generating device in a first assembled configuration;

in fig. 7B is a schematic illustration of an example of a steam generating device in a second assembled configuration.

Detailed description

An example of a steam generating device in an exploded configuration as a whole is shown in FIG. 1. The device that generates steam contains a heating unit 1 and an ejector 2.

The vapor generating device is configured to heat the main part of the aerosol generating medium 3 to produce vapor to be inhaled by the user. In this example, the body 3 contains a tubular semi-solid mousse of tobacco material. The semi-solid mousse contains tobacco foam. Tobacco foam typically contains many fine tobacco particles and may also typically contain some volume of water and/or a moisturizing additive such as a humectant. Foamed tobacco may be porous and may allow air or steam to flow through the foam. Although the following examples will be described with reference to the tobacco body 3, it should be understood that the body 3 may alternatively contain other suitable substances and structures containing an aerosol generating material or substance.

The heating unit 1 includes a heating chamber 10 configured to accommodate the main part of the aerosol generating medium 3. In this example, the heating unit 1 is typically cylindrical in shape and the aerosol generating medium 3 is cylindrical or tubular. The heating chamber 10 is shaped and arranged to tightly accommodate the main part 3 of the aerosol generating medium. The word tight in this context means that the dimensions (depth, diameter, height, etc.) of the heating chamber 10 approximately correspond to the dimensions of the main body 3.

A heater 11 is provided in the heating unit 1 and, in use, is configured to provide heating to the chamber 10. In this example, the heater 11 is a resistive heater that is heated by the Joule effect when a current is passed. In other examples

- 6 041019 the heater 11 may have various mechanisms for supplying heat to the heating chamber, for example by means of induction heating. Although not shown in the figures, the heater 11 is typically connected to an electrical power source such as a rechargeable battery. The heater 11 in this example is configured to supply heat to the central part of the heating chamber 10. In other words, the heat generated by the heater 11 is generally directed inward towards the central longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 10. This can be achieved, for example, by providing thermal insulation on the outer peripheral surface of the heater 11.

The heating chamber 10 and the heater 11 are arranged such that when the main body 3 of the aerosol generating medium is inserted and held in the chamber 10 in use, the main body 3 is in close proximity to the inner wall of the heating chamber 10. Preferably, the main body 3 is located at used in contact with the inner wall of the heating chamber 10. This ensures that the distance between the heater 11 and the body 3 is kept to a minimum in order to maximize heat transfer from the heater 11 to the body 3.

The chamber 10 includes an opening 13 which, in this example, is covered by a lid 12 having at least one opening. In use, the lid opening 12 acts as an air inlet to allow ambient air to enter the chamber. The cover 12 is retracted to open the opening. In use, the body 3 of the aerosol generating material to be vaporized can be inserted by the user into the heating unit 1 through the opening 13. The cover 12 ensures that the main body 3 is securely fixed by the heating chamber 10. In addition, the cover 12 closes the heating chamber 10 in such a way that that in use the heat from the heater 11 is better retained inside the chamber 10. The retraction of the lid 12 can be manually controlled by the user. Alternatively, cover 12 can be opened and closed in accordance with other functions (described below) of the device. Cover 12 in this example contains a hinge mechanism. At the same time, opening 13 shown in FIG. 1 is shown at the distal end (lower end in the figure), while in other examples, opening 13 is located at the proximal end (upper end in the figure) of the device.

The pusher 2 is generally elongated, as shown in FIG. 1 and includes a tubular portion 20 and a protrusion 21. In this example, the pusher 2 is generally in the form of a piston. The tubular portion 20 in this example is hollow, which means that its cross section has a hole passing through it. The hollow central axis of the tubular portion 20 forms part of a steam passage that can be accessed to provide fluid communication through openings 25 in the tubular portion 20. The steam passage provides a path for the steam stream generated in the heating chamber to supply steam to the user. when the user puffs on the device.

Although an aerosol generating medium will generally 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 substance that is formed when an aerosol generating medium is heated. .

The protrusion 21 is located at one extreme end of the tubular portion 20 and has a flat circular shape. The cross-sectional profile of the projection 21 corresponds to the cross-sectional profile of the heating chamber 10. In other words, when located inside the heating assembly 1 in use, the peripheral edge of the projection is in close proximity to or actually in contact with the inner wall of the heating chamber 10. The protrusion 21 in this example contains two main surfaces. The passive surface 23 is located on the side of the protrusion 21, which is connected to the tubular part 20. On the reverse side of the protrusion is the contact surface 22. In other words, the passive surface 23 and the contact surface 22 are on opposite sides of the protrusion 21. In other examples, the protrusion 21 may have different shape, such as conical or cruciform.

The protrusion 21 contains one or more holes 24, each of which forms a path for air flow. The air flow paths formed by the holes 24 provide fluid communication between the contact surface 22 and the passive surface 23.

In use, the contact surface 22 is positioned to contact the tobacco body 3 to apply force to at least a portion of the tobacco body 3. FIG. 2A is a generally cross-sectional view of an example of a steam generating device in an assembled configuration. The pusher 2 is positioned within the heating unit 1 such that the protrusion 21 extends into the heating chamber 10. The device is shown in a configuration in which the pusher 2 is in a retracted, non-actuated position. This configuration illustrates, for example, the arrangement of components when the device is used and the user controls the device to generate and inhale the vapor generated by the heating chamber 10.

In this configuration, the heating chamber 10 is substantially filled with the tobacco body 3 and the protrusion 21 of the driver 2 is located at the extreme end of the heating unit 10. The contact surface 22 of the protrusion 21 is located near or in contact with the surface of the tobacco body 3,

- 7 041019 but the contact surface 22 does not exert a significant force on the main part 3. A space 14 is formed between the passive surface 23 and the inner walls of the heating unit 1.

When the user activates the heater 11, either by manually turning on the heater or by performing an action that starts the operation of the heater, heat is transferred to the heating chamber 10. The main body 3 is heated and caused to release into the heating chamber 10 vapor containing aerosolized particles of an aerosol-forming substance, in this case of tobacco. As the user inhales at the proximal end of the device, the negative pressure generated by the inhalation pushes steam out of the heating chamber 10 toward the proximal end. In this example, a mouthpiece is provided at the proximal end located at the top of the device in FIG. 2A, resulting in a flow of steam from cap 12 and opening 13.

As described above, openings 24 of protrusion 21 create a path for air flow, allowing steam to flow through the space 14 between the protrusion 21 of the ejector and the inner walls of the heating unit 1. From space 14, all or a significant part of the steam passes through openings 25 on the tubular part of the ejector 2 into the hollow central axis of the driver 2. Some of the vapor may also enter the hollow central axis of the driver 2 directly through one or more openings 24 of the protrusion 21. The negative pressure at the proximal end causes the vapor to flow through the driver and exit to a mouthpiece (not shown) where the vapor can be inhaled user. In some examples, the space between the inner walls of the device and the tubular part 20 of the driver 2 allows a portion of the steam to flow towards the user without entering the hollow central axis of the driver 2. Thus, a useful and efficient mechanism for heating and the driver can be provided in the steam generating device, while maintaining a high quality of air and steam flow in such a device.

In use, the ejector 2 can be actuated by the user to eject the tobacco body 3 from the heating chamber 10, as shown in FIG. 2B. During operation, the ejector 2 is advanced towards the main body 3 (in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2B) in such a way that the contact surface 22 applies force to at least a part of the main body 3, causing the main body 3 to accelerate towards the opening 13 of the heating chamber 10 As the ejector 2 advances, the projection 21 moves into the heating chamber 10 to force the main body 3 through the opening 13. Since the projection 21 has a cross-sectional profile that matches the cross-sectional profile of the heating chamber 10, the entire tobacco body 3 is pushed by the contact surface 22 of the projection when the ejector advances into the heating chamber 10. The ejector 2 continues to advance until the protrusion 21 reaches the far end, after which the heating chamber 10 is completely occupied by the ejector 2 and the main body 3 is completely ejected from the heating chamber 10.

In order for the body 3 to be ejected from the chamber, the lid 12 may be opened to expose the opening 13. Typically, the lid 12 is configured to be opened when the ejector is actuated so as to allow the body 3 to be smoothly ejected. Alternatively, the lid may be designed to remain closed until explicitly opened by the user to prevent accidental ejection of the main body 3 from the heating chamber 10. Alternatively, the lid 12 may be configured to be opened by the bottom of the main body 3 as it moves towards holes 13.

In some examples, the pusher 2 may be actuated, i. e. it may be controlled to move out of the transition from the configuration shown in FIG. 2A to the configuration shown in FIG. 2B, the user manually. Those. the driver 2 may be advanced towards the body 3 by a user applying force to the driver 2. For example, the user may remove the mouthpiece and depress the exposed upper tubular portion of the driver 2. Alternatively, the driver 2 may be actuated by a switch containing a mechanism for advancing the driver 2 into side of the body 3. For example, the ejector may be made with a spring-loaded switch. In such a case, the user can simply operate a switch to extend the pusher 2 to eject the main body 3. In some examples, the pusher may comprise a linkage mechanism operating between at least the first passive configuration and the second activated configuration. Such a link mechanism may include a sliding link switch that rotates around a pivot point to provide bidirectional operation of the driver between at least two link configurations. By sliding the switch between at least two positions, the user can easily control the status and actuation of the ejector. The switch may also include an electromechanical system, such as an electric motor, to assist in actuating or controlling the pusher 2.

The ejector 2 may also be configured to automatically eject the body 3. In some examples, the body 3 may be ejected when the puff counter is deemed to have reached a predetermined value, such as the maximum recommended value, for the body 3 in the chamber 10. Such a predetermined a specific value can be entered manually into the device or transmitted to the device via a communication module installed on the device.

- 8 041019

For example, the packaging of the main body 3 that generates steam may include an RFID tag that contains the necessary data, such as the maximum number of puffs and the service life. The RFID tag may be scanned and read by the RFID module on the device to input data related to the main body 3 into the device, and the control module may control various components of the device in accordance with the data related to the main body 3. In some examples, the control module may be configured to limit the use of the device in accordance with a predetermined number of ejection moments. For example, a user may purchase a pack of consumables, the packaging of which contains a means of transferring data to the device. The data on the package may contain a predetermined number of release points, which may correspond to the number of consumables in the pack. In use, the device can scan the package to determine the amount of consumables in the pack and store in its memory the expected amount of emissions corresponding to that pack. In other examples, data related to consumables is present on the consumables themselves. As the user consumes the consumables in the pack, the device can read the amount of ejection moment, which indicates the number of consumables inserted and replaced in the device. Once the expected amount of emissions has been reached, the control module may, for example, disable the use of the heater and/or display a message to the user prompting the user to purchase a new pack of consumables. In some examples, the device may also be adapted to provide a user who wishes to use multiple packages of different consumables with the choice of replacing them. In these examples, the device may store information from each pack and each time the user informs the device which consumable is inserted into the chamber, the device may adjust the settings via the control module to be adapted to the consumable inserted in the chamber.

After the tobacco body 3 has been ejected from the heating chamber 10, the ejector 2 can be retracted back to the non-actuated position shown in FIG. 2A. This can be achieved by the user manually pushing the pusher 2 back into the device, or by a retract mechanism using spring loaded switches. In the retracted position, the heating chamber is again ready to receive another tobacco body 3 to be used.

In some examples, the heating assembly 1 includes a detector 15 for detecting actuation of the pusher 2. One such example is generally shown in FIG. 3A and 3B. Although detector 15 may take one of a variety of forms, in this example detector 15 comprises a simple electrical switch.

The detector 15 contains an electrical circuit 16 having a break. A break in circuit 16 acts as a switch that closes when an electrical conductor is brought into contact across the break. Although for illustrative purposes, the example with one circuit having one break is described here, in practice, the detector 15, as a rule, may contain one or more circuits having one or more breaks.

The pusher 2 is provided with an insulating portion 26 and a conductive portion 27 on the tubular portion 20. In this example, the tubular portion 20 is formed from a metallic conductive material: the conductive portion 27 comprises a bare section of the metal tubular portion 20, and the insulating portion 26 comprises a portion having an electrically insulating coating. Alternatively, in other examples the tubular portion 20 is formed from non-conductive materials such as plastic, in which case the conductive portion 27 comprises a section having an electrically conductive coating and the insulating portion 26 comprises the exposed portion of the plastic tubular portion 20.

In some examples, the tubular portion 20 may have a plurality of conductive portions 27 and insulating portions 26. Similarly, the detector circuit 16 may have a plurality of breaks. A plurality of conductive 27 and insulating 26 parts may be arranged to provide a particular switching characteristic when operating with the electrical circuit 16 of the detector 15.

In FIG. 3A, the driver 2 is shown in a retracted position and the bulk of the tobacco material 3 occupies the heating chamber 10. The conductive portion 27 is positioned across a break in the circuit 16 to complete the circuit. In this position, the electrical contacts of the circuit 16 are closed, and the detector 15 detects the ejector 2.

When the ejector 2 is actuated, causing the ejector 2 to advance into the heating chamber 10 and eject the tobacco body 3 as shown in FIG. 3B, the insulating portion 26 is advanced to come into contact with one or more electrical contacts of the detector circuit 16. In this position, the electrical contacts of the circuit 16 are open and the detector 15 no longer detects the pusher 2. Due to this change in the connection of the detector circuit, the detector 15 is able to detect that the pusher 2 has been actuated.

Actuation of the ejector 2 can be used to activate specific functions within the device. For example, when detector 15 detects actuation of pusher 2, detector 15 may be configured to send a signal to other components,

- 9 041019 such as the control module, in the device.

In some examples, the device includes a puff counter. The puff counter is configured to detect and read when the user inhales the vapor generated by the device or takes a puff on the vapor. The puff counter information may be displayed to the user via an external display or indicator so that the user can track the number of puffs taken with the current consumable tobacco body 3. When the main body 3 is used up and the user wishes to replace the contents of the heating chamber 10, the puff counter can be reset. A control module in the device may be configured to reset the puff counter whenever detector 15 detects actuation of pusher 2. Alternatively, detector 15 may be directly connected to the puff counter to reset the puff counter when a blowout is detected.

In some examples, the heating chamber 10 can be removed from the heating unit 1 and hence from the device. In such a case, the ejector 2 may be configured to eject the heating chamber 10 as well as the tobacco body 3. FIG. 4 shows how the pusher 2' and the heating chamber 10' can be adapted to allow such an arrangement.

In addition to the features described in the previous examples, the pusher 2' further comprises a secondary protrusion 29. The secondary protrusion 29 is located on the tubular part 20 at a position less distant than the protrusion 21. Although the protrusion 21 usually has the same cross-sectional profile as the heating chamber 10, the secondary protrusion 29 has a cross-sectional profile that differs from that of the heating chamber. The protrusion 29 can take on any shape as long as the shape is not circular. Preferably, the shape of the protrusion 29 is a shape with low rotational symmetry. In this example, the secondary protrusion 29 has a rectangular cross section.

Similarly, in addition to the features described in the previous examples, the heating chamber 10' further comprises a restrictor 18. The restrictor 18 includes an opening 19 shaped to complement the profile of the secondary protrusion 29. Complementary means that the opening 19 is shaped which allows an object in the form of a secondary protrusion 29 to freely pass through it. This can be achieved, for example, by having the opening 19 have the same shape and size as the secondary protrusion 29, or the same overall shape but larger than the secondary protrusion 29.

In use, the pusher 2' is provided in the device in a manner similar to the examples described above. In the retracted position, the heating chamber 10 is occupied by the tobacco body 3, and the driver 2' is positioned so that the protrusion 21 is at one proximal end of the heating chamber 10. The stopper 18 is provided in the chamber 10' such that when the driver 2' is position (as shown in FIG. 5A), the secondary protrusion 29 is located between the top wall of the heating chamber 10' and the restrictor 18. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5A, the driver 2' has been rotated about its longitudinal axis to a first rotational position in which the secondary projection 29 and the opening 19 of the stopper 18 are not aligned. In this position, the stopper 18 creates a slight resistance force to prevent the pusher 2' from passing through the hole 19.

When the pusher 2' is actuated in this first position, the contact surface 22 of the protrusion 21 engages with the upper surface of the stopper 18 and exerts force on the stopper 18. Since the stopper 18 is provided with and attached to the heating chamber 10', the force applied by the pusher 2' accelerates the heating chamber 10' to move the heating chamber 10' away from the heating unit 1. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5B, the heating chamber 10' can be removed from the heating unit 1. It can be seen that, due to the stopper 18 preventing the protrusion 21 from advancing into the heating chamber 10, no force is applied directly to the tobacco body 3 from the side of the protrusion 21.

Referring again to FIG. 5A, the driver 2' can be rotated about its longitudinal axis to change the orientation or position of the secondary lip 29. In this example, the driver 2' can be rotated about its longitudinal axis to a second rotational position in which the secondary lip 29 and the opening 19 of the restrictor 18 are aligned. . In this position, the secondary protrusion 29 is able to freely pass through the hole 19 in the stopper 18.

As shown in FIG. 5C, when the pusher 2' is actuated in this second position, the secondary protrusion freely passes through the opening 19, and the protrusion 21 advances into the heating chamber, pushing out the main body 3 of the tobacco material. The contact surface 22 applies force to accelerate the main body 3 out of the heating chamber, as described, for example, with reference to FIG. 2A and 2B.

Thus, it is possible to provide an ejector capable of ejecting the heating chamber and the tobacco material from the vapor generating device. The user can select which of the two elements is to be ejected by changing the position or orientation of the ejector relative to the heater assembly.

Some of the examples described above depict how a device that generates

- 10 041019 steam, can be provided with a pusher which allows steam to flow from the chamber to the user and which is capable of ejecting the steam or aerosol generating substance contained therein. In some examples, the driver may be configured to pass ambient air through an air inlet into the heating chamber. One such example is shown in Fig. 6A and 6B.

Similar to the examples described above, the vapor generating device comprises a heating chamber 10 configured to hold and heat, by operation of the heater 11, the body 3 of the aerosol generating material, typically tobacco foam. In FIG. 6A shows the device in a steam generating configuration.

The device includes an air inlet 33 through which ambient air can enter the device and an air outlet 36 through which the steam generated in the chamber 10 can exit the device. Inlet 33 and outlet 36 generally communicate through a steam passage 31. In this example, the inlet 33 is connected to the heating chamber 10 via a steam passage 31, and the heating chamber 10 is connected to the outlet 36. As will become apparent from the description below, the steam passage 31 comprises a main body 31a, an ejector 32 and a chamber 10 While the term steam passage is used generically to refer to a fluid passage between an inlet and an outlet, it should be understood that the passage may carry any suitable fluid, including steam. For example, at least a portion of the steam passage 31 may act as an air passage to carry air entering the apparatus from inlet 33 into chamber 10.

In use, ambient air enters the device through the air inlet 33 and flows into the heating chamber 10 through the steam passage 31. The air, together with the steam generated in the chamber 10, is communicated through the outlet 36 from the device and to the user. Thus, inlet 33, steam passage 31, chamber 10 and outlet 36 allow air to flow through the device to deliver steam to the user. The airflow can be accelerated through this airflow path due to the negative pressure at the outlet 36 generated, for example, by the action of the user drawing in or inhaling at or near the outlet 36. The device may be provided, as shown in the example in FIG. 6A with mouthpiece 38 to allow the user to easily inhale the vapor generated in the device. Mouthpiece 38 is in direct fluid communication with outlet 36 and is provided with at least one opening through which, in use, steam can flow from outlet 36 to the user's mouth. The mouthpiece 38 is typically attached to the rest of the device with a removable connection, such as a threaded connection or a clamp connection.

As in other examples, the vapor generating device includes an ejector 32 capable of allowing the tobacco body 3 to be selectively ejected from the chamber 10. In this example, the chamber 10 includes an opening 13 which is located at the mouth end of the device. In other words, the opening 13 communicates directly with the outlet 36. When the user operates the pusher 32 to eject the main body 3, the main body 3 accelerates towards the outlet 36 and is ejected through the mouth end. In other words, the movement of the pusher 32 and the resulting movement of the body 3 are in the same direction as the direction of the steam flow through the device.

The ejector 32 forms part of the passage 31 for steam. By this is meant that the pusher 32 is in direct fluid communication within the vapor passage 31 so as to provide a fluid passageway from the air inlet 33 into the heating chamber 10. This can be achieved in several ways. For example, the main body portion 31a of the steam passage 31 may comprise a hollow tube or tube that allows a fluid such as air or steam to flow from one extreme end of the passage to the other. In this respect, the passage 31 acts as a conduit for the fluid. The pusher 32 typically comprises a hollow tubular portion as described in relation to the other examples above. The hollow tubular portion of the pusher 32 may be positioned and aligned within the steam passage 31 so as to be in fluid communication with the main body portion 31a of the steam passage. This usually means that the hollow tubular part of the pusher 32 is aligned coaxially with the main body part 31a of the passage. Thus, the pusher 32 forms part of the fluid passage so that, in use, air flows from the inlet 33 to the steam passage 31 through the hollow center of the tubular part of the pusher 32 and into the chamber 10.

The diameter of the hollow tubular portion of the pusher 32 may be equal to the diameter of the main body portion 31a of the steam passage 31 . Alternatively, the hollow tubular portion of the pusher 32 may have a diameter greater than that of the main passage portion 31a. In such a case, at least a portion of the pusher 31 may overlap the main body portion 31a when the device is in a steam generating configuration. Alternatively, the hollow tubular portion of the pusher 32 may have a diameter that is smaller than that of the main body portion 31a. In such a case, at least

- 11 041019 part of the pusher 31 may be limited to part of the main body part 31A.

In some examples, the vapor passage 31 may include a gasket 34 to provide a fluid-tight seal. Gasket 34 shown in FIG. 6A provides a seal between the respective ends of the steam passage main body 31a and the hollow tubular part of the pusher 32. The gasket 34 can be applied regardless of the diameters of the hollow tubular part and the steam passage main body 31a. Those. a gasket 34 may be used to connect the overlapping or non-overlapping ends of the pusher 32 and the steam passage main body 31a.

The ejector 32 may be actuated in a similar manner to the ejector according to the other examples described above to eject the tobacco body 3 from the heating chamber 10. openings 13. In some examples, the mouthpiece 38 is first removed to allow the main body 3 to be ejected. In some examples, actuation of the driver 32 causes the mouthpiece 38 to be displaced or removed. device. In FIG. 6B shows the device in a burst configuration.

As described above with reference to various other examples, driver 32 may be actuated in one of a variety of different ways. One way to control the pusher 32 is to use the switch 35 located on the surface of the device. The switch 35 in this example is a sliding switch containing a link mechanism. The linkage includes a sliding handle connected to the lever through a pivot 35a, the lever being connected to the pusher 32 such that movement of the sliding handle causes movement of the pusher 32. The sliding handle is positioned on the surface of the device so that the user can easily access the switch and operate it by hand. In particular, the handle is located on the side surface of the device. Typically, such switching mechanisms allow the user to easily move the driver 32 in the longitudinal direction to advance or retract the projection 21 within the heating chamber 10. FIG. 6A and 6B, arrows 35b indicate the actuation direction of the sliding switch resulting in the configuration of each respective figure. The sliding linkage mechanism may include a spring or other biasing mechanisms to assist movement of the switch 35. In other examples, the sliding switch does not include a hinge and uses a simple connection between the pusher portion 32 and the outer handle of the lever. Like the switches described in relation to the other examples above, the switch may also comprise an electromechanical system such as an electric motor.

In the ejection configuration shown in FIG. 6B, the driver 32 is advanced towards the opening 13 of the chamber 10, and the tobacco body 3 is partially or completely ejected from the chamber 10. In such a configuration, the driver 32 may be temporarily detached from the main body portion 31a of the vapor passage due to the advancement of the driver 32 into the chamber 10. and then moving the pusher tubular portion 32 away from the main body portion 31a.

In some examples, the tubular portion of the driver 32 may be positioned such that fluid communication between the main body 31a and the driver 32 is maintained even in the ejection configuration. This can be achieved, for example, by having a tubular portion which is long enough so that a significant portion of the tubular portion 32 overlaps with a portion of the main body portion 31a of the steam passage. Thus, a vapor-tight seal within the vapor passage 31 can be maintained in both the retracted and powered configurations of the pusher 32.

By having the chamber 10 and the ejector 32 configured to cause the tobacco body 3 to be ejected through the outlet 36 side of the device, the air inlet 33 and passage 31 can be positioned at any desired position within the device. In addition, this arrangement ensures that the movement of the tobacco body 3, when used up and subsequently ejected, is in the same direction as the flow of air and vapor through the device.

As an example of versatility in the arrangement of components in the device of FIG. 7A and 7B show an arrangement in which the air inlet 33 is located on the side of the device and the inlet passage 31 comprises a bend 37. In examples of the present invention, the passage 31 may be provided with one or more of these bends 37 to provide a defined path for air flow through device. Such an arrangement makes it possible, for example, to obtain the desired configuration of the components within the device.

As will be understood from the foregoing, the present invention, by providing the functionality of an ejector capable of selectively ejecting an aerosol generating material from a heating chamber, provides a vapor generating apparatus in which the material can be placed in proper thermal contact with the heater, thereby allowing

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Claims (13)

significantly improve the heating performance. The ability to selectively eject the heating chamber is another useful advantage of the ejector. The driver is also capable of providing an efficient steam path to ensure proper fluid communication of the vapor generated by the device with the user. The present invention achieves an electronic steam generating device with improved heating performance and ejection capabilities, while still providing excellent heating and steaming functionality of such a device. CLAIM 1. A heating unit for a vapor generating device, the heating unit comprising a heating chamber configured to contain an aerosol generating medium; a heater, in use, configured to provide heating to the heating chamber; an ejector, in use, configured to controllably eject the aerosol generating medium from the heating chamber; and a detector, in use, configured to detect actuation of the driver, wherein the driver comprises one or more electrical contacts, and the detector, in use, configured to detect actuation of the driver based on the position of said one or more electrical contacts. 2. The heating unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the detector is configured to send a signal to the control module in response to detecting the actuation of the ejector. 3. The heating unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the control module is configured to reset the puff counter in the steam generating device in response to detecting actuation of the ejector. 4. A heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pusher comprises a tubular part and one or more electrical contacts are located on the tubular part of the pusher. 5. A heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber comprises an opening and the ejector, in use, is configured to push the aerosol generating medium towards the opening of the chamber. 6. A device that generates steam, containing a heating unit according to any one of paragraphs.1-5; and a steam passage for transferring steam generated in the heating chamber from the heating chamber to an air outlet, wherein at least a portion of the steam passage is formed by a pusher. 7. A device that generates steam, containing a heating unit according to any one of paragraphs.1-5; and an air passage for transferring air from the air inlet to the heating chamber, wherein at least a portion of the air passage is formed by a pusher. 8. The steam generating device according to claim 7, further comprising a steam passage for transferring steam generated in the heating chamber from the heating chamber to the air outlet, wherein at least a portion of the steam passage is formed ejector. 9. A steam generating device according to any one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the air passage comprises a gasket and the pusher is sealed within the passage by a gasket when the device is operating to generate steam. 10. A steam generating device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the ejector is configured to eject the aerosol generating medium towards the outlet of the device. 11. A steam generating device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising a switch capable of actuating the ejector. 12. The steam generating device according to claim 11, characterized in that the switch comprises a sliding link mechanism comprising a sliding handle connected to the lever by means of a hinge, the lever being connected to the ejector such that movement of the sliding handle causes movement of the ejector. 13. A steam generating device according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that actuation of the pusher causes the pusher to move in the direction of air flow through the device or in the opposite direction to the direction of air flow through the device. -