EP4586839A1

EP4586839A1 - Aerosol generating device and associated operating method

Info

Publication number: EP4586839A1
Application number: EP23772470.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alec WRIGHT; Xavier FLAVARD; Grzegorz Aleksander PILATOWICZ; Eduardo Jose GARCIA GARCIA
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2022-09-15
Filing date: 2023-09-15
Publication date: 2025-07-23
Also published as: KR20250059406A; WO2024056882A1; JP2025531890A

Abstract

This aerosol generating device (10) is configured to operate with a tobacco article (24) and defines an airflow channel (26) extending along a device axis (X-X'). The aerosol generating device (10) comprises a mouthpiece (12) and an oven (14) extending along an oven axis (O-O') and configured to receive the tobacco article (24) through an oven opening (28) to heat it. The oven (14) is rotatable between an operating position and a charging position. The aerosol generating device (10) comprises a switch (16) defining an activated configuration and a deactivated configuration, and switchable between these configurations by rotation of the oven (14); and a controller (18) configured to activate the powering of the oven (14) according to a control logic based on the configuration of the switch (16).

Description

Aerosol generating device and associated operating method

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device comprising an oven.

The aerosol generating device according to the invention is configured to operate with an aerosol generating substrate which presents for example a solid substrate able to form aerosol when being heated. Thus, such type of aerosol generating devices, also known as heat-not-burn devices, is adapted to heat, rather than burn, the substrate by conduction, convection and/or radiation, to generate aerosol for inhalation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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 or warm vaporizable 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 aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol substrate, also known as aerosol generating substrate, that typically comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable vaporizable material to a temperature typically in the range 150°C to 350°C. Heating an aerosol substrate, but not combusting or burning it, releases 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 vaporizable 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.

Replacement of the aerosol substrate, such as a tobacco article, and further vaping in such device has a significant impact on the user experience and therefore needs to be as smooth, intuitive and effortless as possible. Current devices are not entirely satisfying since they require both complex displacement of parts of the aerosol generating device to install/un instal I the tobacco article within/from the device, and further actions to power on/off the oven in order to start/end a vaping session. Current are also complex to clean.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to provide an aerosol generating device that allows a smooth, intuitive and effortless replacement of an aerosol substrate and further vaping. Another aim of the invention is to provide an aerosol generating device in which the cleaning is simplified.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an aerosol generating device configured to operate with a tobacco article and defining an airflow channel extending along a device axis; the aerosol generating device comprising a mouthpiece and an oven extending along an oven axis and configured to receive the tobacco article through an oven opening to heat it; wherein the oven is rotatable between an operating position in which the oven opening is closed by the mouthpiece, and a charging position in which the oven is opened to charge a tobacco article; wherein the aerosol generating device further comprises:

- a switch defining an activated configuration and a deactivated configuration, and switchable between these configurations while rotating of the oven; and

- a controller configured to activate the powering of the oven according to a control logic based on the configuration of the switch.

Such an aerosol generating device allows indeed, through the use of an oven rotatable between an opening position and a closed position, to have a device in which the tobacco article can be simply installed and removed. Having a rotatable oven is moreover especially advantageous since this allows for an easy access to the oven when it is in the charging position, allowing for an easy cleaning of the oven, for example in case of dust or tobacco article breakage in the oven. Furthermore, such a switch and such a controller configured to activate the powering of the oven according to a control logic based on a configuration of the switch allows having an effortless and intuitive powering of the oven resulting of the displacement of the oven, thus making the replacement of the tobacco article and the further vaping effortless and intuitive. According to some embodiments, in the charging position, an end of the oven defining the oven opening protrudes from a side wall of the aerosol generating device.

Thanks to this feature, it is possible to introduce a tobacco article in the oven or to remove such an article from the oven without displacing any element from the aerosol generating device apart of the oven. Having the opening protruding from a side wall of the aerosol generating device thus allows accessing the oven directly from the side of the aerosol generating device, for example without requiring to remove the mouthpiece of the device.

According to some embodiments, in the operating position, the oven axis coincides with the device axis and in the charging position, the oven axis forms a non-zero angle with the device axis.

Thanks to this feature, the aerosol generating device is especially compact when the oven is in its operating position, while the device is easily accessible when the oven is in its charging position.

According to some embodiments, in the charging position, the angle formed between the oven axis and the device axis is comprised between 10° and 170°, advantageously between 10° and 90°, and preferably between 20° and 80°.

This feature further improves accessibility to the oven when the oven is in its charging position.

According to some embodiment, the aerosol generating device is configured to operate with a flat-shaped tobacco article; wherein the oven has a flat shape extending in an oven plane.

Thanks to this feature, the device can for example be especially compact and therefore convenient for a user. Additionally, a flat-shaped tobacco article can ensure excellent vapor generating capacities while being especially compact and convenient in storing.

According to some embodiments, the oven is rotatable in respect with a pivoting axis perpendicular to the device axis and to the oven plane. This feature allows reducing the outer surface of the device that is moved when the oven is rotated, in particular since the oven is rotated perpendicularly to the oven plane. This allows providing a better appearance to the device but also allows having more space to fit actuators or displays on the device.

According to some embodiments, in the operating position, the airflow channel extends through the oven. For example, an airflow inlet hole can be formed at the end on the oven opposite to its opening. Thus, the airflow channel can extend according to the oven axis through the tobacco article when it is inserted therein. According to another embodiment, an airflow inlet can be formed at the oven opening. In this case, the airflow channel can extend first exterior to the tobacco article from the oven opening until the opposite end of the chamber, then form a “U”-turn before entering the tobacco article and extending through the tobacco article.

Thanks to this feature, the user can vape from the device when the device is in its operating position.

According to some embodiments, the switch is in the activated configuration when the oven is in the charging position and in the deactivated configuration when the oven is in the operation position.

Thanks to this feature, the switch is moved to its activated position by a simple movement of the oven in the charging position and is moved in its deactivated position by a simple movement of the oven in the operating position. In specific embodiments, and since the device is in such embodiments expected to have the oven most of the time in its operating position, this feature also contributes to increasing the life expectancy of the switch and of the device as a whole.

According to some embodiments, the control logic comprises activation of the powering of the oven upon switching the switch from the activated position to the deactivated position if the oven is not yet being powered.

Thanks to this feature, the powering of the oven is automatically activated upon switching the switch from the activated position to the deactivated position, that is, upon placing the oven in its operating position. This allows making the use of the aerosol generating device even more intuitive.

According to some embodiments, the control logic further comprises powering of the oven until a vaping session time is completed.

Thanks to this feature, the switching of the switch from the activated position to the deactivated position, that is, the placing the oven in its operating position, does not only trigger the start of the vaping by powering the oven up, but also allows powering it up for a vaping time, that is, turning the oven off after the vaping session time is over. This device thus further simplifies the vaping and makes it even more intuitive.

According to some embodiments, the control logic further comprises deactivation of the powering of the oven upon switching the switch from the deactivated position to the activated position.

Thanks to this feature, the powering of the oven is automatically deactivated upon switching the switch from the deactivated position to the activated position, that is, upon placing the oven in its charging position. Not only does this allow deactivating the oven on a simple manner but this also improves the safety of use, ensuring that the power of the oven is deactivated for its charging.

According to some embodiments, the switch is a mechanical switch such as an hinge switch, a push button switch or a rotatory switch.

The use of such mechanical switches is especially advantageous since such switch are heat resistant and can therefore be located in the vicinity of the oven.

According to some embodiments, the switch comprises a magnetic element and is a magnetic switch.

The use of such a switch is especially advantageous since it allows a contactless switching of the switch. This allows smooth switching operation for the user with a simple switch construction.

According to some other embodiments, the switch is an optical or an infrared switch. Such switches are especially advantageous since they allow a switching that is extremely smooth and that for example cannot even be noticed by the user.

According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device comprises a thermally insulated layer, located around the oven.

Such a feature is especially advantageous to protect components of the device that surround the oven.

According to some embodiments, the device further comprises a user interface unit, the control logic further depending on instructions received by the user interface unit. For example, the user interface unit is configured to receive instructions from a user, the controller being for example further configured to activate the powering of the oven according to a control logic based on instructions received by the interface.

Thanks to such feature, the logic can be even more adapted to the needs of a user, making the device even more intuitive.

According to some embodiments, the interface unit comprises a button and/or a touch sensitive interface.

Thanks to such feature, the user can easily command the control logic. For example, when the interface unit comprises a touch sensitive interface, a simple caress is sufficient to interact with the control logic.

The invention also relates to an operating method of an aerosol generating device as above mentioned; the method comprising the following steps:

- switching a switch between an activated configuration and a deactivated configuration further to rotation of the oven; and

- controlling the powering of the oven according to a control logic based on the configuration of the switch.

Such an operating method is especially advantageous since it allows controlling the powering of the oven based on the configuration of the switch, said configuration being switchable by simple rotation of the oven. This operating method make operation of an aerosol generating device especially simple and intuitive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

- Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an aerosol generating device according to the invention, wherein the oven is in its operating position and the switch is in its deactivated configuration;

- Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a tobacco article configured to be received in the oven of the aerosol generating device of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the device of claim 1 , wherein the oven is in its charging position and the switch is in its activated configuration ; and

- Figure 4 is flowchart representing steps of the control logic according to which the controller of the device of figure 1 is configured to activate the powering of the oven.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

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

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

As used herein, the term “vaporizable material” or “precursor” may refer to a smokable material which may for example comprise nicotine or tobacco and an aerosol former. Tobacco may take the form of various materials such as shredded tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf and/or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol formers include: a polyol such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; a non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerin or vegetable glycerin. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. The substrate may also comprise at least one of a gelling agent, a binding agent, a stabilizing agent, and a humectant.

Referring to Figure 1 , the aerosol generating device 10 comprises a mouthpiece 12, an oven 14, a switch 16 and a controller 18. Furthermore, the device comprises for example an interface unit 20. The device 10 further comprises for example a body 22. The aerosol generating device 10 is configured to operate with a tobacco article 24 that will be presented in more detail later.

As visible from Figure 1 , the aerosol generating device 10 defines an airflow channel 26 extending along a device axis X-X’. In the embodiment of Figure 1 , the aerosol generating 10 device is elongated along the device axis X-X’. For example, the body 22 defines the device axis X-X’. The body 22 comprises for example a battery (not illustrated) and various electronic components (not illustrated). The mouthpiece 12 defines for example a portion of the airflow channel 26. In other words, the airflow channel 26 extends through the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece 12 defines in particular an end of the airflow channel 26, a user of the aerosol generating device 10 being able to inhale air guided through the airflow channel 26 by the mouthpiece 12. In some embodiments, no distinct mouthpiece 12 is provided by the device 10 and a part of the tobacco article 24 forms a mouthpiece.

As seen from Figures 1 and 3, the oven extends along an oven axis 0-0’ between two ends 30, 31 . The end 31 can be entirely closed or define an airflow inlet opening to the airflow channel 26. The end 32 defines an opening 28 suitable for charging a tobacco article 24. In some embodiments, the end 32 can also define an airflow inlet. In this case, the opposite end 31 can be entirely closed.

The opening 28 extends for example perpendicularly to the oven axis 0-0’. The oven 14 is configured to receive the tobacco article 24 through the oven opening 28. That is, user is able to insert the tobacco article 24 in the oven 14, or to remove the tobacco article 24 from the oven 14, through the opening 28.

In reference to Figure 2, the tobacco article 24 is for example flat and is for example a flat-shaped cuboid extending along an article axis XT between an inlet end IN and an outlet end OU, and having external dimensions LxWxH. The consumable article 24 is adapted to conduct an airflow from the inlet end IN to the outlet end OU as it will be explained in further detail below. In a typical example, the length L of the article 24 according to the article axis XT equals substantially to 25-35 mm, for example 33 mm while its width W is comprised between 8 and 15 mm, for example substantially equal to 12 mm and height H is comprised between 0.8 and 2 mm, for example is substantially equal to 1 ,2 mm. According to different examples, the values L, W and H can be selected within a range of +/- 40%, for example.

In the example of Figure 2, the consumable article 24 is wrapped by a common wrapper W. In other words, in this example, the wrapper W is formed from a unique sheet wrapping substantially the whole length of the consumable article 24 around the article axis XT. In other examples, the wrapper W extends only along a part of the length of the consumable article 24. For example, the wrapper W can extend only along the tobacco substrate of the consumable article 24 and advantageously, wrap only the tobacco substrate. According to another example, the wrapper W is formed from two different sheets wrapping separately for example the tobacco substrate and the support structure of the consumable article 24. The wrapper W be made of aluminium and/or paper. The paper can be coated with an impermeable coating to prevent liquid absorption like cooking/backing paper. In some embodiments, when the wrapper W is made of aluminium, it can wrap only the tobacco substrate to prevent condensation leakage and/or vapour leakage. Additionally, aluminium allows a better heat transfer.

As previously exposed, the shape of the tobacco article 24 is for example flat. In such cases, the oven 14 is configured to operate with such flat-shaped tobacco article. When the oven 14 is configured to receive flat shaped tobacco articles 24, the oven has for example a flat shape. By flat shape, one understands for example that one of the dimensions of the oven is at least 5 times smaller than the other dimensions of the oven 14. When the oven 14 has a flat shape, the oven 14 defines an oven plane P, the oven plane P being the plane along which the oven 14 is flat. The oven axis 0-0’ is preferably parallel to the oven plane P.

The oven 14 is configured to heat the tobacco article 24. To that end, the oven 14 for example comprises a resistive heating element 33, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. The oven 14 is in particular configured to heat the tobacco article 24 received in the oven 14 at a temperature comprised between 150°C and 350°C. At least some walls delimiting the oven 14 can be in direct contact with the tobacco article 24 to heat it by conduction or can be spaced at least lightly to heat it by convection. According to another embodiment, instead of the resistive heating element 33, the oven 14 comprises a coil intended to extend around the tobacco article 24 when it is inserted into the oven. In this case, heating can be performed by magnetic interaction of the coil with susceptors comprised in the tobacco article 24.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the oven is for example rotatable in respect with the body 22. Particularly, as it is shown in these Figures, the oven 14 is rotatable between an operating position, as illustrated in Figure 1 , and a charging position, as illustrated in Figure 3. The oven 14 is in particular rotatable in respect with a pivoting axis P-P’, that is, around the pivoting axis P-P’. The pivoting axis P-P’ is for example perpendicular to the device axis X-X’ and to the oven plane P. As shown in Figure 1 , when the oven 14 is in its operating position, the oven opening 28 is closed by the mouthpiece 12. When the oven is in its operating position, the oven 14 defines for example a portion of the airflow channel 26. In other words, the airflow channel 26 extends through the oven 14. The oven 14 for example defines a portion of the airflow channel 26 that is adjacent to the portion of the airflow channel 26 that is defined by the mouthpiece 12. For example, and as illustrated in Figure 1 , in its operating position, the oven axis 0-0’ coincides with the device axis X-X’.

As visible in Figure 1 , when the oven is in its charging position, the oven opening is opened to charge the tobacco article 24. When the oven 14 is in its charging position, the end 30 of the oven 14 defining the opening 28 protrudes from a side wall 32 of the aerosol generating device. As seen in Figures 1 and 3, the side wall 32 is for example a wall of the body 22.

When the oven 14 is in its charging position, the oven axis 0-0’ preferably forms a non-zero angle A with the device axis X-X’. The angle A formed between the oven axis O- O’ and the device axis X-X’ is for example comprised between 10° and 170°, advantageously between 10° and 90°, and preferably between 20° and 80°.

The switch 16 defines an activated configuration and a deactivated configuration. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the switch 16 is switchable between these configurations while rotating of the oven 14, that is, by rotation of the oven. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 3, the switch 16 is switchable from its deactivated configuration to its activated configuration by rotating of the oven 14 from its operating position to its charging position. The switch 16 is for example in its deactivated configuration when the oven 14 is in its operating configuration and the switch 16 is for example in its activated configuration when the oven 14 is in its charging position.

As this will be exposed in more detail later, the controller 18 is configured to activate the powering of the oven 14 according to a control logic based on the configuration of the switch 16. In specific embodiments, the controller 18 is further configured to activate the powering of the oven 14 according to a control logic based on instructions received through the interface unit 20, that is, the control logic is based on the configuration of the switch and on instructions received through the interface unit 20. The switch 16 is for example a mechanical switch. In particular, the switch is arranged to cooperate with the oven 14 to be switched between its activated and deactivated configurations. In particular, in the example of Figures 1 and 3, the switch 16 is a push button switch. Such push button is for example pressed by the oven 14 when the oven is in its charging position and such button is for example released (i.e. not pressed), when the oven is in its operating position.

In a non-illustrated embodiment, the switch 16 is a hinge switch. Such hinge switch example is for example pressed by the oven 14 when the oven is in its operating position and such hinge switch is for example released (i.e. not pressed), when the oven is in its charging position.

In a non-illustrated embodiment, the switch 16 is a rotatory switch. Such rotatory switch comprises for example at least one switching element such as a “pogo switch". A tip of such “pogo switch" is biased toward an extended position, such “pogo switch" being activated when the tip of the switch contacts with a conductive track to which the “pogo switch" connected. Such switch is in its deactivated configuration when the tip of the switch is away from said conductive track. In this embodiment, a conductive track is located on a face of the oven 14 extending perpendicularly to the pivoting axis P-P’. Rotation of the oven 14 around the pivoting axis P-P’ leads to a displacement of the tip of the switching element on the face of the oven on which the conductive track is located, therefore leading to an activation/deactivation of the switch 16, depending on whether the tip of the switching element contacts with the conductive track or not.

The interface unit 20 comprises for example a button and/or a touch sensitive surface (not illustrated). The interface unit 20 is for example configured to transmit instructions received by a user to the controller 18. The instructions are for example instructions to activate the oven 14 or to deactivate the oven 14. For example pressing a button of the interface unit and/or tapping or caressing the touch sensitive surface with a predetermined pattern forms instructions to activate or to deactivate the oven 14.

The controller 18 comprises for example an information processing unit comprising, for example, a memory associated with a processor (non illustrated). In such case, the controller is for example produced in the form of software executable by the processor. The memory is then able to store a controlling software configured to activate the powering of the oven 16 according to a control logic based on the configuration of the switch 16, and in specific embodiments to instructions received by the interface unit 20. The processor of the information processing unit is then able to execute the controlling software.

In a variant (not shown), controller is produced in the form of a programmable logic components, such as a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or in the form of a dedicated integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or in the form of any combination of ASIC, FPGA and/or software.

In another variant (not shown) the controller 18 is implemented as analog signal processing device. When the controller is made in the form of one or several software programs, i.e., in the form of a computer program, it is further able to be stored on a medium, not shown, readable by computer. The computer-readable medium is for example a medium suitable for storing electronic instructions and able to be coupled with a bus of a computer system. As an example, the readable medium is a ROM memory, a RAM memory, any type of non-volatile memory (for example, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH, NVRAM), a magnetic card or an optical card. A computer program including software instructions is then stored on the readable medium.

The control logic according to which the controller 18 is configured to activate the powering of the oven 14 comprises activation of the powering of the oven 14 upon switching the switch 16 from the activated position to the deactivated position if the oven 14 is not yet being powered. Activation of the powering of the oven 14 comprises for example allowing power to be transmitted from the battery of the device 10 to the oven 14. The control logic for example further comprises powering of the oven 14 until a vaping session time is completed. Furthermore, and for example the control logic further comprises deactivation of the powering of the oven 14 upon switching the switch from the deactivated position to the activated position.

When the control logic is further based on instructions received by the user interface unit 20, said instructions can for example overrun the control logic defined by the switching of the switch 16, as exposed later on.

An example of the control logic will now be explained in more detail, referring to Figure 4. In an initial logic block 34, the controller 18, implementing the control logic, verifies if the device 10 is providing power to the oven 14, that is, if the oven 14 is powered. If the oven 14 is not powered, the controller 18 implements a first secondary logic bloc 36. If the oven

14 is powered, the controller 18 implements a second secondary logic bloc 38.

In the first secondary logic bloc 36, the controller 18, implementing the control logic, verifies if the switch 16 is in its activated configuration. If the switch 16 is in its activated configuration, the controller 18 implements a first action block 40. If the switch is not in its activated configuration, the controller 18 implements the initial logic block 34.

In the first action block 40, the controller 18 verifies the configuration of the switch 16. Once the switch 16 is switched from its activated configuration to its deactivated configuration, the controller controls activating the powering of the oven 14 for a vaping session time. The vaping session time is for example comprised between 2 to 15 minutes, for example between 4 and 7 minutes. The controller 18 then implements the initial logic block 34 upon activating the powering of the oven 14 for a vaping session time.

In the second secondary logic bloc 38, the controller 18, implementing the control logic, verifies if the switch 16 is in its activated configuration. If the switch 16 is in its activated configuration, the controller 18 implements a second action block 42. If the switch is not in its activated configuration, the controller 18 implements a third action block 44.

In the second action block 42, the controller 18 controls deactivating the powering of the oven 14. In other words, the controller 18 controls finishing a session, even if the vaping session time did not entirely expire. The controller 18 then implements the initial logic block 34 upon deactivating the powering of the oven 14.

In the third action bloc 44, the controller 18 controls the vaping session time. In particular, the controller 18 compares how long the oven 14 has been activated to the vaping session time. The controller 18 then implements the initial logic block 34 upon controlling the vaping session time. Furthermore, if the vaping session time is not expired, the controller lets the powering of the oven 14 activated. If the vaping session time is expired, the controller 18 deactivates the powering of the oven 14.

As seen above, in a non-illustrated embodiment, the control logic is for example further based on instructions received by the user interface 20. For example, the controller 18 controls activating the oven 14, for example for a vaping session time as described above, if a corresponding instruction is received by the user interface unit 20, and even if a previous vaping session expired. In some specific embodiments, the controller 18 controls activating the oven 14 upon receiving associated instructions from the user interface 20, as long as the switch is in its deactivated configuration, that is, as long as the oven is in its operating position. For example, the controller 18 controls deactivating the oven 14 if a corresponding instruction is received by the user interface 20, whatever the configuration of the switch 16 is

An operation method of the above-described aerosol generating device 10 will now be presented. In a first step, the switch 16 is switched between an activated configuration and a deactivated configuration further to rotation of the oven 14. In a second step, the powering of the oven 14 is controlled according to the control logic based on the configuration of the switch 16.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device (10) configured to operate with a flat-shaped tobacco article (24) and defining an airflow channel (26) extending along a device axis (X- X’); the aerosol generating device (10) comprising a mouthpiece (12) and an oven (14) extending along an oven axis (0-0’) and configured to receive the tobacco article (24) through an oven opening (28) to heat it, the oven (14) having a flat shape extending in an oven plane (P); wherein the oven (14) is rotatable between an operating position in which the oven opening (28) is closed by the mouthpiece (12), and a charging position in which the oven (14) is opened to charge a tobacco article (24); wherein the aerosol generating device (10) further comprises:

- a switch (16) defining an activated configuration and a deactivated configuration, and switchable between these configurations by rotation of the oven (14); and

- a controller (18) configured to activate the powering of the oven (14) according to a control logic based on the configuration of the switch (16).

2. The aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1 , wherein in the charging position, an end of the oven (30) defining the oven opening (28) protrudes from a side wall (32) of the aerosol generating device (10).

3. The aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

- in the operating position, the oven axis (0-0’) coincides with the device axis (X- X’); and

- in the charging position, the oven axis (0-0’) forms a non-zero angle (A) with the device axis (X-X’).

4. The aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 3, wherein in the charging position, the angle (A) formed between the oven axis (0-0’) and the device axis (X-X’) is comprised between 10° and 170°, advantageously between 10° and 90°, and preferably between 20° and 80°

5. The aerosol generating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the oven (14) is rotatable in respect with a pivoting axis (P-P’) perpendicular to the device axis (X-X’) and to the oven plane (P).

6. The aerosol generating (10) device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the operating position, the airflow channel (26) extends through the oven (14).

7. The aerosol generating (10) device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch (16) is in the activated configuration when the oven (14) is in the charging position and in the deactivated configuration when the oven (14) is in the operation position.

8. The aerosol generating (10) device according to claim 7, wherein the control logic comprises activation of the powering of the oven upon switching the switch (16) from the activated position to the deactivated position if the oven (14) is not yet being powered.

9. The aerosol generating (10) device according to claim 8, wherein the control logic further comprises powering of the oven (14) until a vaping session time is completed.

10. The aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the control logic further comprises deactivation of the powering of the oven (14) upon switching the switch (16) from the deactivated position to the activated position.

1 1. The aerosol generating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol generating device (10) further comprises a user interface unit (20), the control logic further depending on instructions received by the user interface unit (20).

12. An operating method of an aerosol generating device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims; the method comprising the following steps:

- switching a switch (16) between an activated configuration and a deactivated configuration further to rotation of the oven (14) ; and

- controlling the powering of the oven (14) according to a control logic based on the configuration of the switch (16).