EP4041008B1

EP4041008B1 - Apparatus for generating vapour by heating a chemical compound or tobacco

Info

Publication number: EP4041008B1
Application number: EP21810092.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mattia SPARACINO
Original assignee: Vapour International d o o
Current assignee: Vapour International d o o
Priority date: 2020-10-05
Filing date: 2021-10-01
Publication date: 2024-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2041-10-01
Also published as: FI4041008T3; WO2022074524A1; IT202000005584U1; DK4041008T3; EP4041008A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of electrical apparatuses for generating a vapour by heating a chemical compound or, alternatively, tobacco or tobacco derivatives. In detail, the present invention relates to an apparatus for generating vapour comprising an electrical device for generating vapour and a relative charger device.

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, several electrical devices are known which are configured to generate a vapour by heating a chemical compound, tobacco or tobacco derivatives, which is then inhaled by a user.
Electronic cigarettes are devices which generate vapour by heating a chemical compound - typically a mixture containing vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol and possibly one or more flavourings of various kinds and/or nicotine - which is then inhaled by a user, an action typically referred to as "vaping". For this purpose, the device comprises an atomiser which vaporises the chemical compound, generating the vapour vaped by the user.
As an alternative to electronic cigarettes, devices which heat tobacco at a lower temperature than traditional cigarettes - i.e., without initiating tobacco combustion - have also been on the market for some years. This heating generates a vapour which contains nicotine and possibly other chemical compounds contained in the tobacco.
In both cases, the vaporisation of the chemical compound, or the nicotine of the tobacco, is obtained by circulating an electric current in special resistors.
The electric current is supplied by a battery, contained within the device, which must be periodically charged using a charger.
US10,638,792 discloses a vaporizer device which can be charged upon resting in a seat of charger that must be connected to an electric source via a cable or a USB connector. In one embodiment the charger is provided with an elongated seat with contact pins placed in the middle of the seat and the vaporizer is provided with an elongated body with respective contact pins in the middle of the body.
Even if in some cases the charger is a portable device (so-called power-bank), the user must wait some time before being able to use the device again to generate vapour.
In an attempt to solve such a problem, devices have been proposed for generating vapour which are provided with batteries capable of storing a higher charge, but this makes the device for generating vapour bulky and therefore impractical.
Other, more effective, solutions include apparatuses comprising a device for generating vapour and a separable charger, which are configured to allow the device for generating vapour to be used even when connected to the charger device.
However, the Applicant has found that the ergonomics of such devices are limited, in particular, the device as a whole is bulky and impractical, especially considering that the same device must be manageable by both a right-handed and a left-handed user.
Furthermore, the Applicant has found that the electrical coupling between the device for generating vapour and the charger device of the known apparatuses is impractical and requires some attention by the user.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for generating vapour which is of practical use, in particular, capable of allowing a user to couple together a device for generating vapour and a charger device in a particularly simple and immediate manner.
A further object of the present invention is to propose an apparatus for generating vapour which is comfortable to use, in particular when the device for generating vapour is coupled to the charger device, irrespective of the hand used to hold the apparatus for generating vapour.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a system incorporating the features of the annexed claims, which form an integral part of the present description.
According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for generating vapour. The apparatus comprises:

a device for generating vapour comprising an elongated body, a mouthpiece element coupled to one end of the elongated body, a first battery inside the elongated body and a first electrical connector connected to the first battery;
a charger comprising a second battery for storing an electrical charge, a seat configured to receive the elongated body while leaving a portion of the elongated body visible, and a second electrical connector arranged in the seat and connected to the second battery.

The first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are configured to couple when the device for generating vapour is inserted into the seat.
Advantageously, the seat comprises a first end portion and a second end portion placed at opposite ends of the seat, each of the end portions being configured to allow crossing from a portion when the latter is coupled to the charger device. Furthermore, the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are positioned halfway along the elongated body and the seat, respectively, and are configured to establish an electrical connection adapted to transfer electrical energy from the second battery to the first battery regardless of the orientation of the elongated body within the seat.
By virtue of such a structure of the apparatus for generating vapour, it is possible to allow the user to couple the device for generating vapour to the charger device in an extremely simple manner, while at the same time allowing the device for generating vapour to be used comfortably even when connected to the charger device. In particular, the shape of the seat and the arrangement of the electrical contacts allows the user to couple the device for generating vapour and the charger device in a first configuration or a second configuration according to their preferences.
In an embodiment, the seat is configured to receive the entire length so as to receive the entire length of the elongated body. Advantageously, each of the end portions is configured to allow it to be crossed by the mouthpiece element when this is coupled to the elongated body.
By virtue of this configuration, the device has a compact, ergonomic and particularly attractive design, which allows the device to be used to generate vapour in a comfortable and convenient manner.
Alternatively, the seat is configured to receive part of the elongated body - for example, a central section of the elongated body - with respect to the length thereof. In such a case, each of the end portions is configured to be crossed by a respective portion of the elongated body - for example, at least one of the opposite ends of the elongated body - when the elongated body is coupled to the charger device.
This configuration makes it possible to detach the mouthpiece and/or atomiser, in the case of an electronic cigarette, from the elongated body without decoupling the same from the charger. Similarly, this configuration makes it possible to remove the lower end to replace the battery without removing the elongated body from the seat.
In an embodiment, the first electrical connector comprises a first tern of contacts aligned to correspond to a second tern of contacts of the second electrical connector regardless of the orientation of the elongated body within the seat.
Preferably, the central contact of the first tern of contacts is connected to a reference terminal of a power supply unit of the device for generating vapour comprising the first battery, while at least a selected one of the other contacts is connected to an absorption terminal of the power unit. Similarly, the central contact of the second tern of contacts is connected to a reference terminal of a charging unit of the charger device comprising the second battery, while at least a selected one of the other contacts is connected to a delivery terminal of the charging unit.
This wiring allows to ensure the correct electrical connection between the terminals of the charging and load circuits comprised in the battery device in a simple but effective manner.
In an embodiment, the charger device comprises at least a first magnetic element arranged at the seat and in which the device for generating vapour comprises at least a second magnetic element arranged at the seat. In particular, a magnetic force between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element keeps the device for generating vapour, when inserted into the seat, coupled to the charger device.
Preferably, the first magnetic element is arranged in the seat near the electrical connector of the charger device and the second magnetic element is arranged in the seat near the electrical connector of the device for generating vapour. More preferably, the first magnetic element is part of a support structure of the electrical connector of the charger device, and the second magnetic element is part of a support structure of the electrical connector of the device for generating vapour.
This solution makes it extremely easy to obtain a stable coupling between the device for generating vapour and the charger device. In particular, the magnetic force guides the user to correctly align both devices and thus the respective electrical contacts, making correct operation easier.
In addition to or as an alternative to the use of magnetic elements, the seat is configured to elastically deform when it receives the device for generating vapour so as to achieve an interference fit such that the device for generating vapour remains constrained to the charger device.
This shape of the seat allows the device for generating vapour and the charger device to be mechanically coupled in a releasable manner, ensuring a particular stability.
In an embodiment, the seat comprises two shaped side portions, said shaped side portions having a lowering in the direction of the length of the device for generating vapour when inserted into the seat.
Thereby, it is easy to extract the device for generating vapour from the charger device.
In an embodiment, the device for generating vapour is an electronic cigarette configured to vaporise a chemical compound. Alternatively, the device for generating vapour is a heated unburned tobacco device configured to heat a block of tobacco.
The structure of the apparatus for generating vapour, in particular the seat of the charger device and the position and shape of the connectors, can be applied to apparatuses comprising different types of devices for generating vapours.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the description of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described hereinbelow with reference to certain examples provided by way of non-limiting example and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These drawings illustrate different aspects and embodiments of the present invention and reference numerals illustrating structures, components, materials and/or similar elements in different drawings are indicated by similar reference numerals, where appropriate.

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the apparatus for generating vapour comprising a device for generating vapour coupled to a charger device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an axonometric view of the apparatus for generating vapour of Figure 1 in which the device for generating vapour and the charger device are separated;
Figures 3A-3C are top, front and bottom views of the device for generating vapour of the apparatus for generating vapour in Figures 1 and 2;
Figures 4A-4D are side, top, front and bottom views of the charger device of the apparatus for generating vapour in Figures 1 and 2;
Figures 5A-5C are side, top and bottom views of the apparatus for generating vapour according to an embodiment of the present invention with the device for generating vapour coupled to the charger device according to a first configuration;
Figures 6A-6C are side, top and bottom views of the apparatus for generating vapour according to an embodiment of the present invention with the device for generating vapour coupled to the charger device according to a second configuration;
Figure 7A is a block diagram showing an electrical connection diagram of the connectors of the device for generating vapour and the charger device coupled in the first configuration of Figures 5A-5C, and
Figure 7B is a block diagram showing an electrical connection diagram of the connectors of the device for generating vapour and the charger device coupled in the first configuration of Figures 6A-6C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings and are described hereinbelow in detail. It must in any case be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated, but, on the contrary, the invention intends covering all the modifications, alternative and equivalent constructions that fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
The use of "for example", "etc.", "or" indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation, unless otherwise indicated. The use of "includes" means "includes, but not limited to" unless otherwise indicated.
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, an apparatus for generating vapour 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The apparatus for generating vapour 1 comprises an electrical device for generating vapour 2 and a charger device 3. The device for generating vapour 2 and the charger device 3 are configured to be removably coupled to each other both mechanically and electrically.
In the example described herein, and illustrated in Figures 3A-3C, the device for generating vapour 2 is an electronic cigarette configured to vaporise a chemical compound, usually in a liquid state, contained in the cigarette itself. The device for generating vapour 2 comprises a body 21, divided into a grip 211 and an atomiser 212 configured to evaporate the chemical compound stored therein. Typically, in the grip 211 of the body a battery 241 and control electronics 242 of the device for generating vapour 2 are housed - referred to together with the term power supply unit 24, illustrated schematically in Figures 7A and 7B. The device for generating vapour 2 further comprises a mouthpiece element 23, also referred to in jargon as a drip tip, through which the user can inhale the vapour generated by the device for generating vapour 2.
Alternatively, the device for generating vapour 2 may be a tobacco heating device. In this case, a tobacco heating unit is included in place of the atomiser 212, and a disposable stick comprising pressed tobacco and a filter portion is included in place of the mouthpiece element 23.
Whether an electronic cigarette or a tobacco heating device, the device for generating vapour 2 has a power supply unit 24 and a body 21 configured to attach, as further described below, to the charger 3.
The device for generating vapour 2 has an elongated shape along a main direction D1 and the body 21 has a substantially cylindrical shape with opposite ends 213 and 214, preferably, tapered. In detail, the end 213 is configured to removably receive the mouthpiece element 23, while the opposite end 214 preferably comprises a removable portion for extracting the battery of the power supply unit 24.
The device for generating vapour 2 comprises an electrical connector 25 configured to electrically connect the device for generating vapour 2 to the charger device 3 as described in detail below. In the preferred embodiment, the connector 25 is exposed on a side wall of the body 21, in particular, at a position substantially corresponding to halfway along the length of the body 21 along the main direction D1. Preferably, the connector 25 is a female type connector and comprises a tern of contacts 251, 252 and 253 aligned along the main direction D1.
Preferably, the device for generating vapour 2 comprises at least one magnetic element 26 - illustrated schematically by a dashed rectangle in Figure 3A, to allow a simple and quick alignment of the device for generating vapour 2 with the charger 3.
The magnetic element 26 may be, for example, a permanent magnet or an element made of a paramagnetic material.
Advantageously, then, the magnetic element is arranged near the connector 25, for example it is arranged within the body 21 adjacent to the side wall thereof near the connector 25.
The charger device 3 comprises a shell 31 configured to house a battery block 321 and the relative control electronics 322 - a BMS (Battery Management System) for example - hereinafter referred to collectively as the charging unit 32, illustrated schematically in Figures 7A and 7B.
Preferably, the shell 31 of the charger device 3 is shaped to be comfortably and securely grasped by a user and, preferably, it comprises rounded or bevelled edges.
In the example considered, the charger device 3, in particular the body 31, comprises an elongated seat 33 along a respective main direction D2, configured to receive part of the body 21 of the device for generating vapour 2. Advantageously, the elongated seat 33 is shaped to surround a portion of the outer surface of the body 21 of the device for generating vapour 2 when the latter is inserted into the elongated seat 33, preferably with part of the outer surface of the body 21 - for example a portion substantially equal to half of the body 21 along the main direction D1 - contacting the elongated seat 33. In the example considered, the elongated seat 33 comprises two shaped side portions 331, preferably, symmetrical along the main direction D2. For example, the shaped side portions 331 have a lowering in a direction transverse to the main direction D2 - towards a central region of the shell 31 - in order to allow an easier separation of the device for generating vapour 2 from the charger device 3. In order to further facilitate gripping, the shaped side portions 331 have a tapered profile, which reduces in thickness towards a free edge of the shaped side portions as can be better appreciated in Figures 2 and 4C.
Furthermore, the elongated seat 33 comprises two end portions 332 and 333 formed at opposite ends of the elongated seat 33. The end portions 332 and 333 have, in a plane orthogonal to the direction D2, a U shape and are shaped to surround, preferably adhering, at least partially the opposite ends 213 and 214 of the body 21 of the device for generating vapour 2, when the device for generating vapour 2 is inserted into the elongated seat 33.
As can particularly be appreciated in Figures 5A, 5B and 6A, 6C, each of the end portions 332 and 333 is shaped to allow the passage of the mouthpiece element 23 of the device for generating vapour 2. Thereby, when the device for generating vapour 2 is connected to the charger 3, the body 21 is housed in the elongated seat 33 and the mouthpiece element 23 protrudes from the shell 31 of the charger device 3 and, if necessary, can be properly separated from or reconnected to the body 21 to allow the use of the device for generating vapour 2 even when it is connected to the charger 3.
In other words, the elongated seat 33 has a symmetrical shape along the main direction D2, and is configured to receive the body 21 of the device for generating vapour 2 for the entire extension thereof and with each of the end portions 332 and 333 configured to allow the mouthpiece element 23 to protrude beyond the shell 31 of the charger device 3.
The charger device 3 comprises an electrical connector 34 configured to couple with the connector 25 so as to electrically connect the charger device 3 to the device for generating vapour 2.
In the preferred embodiment, the connector 34 is of male type and is exposed on the elongated seat 33 in such a position that, when connected to the connector 25 of the device for generating vapour 2, the body 21 of the latter is fully housed in the elongated seat 33. Referring to the example in Figures 1-7, the connector 34 is located in the centre of the elongated seat 33, as the connector 25 is located halfway along the length of body 31. Preferably, the connector 34 comprises a tern of contacts (341, 342 and 343) aligned along the main direction D2.
In the example of Figure 4C, the charger device 3 comprises at least one magnetic element 35 - illustrated schematically by a dashed rectangle in Figure 4C, for example, a permanent magnet or an element made of a paramagnetic material - arranged near the connector 34. For example, the magnetic element 35 is arranged within the shell 31 adjacent to the elongated seat 33 near the connector 34.
In general, the charger 3 is preferably provided with a magnetic element 35 capable of coupling with the magnetic element 26 so as to guide the correct positioning of the device for generating vapour 2 in the correct position thereof within the elongated seat 33.
As is apparent from the foregoing and Figures 5A-C and 6A-C, it is possible to couple the device for generating vapour 2 to the charger device 3 either with the mouthpiece element 23 protruding beyond the first end portion 332 of the elongated seat 33, or with the mouthpiece element 23 protruding beyond the second end portion 333 of the elongated seat 33, ensuring proper operation of both the device for generating vapour 2 and the charger device 3.
In fact, with particular reference to Figures 7A and 7B, the connector 34 of the charger device 3 and the connector 25 of the device for generating vapour 2 are configured to establish an electrical connection between the charging unit 32 of the charger device 3 and the power supply unit 24 of the device for generating vapour 2, when the latter is inserted into the elongated seat 33 whether the mouthpiece element 23 protrudes through the first end portion 332 or through the second end portion 333.
In detail, in the embodiment considered, the central contact 252 of the connector 25 is connected to a reference terminal 242 of the power supply unit 24, while both of the remaining contacts 251 and 253 are connected to an absorption terminal 243 of the power supply unit 24. Similarly, the contact 342 of the connector 34 of the charger device 3 is connected to a reference terminal 323 of the charging unit 32, and both of the remaining contacts 341 and 343 are connected to a delivery terminal 324 of the charging unit 32.
Accordingly, irrespective of the orientation in which the device for generating vapour 2 and the charger device 3 are connected, the coupling between the connector 25 and the connector 34 allows the electrical connection of the units 24 and 32, thus ensuring the transfer of electrical charge from the battery 321 of the charger 3 to the battery 241 of the device for generating vapour 2.
From the example described above, it is clear that the invention allows for greater efficiency of use and a simple connection between the charger and the device for generating vapour. However, it is clear that the above examples must not be interpreted in a limiting sense and the invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations.
In particular, at least one among the device for generating vapour and the charger device may comprise a user interface configured to receive instructions from a user and/or to provide information to the user. For example, in an embodiment not shown, the device for generating vapour comprises at least one activation button, or other input element, configured to be pressed in order to activate the vaporisation of the chemical compound or heating of the tobacco and/or at least one indicator light, screen or other output element configured to communicate to the user a correct operating condition, a low battery level, a malfunction, a heating temperature, etc. The charger device comprises at least one power button, or other input element, configured to start/stop a battery charging operation and/or at least one indicator light, screen or other output element configured to communicate to the user a charging status of the device for generating vapour and/or an amount of the charge stored in the battery block of the charger device.
In an embodiment, the elongated seat is configured to receive only part of the elongated body with respect to the length thereof - for example, a central section of the elongated body. In such a case, each of the end portions of the elongated seat is configured to be crossed by a respective portion of the elongated seat - for example, at least by the opposite ends of the elongated seat - when the elongated seat is coupled to the charger device.
In an embodiment (not illustrated), the coupling between the device for generating vapour and the charger may be mechanical in addition to or as an alternative to the magnetic coupling described above. For example, the elongated seat of the charger may be configured to elastically deform when it receives the device for generating vapour so as to achieve an interference fit such that the device for generating vapour remains constrained to the charger.
In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the electrical connectors may have a different arrangement - for example, transverse to the main directions of the body of the device for generating vapour and the elongated seat of the charger device. Again, in an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the electrical connectors may have only one pair of contacts each and comprise or be connected to a selector circuit so that the contacts are selectively connected to the reference terminal or to one among the power supply terminal or the absorption terminal of the charging circuits, for example, depending on the orientation of the device for generating vapour and the charger device - for example, detected by an orientation sensor such as a magnetometer or accelerometer comprised in at least one among the charging circuit and the load circuit.
In alternative embodiments (not illustrated), the shape, material and position of the magnetic element of the device for generating vapour and the charger device may, however, be different from that illustrated in Figure 3A and Figure 4C. For example, in an alternative solution (not illustrated) at least one structural part of the connector comprises the magnetic element - i.e., the magnetic element is integrated into a contact support structure which is mechanically coupled to the outer wall of the body. Similarly, at least one structural part of the connector comprises the magnetic element - for example, the magnetic element is integrated into a contact support structure which is mechanically coupled to the elongated seat. Further, nothing prevents the magnetic elements from being arranged away from the respective connectors, thereby facilitating the connection between the device for generating vapour and the charger device.
In conclusion, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions of the aforementioned devices and apparatuses may be any according to the specific implementation requirements without thereby abandoning the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

Claims

An apparatus for generating vapour (1) comprising:
- a device for generating vapour (2) comprising an elongated body (21), a mouthpiece element (23) coupled to an end (213) of the elongated body (21), a first battery (241) inside the elongated body (21) and a first electrical connector (25) connected to the first battery (241);

- a charger (3) comprising a seat (33) configured to receive the elongated body (21) while leaving a portion of the elongated body itself visible, and a second electrical connector (34) arranged in the seat (33),

wherein the first electrical connector (25) and the second electrical connector (34) are configured to couple when the device for generating vapour (2) is inserted into the seat (33),

wherein the seat (33) comprises a first end portion (332) and a second end portion (333) placed at opposite ends of the seat (33), each of the end portions (332, 333) being configured to be crossed by a portion (23, 213, 214) of the device for generating vapour (2) when the latter is coupled to the charger device (3), wherein the first electrical connector (25) and the second electrical connector (35) are positioned halfway along the elongated body (21) and the seat (33) respectively, and whereby the first electrical connector (25) and the second electrical connector (35) are configured to establish an electrical connection adapted to transfer electrical energy from the second battery (321) to the first battery (241) regardless of the orientation of the elongated body (21) within the seat (33),

the charger device (3) comprises a second battery (321) for storing an electrical charge, the second electrical connector (35) being connected to the second battery (321),

characterized in that

the charger device (3) comprises at least a first magnetic element (35) arranged at the seat (33) and wherein the device for generating vapour (2) comprises at least a second magnetic element (26) arranged at the body (21), wherein a magnetic force between the first magnetic element (35) and the second magnetic element (26) keeps the device for generating vapour (2), when inserted into the seat (33), coupled to the charger device (3), and

in that

the seat (33) comprises two shaped side portions (331) symmetrical along a main direction (D2) of the charger device (3), the two shaped side portions (331) being shaped to surround a portion substantially equal to half of the outer surface of the body (21) of the device for generating vapour (2) when the latter is inserted into the seat (33).
An apparatus for generating vapour (1) according to claim 1, wherein the seat (33) is configured to receive the elongated body (21) so as to receive the entire length of the elongated body (21), and
wherein each of the end portions (332, 333) being configured to allow it to be crossed by the mouthpiece element (23) when the latter is coupled to the elongated body (21).
An apparatus for generating vapour (1) according to claim 1, wherein the seat (33) is configured to receive part of the elongated body (21) with respect to the length thereof, and
wherein each of the end portions (332, 333) is configured to be crossed by a respective portion (213, 214) of the elongated body (21) when the elongated body (21) is coupled to the charger device (3).
An apparatus for generating vapour (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first electrical connector (25) comprises a first triplet of contacts (251, 252, 253) aligned to correspond to a second triplet of contacts (341, 342, 343) of the second electrical connector (34) regardless of the orientation of the elongated body (21) within the seat (33),
where the central contact (252) of the first triplet of contacts (251, 252, 253) is connected to a reference terminal (243) of a power supply unit (24) of the device for generating vapour (2) comprising the first battery, while at least a selected one of the other contacts (251, 253) is connected to an absorption terminal (244) of the power supply unit (24), and

the central contact (342) of the second triplet of contacts (341, 342, 343) is connected to a reference terminal (323) of a charging unit (32) of the charger device (3) comprising the second battery, while at least a selected one of the other contacts (341, 343) is connected to a delivery terminal (324) of the charging unit (32).
An apparatus for generating vapour (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first magnetic element (35) is arranged in the seat (33) near the electrical connector (34) of the charger device (3) and the second magnetic element (26) is arranged in the body (21) near the electrical connector (25) of the device for generating vapour (2).
An apparatus for generating vapour (1) according to claim 5, wherein the first magnetic element (35) is part of a support structure of the electrical connector (34) of the charger device (3) and the second magnetic element (26) is part of a support structure of the electrical connector (25) of the device for generating vapour (2).
An apparatus for generating vapour (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat (33) is configured to elastically deform when receiving the device for generating vapour (2), so as to achieve an interference fit such as to keep the device for generating vapour (2) constrained to the charger device (3).
An apparatus for generating vapour (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shaped side portions (331) have a lowering in the direction of the length of the device for generating vapour (2), when inserted into the seat (33), so as to allow an easier separation of the device for generating vapour (2) from the charger device (3).
An apparatus for generating vapour (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device for generating vapour (2) is selected from:
- an electronic cigarette configured to vaporise a chemical compound, and

- a heated unburned tobacco device configured to heat a block of tobacco.