EP4114215A1

EP4114215A1 - Aerosol generation device, and associated removable cartridge and aerosol generation set

Info

Publication number: EP4114215A1
Application number: EP21708044.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tony Reevell
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2020-03-04
Filing date: 2021-03-03
Publication date: 2023-01-11
Also published as: WO2021175911A1; JP2023515794A

Abstract

The present invention concerns an aerosol generation device (12) designed to operate with a removable cartridge (14) and comprising a device body (40) extending along a device axis (Y) and a heater comprising a heater contact surface (54). The device body (40) defines a cavity (60) delimited by cavity walls (62, 63, 64) defining a cavity inner surface (61), the heater contact surface (54) being adjacent to the cavity inner surface (61). The cavity walls (62, 63, 64) comprises a support wall (62). The cavity (60) is configured to receive the removable cartridge (14) so as a cartridge axis (X) coincides with the device axis (Y) and at least the support wall (62) exerts pressure to a mouthpiece end (21) of a cartridge body (20) for abutting an aerosol generating element contact surface (34) of the removable cartridge (14) against the heater contact surface (54).

Description

Aerosol generation device, and associated removable cartridge and aerosol generation set

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an aerosol generation device.

The present invention concerns also a removable cartridge and an aerosol generation set associated to said aerosol generation device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Different types of aerosol generation devices are already known in the art. Generally, such devices comprise a storage portion for storing an aerosol forming precursor, which can comprise for example a liquid or a solid. A heating system is formed of one or more electrically activated resistive heating elements arranged to heat said precursor to generate the aerosol. The aerosol is released into a flow path extending between an inlet and outlet of the device. The outlet may be arranged as a mouthpiece, through which a user inhales for delivery of the aerosol.

In some aerosol generation devices, the precursor is stored in a removable cartridge. Thus, when the precursor is consumed, the cartridge can be easily removed and replaced. In order to attach the removable cartridge to the device body, a screw- threaded connection can for example be used.

A recent trend has seen the heater system to comprise an aerosol generating element arranged in a vaporization chamber of the cartridge in contact with the precursor and receiving heat from a heater arranged in the device body and powered by the battery.

In such cases, the aerosol generation element includes for example a contact surface exposed on an outer surface of the cartridge and designed to come into contact with the heater of the device when the device and cartridge are connected with each other. Thus, when the cartridge is attached to the device body, heat transfer is performed between the aerosol generation element contact surface and the heater.

In this case, absence of air gaps between the aerosol generation element contact surface and the heater is critical to ensure good heat transfer efficiency and performance. Connecting two elements together is usually performed by using a screw-threaded connection. However, in this case, respective rotation of the elements of the heater system meant to transfer the heat from the device to the cartridge risk to alter their outer surfaces and can conduct to creation of air gaps and deterioration of the heat transfer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the aims of the invention is to ensure a tight fit connection between a cartridge and an aerosol generation device so as to improve heat transfer between different elements of a heater system distributed between the cartridge and the aerosol generation device, without altering these elements.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an aerosol generation device designed to operate with a removable cartridge, the removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body extending between a mouthpiece end and a heat receiving end along a cartridge axis and defining an outer surface, the removable cartridge further comprising an aerosol generating element contact surface arranged at the heat receiving end of the cartridge body; the aerosol generation device comprising:

- a device body extending between a mouthpiece end and a battery end along a device axis;

- a battery adjacent to the battery end of the device body;

- a heater configured to be powered by the battery and comprising a heater contact surface; the device body defining a cavity adjacent to the mouthpiece end of the device body and delimited by cavity walls defining a cavity inner surface, the heater contact surface being adjacent to the cavity inner surface; the cavity walls comprising a support wall arranged at the mouthpiece end of the device body; the cavity being configured to receive the removable cartridge so as the cartridge axis coincides with the device axis and at least the support wall exerts pressure to the mouthpiece end of the cartridge body for abutting the aerosol generating element contact surface of the removable cartridge against the heater contact surface. Thanks to these features, the aerosol generating element contact surface is forced against the heater contact surface so as to ensure an efficient heat transfer while using the device, when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity.

According to some embodiments, the support wall defines an opening forming an aerosol outlet when the removable cartridge is received in the cavity.

Thanks to these features, the formed aerosol can be ejected out of the cavity.

According to some embodiments, the aerosol comprises a mouthpiece mounted at the mouthpiece end of the device body.

Thanks to these features, a user can use the aerosol generation device even if the cartridge does not define an adapted mouthpiece.

According to some embodiments, the aerosol comprises a resilient member supporting the heater and configured to have the heater contact surface presses against the aerosol generating element contact surface of the removable cartridge when the removable cartridge is received in the cavity.

Thanks to these features, a better heat transfer can be achieved between the aerosol generating element contact surface and the heater contact surface, when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity.

According to some embodiments, the heater contact surface is arranged substantially perpendicular to the device axis.

Thanks to these features, a compact form of the cartridge as well as of the cavity can be obtained.

According to some embodiments, at least one cavity wall comprises an insertion opening suitable for insertion of the removable cartridge.

According to some embodiments, the insertion opening extends along the device axis and forms a side opening in respect with the device body. According to some embodiments, the cavity is formed by a fixed part and a movable part, an insertion opening suitable for insertion of the removable cartridge being formed when the movable part is moved at least partially away from the fixed part.

According to some embodiments, the movable part comprises the support wall and the heater is adjacent to the fixed part; preferably the movable part being adapted to receive at least partially the removable cartridge when the movable part is moved at least partially away from the fixed part.

According to some embodiments, the movable part is hinged to the fixed part.

Thanks to these features, the cartridge can be easily inserted and attached in the cavity and extracted from it.

The invention relates to a removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body extending between a mouthpiece end and a heat receiving end along a cartridge axis and defining an outer surface, the removable cartridge further comprising an aerosol generating element contact surface arranged at the heat receiving end of the cartridge body ; the removable cartridge being characterized in that it is adapted to be received in the cavity of the aerosol generation device as defined below.

According to some embodiments, the mouthpiece end of the cartridge body forms a mouthpiece.

Thanks to these features, the mouthpiece end of the cartridge body can be used as a mouthpiece and can be thus removed and replaced by a new one regularly.

According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating element contact surface comprises a flexible or deformable material.

Thanks to these features, a better heat transfer can be achieved between the aerosol generating element contact surface and the heater contact surface, when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity. According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating element contact surface is arranged substantially perpendicular to the cartridge axis.

Thanks to these features, a compact form of the cartridge as well as of the aerosol generation device can be obtained.

The invention relates to an aerosol generation set which comprises:

- an aerosol generation device as defined below; and

- a removable cartridge as defined below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description, which is given solely by way of non-limiting example and which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic cross-section view of an aerosol generation set according to a first embodiment of the invention, the aerosol generation set comprising an aerosol generation device and a removable cartridge;

- Figure 2 is a schematic cross-section view of a removable cartridge according to an example of implementation different from the example of Figure 1 ; and

- Figure 3 is a schematic cross-section view of an aerosol generation set according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the invention, it is to be understood that it is not limited to the details of construction set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

As used herein, the term “aerosol generation device” or “device” may include a vaping device to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for vaping, by means of aerosol generating unit (e.g. an aerosol generating element which generates vapor which condenses into an aerosol before delivery to an outlet of the device at, for example, a mouthpiece, for inhalation by a user). The device may be portable. “Portable” may refer to the device being for use when held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating a heater system for a variable amount of time (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol), which can be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be user activated, such as a vaping button and/or inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be sensitive to the strength of inhalation as well as the duration of inhalation to enable a variable amount of vapor to be provided (so as to mimic the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe, etc.). The device may include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heater and/or the heated aerosol generating substance (aerosol pre-cursor) to a specified target temperature and thereafter to maintain the temperature at the target temperature that enables efficient generation of aerosol.

As used herein, the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of precursor as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapor. Aerosol may include one or more components of the precursor.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming precursor” or “precursor” or “aerosolforming substance” or “substance” may refer to one or more of a: liquid; solid; gel; mousse; foam or other substances. The precursor may be processable by the heating system of the device to form an aerosol as defined herein. The precursor may comprise one or more of: nicotine; caffeine or other active components. The active component may be carried with a carrier, which may be a liquid. The carrier may include propylene glycol or glycerine. A flavoring may also be present. The flavoring may include Ethylvanillin (vanilla), menthol, Isoamyl acetate (banana oil) or similar. A solid aerosol forming substance may be in the form of a rod, which contains processed tobacco material, a crimped sheet or oriented strips of reconstituted tobacco (RTB).

As used herein, the term “substantially perpendicular” used in relation with two elements means that the angle formed between these two elements is comprised between 75° and 105°, advantageously between 80° and 100° and preferably between 85° and 95°.

FIRST EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In reference to Figure 1 , an aerosol generation set 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises an aerosol generation device 12 and a removable cartridge 14.

The removable cartridge 14 is designed for storing a precursor able to form an aerosol. The precursor can be stored in a solid or a liquid form. As it will be explained in further detail below, the removable cartridge 14 is designed to be inserted into the aerosol generation device 12 and in such an inserted position, to heat or to evaporate the precursor using a heating system distributed between the cartridge 14 and the aerosol generation device 12, The heating system will be also explained in further detail below. When the precursor is consumed, the removable cartridge 14 is designed to be replaced. In some other embodiments, the cartridge 14 is designed to be refilled with the precursor.

The removable cartridge 14 comprises a cartridge body 20 extending between a mouthpiece end 21 and a heat receiving end 22 along a cartridge axis X. In the example of Figure 1 , the cartridge body 20 is of parallelepipedal shape but any other suitable shapes are also possible. For example, the cartridge body 20 may be cylindrical extending along the cartridge axis X or any more complex shape depending on the design of the aerosol generation device 12 and/or on the nature of the precursor.

The cartridge body 20 comprises cartridge walls delimiting a precursor chamber 24 adapted to store the precursor. Additionally, depending on the nature of the precursor, the precursor chamber 24 can be divided in a plurality of compartments. At least one of these compartments is for example designed to vaporize the precursor when it is in a liquid form or designed to conduct the precursor or the aerosol. These compartment constructions are known perse and are not shown on Figure 1.

The cartridge walls can be solid or at least partially flexible. The cartridge walls define an outer surface 26 of the cartridge body 20. These walls can comprise at least one cartridge front wall arranged at the mouthpiece end 21 of the cartridge body 20, at least one cartridge back wall arranged at the heat receiving end 22 of the cartridge body 20 and one or several cartridge side walls extending along the cartridge axis X between the cartridge front wall and the cartridge back wall. The cartridge front wall and the cartridge back wall are for example substantially perpendicular to the cartridge axis X. The cartridge walls further define an aerosol outlet 28 and advantageously, an air inlet 29. The aerosol outlet 28 presents an opening arranged at the mouthpiece end 21 of the cartridge body 20 for example on the cartridge front wall and being in a fluid communication with the precursor chamber 24. Thus, the aerosol outlet 28 allows aerosol to exit from the precursor chamber 24. The air inlet 29 includes an opening arranged for example at the heat receiving end 22 of the device on a cartridge side wall. The air inlet 29 allows air to enter into the precursor chamber 24 while the user inhales.

The removable cartridge 14 further comprises an aerosol generating element 32 being a part of the heating system of the aerosol generation set 10 and designed to generate aerosol from the precursor stored in the precursor chamber 24.

The aerosol generating element 32 is arranged at the heat receiving end 22 of the cartridge body 20 and is configured to transfer heat from at least another component of the heater system arranged in the aerosol generation device 12 to the precursor. For this purpose, the aerosol generating element 32 defines a contact surface 34 designed to come into contact with said another element of the heater system, when the removable cartridge 14 is connected to the aerosol generation device 12, and a heating surface 35, designed to be in contact with the precursor.

Particularly, the heating surface 35 forms a part of an inner surface of the precursor chamber 24 or protrudes from this inner surface inside the chamber 24. The contact surface 34 forms for example a part of the outer surface 26 of the cartridge body 20 or protrudes at least slightly from this outer surface 26. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the contact surface 34 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the cartridge axis X. In some embodiments of the invention, the contact surface 34 comprises a flexible or deformable material.

According to different embodiments of the invention, the aerosol generating element 32 presents a heat transfer plate, a blade, a wick, a sponge structure or any other suitable form allowing heat transfer to the precursor. Additionally, as it is shown on Figure 1 , the aerosol generating element 32 may be integrated into the cartridge back wall.

Figure 2 shows another possible example of implementation of the removable cartridge 14. According to this example, the removable cartridge 14 differs from the cartridge 14 described in reference to Figure 1 only by the form of the cartridge front wall. Particularly, according to the example of Figure 2, the cartridge body 20 comprises a cartridge front wall 38 extending along the cartridge axis X in the shape of a funnel, the aerosol outlet 28 being arranged on the funnel end. In this case, the cartridge front wall 38 forms a mouthpiece intended to be in contact with the user’s mouth when the aerosol generation device 12 is operating.

According to other embodiments (not shown), the removable cartridge 14 comprises a separate mouthpiece designed to be attached to its mouthpiece end 21.

Referring again to Figure 1 , the aerosol generation device 12 comprises a device body 40 extending between a mouthpiece end 41 and a battery end 42 along a device axis Y. Inside the device body 40, the aerosol generation device 12 further comprises a battery 44, an electrical circuitry 45 and a heater 46.

The battery 44 is arranged at the battery end 42 of the device body 40 and presents for example a lithium-ion battery known per se and able to be charged by an external power source via an appropriate plug arranged in the device body 40.

The electrical circuitry 45 is configured to connect electrically the heater 46 to the battery 44. According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrical circuitry 45 comprises a switch able to connect or disconnect the heater 46 to or from the battery 44. According to other embodiments of the invention, the electrical circuitry 45 further comprises other types of electronic and/or software components able to control the heater powering.

The heater 46 with the aerosol generation element 32 of the removable cartridge 14 form the heating system of the aerosol generation set 10. The heater 46 can comprise a resistance powered by the battery 44 to generate heat and a heater contact surface 54 configured to come into contact with the aerosol generating element contact surface 34 in order to perform heat transfer between the heater 46 and the aerosol generating element 32, as it will be described in further detail below. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the heater contact surface 54 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the device axis Y. Additionally, according to a particular embodiment of the invention, the heater 46 is mounted on a support (not shown on Figure 1) using a resilient member 56. This resilient member 56 is configured to exert pressure to the heater 46 along for example the device axis Y so as to press the heater 46 in the direction of the mouthpiece end 41 of the device body 40. The resilient member 56 is for example formed by a spring.

According to another embodiment, the resilient member 56 is arranged in any other place of the device body 40 to exert pressure to the cartridge body 20 substantially according to the cartridge axis X, so as the contact surface 34 of the cartridge 14 is abutted against the heater contact surface 54. For example, the resilient member 56 can be arranged in the cavity 60 (explained in further detail below). Additionally, several resilient members can be used within the device body 40. Moreover, this embodiment can be combined with the previous one.

According to the invention, the device body 40 defines a cavity 60 adjacent to the mouthpiece end 41 of the device body 40 and configured to receive the removable cartridge 14 so the cartridge axis X coincides with the device axis Y.

The cavity 60 is delimited by walls defining a cavity inner surface 61. Particularly, the walls delimiting the cavity 60 comprise for example a cavity front wall 62 adjacent to the mouthpiece end 41 of the device body 40 and arranged substantially perpendicular to the device axis Y, a cavity back wall 63 arranged substantially perpendicular to the device axis Y between the mouthpiece end 41 and the battery end 42 of the device body 40, and one or several cavity side walls 64 extending along the device axis Y between the cavity front wall 62 and the cavity back wall 63.

The heater 46 is adjacent to the cavity 60 so the heater contact surface 54 forms a part of the cavity inner surface 61 or protrudes, at least slightly, from this surface 61 . In one embodiment of the invention, the heater 46 is arranged so the heater contact surface 54 protrudes from the cavity back wall 63. In this case, the heater 46 is integrated into the cavity back wall 63.

As it is shown on Figure 1 , the cavity front wall 62 defines an opening 68 forming an aerosol outlet and configured to be aligned with the aerosol outlet 28 of the removable cartridge 14 when it is inserted into the cavity 60. Additionally, in the embodiments where the cartridge 14 comprises or defines a mouthpiece, the opening 68 is configured so as the mouthpiece of the cartridge 14 can extend through the opening 68. In other embodiments, the cavity front wall 62 forms itself a mouthpiece or is adapted to receive and attach a separate mouthpiece.

According to the invention, at least one cavity wall 62, 63, 64, called support wall, is configured to exert pressure to the mouthpiece end 21 of the cartridge body 20 for abutting the aerosol generating element contact surface 34 of the removable cartridge 14 against the heater contact surface 54. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the support wall is formed by the cavity front wall 62. Advantageously, this pressure creates a friction force between the support wall and the cartridge body 20 making it possible to retain the removable cartridge 14 in the inserted position.

According to some embodiments, the cavity 60 further comprises fixing means configured to fix the removable cartridge 14 in the cavity in addition to said friction force.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, the cavity walls 62, 63, 64 are fixed to the device body 40 and the cavity 60 comprises an insertion opening 80 suitable for insertion of the removable cartridge 14. This insertion opening 80 extends for example along the device axis Y and is formed in one or several cavity side walls 64. In this case, the insertion opening 80 is a side opening.

In some embodiments, the insertion opening 80 is formed only at one side of the device body 40. In some other embodiments, two insertion openings are formed on two opposite sides of the device body 40 so the cartridge can be inserted through either opening.

Lastly, according to some embodiments of the invention, the aerosol generation device 12 further comprises a shutter (not shown) configured to close or cover the insertion opening 80 when the removable cartridge 14 is inserted into the cavity 60. The shutter can be for example hinged to device body 20 or attached using other suitable means.

The operation of the aerosol generation set 10 will now be described.

Initially, the aerosol generation 10 is provided. For example, the aerosol generation device 12 and the removable cartridge 14 can be purchased by a user at the same moment or separately. In this last case, the removable cartridge 14 can be intended to replace another cartridge where the precursor has been consumed. Further, it is considered that the cartridge 14 is extracted from the aerosol generation device 12.

For inserting the cartridge 14 into the aerosol generation device 12, the user places the cartridge 14 in front of the insertion opening 80 and aligns the cartridge front, back and side walls with respectively the cavity front, back and side walls 62, 63, 64. Then, the user inserts the cartridge 14 into the cavity 60 according to direction F shown on Figure 1 by overcoming the friction force exerted by the support wall on the cartridge body 20.

In the inserted position, the support wall exerts pressure to the mouthpiece end 21 of the cartridge body 20 and abuts the aerosol generating element contact surface 34 against the heater contact surface 54, according to the direction of the battery end 42. Additionally, when the aerosol generation device 12 is provided with the resilient member 56, the resilient member 56 abuts the heater contact surface 54 against the aerosol generating element contact surface 34 in the opposite direction. This makes it possible to avoid air gaps between both contact surfaces 34, 54 and thus, to improve heat transfer between these two contact surfaces 34, 54. Additionally, when the aerosol generating element contact surface 34 is formed from a flexible material, it can take at least partially the form of the heater contact surface 54 and thus ensure a better heat transfer.

SECOND EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

An aerosol generation set 110 according to a second embodiment of the invention will now be described in reference to Figure 3.

As in the previous case, the aerosol generation set 110 comprises an aerosol generation device 112 and a removable cartridge 114. The removable cartridge 114 is for example identical to the removable cartridge 14 according to the first embodiment of the invention. Thus, like in the previous case, the removable cartridge 114 comprises an aerosol generating element 132 defining a contact surface 134 exposed out of the cartridge body. Additionally, the removable cartridge 114 can comprise a mouthpiece or not. In the example of Figure 3, the cartridge 114 is provided without mouthpiece.

The aerosol generation device 112 is also similar to the aerosol generation device 12 according to the first embodiment of the invention. Particularly, like in the previous case, the aerosol generation device 112 comprises a heater 146 defining a heater contact surface 154. The aerosol generation device 112 also defines a cavity 160 at its mouthpiece end.

According to the second embodiment of the invention, the cavity 160 is formed by a fixed part 158 and a movable part 159. The movable part 159 is for example formed by a cavity front wall adjacent to the mouthpiece end of the device body and eventually at least by a part of cavity side walls 163. The fixed part 158 is formed by a cavity back wall 164 and eventually at least by a part of cavity side walls 163. The movable part 159 is for example hinged to the fixed part 158 using hinging means 170 allowing the movable part 159 to be moved at least partially away from the fixed part 158. Locking means can be provided to fix the movable part 159 to the fixed part 158. According to other embodiments, the movable part 159 can be attached to the fixed part 158 using other suitable means. For example, the movable part 159 can be screwed on the fixed part 158.

When the movable part 159 is moved at least partially away from the fixed part 158, an insertion opening 180 suitable for insertion the removable cartridge 114 is formed. The removable cartridge 114 can thus be inserted into the cavity 160 so as the cartridge axis X coincides with the devices axis Y.

Like in the previous case, at least one cavity wall, called support wall, is configured to make the aerosol generating element contact surface 134 abut or press against the heater contact surface 154 when the cartridge 114 is inserted into the cavity 160. In the example of Figure 3, the support wall is formed by the cavity front wall 162.

The operation of the aerosol generation set 110 according to the second embodiment of the invention is similar to the operation of the aerosol generation set 10 according to the first embodiment. The unique difference consists in the way of insertion of the removable cartridge 114. Thus, as it is shown on Figure 3, the removable cartridge 114 can be first inserted into the movable part 159 of the cavity 160 according to direction F and then, the movable part 159 can be turned according to direction D to make the cartridge axis X and the device axis Y coincide between them. Of course, depending on the respective configuration of the movable and fixed parts 159, 158, the removable cartridge 114 can be first inserted into the fixed part 158 and then, the movable part 159 can be turned to enclose the cavity 160. Other embodiments of the invention are still possible.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation device (12; 112) designed to operate with a removable cartridge (14; 114), the removable cartridge (14; 114) comprising a cartridge body (20) extending between a mouthpiece end (21) and a heat receiving end (22) along a cartridge axis (X) and defining an outer surface (26), the removable cartridge (14; 114) further comprising an aerosol generating element contact surface (34; 134) arranged at the heat receiving end (22) of the cartridge body (20); the aerosol generation device (12; 112) comprising:

- a device body (40) extending between a mouthpiece end (41) and a battery end (42) along a device axis (Y);

- a battery (44) adjacent to the battery end (41) of the device body (40);

- a heater (46; 146) configured to be powered by the battery (44) and comprising a heater contact surface (54; 154); the device body (40) defining a cavity (60; 160) adjacent to the mouthpiece end (41) of the device body (40) and delimited by cavity walls (62, 63, 64; 162, 163, 164) defining a cavity inner surface (61), the heater contact surface (54; 154) being adjacent to the cavity inner surface (61); the cavity walls (62, 63, 64; 162, 163, 164) comprising a support wall (62; 162) arranged at the mouthpiece end (41 ) of the device body (40); the aerosol generation device (12; 112) being characterized in that the cavity (60; 160) is configured to receive the removable cartridge (14; 114) so as the cartridge axis (X) coincides with the device axis (Y) and at least the support wall (62; 162) exerts pressure to the mouthpiece end (21) of the cartridge body (20) for maintaining the aerosol generating element contact surface (34; 134) of the removable cartridge (14; 114) abutted against the heater contact surface (54; 154) in use.

2. The aerosol generation device (12; 112) according to claim 1 , wherein the support wall (62; 162) defines an opening (68) forming an aerosol outlet when the removable cartridge (14; 114) is received in the cavity.

3. The aerosol generation device (12; 112) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a mouthpiece mounted at the mouthpiece end (41) of the device body (40).

4. The aerosol generation device (12; 112) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a resilient member (56) configured to exert pressure to the cartridge body (20) substantially according to the cartridge axis (X) when the removable cartridge (14; 114) is received in the cavity (60; 160).

5. The aerosol generation device (12; 112) according to claim 4, wherein the resilient member (56) supports the heater (46; 146) and configured to have the heater contact surface (54; 154) pressed against the aerosol generating element contact surface (34; 134) of the removable cartridge (14; 114) when the removable cartridge (14; 114) is received in the cavity (60; 160).

6. The aerosol generation device (12; 112) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heater contact surface (54; 154) is arranged substantially perpendicular to the device axis (Y).

7. The aerosol generation device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one cavity wall (62, 63, 64) comprises an insertion opening (80) suitable for insertion of the removable cartridge (14); preferably, the insertion opening (80) extending along the device axis (Y) and forming a side opening in respect with the device body (40).

8. The aerosol generation device (112) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cavity (160) is formed by a fixed part (158) and a movable part (159), an insertion opening (180) suitable for insertion of the removable cartridge (114) being formed when the movable part (159) is moved at least partially away from the fixed part (158).

9. The aerosol generation device (112) according to claim 8, wherein the movable part (159) comprises the support wall (162) and the heater (146) is adjacent to the fixed part (158); preferably the movable part (159) being adapted to receive at least partially the removable cartridge (114) when the movable part (159) is moved at least partially away from the fixed part (158).

10. The aerosol generation device (112) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the movable part (159) is hinged to the fixed part (158).

11. A removable cartridge (14; 114) comprising a cartridge body (20) extending between a mouthpiece end (21) and a heat receiving end (22) along a cartridge axis (X) and defining an outer surface (26), the removable cartridge (14; 114) further comprising an aerosol generating element contact surface (34; 134) arranged at the heat receiving end (22) of the cartridge body (26) ; the removable cartridge (14; 114) being characterized in that it is adapted to be received in the cavity (60; 160) of the aerosol generation device (12; 112) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. The removable cartridge (14; 114) according to claim 11 , wherein the mouthpiece end (21) of the cartridge body (20) forms a mouthpiece.

13. The removable cartridge (14; 114) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the aerosol generating element contact surface (34; 134) comprises a flexible or deformable material.

14. The removable cartridge (14; 114) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the aerosol generating element contact surface (34; 134) is arranged substantially perpendicular to the cartridge axis (X).

15. An aerosol generation set (10; 110) comprising:

- an aerosol generation device (12; 112) according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and

- a removable cartridge (14; 114) according to any one of claims 11 to 14.