Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
  • A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an aerosol provision device, an aerosol generating system and a method of generating an aerosol.
• Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by creating products that release compounds without combusting. Examples of such products are so-called “heat not burn” products or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating, but not burning, material.
• the material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.
• Aerosol provision systems which cover the aforementioned devices or products, are known.
• Common systems use heaters to create an aerosol from a suitable medium which is then inhaled by a user. Often the medium used needs to be replaced or changed to provide a different aerosol for inhalation.
• induction heating systems as heaters to create an aerosol from a suitable medium.
• An induction heating system generally consists of a magnetic field generating device for generating a varying magnetic field, and a susceptor or heating material which is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field to heat the suitable medium.
• Conventional aerosol provision devices comprise a cylindrical heating chamber into which a rod shaped consumable is inserted.
• an aerosol provision device comprising: a heating chamber for receiving an aerosol generating article which, in use, is inserted into the heating chamber in a first longitudinal direction; one or more air inlets arranged to direct air into the aerosol provision device in an inlet direction; and one or more first air channels arranged to direct air from the one or more air inlets in a second longitudinal direction, wherein the second longitudinal direction is opposed to the first longitudinal direction.
• air may be drawn into the aerosol provision device via one or more air inlets which may be located towards a distal end of the aerosol provision device. The air may then pass through one or more air channels in a direction opposed to the direction of insertion of an aerosol generating article i.e.
• the aerosol provision device further comprises a heating element for heating the aerosol generating article.
• the aerosol provision device is an elongate aerosol provision device having a longitudinal axis, and wherein the first longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
• the one or more air inlets are remote from the opening.
• the one or more air inlets are distal to the heating chamber.
• the inlet direction is a radial direction.
• the inlet direction is orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction.
• the inlet direction is orthogonal to the second longitudinal direction.
• the one or more first air channels longitudinally overlap the heating chamber.
• the one or more first air channels extend proximally beyond the heating element.
• the one or more first air channels are arranged radially outward of the heating chamber.
• the second direction is at an angle to the inlet direction, such that the one or more air inlets and the one or more first air channels are arranged to direct air along an L-shaped path through the one or more air inlets and along the one or more first air channels.
• the aerosol provision device further comprises one or more second air channels arranged to direct air from the one or more first air channels in a third direction.
• the third direction is a radial direction.
• the one or more second air channels are arranged to direct air from the one or more first air channels to within the heating chamber.
• the aerosol provision device further comprises one or more third air channels arranged to direct air from the one or more first air channels in a fourth direction.
• the one or more third air channels are arranged to direct air from the one or more second air channels in the fourth direction.
• the fourth direction is a longitudinal direction towards a distal end of the heating chamber.
• the aerosol provision device further comprises an inner surface for contacting the aerosol generating article when, in use, the aerosol generating article is inserted into the heating chamber, wherein the inner surface comprises a longitudinally extending portion which faces radially inward, and an end portion at the distal end of the longitudinally extending portion.
• the inner surface comprises one or more longitudinal recesses, which extend towards the distal end of the heating chamber.
• the longitudinally extending portion of the inner surface comprises the one or more longitudinal recesses.
• the one or more third air channels comprise one or more gaps defined between the aerosol generating article and the one or more longitudinal recesses, when, in use, the aerosol generating article is inserted into the heating chamber.
• the one or more longitudinal recesses longitudinally overlap the length of the heating element.
• the one or more longitudinal recesses comprise one or more longitudinal grooves.
• the longitudinally extending portion contacts the aerosol generating article along substantially the whole length of the longitudinally extending portion when, in use, the aerosol generating article is inserted into the heating chamber.
• the aerosol provision device further comprises one or more fourth air channels arranged to direct air from the one or more third air channels in a fifth direction, wherein the fifth direction is a radial direction.
• the end portion of the inner surface comprises one or more radial recesses, which extend in the fifth direction, and wherein the one or more fourth air channels comprise one or more gaps defined between the aerosol generating article and the one or more radial recesses, when, in use, the aerosol generating article is inserted into the heating chamber.
• the end portion comprises one or more stepped protrusions configured to contact the distal end of the aerosol generating article, when, in use, the aerosol generating article is inserted into the heating element, and wherein the one or more stepped protrusions define the one or more radial recesses.
• the inner surface is a surface of the heating chamber.
• the aerosol provision device further comprises an article chamber for receiving the aerosol generating article, wherein the article chamber extends at least partially within the heating chamber, and wherein the inner surface is a surface of the article chamber.
• the heating element extends into the heating chamber.
• the main housing comprises a wall which surrounds the heating chamber.
• the removal mechanism comprises an article chamber comprising a tubular portion and a base portion, and an outer cap which at least partially encapsulates the article chamber, and wherein a gap between the article chamber and the outer cap is configured to receive the wall of the main housing.
• the one or more first air channels comprise one or more gaps defined between the wall of the main housing and the outer cap of the removal mechanism, when, in use, the removal mechanism is retained to the main housing.
• the wall of the main housing comprises a corrugated outer surface and wherein the one or more first air channels comprise one or more gaps defined between the corrugated outer surface and the outer cap of the removal mechanism, when, in use, the removal mechanism is retained to the main housing.
• the corrugated outer surface comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending ridges.
• the plurality of longitudinally extending ridges have a ridge spacing of ⁇ 0.5 mm, 0.5-1.0 mm, 1.0-2.0 mm, 2.0-3.0 mm, 3.0-4.0 mm, 4.0-5.0 mm or > 5.0 mm.
• an aerosol provision device comprising: a heating chamber having for receiving an aerosol generating article which, in use, is inserted into the heating chamber in a first longitudinal direction; one or more air inlets arranged to direct air into the aerosol provision device in an inlet direction; and one or more first air channels arranged to direct air from the one or more air inlets in a circumferential direction.
• the aerosol provision device is an elongate aerosol provision device having a longitudinal axis, and wherein the first longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
• the one or more air inlets are remote from the opening.
• the inlet direction is a radial direction.
• the one or more first air channels are arranged radially outward of the heating chamber.
• the one or more first air channels longitudinally overlap the heating chamber.
• the one or more first air channels extend proximally beyond the heating element.
• the one or more first air channels are arranged in a common plane, which is perpendicular to the first direction.
• the aerosol provision device further comprises one or more second air channels arranged to direct air from the one or more air outlets in a second longitudinal direction, wherein the second longitudinal direction is substantially opposed to the first longitudinal direction.
• an aerosol generating system comprising: a charging unit; and an aerosol provision device as described above.
• a method of generating an aerosol comprising: providing an aerosol provision device comprising a heating chamber for receiving an aerosol generating article; inserting the aerosol generating article into the heating chamber in a first longitudinal direction; directing air into the aerosol provision device in an inlet direction through one or more inlets; and directing air from the one or more air inlets in a second longitudinal direction through one or more first air channels, wherein the second longitudinal direction is opposed to the first longitudinal direction.
• a method of generating an aerosol comprising: providing an aerosol provision device comprising a heating chamber for receiving an aerosol generating article inserting the aerosol generating article into the heating chamber in a first longitudinal direction; directing air into the aerosol provision device in an inlet direction through one or more air inlets; and directing air from the one or more air inlets in a circumferential direction through one or more first channels.
• Fig. 1 shows an aerosol provision device located within a charging unit
• Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the aerosol provision
• Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol provision device according to an embodiment and shows an L-shaped airflow path through the aerosol provision device;
• Fig. 4 shows a corrugated surface on the outer surface of a tubular wall of a main housing of the aerosol provision device;
• Fig. 6 shows a portion of a main housing of an aerosol provision device according to an embodiment together with channels through a removal mechanism
• Fig. 7 shows channels formed in a removal mechanism
• Fig. 8 shows a different view of airflow channels formed in a removal mechanism
• Fig. 9 shows longitudinal channels formed in a removal mechanism together with channels formed in the removal mechanism
• Fig. 10 shows the base portion of a removal mechanism showing the base portion of the removal mechanism which contacts a distal end of an aerosol generating article and wherein four radial airflow channels are provided in the base portion;
• Fig. 11A shows a cross-sectional view of the aerosol provision device according to another embodiment and shows a C-shaped airflow path through the aerosol provision device and Fig. 11 B shows as cross-sectional view showing an annular airflow path.
• a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.
• the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolgenerating material is not a requirement.
• END electronic nicotine delivery system
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system.
• An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated.
• Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine.
• the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material.
• the solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non- combustible aerosol provision device.
• the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller.
• the power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source.
• the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
• the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosolgenerating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
• Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or semi-solid (such as a gel) which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants.
• the aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder and an aerosol former.
• an active and/or filler may also be present.
• a solvent such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosolgenerating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent.
• the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material.
• the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.
• the aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an aerosol-generating film.
• the aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining a binder, such as a gelling agent, with a solvent, such as water, an aerosol-former and one or more other components, such as active substances, to form a slurry and then heating the slurry to volatilise at least some of the solvent to form the aerosol-generating film.
• the slurry may be heated to remove at least about 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt% or 90 wt% of the solvent.
• the aerosol-generating film may be a continuous film or a discontinuous film, such an arrangement of discrete portions of film on a support.
• the aerosol-generating film may be substantially tobacco free.
• the aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet.
• the aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.
• An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material.
• the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol.
• the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating.
• the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.
• a consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user.
• a consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosolmodifying agent.
• a consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use.
• the heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.
• a susceptor is a heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field.
• the susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material.
• the heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material.
• the susceptor may be both electrically- conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms.
• the aerosol provision device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.
• Non-combustible aerosol provision systems may comprise a modular assembly including both a reusable aerosol provision device and a replaceable aerosol generating article.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a power source and a controller (or control circuitry).
• the power source may, for example, comprise an electric power source, such as a battery or rechargeable battery.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision device may also comprise an aerosol generating component.
• the aerosol generating article may comprise partially, or entirely, the aerosol generating component.
• Induction heating is a process in which an electrically-conductive object, referred to as a susceptor, is heated by penetrating the object with a varying magnetic field.
• An induction heater may comprise an electromagnet and a device for passing a varying electrical current, such as an alternating current, through the electromagnet.
• a varying electrical current such as an alternating current
• the electromagnet and the object to be heated are suitably relatively positioned so that the resultant varying magnetic field produced by the electromagnet penetrates the object, one or more eddy currents are generated inside the object.
• the object has a resistance to the flow of electrical currents and when such eddy currents are generated in the object, their flow against the electrical resistance of the object causes the object to be heated. This process is called Joule, ohmic or resistive heating.
• the heating element 202 may comprise an inductive heating element which may be arranged to internally heat an aerosol generating article.
• the inductive heating element may similarly comprise a pin or blade.
• the heating element of the aerosol provision system may be a part of the aerosol generating article, rather than being a part of the aerosol provision device 100.
• the aerosol provision device 100 further comprises a removal mechanism 204 which may be removably retained to the main housing 200 of the aerosol provision device 100.
• the removal mechanism 204 may be retained to the main housing 200 so that at least a portion of the removal mechanism 204 extends into the heating chamber 201.
• the removal mechanism 204 may comprise a longitudinal portion such as a tubular portion 207a, and a base portion 207b.
• the base portion 207b may have an aperture 206 through which the heating element 202 may project.
• the removal mechanism 204 is pushed into engagement with the main housing 200 in the distal direction, i.e.
• the aerosol provision device 100 comprises a heating chamber 401 for receiving an aerosol generating article 300, and a heating element 402 for heating the aerosol generating article 300, each of which may have any of those features discussed above with regard to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Further, the aerosol provision device 100 may also comprise a main housing 400, and a removal mechanism 404, having any of the features discussed above.
• the aerosol provision device 400 depicted in Figs. 11A and 11 B may be as discussed above with regard to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3, aside from the flow path; which in this embodiment is arranged differently, and this aerosol provision device 100 likewise comprises a flow path 420 configured to support an air flow.
• the aerosol provision device 100 comprises one or more air inlets 421 , which may have the same features as the one or more air inlets 221 discussed in regard to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.
• the one or more inlets 421 are positioned on a lateral side of the aerosol provision device 100, and away from the proximal end of the aerosol provision device 100, where the lateral side of the aerosol provision device 100 is the outer surface of the aerosol provision device 100 which extends between the proximal and distal ends of the aerosol provision device 100, and may face away and outwards from the longitudinal axis of the device 100.
• the one or more air inlets 421 allow air surrounding the periphery of the device 100 to be drawn into the flow path 420, i.e.
• These one or more air inlets 421 may be arranged distal to the heating chamber 401.
• the flow path After beginning at the one or more air inlets 421, the flow path then arrives at one or more first channels 411.
• These one or more first channels 411 may comprise a circulation chamber 411.
• the one or more first channels 411 may extend radially outward beyond the radial extent of the heating chamber 401 , and may extend circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the aerosol provision device 100.
• the circulation chamber 411 may be annular.
• the one or more first channels 411 may be in fluid communication with one or more air outlets 422, which are arranged to direct air out of the one or more first channels 411.
• the one or more first channels 411 are arranged to direct air from the one or more air inlets 421, e.g. in a circumferential direction, to the one or more air outlets 422.
• the flow path 420 extends from the one or more air inlets 421 , through the one or more first channels 411 , to the one or more air outlets 422.
• the one or more air outlets 422 may be configured also to direct air towards the longitudinal axis of the aerosol provision device 100.
• the one or more air outlets 422 may be arranged radially inward of the one or more air inlets 421.
• the circulation chamber 411 is annular, and extends longitudinally, longitudinally overlapping the heating element 402, and extending beyond the proximal extent of the heating element 402. As such, air arriving into the circulation chamber 411 may circulate longitudinally, enabling a cooling effect to be provided in the region of the aerosol provision device 100 adjacent the heating element 402 and heating chamber 401.
• one or more first channels 411 do not extend substantially longitudinally, e.g. they do not longitudinally overlap with the heating chamber 401, and as such the flow of air through the circulation chamber 411 is constrained longitudinally. This may enable a high resistance to draw to be provided.
• the one or more air inlets 421 and one or more air outlets 422 may be arranged alternately to one another in a circumferential direction. Further, the one or more air inlets 421 may be evenly distributed in a circumferential direction, for example such that the angle between each air inlet 421 and circumferentially adjacent air inlets 421 about the longitudinal axis of the aerosol provision device 100 is the same. Likewise, the one or more air outlets 422 may be evenly distributed in a circumferential direction, for example such that the angle between each air outlet 422 and circumferentially adjacent air outlets
• each of the one or more air outlets 422 may be arranged circumferentially distant from any one of the one or more air inlets 421 , optionally such that it is equidistant between the circumferentially adjacent one or more air inlets 421.
• the flow path may then pass through one or more second air channels, which correspond to one or more base openings 423 in the base of the heating chamber, to arrive in the heating chamber 401 , and the article chamber.
• the one or more base openings 423 may be evenly distributed in the base of the article chamber, and arranged to direct air into the article chamber in the proximal direction.
• vapour or aerosol which has been generated by applying heat to the aerosol generating article 300 using the heating element 202 may be carried along with the air which has entered the device through the one or more air inlets 221 and been directed along the flow path, and thereby delivered to the user along with the air.
• the removal mechanism 404 As the removal mechanism 404 is detached from the main housing 400 and then withdrawn from the main housing 400, the base portion 207b of the removal mechanism will engage with a distal end face of the aerosol generating article 300 with the result that the base portion 207b of the removal mechanism 204 will pull the aerosol generating article 300 off and away from the heating element 402.
• the aerosol generating article 300 may be fully removed from the aerosol provision device 100 by the removal mechanism 404.
• the aerosol generating article 300 can be removed from the aerosol provision device 100 with a substantially reduced risk of the aerosol generating article 300 breaking apart or a portion of the aerosol generating article remaining attached to the heating element 402.
• the base portion 207b of the removal mechanism 404 may be arranged to capture any debris or other portion of the aerosol generating article 300 and to ensure that the debris is collected by the base portion 207b and hence removed with the removal mechanism 204.
• the removal mechanism 404 may then be emptied and/or cleaned. Removal of the removal mechanism 404 from the main body 400 of the aerosol provision device 100 also facilitates access to the heating element 402 and in particular enables the heating element 402 to be cleaned by a cleaning tool.
• the various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive.

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• 2023
  • 2023-04-25 EP EP23721932.4A patent/EP4514162A1/de active Pending
  • 2023-04-25 WO PCT/EP2023/060856 patent/WO2023208963A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2023-04-25 JP JP2024562871A patent/JP2025513567A/ja active Pending
  • 2023-04-25 US US18/861,101 patent/US20250288009A1/en active Pending

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