EP4142528A1

EP4142528A1 - Aerosol generation device

Info

Publication number: EP4142528A1
Application number: EP21720517.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ernst Hupkes
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2020-04-27
Filing date: 2021-04-26
Publication date: 2023-03-08
Also published as: TW202207819A; WO2021219535A1; JP2023523879A

Abstract

An aerosol generating device (1) is described. The aerosol generating device includes: a body (10) having an aperture (12) through which a consumable is receivable into the aerosol generating device; a cover (110) moveable along a first direction between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the cover overlays the aperture and in the open position the aperture is exposed; a coupling element having a first end (141) arranged to cooperate with the cover and a second end (142) pivotally attached to the body, such that the coupling element rotates relative to the body as the cover is moved between the closed position and the open position; wherein the coupling element is positioned towards one side of the cover and body such that a plane of rotation of the coupling element is offset from a central plane (2), parallel to the plane of rotation, running through the body and cover. By positioning the coupling element in this manner towards one side of the cover and body it is possible to reduce the size of the cover and associated components, providing a more compact and user friendly device.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE

The present disclosure related to an aerosol generation device. The disclosure is particularly applicable to a portable aerosol generation device, which may be self- contained and low temperature. Such devices may heat, rather than burn, tobacco or other suitable aerosol substrate materials by conduction, convection and/or radiation, to generate an aerosol for inhalation.

BACKGROUND

The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as vaporisers) has grown rapidly in the past few years as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit smoking traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and rolling tobacco. Various devices and systems are available that heat aerosolisable substances to release a vapour for inhalation, rather than relying on burning of tobacco.

A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated substrate aerosol generation device or heat-not-burn device. Devices of this type generate an aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol substrate that typically comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable aerosolisable material to a temperature typically in the range 150°C to 350°C. Heating an aerosol substrate, but not combusting or burning it, releases an aerosol that comprises the components sought by the user but not the toxic and carcinogenic by-products of combustion and burning. Furthermore, the aerosol produced by heating the tobacco or other aerosolisable material does not typically comprise the burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning that can be unpleasant for the user and so the substrate does not therefore require the sugars and other additives that are typically added to such materials to make the smoke and/or vapour more palatable for the user.

Such devices are commonly hand-held, and are preferably easy to grip and safe to hold on their exterior even while heating the aerosol substrate. However, many devices can be awkward to use and the required components can lack user- friendliness.

It is helpful to provide a cover that can protect the region of the device where the aerosol substrate is provided for use; this cover is moved frequently by the user and so a cover that lacks user-friendliness is undesirable. Additionally, it is desirable to provide a compact device to increase the ease of use for the user and to reduce manufacturing costs per device.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: a body having an aperture through which a consumable is receivable into the aerosol generating device; a cover moveable along a first direction between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the cover overlays the aperture and in the open position the aperture is exposed; a coupling element having a first end arranged to cooperate with the cover and a second end pivotally attached to the body, such that the coupling element rotates relative to the body as the cover is moved between the closed position and the open position; wherein the coupling element is positioned towards one side of the cover and body such that a plane of rotation of the coupling element is offset from a central plane, parallel to the plane of rotation, running through the centre of the body and cover.

By positioning the coupling element towards one side of the cover and body it is possible to reduce the size of the cover and associated components, providing a more compact and user friendly device.

The term “consumable” refers to an aerosolisable material, a cartridge or other container comprising an aerosolisable material, or any other component suitable for delivering an aerosolisable material into the device such that an aerosol may be generated. The phrase “the cover overlays the aperture” is intended to define that the aperture is blocked or obstructed so that material, such as the consumable, may not enter the device through the aperture. Preferably, the aerosol generating device further comprises a position sensing element for sensing a position of the cover; wherein the position sensing element is positioned adjacent to the coupling element in a direction perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the coupling element.

Including a position sensing element allows the aerosol generating device to determine the position of the cover and, e.g. activate, deactivate, permit, or prohibit functions of the device. These functions may relate to, for example, the power of the device or the operation of a heating chamber component. Positioning the position sensing element in the described arrangement ensures efficient use of device space, providing a more compact and user friendly device.

Preferably, the coupling element is positioned on one side of the central plane and the position sensing element is positioned on the other side of the central plane.

Arranging the coupling element and the position sensing elements on different sides of the central plane evenly distributes components across the cover arrangement and device to provide smooth movement of the cover between the open position and closed position.

Preferably, the coupling element comprises a biasing element, such that the biasing element applies a biasing force to the cover which biases the cover to at least one of the closed or the open position.

The biasing force on the cover applied by the biasing element prevents the cover from moving away from the at least one of the closed or the open position due to incidental contact. The biasing element also provides beneficial feedback to the user as they move the cover along the first direction to improve the user experience when operating the device.

Preferably, the coupling element comprises a rigid element. Including a rigid element in the coupling element supports the coupling element and cover. Allowing greater control over the movement of the cover along the first direction and so increases the durability of components associated with the movement of the cover such as the cover and the coupling element. Preferably, the biasing element is positioned around the rigid element. In this arrangement the rigid element may act as a support for the biasing element to increase its durability and better control the direction of the biasing force exerted.

Preferably, the coupling element comprises a traveller positioned around the rigid element and adjacent to the biasing element; wherein the traveller is arranged to move in a direction extending between a first end and a second end of the rigid element as the cover moves between the closed position and the open position, such that the traveller transfers the biasing force between the biasing element and the cover.

The traveller cooperates with the biasing element and cover to ensure the biasing force is efficiently transferred from the biasing element to the cover. Arranging the traveller on the rigid element also provides a more compact device as the size of other components such as the rigid element and biasing element may be reduced.

Preferably, the position sensing element is a magnet and the device further comprises a Hall sensor arranged to sense the position of the magnet. Preferably, the Hall sensor is positioned on the body of the device such that the Hall sensor is closer to the magnet when the cover is in the open position than when the cover is in the closed position.

The Hall sensor is able to detect the magnetic field produced by the magnet and any changes in this magnetic field as a result of the movement of the cover. This arrangement allows the aerosol generating device to accurately determine the position of the cover and, e.g. activate, deactivate, permit, or prohibit functions of the device as a result of this determined position.

Preferably, the biasing element applies a biasing force to the cover which biases the cover to the closed position and the open position. This bi-stable configuration prevents the cover from moving away from the closed position or the open position due to incidental contact, increasing the user-friendliness of the device.

Preferably, the biasing element deforms in order to apply the biasing force. Preferably, the cover is further moveable from the open position to an activation position at which the aerosol generating device is operable to initiate an activation signal.

The cover being further moveable from the open position to an activation position enables the user to operate the aerosol generating device without having to change their grip on the device, thus increasing user friendliness.

Preferably, the biasing element is arranged to apply the biasing force so as also to bias the cover away from the activation position. This increases the safety of the device as it prevents an activation signal being initiated accidentally due to incidental contact with the cover.

Preferably, the aerosol generating device further comprises a guide, wherein a carriage is arranged to move along the guide as the cover moves between the closed position and the open position, the carriage being arranged to interact with the cover, preferably wherein the guide provides an arc-shaped or linear guiding path.

The guide provides a guiding path which is used to define the first direction, allow precise control over the movement of the cover to increase user-friendliness. Furthermore, including the guide may set the limits of the range of movement of the cover so that components, such as the biasing element, are not damaged or undesirably deformed, thus increasing the durability of the device. The guide may also prevent cooperating components, such as the carriage, cover, biasing element and rigid element, from separating from each other.

Preferably, the biasing element is arranged to apply the biasing force so as to bias the carriage towards a side of the guide, preferably towards a side of the guide away from the body. Typically, the side of the guide away from the body is the top side of the guide. This provides smooth movement of the cover that is pleasing for the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1A and 1B are schematic views of an aerosol generating device;

Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, and 2G are schematic views of a cover arrangement included in an aerosol generating device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1Aand 1 B schematically illustrate an aerosol generating device according to the present invention. The device 1 includes a body 10, a tubular heating chamber 20 arranged to receive an aerosol substrate through an open end of the heating chamber 20, the heating chamber 20 operable to heat the aerosol substrate to generate an aerosol.

A first end of the aerosol generating device 1 is an end near to the cover 110, shown towards the top of figures 1 A and 1 B, and is described for convenience as the top or upper end of the device 1. A second end of the aerosol generating device 1 is an end further (along a longitudinal axis of the device) from the cover 110, shown towards the bottom of figures 1A and 1B, and is described for convenience as a bottom, base, or lower end of the aerosol generating device 1. The relative arrangement of other components will be described in accordance with this orientation, for example, referring to figure 1 B, the cover 110 is located above the tubular heating chamber 20.

The aerosol generating device further includes an elongate battery 30 and the heating chamber 20 and the battery are aligned end-on within the body 10 with a first end 21 of the tubular heating chamber 20 facing a first end 31 of the battery. Since the heating chamber 20 and the battery 30 are aligned end-on within the body 10, there is a reduced thermal interface between the heating chamber 20 and the battery 30, which reduces thermal transfer to a battery during use of the device 1. This arrangement also allows for a more compact aerosol generating device 1 in which the dimensions of the body 10 can be reduced, utilising the efficient use of space achieved with the end-on configuration of the tubular heating chamber 20 and the battery 30. The body 10 of the device 1 includes an upper body portion 14 with an aperture 12 arranged over the tubular heating chamber 20, exposing the open end of the heating chamber 20 to allow an aerosol substrate to be introduced into the heating chamber 20.

The device further includes a cover arrangement 100 located at the upper body portion 14 of the device 1. The cover arrangement 100 includes a cover 110 which is moveable at least along a first direction between an open position, in which the aperture 12 is exposed and access to the heating chamber 20 is possible, and a closed position, in which the cover arrangement 100 obstructs the aperture 12 so as to prevent access to the heating chamber 20. When the cover 110 is in the closed position, the cover 110 prevents material from entering into the heating chamber 20. As shown in figure 2B, a central plane 2 parallel to a plane of movement of the cover 110 runs through the centre of the device 1, body 10 and cover 110.

Figures 2A to 2G schematically illustrate the cover arrangement 100 in a specific example of the invention. In this example, the cover arrangement 100 includes a cover 110 and a carriage 120 which are moveable relative to a guide 130. When assembled, the guide 130 is fixed to the body 10 or upper body portion 14 of the device 1 and includes guide tracks 132 configured to receive sliding elements 126 of the carriage 120. The sliding elements 126 of the carriage 120 are situated within the guide tracks 132 such that the path and range of movement of the carriage 120 may be defined by the arrangement of the sliding elements 126 and the guide tracks 132. For example, the first direction or movement path of the cover 110 defined by the sliding elements 126 and guide tracks 132 may be straight or curved. The guide 130 is shaped to define a guide opening 134 above the aperture 12 such that when the cover arrangement 100 is in the open position, the aperture 12 is exposed.

In the example shown in figure 2, the cover 110 and the carriage 120 are separate components that are joined by a linking element 124 such that a movement of the cover 110 causes a movement of the carriage 120. The linking element 124 is a screw which passes through a hole 122 in the carriage 120 to attach to a corresponding threaded hole in the cover 110 (as shown in Figures 2D to 2G). The linking element 124 is not restricted to a screw and may be any suitable attachment means such as clips or an adhesive. Preferably, the cover 110 is ergonomically designed to be easily manipulated by a thumb of the user when holding the device 1 in one hand.

In other embodiments of the invention, the cover 110 and the carriage 120 may be integrated together as a single component, in these embodiments this combined component may still be referred to as a cover 110.

The cover arrangement 100 further comprises a coupling element 140 arranged between the guide 130 and the carriage 120. A first end 141 of the coupling element 140 is attached (directly or indirectly) to the carriage 120 and a second end 142 of the coupling element 140 is attached (directly or indirectly) to the guide 130. Preferably, the first end 141 of the coupling element 140 is pivotally attached to the carriage 120 and the second end 142 of the coupling element 140 is pivotally attached to the guide using, e.g. a rotation bar 147. The coupling element

140 is configured such that the plane of rotation of the coupling element 140 is parallel to the plane of movement of the cover 110. The coupling element 140 may be fixedly attached to the rotation bar 147 which itself rotates relative to the guide 130 or, alternatively, the rotation bar 147 may be fixedly attached to the guide 130 and the second end 142 of the coupling element rotates about the bar 147. This arrangement provides a sufficiently large range of movement for the cover 110, to allow easy operation by the user, while allowing for a compact design of the cover arrangement 110 and device 1. In some embodiments, the first end

141 of the coupling element 140 may be pivotally attached to the carriage 120 using a rotation bar in the manner described above, this may be in addition to the rotation bar 147 attached to the second end 142 or instead of the rotation bar 147.

As shown in figures 2A-2G, the coupling element 140 is positioned away from the central plane 2 of the cover arrangement 100 and towards one side of the cover 110, the carriage 120 and the guide 130. Preferably, the coupling element 140 is arranged such that a longitudinal axis of the coupling element 140 is substantially parallel to the central plane 2. As the coupling element is positioned away from the central plane 2, a plane of rotation which the cover 110 moves/rotates through is offset from and substantially parallel to the central plane 2. Positioning the coupling element 140 in this manner provides a compact cover arrangement 110 for the device 1 as there is a more efficient use of space for components located on or linked to the carriage 120.

The coupling element 140 may comprise a biasing element 144 configured to apply a biasing force to the cover 110 that biases the cover 110 to at least one stable position. The cover 110 is considered to be in a stable position when there is zero net force acting on the cover 110. Depending on the configuration of the cover arrangement 100, the biasing element 144 may apply the biasing force directly to the cover 110 or to a different component, such as the carriage 120, which cooperates with the cover 110 and biases the cover 110 towards the stable position(s). Typically, a first end of the biasing element 144 is arranged to cooperate with the cover 110 and a second end of the biasing element 144 is arranged to cooperate with the guide 130.

The carriage 120, guide 130 and biasing element 144 are arranged so that, when the carriage 120 moves along the guide 130, the distance between the first end of the biasing element 144 and the second end of the biasing element 144 changes and the biasing element 144 is deformed. Typically, the biasing element 144 is a spring, such as a helical (or coil) spring or a torsion spring. In the embodiment shown in figures 2A-2G, the biasing element 144 is a helical compression spring. When the spring is deformed away from a relaxed position, or a stable position, the spring exerts a compressive force or an extensive force along an axis defined by the first end 141 of the coupling element 140 and the second end 142 of the coupling element 140. The force exerted by the spring is dependent on the deformation of the spring, where the magnitude of the force exerted increases as the magnitude of the deformation of the spring away from the relaxed position increases.

Preferably, as in the present embodiment, the coupling element further comprises a rigid element 146, and the biasing element 144 is mounted on the rigid element 146. In embodiments comprising the rigid element 146, a first end of the rigid element 146 may be considered the first end 141 of the coupling element 140 and a second end of the rigid element 146 may be considered the second end 142 of the coupling element 140.

The rigid element 146 acts as a support for the biasing element 144, assisting control of the biasing force and helping to define the range of movement of the cover 110 and carriage 120 relative to the guide 130 and body 10. For example, when the biasing element 144 is a helical compression spring, the spring wraps around the rigid element 146 such that the biasing force exerted by the spring acts along a longitudinal axis defined by the rigid element 146. In some embodiments, such as when the biasing element 144 is a torsion spring, the rigid element 146 is not necessary due to the nature of the biasing force exerted by the torsion spring. However, including the rigid element 146 can provide greater control over the biasing force and increase the durability of the cover arrangement 100.

Optionally, the coupling element may include a traveller 148 arranged to interact with the carriage 120 and the biasing element 144. Specifically, the traveller 148 is arranged to move longitudinally along the rigid element 146 as the position of the cover 110 is moved. Typically, a first end of the biasing element 144 is in contact with the traveller 148 and interacts with the traveller 148 as the traveller 148 moves along the rigid element 146. The first end of the biasing element 144 may be attached to the traveller 148 or may not be attached to the traveller 148 and merely be in contact with the traveller. The traveller 148 is arranged to either compress or extend the biasing element 144 as it moves along the rigid element 146.

In some embodiments, the traveller 148 comprises a hollow rod positioned around the rigid element 146 and arranged to move along the outside of the rigid element 146. In other embodiments, if the rigid element 146 is hollow then the traveller 148 may be arranged to move inside the rigid element 146.

In some embodiments, the traveller 148 comprises a limiting mechanism (not shown) that limits the extent to which the traveller 148 can move longitudinally along the rigid element 146; this may prevent the traveller 148 from separating from the rigid element 146 and/or limit the extent to which the biasing element 144 can be deformed.

The coupling element 140 is arranged such that the cover arrangement 100 has at least one stable position.

In an embodiment of the device 1 including the biasing element 144, the biasing element is arranged so that the force exerted by the biasing element 144 acts to bias the cover 110 towards the stable position(s). If the coupling element 140 does not include the biasing element 144 then the cover arrangement 100 may be held in the stable position(s) by another fastening mechanism such as a latch.

Preferably, the cover arrangement 100, in particular the biasing element 144, is configured such that the open position and the closed position are both stable positions. Preferably, in such bi-stable configurations, when the cover 110 is in a first range of positions between the closed position and the open position, the biasing element 144 acts to bias the cover 110 towards the closed position. Similarly, when the cover 110 is in a second range of positions between the closed position and the open position, the biasing element 144 acts to bias the cover 110 towards the open position. The first range of positions is closer to the closed position than the second range of positions is to the closed position. Similarly, the second range of positions is closer to the open position than the first range of positions is to the open position.

Typically, the biasing element 144 is arranged so that the first range of positions is substantially adjacent to the second range of positions. Therefore, at every position (or substantially every position) of the cover 110 between the closed position and the open position, the cover 110 is biased towards either the closed position or the open position. In some embodiments, there may be a position (or region) of unstable equilibrium located between the first and second ranges of positions where the biasing element 144 exerts no net force on the cover 110. This usually occurs at the portion of the cover 110 movement where the biasing element 144 changes between biasing the cover 110 towards the closed position and biasing the cover 110 towards the open position. Positions and regions of unstable equilibrium are those where small displacements in any direction drive the cover 110 away from the position or region of unstable equilibrium. Preferably, the cover arrangement 100 is arranged so that such positions or regions of unstable equilibrium are as small as possible. The cover 110 is likely to only be positioned in the regions of unstable equilibrium due to the movement and/or inertia of the cover 110 as it is moved between the closed position and open position. Therefore, it is unlikely that the cover 110 will come to rest stably in a region of unstable equilibrium.

In some embodiments, the guide 130 and/or the guide tracks 132 are (at least partially) arc shaped so that the biasing force exerted by the biasing element 144 is of constant magnitude in these arc shaped regions. More specifically, the distance between the first end of the biasing element 144 and the second end of the biasing element 144 remains constant through the movement of the biasing element 144 in these arc shaped regions. Though the magnitude of the biasing force exerted does not change, the direction of the biasing force exerted on the cover 110 does change as the biasing element 144 moves.

In some embodiments, the cover arrangement 100 may be configured such that the cover 110 is only in a stable position in one of the closed position and the open position. In these embodiments, wherever the cover 110 is positioned, the biasing element 144 is arranged to bias the cover 110 towards the one stable position (either the closed position or the open position).

Optionally, in embodiments with a single stable position, fastening mechanisms may be incorporated into the cover arrangement 100 to temporarily fix the cover 110 in a position other than the single stable position. For example, if the closed position is the single stable position, then a latch may be provided to fix the cover 110 in the open position despite the biasing element 144 biasing the cover 110 towards the closed position.

Preferably, the cover arrangement 100 includes a position sensing element 150 located on the carriage 120. Typically, the position sensing element 150 is a magnet. The magnetic field produced by such a magnet can be measured by a Hall effect sensor (Hall sensor) to determine the positioning of the magnet and therefore the cover 110. The Hall sensor may be arranged anywhere on the device 1 where the Hall sensor is able to detect a change in magnetic field as a result of the movement of the cover 110. Preferably, the Hall sensor is located near the cover 110 at the top of the body 10 beneath the cover arrangement 100. In some embodiments the Hall sensor is positioned such that it is closer to the magnet when the cover 110 is in the open position than when the cover 110 is in the closed position. In other embodiments the Hall sensor is positioned such that it is closer to the magnet when the cover 110 is in the closed position than in the open position. Arranging the Hall sensor nearby the magnet allows for more accurate position measurements to be recorded and requires less energy to power.

Including a position sensing element 150 in the cover arrangement 100 enables the movement and position of the cover 110 to be known and other functions of the device 1 can be allowed or prohibited according to this position. When the cover 110 is in the closed position the cover 110 obstructs the heating chamber 20 and so the user cannot inhale an aerosol generated by the device 1. Therefore, when the cover 110 is in a closed position the device may, e.g. enter an energy saving mode, turn the device 1 off, or restrict other functions of the device 1 such as preventing the heating chamber 20 from reaching a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol. Similarly, when the cover 110 is in the open position this may, e.g. turn the aerosol generating device 1 on, run a battery checking, allow the heating chamber 20 to reach a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol, or activate the heating chamber 20.

Therefore, when the cover 110 is in a closed position, the aerosol generating device 1 can be safely stowed, for example in a bag or pocket, without the heating chamber 20 activating. The biasing member 144 biases the cover 110 towards the closed position to prevent the cover 110 from moving due to incidental contact with other objects.

As shown in figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, the position sensing element 150 is located on the carriage 120 and is offset from the central plane 2. Preferably, the position sensing element 150 is arranged adjacent to the coupling element 140 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the coupling element 140 and cover 110 such that the position sensing element 150 is positioned on one side of the central plane 2 and the coupling element 140 is positioned on the other side of the central plane 2. Offsetting the components arranged on, or linked to, the carriage 120 allows for a compact design of the cover arrangement 100 and device 1.

Preferably, components located on, or linked to, the carriage 120 are arranged such that the weight of the cover 110, carriage 120, and components are distributed across a plane that is perpendicular to the central plane 2 that minimises unwanted friction between the carriage 120 and the guide 130, and to minimise biasing force acting in a direction away from the central plane 2. This increases the durability of the cover arrangement 100 and device 1, as well as providing a better user experience when moving the cover 110.

Optionally, as well as being moveable along a first direction between an open position and a closed position, when in the open position, the cover may be moved along a second direction that is different to the first direction. Preferably, the second direction is parallel to the central plane 2 of the device 1 and, more preferably, is also substantially perpendicular to the first direction. For example, the cover may be pressed by the user along the second direction into an activation position to activate the heating chamber of the device 1 and generate an aerosol. Preferably, the activation position is not a stable position and the biasing element 144 exerts a biasing force to the cover 110 which biases the cover 110 away from the activation position. Alternatively, there may be a separate actuator disposed on the body 10 which is configured to activate the heating chamber 20 so an aerosol may be generated. Definitions and Alternative Embodiments

It will be appreciated from the description above that many features of the described embodiment perform independent functions with independent benefits. Therefore, the inclusion or omission of each of these independent features from embodiments of the invention defined in the claims can be independently chosen.

The term “heater” should be understood to mean any device for outputting thermal energy sufficient to form an aerosol from the aerosol substrate. The transfer of heat energy from the heater to the aerosol substrate may be conductive, convective, radiative or any combination of these means. As non-limiting examples, conductive heaters may directly contact and press the aerosol substrate, or they may contact a separate component such as the heating chamber which itself causes heating of the aerosol substrate by conduction, convection, and/or radiation.

Heaters may be electrically powered, powered by combustion, or by any other suitable means. Electrically powered heaters may include resistive track elements (optionally including insulating packaging), induction heating systems (e.g. including an electromagnet and high frequency oscillator), etc. The heater may be arranged around the outside of the aerosol substrate, it may penetrate partway or fully into the aerosol substrate, or any combination of these. For example, instead of the heater of the above-described embodiment, an aerosol generation device may have a blade-type heater that extends into an aerosol substrate in the heating chamber.

Aerosol substrate includes tobacco, for example in dried or cured form, in some cases with additional ingredients for flavouring or producing a smoother or otherwise more pleasurable experience. In some examples, the aerosol substrate such as tobacco may be treated with a vaporising agent. The vaporising agent may improve the generation of vapour from the aerosol substrate. The vaporising agent may include, for example, a polyol such as glycerol, or a glycol such as propylene glycol. In some cases, the aerosol substrate may contain no tobacco, or even no nicotine, but instead may contain naturally or artificially derived ingredients for flavouring, volatilisation, improving smoothness, and/or providing other pleasurable effects. The aerosol substrate may be provided as a solid or paste type material in shredded, pelletised, powdered, granulated, strip or sheet form, optionally a combination of these. Equally, the aerosol substrate may be a liquid or gel. Indeed, some examples may include both solid and liquid/gel parts.

Consequently, the aerosol generating device 1 could equally be referred to as a “heated tobacco device”, a “heat-not-burn tobacco device”, a “device for vaporising tobacco products”, and the like, with this being interpreted as a device suitable for achieving these effects. The features disclosed herein are equally applicable to devices which are designed to vaporise any aerosol substrate.

The aerosol generation device may be arranged to receive the aerosol substrate in a pre-packaged substrate carrier. The substrate carrier may broadly resemble a cigarette, having a tubular region with an aerosol substrate arranged in a suitable manner. Filters, vapour collection regions, cooling regions, and other structure may also be included in some designs. An outer layer of paper or other flexible planar material such as foil may also be provided, for example to hold the aerosol substrate in place, to further the resemblance of a cigarette, etc. The substrate carrier may fit within the heating chamber or may be longer than the heating chamber such that the lid remains open while the aerosol generation device 1 is provided with the substrate carrier. In such embodiments, the aerosol may be provided directly from the substrate carrier which acts as a mouthpiece for the aerosol generation device.

As used herein, the term “aerosol” shall mean a system of particles dispersed in the air or in a gas, such as mist, fog, or smoke. Accordingly, the term “aerosolise” means to make into an aerosol and/or to disperse as an aerosol. Note that the meaning of aerosol/aerosolise is consistent with each of volatilise, atomise and vaporise. For the avoidance of doubt, aerosol is used to consistently describe mists or droplets comprising atomised, volatilised or vaporised particles. Aerosol also includes mists or droplets comprising any combination of atomised, volatilised or vaporised particles.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device comprising: a body having an aperture through which a consumable is receivable into the aerosol generating device; a cover moveable along a first direction between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the cover overlays the aperture and in the open position the aperture is exposed; a coupling element having a first end arranged to cooperate with the cover and a second end pivotally attached to the body, such that the coupling element rotates relative to the body as the cover is moved between the closed position and the open position; wherein the coupling element is positioned towards one side of the cover and body such that a plane of rotation of the coupling element is offset from a central plane, parallel to the plane of rotation, running through the body and cover.

2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1 further comprising a position sensing element for sensing a position of the cover; wherein the position sensing element is positioned adjacent to the coupling element in a direction perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the coupling element.

3. The aerosol generating device of claim 2, wherein the coupling element is positioned on one side of the central plane and the position sensing element is positioned on the other side of the central plane.

4. The aerosol generating device of any preceding claim, wherein the coupling element comprises a biasing element, such that the biasing element applies a biasing force to the cover which biases the cover to at least one of the closed or the open position.

5. The aerosol generating device of any preceding claim, wherein the coupling element comprises a rigid element.

6. The aerosol generating device of claims 4 and 5, wherein the biasing element is positioned around the rigid element.

7. The aerosol generating device of claim 6, wherein the coupling element comprises a traveller positioned around the rigid element and adjacent to the biasing element; wherein the traveller is arranged to move in a direction extending between a first end and a second end of the rigid element as the cover moves between the closed position and the open position, such that the traveller transfers the biasing force between the biasing element and the cover.

8. The aerosol generating device of claim 2, and optionally any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the position sensing element is a magnet and the device further comprises a Hall sensor arranged to sense the position of the magnet.

9. The aerosol generating device of claim 8, wherein the Hall sensor is positioned on the body of the device such that the Hall sensor is closer to the magnet when the cover is in the open position than when the cover is in the closed position.

10. The aerosol generating device of claim 4, and optionally any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the biasing element applies a biasing force to the cover which biases the cover to the closed position and the open position.

11. The aerosol generating device of claim 4, and optionally any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the biasing element deforms in order to apply the biasing force.

12. The aerosol generating device of any preceding claim, wherein the cover is further moveable from the open position to an activation position at which the aerosol generating device is operable to initiate an activation signal.

13. The aerosol generating device of claim 4 and claim 12, wherein the biasing element is arranged to apply the biasing force so as also to bias the cover away from the activation position.

14. The aerosol generating device of any preceding claim, further comprising a guide, wherein a carriage is arranged to move along the guide as the cover moves between the closed position and the open position, the carriage being arranged to interact with the cover, preferably wherein the guide provides an arc- shaped or linear guiding path.

15. The aerosol generating device of claim 4 and claim 14, wherein the biasing element is arranged to apply the biasing force so as to bias the carriage towards a side of the guide, preferably towards a side of the guide away from the body.