EP4304398A1

EP4304398A1 - Consumable article with open receptacle for an aerosol generation device

Info

Publication number: EP4304398A1
Application number: EP22710074.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Takeshi Akiyama; Masaomi Fukamachi
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2021-03-10
Filing date: 2022-03-03
Publication date: 2024-01-17
Also published as: JP2024509665A; US20240225105A9; US20240130427A1; KR20230155513A; TW202235021A; WO2022189248A1

Abstract

A consumable article (1) equips an aerosol generation device (3) and comprises : - a receptacle (4) containing an aerosol-forming substance (6) arranged for generating an aerosol when it is heated and mixed with air, and - a first tubular member (5) having a peripheral wall (9) comprising a first end (10) connected to an open end (13) of this receptacle (4), at least one air inlet (12) allowing entry of air into the first tubular member (5) for feeding the receptacle open end (13), and a second end (11) opposed to this first end (10) and comprising an outlet (14) for discharging the generated aerosol.

Description

CONSUMABLE ARTICLE WITH OPEN RECEPTACLE FOR AN AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE

Field of the invention

[01] The present invention relates to an aerosol generation device, and more precisely to a consumable article intended for equipping an aerosol generation device.

Background

[02] Some aerosol generation devices comprise a consumable article that is manually inserted by a user in a dedicated cavity of an electrical and control device further comprising a power source, possibly a rechargeable battery. This type of aerosol generation device is generally portable, i.e. usable when held by a user.

[03] As described in the patent documents EP-B1 3364793 and WO-A1 2018/224339, some consumable articles comprise a receptacle (or container) containing an aerosol-forming substance arranged for generating an aerosol when it is heated and mixed with air. Initially the receptacle is closed by a lid to form a capsule that can be inserted in the dedicated cavity of the electrical and control device of an aerosol generation device, before being coupled to a nozzle or tip comprising a mouthpiece through which a user sucks the generated aerosol to inhale it during a vaping session. Before use, the lid must be torn off by the user or punctured by a tubular member of the nozzle (or tip) that defines a channel through which the generated aerosol can flow towards the mouthpiece.

[04] The heating of the aerosol-forming substance is generally carried out by conduction, convection and/or radiation by a heating device of the electrical and control device of the aerosol generation device. Such a heating device may comprise one or more electrically activated resistive and/or inductive heating elements. [05] In the following description the term “aerosol-forming substance” (or “substance”) may refer to a paste or possibly a fluid. The (aerosol-forming) substance may be processable by the heating of the aerosol generation device to form an aerosol, and may comprise components such as one or more nicotinoids, one or more polyols, one or more cannabinoids, or caffeine. A flavoring may be present in the (aerosol-forming) substance. The flavoring may include Ethylvanillin (vanilla), menthol, Isoamyl acetate (banana oil) or similar, for instance.

[06] Also in the following description the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of substance as one or more of solid particles, liquid droplets and gas. Such a suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to, or include, a vapor, and may include one or more components of the substance.

[07] Actually, when the receptacle is empty while the user wants to continue the vaping session, this user must decouple the nozzle (with the mouthpiece) from the body of the electrical and control device of the aerosol generation device, and then must retrieve the empty receptacle from the dedicated cavity of this body while it is still (very) hot. So, the user may be burnt and/or some remaining part of the aerosol-forming substance or generated aerosol may fall inside the body and notably on the heating device and therefore a regular cleaning has to be performed by the user. [08] Moreover, in the aerosol generation devices of the art the very simple arrangement between the capsule and the nozzle (with the mouthpiece) does not allow to obtain a stable vapor transfer after aerosol generation. So, the product performance is not optimal.

[09] Therefore, an object of this invention is to improve the situation.

Summary of the invention

[10] The proposed invention provides notably an embodiment of a consumable article intended for equipping an aerosol generation device and comprising a receptacle containing an aerosol-forming substance arranged for generating an aerosol when it is heated and mixed with air.

[11] This consumable article is characterized in that it further comprises a first tubular member having a peripheral wall comprising:

- a first end connected to an open end of the receptacle,

- at least one air inlet allowing entry of air into the first tubular member for feeding the receptacle open end, and

- a second end opposed to the first end and comprising an outlet for discharging the generated aerosol.

[12] So, the invention offers a new type of consumable article, with a receptacle connected to a first tubular member, which guarantees not only that the user will not have to touch a hot receptacle, and therefore does not risk to be burnt, but also that there is no risk that a remaining part of the aerosol-forming substance or generated aerosol can fall inside the electrical and control device, and therefore prevents the user from regular cleanings.

[13] The embodiment of consumable article may comprise other aspects or features, considered separately or combined, as defined hereafter:

• in a first example of embodiment, the receptacle may comprise an inductively heatable material intended for being inductively heated by an induction heating device of the aerosol generation device;

• in a second example of embodiment, the receptacle may comprise a heat conductive material intended for being heated by a heating device of the aerosol generation device;

• it may further comprise a second tubular member attached inside the first tubular member between the second end and each air inlet, and comprising an outer surface defining with an inner surface of the peripheral wall of the first tubular member a first channel through which the air coming from each air inlet can flow towards the receptacle through its open end; • the second tubular member may comprise an inner surface defining a second channel through which the aerosol generated in the receptacle can flow towards the second end of the first tubular member;

• the aerosol-forming substance may be a paste adhering to an inner surface of the receptacle and delineating a concave cavity opening towards the first tubular member;

• the concave cavity may receive a first end of the second tubular member which comprises an inlet of the second channel;

• the second tubular member may comprise an annular part defining partly the first channel and connected fixedly to an inner surface of the first tubular member to prevent the air coming from each air inlet to reach directly the second end of the first tubular member before accessing to the receptacle;

• the second tubular member may be made of molded paper;

• the first tubular member may be made of molded paper;

• the second end of the first tubular member may form a mouthpiece through which a user sucks the generated aerosol during a vaping session;

• the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco material or at least one polyol.

[14] The proposed invention provides also an embodiment of an aerosol generation device comprising an electrical and control device and a consumable article such as the one above introduced and coupled to this electrical and control device.

[15] The embodiment of aerosol generation device may comprise other features, considered separately or combined, as defined hereafter:

• the electrical and control device may comprise a power source storing electrical energy;

• the power source may be a rechargeable battery;

• the aerosol generation device may constitute an electronic cigarette. Brief description of the figures

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

- Figure 1 (FIG.1 ) schematically and functionally illustrates an example of embodiment of an aerosol generation device comprising an example of embodiment of a consumable article according to the invention.

Detailed description of embodiments

[17] The invention aims, notably, at offering a consumable article 1 intended for being coupled to an electrical and control device 2 to define together an aerosol generation device 3.

[18] In the following description it will be considered that the aerosol generation device 3 is an electronic cigarette. But an aerosol generation device according to the invention could be of another type, as soon as it comprises a consumable article 1 according to the invention and allows the generation of an aerosol by heating an aerosol-forming substance. So, for instance, the aerosol generation device 3 could be an inhaler.

[19] It is recalled that an “aerosol-forming substance” may be a paste or possibly but not preferably a fluid (for instance a liquid), and may comprise one or more components such as nicotinoid(s), polyol(s), cannabinoid(s), or caffeine, and/or a flavoring. For instance, the aerosol-forming substance may comprise a tobacco material. Also for instance, a polyol, which is an aerosol precursor, may be a glycerin or a propylene glycol.

[20] When the aerosol-forming substance is a liquid, it may be retained in an absorbent material having a porous or spongy structure. Such an absorbent material may comprise a porous ceramic, a heat-resistant polymer foam, or porous cellulose beads, for instance. [21] It is also recalled that the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of substance as one or more of solid (very small) particles, liquid droplets, vapor and gas, and that such a suspension may be in a gas including air.

[22] As illustrated in figure 1 a consumable article 1 , according to the invention and intended for equipping an aerosol generation device 3, comprises at least a receptacle 4 and a first tubular member 5 coupled to each other. Such a consumable article 1 is intended for being coupled to the body of an electrical and control device 2 which is the fully reusable part of the aerosol generation device 3. To this effect, the body of the electrical and control device 2 comprises a dedicated cavity 15 arranged for temporarily housing at least the receptacle 4.

[23] The receptacle 4 contains an aerosol-forming substance 6 arranged for generating an aerosol when it is heated and mixed with air. This heating is performed by a heating device 7 belonging to the electrical and control device 2 and fed with electrical energy originating from a power source 8 of the electrical and control device 2.

[24] For instance, the power source 8 may be a rechargeable battery. In this case the body of the electrical and control device 2 may comprise an electrical connector to which a charger cable may be connected during a charging session of the rechargeable battery 8. Such a charger cable may be coupled to an (AC) adapter or to a wall socket. The charger cable and/or the (AC) adapter may belong to the aerosol generation device 3.

[25] The first tubular member 5 has a peripheral wall 9 comprising first 10 and second 11 opposite ends and at least one air inlet 12.

[26] The first end 10 of the peripheral wall 9 is connected to an open end 13 of the receptacle 4. It is important to note that in a new consumable article 1 the receptacle 4 does not comprise any lid, which means that the receptacle 4 is permanently open and therefore the user does not have to perform any operation on it before coupling the consumable article 1 to the body of the electrical and control device 2. [27] The connection between the first end 10 and the receptacle open end

13 can be carried out by sticking (i.e., adhering, e.g., with an adhesive), crimping, riveting or screwing. The screwing is of interest because it may allow replacement of an empty receptacle 4 by a new and filled one, and/or an easy recycling of the empty receptacle 4.

[28] Each air inlet 12 is defined in the peripheral wall 9 for allowing entry of air into the first tubular member 5 for feeding the receptacle open end 13. For instance, the peripheral wall 9 may comprise several air inlets 12 circumferentially distributed, and notably two, three or four.

[29] The second end 11 of the first tubular member 5 comprises an outlet

14 for discharging the generated aerosol coming from the receptacle 4.

[30] Thanks to this consumable article 1 of a new type, i.e. with a receptacle 4 (hermetically) connected to a first tubular member 5, when the receptacle 4 is empty while the user wants to continue the vaping session, the user has just to decouple the whole consumable article 1 from the body of the electrical and control device 2. In other words, the user does not have to touch the receptacle 4, and therefore does not risk to be burnt. Moreover, because of this (hermetic) connection, there is no risk that a remaining part of the aerosol-forming substance 6 or generated aerosol fell inside the dedicated cavity 15, and therefore the user does not have to perform a regular cleaning of the dedicated cavity 15.

[31] For instance, the coupling between the consumable article 1 and the body of the electrical and control device 2 can be done by screwing by means of two corresponding threaded portions, or by forced fitting, or else by magnetization. So, the consumable article 1 may be mechanically coupled to the body of the electrical and control device 2, but this is not mandatory. In the case of screwing, the outer surface of the receptacle 4 or the outer surface of the first end 10 of the peripheral wall 9 may comprise a first threaded portion arranged for being screwed relatively to a corresponding second threaded portion of the dedicated cavity 15 of the electrical and control device 2. In the case of forced fitting, the receptacle 4 or the first end 10 of the peripheral wall 9 may be fitted into the dedicated cavity 15 of the electrical and control device 2. In the case of magnetization, the receptacle 4 may comprise magnets interacting with magnets of the dedicated cavity 15 of the electrical and control device 2.

[32] For instance, the receptacle 4 may comprise an inductively heatable material intended for being inductively heated by an induction heating device 7 of the aerosol generation device 3. For instance, the inductively heatable material may be a metal. Also for instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 1 , the induction heating device 7 may comprise a coil surrounding the dedicated cavity 15 and generating an electromagnetic field in the latter (15) when it is fed by an electrical current. This electromagnetic field induces an electromagnetic induction in the inductively heatable material of the receptacle 4 which heats the latter (4) without any contact.

[33] In a variant of embodiment, the receptacle 4 may comprise a heat conductive material intended for being heated by the heating device of the aerosol generation device 3 (and more precisely of the electrical and control device 2). In this variant of embodiment the heating device may be a resistive heater, such as a resistive coil.

[34] Also for instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 1 , the consumable article 1 may further comprise a second tubular member 16 attached inside the first tubular member 5 between the second end 11 and each air inlet 12. As illustrated, this second tubular member 16 comprises an outer surface defining with an inner surface of the peripheral wall 9 of the first tubular member 5 a first channel 17 through which the air coming from each air inlet 12 can flow towards the receptacle 4 through its open end 13. The path followed by the incoming air between the air inlet(s) 12 and the receptacle 4, through the first channel 17, is indicated by the white arrows.

[35] For instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 1 , the second tubular member 16 may comprise an inner surface defining a second channel 18 through which the aerosol generated in the receptacle 4 can flow towards the second end 11 of the first tubular member 5. The path followed by the generated aerosol between the receptacle 4 and the first tubular member outlet 14, through the second channel 18, is indicated by the grey arrows.

[36] In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substance 6 is a paste adhering to the inner surface of the receptacle 4 and delineating a concave cavity 19 opening towards the first tubular member 5. This allows to optimize the mixing between the air and aerosol-forming substance 6 during heating, and therefore the stability of the generated aerosol.

[37] This concave cavity 19 may receive a first end 20 of the second tubular member 16 which comprises the inlet 21 of the second channel 18. This allows to collect the aerosol very near from the place where it is generated and therefore to minimize its mixing with the air arriving from the air inlet(s) 12 and not yet heated.

[38] Also for instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 1 , the second tubular member 16 may comprise an annular part 22 defining partly the first channel 17 and connected fixedly to an inner surface of the first tubular member 5. This arrangement prevents the air coming from each air inlet 12 to reach directly the second end 11 of the first tubular member 5 before accessing to the receptacle 4, and therefore avoids any mixing between the air arriving from the air inlet(s) 12 and the generated aerosol which would induce a concentration decrease.

[39] It should be noticed that in the non-limiting example of figure 1 the annular part 22 extends the second tubular member 16 at the level of its outlet 27 which communicates with the downstream part of the first tubular member 5. But in a variant of embodiment the annular part 22 could extend the second tubular member 16 before its outlet 27 (i.e. between its inlet 21 and outlet 27).

[40] In order to ease recycling of the consumable article 1 , its second tubular member 16 may be made of molded paper. [41] Also in order to ease recycling of the consumable article 1 , its first tubular member 5 may be made of molded paper.

[42] It should be noticed that the first 5 and second 16 tubular members may be integral. But in a variant the second tubular member 16 could be an insert stuck inside the first tubular member 5.

[43] Also for instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 1 , the second end 11 of the first tubular member 5 may form a mouthpiece 23 through which the user sucks the generated aerosol during a vaping session to inhale it. But in a variant of embodiment the mouthpiece 23 could be an insert that is coupled to the second end 11 of the first tubular member 5, possibly by the user. This allows the user to use and reuse an appreciated mouthpiece 23, but also to couple to the second end 11 of the first tubular member 5 mouthpieces 23 that are more comfortable than standard integral mouthpieces formed during moulding.

[44] As illustrated in figure 1 the body of the electrical and control device 2 may comprise at least a controller (or control device) 24 and a user interface 25 in addition to the power source 8 (storing electrical energy).

[45] The controller 24 is electrically coupled to the power source 8 and controls operation of the consumable article 1 (and notably its heating device 7) during a vaping session and also during a possible charging session. For instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 1 , the controller 24 may be fixed onto a printed circuit board 26.

[46] Explicit use of the term “controller” should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), and non volatile storage. Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included. The functions of the controller 24 may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually (by the user). These functions may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software.

[47] The user interface 25 is coupled to the controller 24 and the power source 8 and allows the user to control at least partly the controller 24. For instance, the user interface 25 may comprise a display (such as a screen or light emitting diode (or LED)-type interface) arranged for displaying information relative to a current vaping session or a possible current charging session and for allowing the user to control the controller 24. Also for instance, the displayed information may be a current status representing the current percentage of remaining (or elapsed) vaping time (with respect to a programmed (or chosen) vaping duration) during a vaping session, or the current percentage of charge (with respect to the full charge) of the power source 8 during a possible charging session. The current percentage may be represented by the length of a straight line or by a number of parallel bars or else by a value, for instance.

[48] Also for instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 1 , the user interface 25 may be fixed partly to the printed circuit board 26 to ease and simplify its connections with the controller 24. The user interface 25 may have its own printed circuit board connected to the printed circuit board 26 by wires of flexible circuit(s) in order to be deported anywhere.

[49] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that some block diagrams of figure 1 herein represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the principles of the invention.

[50] The description and drawing merely illustrate the principles of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A consumable article (1) for an aerosol generation device (3), said consumable article (1) comprising a receptacle (4) containing an aerosol-forming substance (6) arranged for generating an aerosol when it is heated and mixed with air, wherein it further comprises a first tubular member (5) having a peripheral wall (9) comprising i) a first end (10) connected to an open end (13) of said receptacle (4), ii) at least one air inlet (12) allowing entry of air into said first tubular member (5) for feeding said receptacle open end (13), and iii) a second end (11) opposed to said first end (10) and comprising an outlet (14) for discharging said generated aerosol.

2. Consumable article according to claim 1 , wherein said receptacle (4) comprises an inductively heatable material intended for being inductively heated by an induction heating device (7) of said aerosol generation device (3).

3. Consumable article according to claim 1 , wherein said receptacle (4) comprises a heat conductive material intended for being heated by a heating device of said aerosol generation device (3).

4. Consumable article according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it further comprises a second tubular member (16) attached inside said first tubular member (5) between said second end (11) and each air inlet

(12), and comprising an outer surface defining with an inner surface of said peripheral wall (9) of said first tubular member (5) a first channel (17) through which said air coming from each air inlet (12) can flow towards said receptacle (4) through its open end (13).

5. Consumable article according to claim 4, wherein said second tubular member (16) comprises an inner surface defining a second channel (18) through which said aerosol generated in said receptacle (4) can flow towards said second end (11) of said first tubular member (5).

6. Consumable article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said aerosol-forming substance (6) is a paste adhering to an inner surface of said receptacle (4) and delineating a concave cavity (19) opening towards said first tubular member (5).

7. Consumable article according to the combination of claims 5 and 6, wherein said concave cavity (19) receives a first end (20) of said second tubular member (16) which comprises an inlet (21) of said second channel (18).

8. Consumable article according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein said second tubular member (16) comprises an annular part (22) defining partly said first channel (17) and connected fixedly to an inner surface of said first tubular member (5) to prevent said air coming from each air inlet (12) to reach directly said second end (11) of said first tubular member (5) before accessing to said receptacle (4).

9. Consumable article according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein said second tubular member (16) is made of molded paper.

10. Consumable article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said first tubular member (5) is made of molded paper.

11. Consumable article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said second end (11) of said first tubular member (5) forms a mouthpiece (23) through which a user sucks said generated aerosol during a vaping session.

12. Consumable article according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein said aerosol-forming substance (6) comprises a tobacco material.

13. Consumable article according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein said aerosol-forming substance (6) comprises at least one polyol.

14. Aerosol generation device (3) comprising an electrical and control device (2), wherein it further comprises a consumable article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, coupled to said electrical and control device (2), preferably wherein said electrical and control device (2) comprises a power source (8) storing electrical energy.

15. Aerosol generation device according to claim 15, wherein said power source (8) is a rechargeable battery.