EP4171280A1

EP4171280A1 - Aerosol generation apparatus to heat smokable material

Info

Publication number: EP4171280A1
Application number: EP21746142.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Laura HOLT
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2020-06-30
Filing date: 2021-06-28
Publication date: 2023-05-03
Also published as: JP2023530908A; WO2022003532A1

Abstract

An aerosol generation apparatus comprises a housing; the housing having a first inlet at a first end through which a smokable article can pass so as to be received within and removed from the apparatus in use; the housing having a second inlet distant from the first inlet; the housing having a chamber between the first inlet and the second inlet; and at least one heater arranged within the housing for heating the smokable article removably received within the chamber in use. The apparatus further comprises a stopping device located inside the chamber towards the second inlet, whereby the stopping device is configured to stop in a predetermined heating position the smokable article passed through the first inlet in use, and the stopping device is further configured such that a first opening surface area of the chamber at the stopping device is smaller than a second opening surface area of the chamber upstream the stopping device and the first opening surface area of the chamber at the stopping device is smaller than a third opening surface area of the chamber downstream of the stopping device, or the stopping device comprises an end surface of a rod positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the chamber and a flow passage is present between the rod and the chamber.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATION APPARATUS TO HEAT SMOKABLE MATERIAL

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol generation apparatus arranged to heat smokable material to volatilize at least one vaporizable material of the smokable material.

Background Art

The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as vaporizers) 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 or warm aerosolisable substances as opposed to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products.

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 vapor 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 vapor more palatable for the user.

Such devices commonly comprise a heating chamber for heating the aerosol substrate, and an electrical power source for supplying power to the heating chamber. The electrical power source is usually either disposable or rechargeable, so that the lifetime of the device is not limited by the single energy storage capacity of the electrical power source. The heating chamber is typically required to heat quickly, for relatively short amounts of time, which means that it is desirable to be able to supply high power to the heating chamber, and it is desirable to supply the power efficiently.

International publication W02016/207407 discloses a device for heating a rod of vapor forming substance such as for example tobacco. The device has a housing with a first opening at a first end through which smokable material can pass so as to be received within and removed from the device in use. The housing has a second opening at a second end opposed from the first end. The housing further has a chamber between the first and second openings. At least one heater is arranged within the housing for heating the vapor forming substance removably received within the chamber in use. The chamber has a region of reduced internal diameter towards a distal end, which provides an end stop for the rod of vapor forming material passed through the first opening, to prevent the smokable material being passed straight out though the second opening.

The invention aims at providing an alternative to known devices that enables a simple manufacturing, and also enables to optimize the heating of the vapor forming substance portion of a smoking rod by the heater of the device.

Summary of Invention

The invention provides an aerosol generation apparatus. The apparatus comprises a housing; the housing having a first inlet at a first end through which a smokable article can pass so as to be received within and removed from the apparatus in use; the housing having a second inlet distant from the first inlet; the housing having a chamber between the first inlet and the second inlet; and at least one heater arranged within the housing for heating the smokable article removably received within the chamber in use. The apparatus further comprises a stopping device located inside the chamber towards the second inlet, whereby the stopping device is configured to stop in a predetermined heating position the smokable material passed through the first inlet in use, and a) the stopping device is further configured such that a first opening surface area of the chamber at the stopping device is smaller than a second opening surface area of the chamber upstream the stopping device and the first opening surface area of the chamber at the stopping device is smaller than a third opening surface area of the chamber downstream of the stopping device, or b) the stopping device comprises an end surface of a rod positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the chamber and a flow passage is present between the rod and the chamber.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises at least one protrusion at an inside wall of the chamber, whereby the stopping device comprises a surface of the protrusion, the surface of the protrusion being configured to provide the stop. In a further preferred embodiment, the rod is of cylindrical shape. The flow passage about the rod is preferably annular.

In a further preferred embodiment, the rod is removably positioned along the central longitudinal axis of the chamber. For example, the rod may be attached to the housing by removable connection means such as by press fitting or screwing.

In a further preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an apertured wall positioned inside the chamber substantially perpendicularly to a central longitudinal axis of the chamber, whereby the stopping device comprises a surface of the apertured wall, the surface of this wall being configured to provide the stop.

In a further preferred embodiment, the apertured wall is of disk shape.

Ina further preferred embodiment, the apertured wall comprises a plurality of through-holes. The apertured wall can be for example a mesh or sieve.

In a further preferred embodiment, the apertured wall is removably positioned inside the chamber. In a further preferred embodiment, the material of the aperture wall comprises any one of the following: metal; heat resistant polymer.

In a further preferred embodiment, the protrusion is configured as a circumferential ring protruding from the inside wall of the housing.

In a further preferred embodiment, the protrusion is configured as a series of a plurality of arc shaped discontinuous protrusions.

In a further preferred embodiment, the inside wall is made of metal, and the protrusion is an embossing of the metal inside wall.

In a further preferred embodiment, the stopping device extends no longer than 1 to 4 mm axially.

In a further preferred embodiment, the heater is further arranged to heat the chamber. In a further preferred embodiment, the heater is positioned between the stopping device and the first inlet. The invention provides means configured for keeping the smoking rod inserted into a chamber of the device in alignment with a heater located around the chamber.

In a further preferred embodiment, the chamber comprises elongated engagement elements protruding inwardly to engage the smoking article in use and to provide an air gap between the chamber and the smoking article.

Brief Description of Drawings

The invention will be better understood through the description of example embodiments, and in reference to the figures, wherein: figure 1A is a schematic illustration of an example apparatus arranged to heat smokable material, according to the invention; figure 1 B illustrates a cross-section of the apparatus from figure 1 A; figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an example stopping device according to the invention; figure 3 is a schematic illustration of an example stopping device in form of a rod according to the invention; figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a cross-section of an example embodiment of the rod according to the invention; figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an example stopping device in form of a meshed wall according to the invention; and figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a cross-section of an example embodiment of the meshed wall according to the invention.

Same references will be used to designate same or similar features throughout all the figures. Description of Embodiments

As used herein, the term "smokable material" includes materials that provide vaporized components upon heating, typically in the form of an aerosol. "Smokable material" includes any tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. "Smokable material" also may include other, non-tobacco, products.

"Smokable material" may for example be in the form of a solid, a liquid, a gel or a wax or the like. "Smokable material" may for example also be a combination or a blend of materials.

A “smokable article” is an article or component that includes or contains in use the smokable material which in use is heated to volatilize.

An aerosol generation apparatus is known that heats smokable material to vaporize at least one component of the smokable material, typically to form an aerosol which can be inhaled, without burning or combusting the smokable material. Such apparatus is sometimes described as a "heat-not-burn" apparatus or a "tobacco heating product" or "tobacco heating device" or similar. Similarly, there are also so-called e-cigarette devices, which typically vaporize a smokable material in the form of a liquid. The smokable material may be in the form of or provided as part of a rod, cartridge, or cassette or the like which can be inserted into the apparatus. A heater for heating and vaporizing the smokable material may be provided as a "permanent" part of the apparatus.

Referring now to figure 1A, this contains a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of an example apparatus 100 arranged to heat smokable article 101 to volatilize one vaporizable material of the smokable material 101. The apparatus 100 comprises a housing 102, which has a first inlet 103 at a first end through which the smokable article 101 can pass so as to be received within and removed from the apparatus 100 in use. In the example of figure 1A the smokable article 101 is provided as part of a rod, which can be inserted into the apparatus 100. The insertion is for example operated by a user of the apparatus 100 who holds the rod with his/her fingers and introduces the rod into the first inlet 103.

The housing 102 further has a second inlet 104 distant from the first end. In figure 1A the second inlet 104 is located at a side of the apparatus 100 which is opposite to the side on which the first inlet 103 is located. The second inlet 104 may be configured to allow air to be supplied to the apparatus. The housing 102 further has a chamber 105 between the first and second inlets 103 and 104. The chamber 105 may be considered a cavity construction of its own mounted inside the housing 102. As illustrated in the example of figure 1A, the chamber 105 may be aligned longitudinally between the first and second inlets 103 and 104 of the housing 102. The first inlet 103 may be associated to a closure (not illustrated) which can be opened before insertion of the smokable article in the chamber. A closure of the second inlet 104 may be designed to provide an opening of adjustable size and/or may obturate fully the opening in a closed position.

The apparatus 100 further comprises at least one heater 106 arranged within the housing 102 for heating the smokable article 101 removably received within the chamber 105 in use. In the illustrated example of figure 1A, the heater 106 may be configured to surround the chamber 105, i.e. , in case the chamber 105 is shaped as a longitudinally extending cylinder, the heater 106 may have the shape ora ring placed around a portion of an external wall of the chamber’s 106 cylinder. The heater may comprise a thin film heater or a ceramic heater. In a possible mode, the heater may form part or parts of the wall of the chamber.

It is understood that the smokable article 101 and/or the rod which contains the smokable article 101 are not considered to be part of the apparatus 100, but remain objects which can be introduced into the apparatus 100 for consumption by the user, and subsequently removed from the apparatus 100, the introduction and the removing being done in a direction of a double arrow A shown in figure 1 A.

The apparatus 100 further comprises a stopping device 107 located inside the chamber 105 towards or next to the second inlet 104. The distance from the stopping device 107 to the second inlet 104 is smaller than the distance from the first inlet 103. The stopping device 107 is configured to stop in a predetermined heating position the smokable article 101 passed through the first inlet 103 in use. Indeed, at a time the rod of smokable article 101 is introduced into the first inlet 103, in direction of the double arrow A, it first penetrates into the housing 102, and subsequently penetrated the chamber 105 until it collides with the stopping device 107. For this reason, the stopping device 107 is further configured such that a first opening surface area 108 of the chamber 105 at the stopping device 107 is smaller than a second opening surface area 109 upstream the stopping device 107 and a third opening surface are 110 of the chamber 105 downstream of the stopping device 107 (“upstream” and “downstream” of the stopping device being considered in the direction from second inlet 104 to first inlet 103). The first 108, second 109 and third 110 opening surface areas are symbolically represented by respective double arrows in figure 1A, which as previously mentioned is a cross-sectional representation of the apparatus 100. Actually, these opening surface areas 108, 109, 110 as represented in figure 1A extend preferably in a plurality of directions in transversal plane of the chamber. It is apparent that the stopping device 107 has no effect on sizes of the second opening surface area 109 and the third opening surface area 110, nor does it affect for example a size of the second inlet 104 of the housing, and thus is does not affect any throughput capacity for gases flowing as a result of vaporizing materials from the smokable article 101. Preferably the first opening surface area 108 is smaller than a surface of the smokable article 101 presented towards it at the time of introducing the smokable article 101 into the first inlet 103.

The predetermined heating position allows to accurately heat a predetermined zone of the smokable article 101 , i.e. , the rod schematically illustrated in figure 1A. The predetermined zone is located inside a box 112 represented in dashed lines. This enables a manufacturer of the smokable article 101 to design its product wherein a position of the smokable article 101 will always precisely match a position of the heater 106 in the position of insertion of the smokable article 101 in contact with the stopping device 107 in the chamber 105. Actually, the heating usually extends to the tip of the smoking article 101 because substrate is present up to the tip. The heat transfers beyond the predetermined zone by conduction/radiation, one of the reasons for this being that the chamber 105 may be made of metal.

Referring to figure 1 B, which shows a cross-sectional view of the chamber 105 along section B-B indicated in figure 1A, the chamber 105 may also be configured with engagement elements 113 protruding inwardly from the internal wall 115 of the chamber 105 to engage with the smoking article 101 in use. The engagement elements 113 are preferably elongate protruding element such as ribs, and are distributed circumferentially to accommodate an air gap 114 between the smoking article 101 and the internal wall 115 of the chamber 105. In the example illustrated in figure 1B there are 3 engagement elements 113 distributed circumferentially. Also, in this example the heater 106 surrounds the chamber 105.

The heater 106 may be arranged to heat the chamber 105, either only along a portion of its length or along its entire length.

The heater 106 is positioned between the stopping device 107 and the first inlet 103. The heater 106 may surround the chamber 105 or form a wall of the chamber 105.

The housing 102 further comprises, as schematically represented in a box 111 , further components, comprising at least a control circuitry and a power source (not individually represented in figure 1A), connected to the heater 106 as appropriate. The control circuitry may include a controller, such as a microprocessor arrangement, configured and arranged to control the heating of the smokable material. The power source may be for example a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include for example a lithium-ion battery, a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), an alkaline battery and/ or the like. The battery is electrically coupled to the heater 106 to supply electrical power when required and under control of the control circuitry to heat the smokable article 101 and so vaporize the smokable material.

Various example configurations for the stopping device 107 will now be presented.

Figure 2 presents a schematic illustration of an example stopping device 107 according to the invention. The stopping device 107 comprises a surface of at least one protrusion 201 at an inside wall 200 of the chamber 105, the surface facing the first inlet 103 and so the smoking article 101 at its insertion. The surface extends to provide an opening surface area 108 smaller than the end surface area of the smoking article 101 . In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 201 may be distributed along a ring on the inside wall 200 carrying a plurality of surfaces of the stopping device 107. In figure 2, two protrusions at opposite sides of a diameter of the chamber 105 are illustrated in the cross-sectional view. The protrusions 201 may for example total a number of 3 or 4 or more and be distributed circumferentially to provide a discontinuous ring. In the longitudinal cross-sectional plane, as illustrated, the protrusions may be rectangular, square, triangular or rounded. The protrusions 201 may be formed in the chamber so that the thickness of the wall of the chamber 105 is substantially unchanged. Protrusions 201 are comparatively easy and cheap to manufacture into the chamber 105, particularly when the chamber 105 is made of thin metal, for example by embossing or hydro forming a tube.

In a further preferred embodiment, the protrusion 201 may be configured as a circumferential continuous ring protruding from the inside wall 200 of the chamber 105. The protrusions may be formed by adding and fixing a separate ring-shaped piece in a defined position inside the tubular chamber 201.

Figure 3 contains a further schematic illustration of an example stopping device 107 according to the invention. The stopping device 107 comprises an end surface at an end of a rod 300 positioned along a central longitudinal axis 301 of the chamber 105. The end surface of the stopping device 107 is configured to provide the stop for inserted smoking article 101. The rod 300 may be mounted inside the housing (not represented in figure 3) directly to its wall. Preferably, the outer transversal cross-section of the stopping device 107 is smaller than the transversal cross section of the smoking article 101. A transversal or radial gap is also maintained between the chamber 105 and the rod 300. As result, air can flow from the first inlet 103 and/or from the second inlet 104 to the end of the smoking article 101 .

In a preferred embodiment of figure 4, the rod 300 is of cylindrical shape, hence the stopping device 107 is disk-shaped. This preferred embodiment is shown as a schematic illustration of a cross section of an example embodiment of the rod 300 according to axis A-A in figure 3, in which, incidentally, the chamber 105 also has a cylindrically shaped wall. The diameter of the smoking article 101 is represented as a circle in dotted line.

In a further preferred embodiment, the rod 300 is removably positioned along the central longitudinal axis 301 of the chamber 105.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an example of stopping device 107 in form of an apertured wall 500 according to the invention. The apertured wall 500 is substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 301 of the chamber 105. The stopping device 107 comprises a surface of the apertured wall 500, which is configured to provide the stop to the inserted smoking article 101.

In a preferred embodiment, the apertured wall 500 is a mesh or sieve.

In a preferred embodiment, the apertured wall 500 is of disk shape, hence the stopping device 107 is disk-shaped. The diameter of the apertured wall 500 can be larger than the diameter of the smocking article 101. This preferred embodiment is shown in figure 6 as a schematic illustration of a cross section of an example embodiment of the apertured wall 500 according to axis B-B in figure 5, in which, incidentally, the chamber 105 also has a cylindrically shaped wall. The apertured wall 500 may comprise multiple through-holes of constant or variable dimensions. The through-holes may be of regular or irregular shape. The apertured wall 500 is preferably made of rigid material such as metal or heat resistant polymer such as PEEK to not deform and ensure a constant position of the smoking article upon insertion. The apertured wall 500 may be a lattice or mesh of material wires or a single molded polymer piece.

In a further preferred embodiment, the apertured wall 500 is removably positioned along the central longitudinal axis 301 of the chamber 105.

In a further preferred embodiment, the apertured wall 500 comprises any one of the following:

- metal wires or grid;

- heat resistant polymer wire or grid. Preferably, the inside wall of the chamber 105 is made of metal such as stainless steel, copper, aluminum or titanium.

In an even further preferred embodiment, the stopping device 107 extends no longer than 1 to 4 mm axially.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation apparatus comprising: a housing; the housing having a first inlet at a first end through which a smokable article can pass so as to be received within and removed from the apparatus in use; the housing having a second inlet distant from the first inlet; the housing having a chamber between the first inlet and the second inlet; at least one heater arranged within the housing for heating the smokable article removably received within the chamber in use; the apparatus further comprising: a stopping device located inside the chamber towards or next to the second inlet, whereby the stopping device is configured to stop in a predetermined heating position the smokable article passed through the first inlet in use, and a) the stopping device is further configured such that a first opening surface area of the chamber at the stopping device is smaller than a second opening surface area of the chamber upstream the stopping device and the first opening surface area of the chamber at the stopping device is smaller than a third opening surface area of the chamber downstream of the stopping device, or b) the stopping device comprises an end surface of a rod positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the chamber and a flow passage is present between the rod and the chamber.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one protrusion at an inside wall of the chamber, whereby the stopping device comprises a surface of the protrusion, the surface of the protrusion being configured to provide the stop.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rod is of cylindrical shape.

4. The apparatus of any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the rod is removably positioned along the central longitudinal axis of the chamber.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an apertured wall positioned inside the chamber substantially perpendicularly to a central longitudinal axis of the chamber, whereby the stopping device comprises a surface of the apertured wall, the surface of the meshed wall being configured to provide the stop.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the apertured wall is of disk shape.

7. The apparatus of any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the apertured wall is removably positioned inside the chamber.

8. The apparatus of any one of claims 5, 6 and 7, wherein the apertured wall comprises any one of the following:

- metal;

- heat resistant polymer wire.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the protrusion is configured as a circumferential ring protruding from the inside wall of the housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the protrusion is configured as a series of a plurality of arc shaped discontinuous protrusions.

11 . The apparatus of any one of claims 2, 9 and 10, wherein the inside wall is made of metal, and the protrusion is an embossing of the metal inside wall.

12. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stopping device extends no longer than 1 to 4 mm axially.

13. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heater is further arranged to heat the chamber.

14. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heater is positioned between the stopping device and the first inlet.

15. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises elongated engagement elements protruding inwardly to engage the smoking article in use and to provide an air gap between the chamber and the smoking article.