EP4602936A1

EP4602936A1 - Aerosol generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4602936A1
Application number: EP24157772.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: designation of the inventor has not yet been filed The
Original assignee: Imperial Tobacco Ltd United Kingdom
Current assignee: Imperial Tobacco Ltd United Kingdom
Priority date: 2024-02-15
Filing date: 2024-02-15
Publication date: 2025-08-20

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating apparatus (1) comprising a consumable cavity (106) comprising an opening for receiving a consumable (70) for heating the consumable (70) in the consumable cavity (106), and a closure element (100) for selectively opening and closing access to the consumable cavity (106), wherein the closure element (100) is arranged to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, access to the consumable cavity (106) is provided, to allow insertion of a consumable (70) into the consumable cavity (106), wherein in the second position, access to the consumable cavity (106) is obstructed by the closure element (100) to close access to the consumable cavity (106), wherein the closure element (100) further comprises a heat barrier (118), wherein the heat barrier (118), when the closure element (100) is in the second position, is arranged adjacent to the opening of the consumable cavity (106) and is configured to reduce a heat transfer of thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity (106) to the closure element (100) .

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating apparatus.

BACKGROUND

A conventional aerosol generating apparatus may comprise a power supply, a heating element that is driven by the power supply, for heating consumable material of a consumable. By heating the consumable material, aerosol is generated which is intended to be inhaled by a user of the aerosol generating apparatus. In order to engage the consumable material with the heating element, the consumable is regularly inserted into a consumable cavity comprising the heating element. By inserting the consumable into the consumable cavity, the consumable material is brought into contact with the heating element, so that heat generated by the heating element increases the temperature in the consumable material to facilitate the aerosol generation.
A drawback with known aerosol generating apparatuses is that access to the consumable cavity, e.g., via an opening, and thereby access to the heating element is maintained even when no consumable is inserted.
In spite of the effort already invested in the development of aerosol generating apparatuses/systems further improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an aerosol generating apparatus, comprising a housing, a closure element, e.g., a rotatable element, comprising a passage for insertion of a consumable, and a consumable cavity arranged within the housing, wherein optionally the rotatable element is arranged as an exterior part of the housing of the aerosol generating apparatus. The closure element may be arranged to assume a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the passage is configured for insertion of a consumable into the consumable cavity, and wherein in the second position, access to the consumable cavity is obstructed or blocked by the rotatable element to close access to the consumable cavity.
In some examples, the consumable cavity comprises an opening for receiving the consumable, for example for heating the consumable in the consumable cavity, and/or the aerosol generating apparatus further comprises a closure element for selectively opening (or unblocking) and closing (or blocking) access to the consumable cavity. Optionally, the closure element is arranged to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, access to the consumable cavity is provided, to allow insertion of a consumable into the consumable cavity. Further optionally, in the second position, access to the consumable cavity is obstructed by the closure element to close or block access to the consumable cavity.
In some examples, the closure element further comprising a heat barrier, wherein optionally the heat barrier, when the closure element is in the second position, is arranged adjacent to the opening of the consumable cavity for reducing the warming the closure element by thermal energy (or heat energy) originating from the consumable cavity.
In this way, the heat barrier is a means for reducing or preventing that heat from the consumable cavity heats or warms the closure element. The heat barrier may reflect heat radiation from the consumable cavity back into the consumable cavity and/or reduces the heat transfer from the consumable cavity to the closure element compared to a situation where the heat barrier is absent.
Conventionally, aerosol generating apparatuses using a heatable consumable for the generation of aerosol feature a cavity for receiving the consumable, into which the consumable is inserted prior to using the apparatus. The material of the consumable can be heated by a heating element arranged within or surrounding the cavity to generate aerosol that can be inhaled by the user. Conventionally, when not in use, e.g., when no consumable is inserted into the consumable cavity, the cavity remains open and accessible from the exterior of the aerosol generating apparatus. Thereby, it is possible that foreign objects accidentally enter the consumable cavity which are not intended to be within the consumable cavity. In case such a foreign object is accidentally within the consumable cavity, it may prevent or limit insertion of a consumable into the cavity. Thereby, such a foreign object may render the aerosol generating apparatus inoperable. Further, in case the user is not readily aware that such a foreign object has entered the consumable cavity and is trying to insert a consumable, the presence of the foreign object may damage elements of the aerosol generating apparatus, for example within the cavity. Especially in case of the heating element being embodied as a heating rod for penetrating the consumable material, a foreign object may damage or destroy the heating element. Likewise, in case the user does not readily notice the presence of the foreign object within the consumable cavity, e.g. because the foreign object is of a soft, lightweight or compressible material, or generally of a size that facilitates not recognizing the foreign object in the consumable cavity, a user could try to engage or use the aerosol generating apparatus. Thus, the user could initiate the heating of the consumable material in a situation where they are unaware of the presence of the foreign object within the consumable cavity which may result in a hazardous situation. The foreign object could potentially, depending on its composition and structure, generate an aerosol component which is not suitable to be inhaled, and/or could react to the heat in an undesirable manner, for example the foreign object could melt or ignite.
Alternatively, a consumable may also be heated by alternative means not requiring a heating element being provided in the consumable cavity. E.g., such a heating of a consumable could be provided by an induction heating system, for example surrounding the consumable and/or the consumable cavity.
In order to avoid that foreign objects enter the consumable cavity, the present disclosure provides a closure element, e.g., a movable element or a rotatable element, for selectively opening and closing access to the consumable cavity. The closure element may comprise a channel or a passage going through the interior of the movable element. The lengthwise extension of the passage may be perpendicular to an axis of rotation, in case the closure element is a rotatable element, about which the closure element is rotating to assume a first position and a second position. In the first position, the lengthwise extension of the passage may be aligned with a lengthwise extension of the consumable cavity, thereby forming an effective single resulting cavity for receiving a consumable, comprising the consumable cavity in the interior of the aerosol generating apparatus and the passage of the closure element. In the second position, the lengthwise extension of the passage may be not aligned anymore with the lengthwise extension of the consumable cavity so that the closure element, for example its surface, covers the opening into the consumable cavity, thereby closing off the consumable cavity from the outside.
The closure element may be arranged as an element forming part of the housing of the aerosol generating apparatus, so that the closure element is accessible from the outside, for example for manual manipulation by the user. Here, the user may move or rotate the closure element with their hand. For example, by holding the aerosol generating apparatus using four fingers (index, middle, ring and pinky finger), the user may use the thumb to manipulate the closure element, e.g., rotate the closure element with the thumb. In other words, the user is holding the aerosol generating apparatus in a way resembling the normal hold during use of the aerosol generating apparatus and is able to open or close the consumable cavity with the same hand while holding and inserting a consumable with the other hand. In order to start using the aerosol generating apparatus, the user would thus be rotating the closure element into the first position, and may move the closure element into the second position, thereby closing access to the consumable cavity, after use, for example when storing the aerosol generating apparatus in a trouser pocket or handbag. By closing the cavity by moving the closure element into the second position, it can be avoided that foreign objects enter the consumable cavity during the time the aerosol generating apparatus is not in use, for example stored.
The passage may extend though the complete diameter in case of the closure element being a rotatable, comprising a proximal opening and a distal opening, seen relative to the consumable cavity/heating element.
The surface of the closure element may be essentially smooth or uniform but may still be operated by contact with a finger or the like on the exterior surface of the closure element for initiating a rotating motion. To transition between the first position and the second position, the closure element may be rotated back and forth or forwards and backwards. Thereby, the surface part of the closure element exposed to the interior of the aerosol generating apparatus, e.g., the consumable cavity will not be accessible from the outside. In other words, the surface part of the closure element that the user will touch will never be exposed to or point in the direction of a rod heater region because of how the closure element rotates: e.g., a 90° turn to open and a reverse 90° turn to close. In particular, the closure element may be arranged to not provide a full 360° rotation.
The closure element forms a double door or double seal arrangement. The closure element, in the closed, second position, may seal both the outer aperture of the aerosol generating apparatus and the opening to the consumable cavity below the closure element. Thereby, introduction of unintended foreign objects into the consumable cavity is avoided as well as odours escaping from the heating element area in the interior of the consumable cavity. Once the consumable cavity is closed, it is not accessible anymore from the exterior of the aerosol generating apparatus for the insertion of a consumable. Likewise, in the second position, the passage in the closure element is closed vs. the exterior of the aerosol generating apparatus.
The proximal end of the passage through the closure element may be narrower than the consumable cavity to which it leads, thereby facilitating the insertion of the consumable by avoiding catching of the consumable at an edge of the consumable cavity as it is moved through the closure element, the passage within, and into the consumable cavity. Alternatively or additionally, the opening to the consumable cavity beneath and adjacent the closure element may have a chamfered or filleted edge, again to facilitate insertion of the consumable by preventing the consumable from catching on the edge of the consumable cavity.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the closure element may be rotatable when no consumable is inserted through the passage and into the consumable cavity, and/or the closure element may be rotatable about approximately 90° between the first position and the second position.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, moving the closure element into the second position may be inhibited when a consumable is present in the consumable cavity the second position.
Rotation of the closure element may be prevented or blocked in case a consumable is inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus for use. Here, the consumable establishes a form fit connection between the consumable cavity and the passage of the closure element via the consumable. Likewise, with no consumable inserted, the closure element may be freely rotatable to assume one of the first position and second position. Structurally, it may be beneficial if the angle of rotation between the first position and the second position is approximately 90°. Thereby, the passage that is aligned lengthwise with the consumable cavity in the first position is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the aerosol generating apparatus and the consumable cavity, respectively, so that the passage itself with its two openings on opposite sides of the closure element may be closed by the adjacent housing walls of the aerosol generating apparatus. Thus, in the first position, the user sees a circular opening at the top end of the housing of the aerosol generating apparatus for inserting the consumable, while in the second position, only a uniform roundish surface of the closure element is visible to the user since now the passage is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the consumable cavity. This allows an easy visual identification in which of the first and second positions the closure element is currently arranged.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the closure element may be directly operable by the user and/or may be manually operable by the user.
The user may thus use a finger, e.g., the thumb, to manipulate the closure element, e.g., to rotate the closure element between the first position and the second position. Direct manipulation provides a simple and intuitive means for opening and closing the consumable cavity. A manual operation may be understood as a direct contact, e.g., direct (finger) contact, when operating or rotating the closure element, in particular without an additional lever element. The closure element may further comprise a surface texture to enhance friction between finger and closure element to facilitate rotation.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the closure element may be held in either the first position or the second position by a spring arranged between the closure element and a structural element of the aerosol generating apparatus, and wherein the spring is arranged to bias the closure element towards either the first position or the second position.
Such a spring, which may also be referred to as a bistable spring in the context of this disclosure, is a spring that provides a spring force in both the first and second position counteracting the movement/rotation of the closure element out of or between the first and the second position. By using a bistable spring, a user would be required to counteract the spring force holding the closure element in a respective one of the first and second positions in order to move/rotate the closure element into the respective other one of the first and second positions. The bistable spring thus assures that an assumed position of the closure element is held until the closure element is intentionally moved into the respective other position, thereby avoiding, e.g., accidental opening of the consumable cavity by unintentional movement of the closure element from the second position to the first position, for example when the carrying the aerosol generating apparatus in one's trouser pocket or handbag.
The structural element may be part of the housing or conencted to the housing, e.g., a stiff or rigid element that remains in a fixed postion relative to the housing, regardless of any movement of the closure element.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the closure element may comprise an attachment element to attach the spring to the closure element, and the attachment element may interact with at least a part of the structural element or a further structural element of the aerosol generating apparatus to provide any one, any two or all three of guide for guiding movement of the closure element, an end stop to prevent movement beyond the first position, and an end stop to prevent movement beyond the second position.
The bistable spring may thus connect the closure element and the housing so that a part of the housing is used as an attachment element or anchor point to attach the bistable spring to. Likewise, the closure element may comprise an anchor point, e.g., a protrusion or the like, to which the bistable spring is attached to. The bistable spring thus connect the anchor point of the closure element with the anchor point of the housing. The housing may be arranged so that the anchor point of the closure element, e.g. a protrusion, interacts or engages with the housing at least in the first and the second position, so that the housing prohibits further rotation of the closure element beyond the first and second position. A passage, channel, opening or guide may allow the rotation of the closure element and thereby the movement of the protrusion within the passage, channel, opening or guide, however, blocks further movement of the protrusion once the first or the second position is assumed. For example, the passage, opening or guide may terminate, i.e. become solid material, thereby blocking the movement of the protrusion of the closure element so that a further rotation beyond the first or the second position is prevented.
Optionally, the attachment element or the anchor point on the housing is in between or is a similar distance from the anchor point on the rotating element in the respective first and second position.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the bistable spring may be providing a spring force to keep the closure element in a respective one of the first position and second position.
E.g., the bistable spring may provide a pushing force in the first and second position of the closure element trying to move the closure element even further beyond the first and second position. Together with the attachment element or the anchor point on the rotating elements, acting as an end stop in the respective first and second position together with the housing, the bistable spring may assure that the closure element stays in place in the respective first and second position by the by pressing the anchor point of the closure element against the end stops of the housing. Thereby, this bistable spring is under tension in the first and second position counteracting rattling or the like of the closure element within the housing.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, moving the closure element between the first position and the second position may comprise one of a swivelling motion, a transposition and a rotation.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the closure element may be a rotatable element, rotatable between the first position and the second position, and comprising a passage for insertion of a consumable.
A closure element that is embodied as a rotatable element allows a simple operation of transitioning between the first position and the second position by the user. In particular a rotation may allow the operation of the closure element with a single finger, e.g., the thumb. A rotation may be one movement where the operation of the closure element is in situ. In other words, the closure element is not shifting its position relative to the housing or other elements of the aerosol generating apparatus, while still transitioning between the first position and the second position. The operation between the first position and the second position may expose and hide/cover a passage arranged within the closure element for insertion of a consumable therethrough.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the passage may comprise a proximal opening and a distal opening, wherein the proximal opening may be positioned towards the interior of the housing when the rotatable element is in the first position, wherein the proximal opening is positioned adjacent to the opening of the consumable cavity when the rotatable element is in the first position, wherein the distal opening is positioned towards the exterior of the housing when the rotatable element is in the first position, and wherein the distal opening and/or the opening of the consumable cavity is bounded by a chamfered or a filleted edge.
By providing a chamfered or filleted circumference pointing towards the outside of the aerosol generating apparatus, insertion of the consumable into the passage may be facilitated.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the passage diameter may be adapted to the diameter of a consumable so that the inner surface of the passage is in surface contact with the outer surface of the consumable.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotatable element may be arranged for cooling the consumable. For example the rotatable element may be made of a material with a high thermal conductivity, for dissipating heat from the consumable surface.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotatable element may be made of a material arranged for transferring thermal energy away from the consumable, and/or wherein the rotatable element is made of a material out of the group consisting of metal, steel, stainless steel, copper and aluminium.
By providing an adapted passage diameter, a good surface contact between the consumable and the rotatable element may be provided, which facilitates heat conduction or heat transfer between the consumable and in the rotatable element. The diameter of the passage should be adapted to the consumable to provide a uniform contact over the surface of the consumable while at the same time not hampering the insertion and removal of the consumable from the aerosol generating apparatus. The rotatable element may thus conduct heat away from the surface of the consumable, thereby cooling the consumable. To provide a preferred heat conduction, the rotatable element may be made of a material with a high thermal conductivity. For example, the rotatable element may be made of a metal like aluminium, copper or steel. Put another way, the rotatable element acts as a heat sink accommodating the consumable to provide cooling of the consumable and thereby cooling of the aerosol or air passing through the consumable. Alternatively, the rotatable element may be made of a plastic material, e.g. PEEK.
Using a material with a high thermal conductivity for the closure element has the effect that the closure element may be heated or warmed by thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity in the second position. This thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity may be residual heat of the heating element in the consumable cavity. This may result in an undesired heating of the closure element. The provision of the heat barrier counter-acts this effect. Thus, the heat barrier allows the provision of a closure element that (i) dissipates heat from the consumable surface and (ii) prevents heating of the closure element in the second position (e.g. when the consumable cavity is closed after use).
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of the aerosol generating apparatus may be enabled when the closure element is in the first position, and/or wherein the operation of the aerosol generating apparatus may be disabled when the closure element is not in the first position and/or is in the second position.
By enabling operation of the aerosol generating apparatus when the rotatable element is in the first position or rather preventing the enabling of the operation when the rotatable element is not in the first position, in particular in the second position, accidental activation of the aerosol generating apparatus may be avoided. The aerosol generating apparatus may comprise a sensor determining the position of the rotatable element, e.g., a position sensor or contactless position sensor, like a reed contact, to determine the position the rotatable element is in. In a particular embodiment, it may suffice to provide a position sensor that determines when the rotatable element is in the first position and use the sensor signal for activation of the aerosol generating apparatus. This in turn would result in a permanent deactivation or prevented operation of the aerosol generating apparatus unless the rotatable element is in the first position. E.g., dependent on the position sensor indicating that the rotatable element is in the first position, power may be provided to the control circuitry and/or heating element of the aerosol generating apparatus. Thereby, in case the rotatable element is not in the first position, power required for operating all or part of the aerosol generating apparatus may simply not be provided.
Enabling or disabling the aerosol generating apparatus may be provided by a switching element, which only provides power to control electronics of the aerosol generating apparatus when the closure element is in or near the first position. Alternatively or additionally, the switching element may only provide power to control electronics of the aerosol generating apparatus when the closure element is not in or near the second position.
In some examples, the heat barrier includes at least one layer on an outer surface of the closure element. In this way, the heat barrier can be provided by (partially) covering the outer surface of the closure element with one or more layers.
The one or more layers may form a sandwich structure on the outer surface of the closure element. A first set of the one or more of the layers of the sandwich structure may be configured to block and/or insulate the heat transfer and a second set of one or more of the layers of the sandwich structure may be provided for reliably attaching the first set to the closure element.
In some examples, the at least one layer includes a material configured to reflect thermal radiation so that thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity is reflected by the one or more layers, optionally back into the consumable cavity. In this way, heating of the closure element in the second postion can be reduced or prevented. In other words, the material configured to reflect thermal radiation reduces or prevents that thermal radiation reaches the closure element. Instead, the thermal radiation is at least partially reflected back before reaching the closure element.
Thermal radiation is a form of heat transfer via electromagnetic radiation. The thermal radiation may principally originate from the heated heating element and/or other parts of the consumable cavity that are still heated by the heating element. The thermal radiation may be in the infra-red wavelength range and/or in the visible wavelength range. Thus, the material configured to reflect thermal radiation may be configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation in the infra-red wavelength range and/or in the visible wavelength range.
The reflective properties of the material configured to reflect thermal radiation (e.g. of the one or more layers) may be an inherent material property and/or may be provided by a particular treatment of the material (e.g. polishing). The layer made from material configured to reflect thermal radiation may be the outer layer of the one or more layers of the termal barrier. The layer made from a material configured to reflect thermal radiation may be metal coating (e.g. a copper or aluminium coating). The one or more layers may increase the ratio of reflected thermal radiation compared to absorped thermal radition.
In some examples, the heat barrier is an area of an outer surface of the closure element that is polished so that thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity is reflected, optionally back into the consumable cavity. In this way, thermal radiation can be reflected by the heat barrier without providing a layer on the outer surface of the closure element. This may simplify the manufacturing of the closure element.
The closure element may generally have a smooth outer surface. However, the colour and/or surface texture of the outer surface of the closure element may exhibit substantial absorption of thermal radiation (which is for example intended for transferring thermal energy away from the consumable). However, in the second position, this can be undesired. To increase the reflective properties, the closure element may be partially polished to provide the heat barrier. Polishing of the closure element may provide an even smoother surface and/or a local change in the colour of the outer surface. Both aspects can increase the ratio of reflected thermal radiation compared to absorped thermal radition.
The one or more layers or the polished area of the outer surface of the closure element may cover the entire surface area that faces the opening of the consumable cavity in the second positon. In other words, the heat barrier may completely cover that area of the outer surface of the closure element that faces the opening of the consumable cavity in the second positon. In this way, the heat barrier can be provided at that area of the outer surface of the closure element on which the thermal radiation originating from the consumable cavity impinges.
In some examples, the at least one layer includes a material made from a heat-insulating material for thermally insulating the closure element from thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity. In this way, the heat-insulating material can reduce the heat transfer via thermal conduction and/or thermal convention.
The one or more layers made from a heat-insulating material may be arranged underneath the one or more layers made from a material configured to reflect thermal radiation. Thus, one or more heat-insulating layers may reduce the heat transfer via thermal conduction from the one or more heat-reflecting layers to the closure element. The heat-insulating material may have thermal conductivity that is lower than the heat-reflecting material and/or the material of the closure element. The one or more heat-insulating layers may have a thickness that is larger than a thickness of the one or more heat-reflecting layers. The heat-insulating material may be made from a plastic material and/or include a structure that reduces heat transfer, e.g. including cavities.
The one or more heat-insulating layers may be provided in absence of the one or more heat-reflecting layers. In this case, the one or more heat-insulating layers may reduce the heat transfer via thermal convection from the consumable cavity to the closure element. Thermal convenction may be provided by heated air in the consumable cavity. The one or more heat-insulating layers may reduce the heating of the closure element by the heated air in the consumable cavity.
In some examples, the closure element comprises a concave recess in an outer surface thereof. Optionally, the recess is arranged adjacent to the consumable cavity when the rotatable element is in the second position. Further optionally, the heat barrier is located in the recess.
The concave recess may increase the distance between the heating element (e.g. a tip thereof) and the outer surface of the closure element in the closed position (in comparision to a situation where the closure element does not include the concave recess). It is commonly known that heat transfer via thermal radiation and thermal convection decreases with increasing distance between the heat source (e.g. the heating element) and the heat sink (e.g. the closure element). Thus, the provision of the concave recess may be an means (in addition to the heat barrier) to reduce the heat transfer from the consumable cavity to the closure element.
The heat barrier (e.g. the one or more layers or the polished surface) may cover the entire surface of the concave recess. In this way, the concave recess increases the distance between the heat barrier and the heat source.
In some examples, the the recess has conical shape, a frusto-conical shape, or a dome-shape. These shapes provide good properties for reflecting the thermal radiation back in to the consumable cavity. However, other shapes of the concave recess are possible.
In some examples, a perimeter of the recess on the outer surface of the closure element is aligned with the opening of the consumable cavity facing the recess in the second position. In this way, the concave recess can cover the opening of the consumable cavity in the second position.
The perimeter of the recess may correspond to that line on the outer surface of the closure element that separates the outer surface of the closure element from the surface of the concave recess. The perimeter may have the same geometrical shape as the opening of the consumable cavity. For example, the perimeter may have the shape of a circle having a diameter that is identical to the diameter of the circular opening of the consumable cavity.
The perimeter of the recess may touch or is very close to the edge of the opening of the consumable cavity. The concave recess may close the consumable cavity in the second position. For example, only a small gap is provided between the perimeter of the recess and the edge of the opening of the consumable cavity in the second position. In other words, only the concave recess faces the consumable cavity and/or is exposed to thermal energy form the consumable cavity in the second position.
In some examples, the heat barrier is located only in the recess. In this way, the heat barrier can be provided on the only area of the closure element that is exposed to thermal energy form the consumable cavity in the second position.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the aerosol generating apparatus may further comprise a heating element for heating of a received consumable, and the rotatable element may comprise an elongate recess in the outer surface, and wherein the elongate recess provides clearance for the heating element when rotating the rotatable element between the first position and the second position.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the recess may provide heat reflective region and/or may comprise at least one of a heat reflective element, a heat insulating element, a heat reflective material and a heat insulating material, which may be implemented by the one or more layers described abvove.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the elongate recess may be adapted to the physical dimensions and/or the geometrical shape of the heating element in its tip region.
Providing the elongate recess having a clearance for the heating element may allow to manufacture the aerosol generating apparatus in a more compact manner. E.g., the rotatable element may have a cut out passage/clearance on one side of its outer circumference arranged in the interior of the aerosol generating apparatus to receive the tip of a rod heater as the element rotates. The cut out provides clearance of the tip of the rod heater during rotation of the rotatable element, so that the tip of the rod heater does not collide with the rotatable element during rotation. The elongate recess may thus be shaped as a partial surface of a sphere or an ellipse, and may generally act as a reflector.
Additionally or alternatively, the region of the rotatable element adjacent to the heating element when in the second position may comprise a heat reflective or heat insulating element or material to avoid heating of the rotatable element by the heating element, and to prevent damage to the rotatable element and/or the heating element. The heating element may still be comparably hot for some time after consumption of a consumable although not being actively heated.
Still further, additionally or alternatively, a heat reflective or a heat insulating element or material may be provided within the consumable cavity, e.g., outlining the walls of the consumable cavity so that a consumable inserted into the consumable cavity is adjacent to the heat reflective or heat insulating element or material in the consumable cavity with its outer surface. Thereby, thermal energy may be retained within the consumable cavity and heat leakage or heat transfer into the housing of the aerosol generating apparatus may be reduced.
Alternatively or additionally, the surface of the rotatable element or the rotatable element itself may comprise or may consist of a heat reflective or a heat insulating element or material.
Alternatively or additionally, an elongate recess adapted to the physical dimensions and/or the geometrical shape of the heating element in its tip region, may avoid a collision of the heating element, in particular its tip and the rotatable element or a closure element in general. E.g., in case the tip of the heating element is cone-shaped, the recess may have an inverse cone shape. Such an adapted shape allows to reduce the distance of the rotatable element or the closure element and the heating element, so that the overall length or size of the aerosol generating apparatus may be reduced or minimized. Such an adapted physical dimensions and/or the geometrical shape may at the same time reduce or minimize the distance of the heating element and the rotatable element or the closure element so that a heat reflective or heat insulating element or material in the region of the recess may provide additional benefits of protecting the rotatable element or the closure element and the heating element.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the aerosol generating apparatus may comprise two springs arranged on opposite sides of the rotatable element.
By providing two springs on opposite sides of the rotatable element, a force acting on the rotatable element by the two springs may provide a more even and uniform force acting on the rotatable element. E.g., the two springs may be two bistable springs that may act on the rotatable element symmetrical to a central plane through the rotatable element which plane is perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotatable element. The central plane is thus so arranged to be mirror-symmetrically dividing the rotatable element perpendicular to the rotational axis.
Alternatively, or additionally, the two springs may be to regular springs with each spring being responsible for providing half of the functionality of a single bistable spring. E.g., one spring of the two springs may be providing the spring force for maintaining the rotatable element in one of the first and the second position, while the other spring may be providing the spring force for maintaining the rotatable element in the other one of the first and the second position.
According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, when the rotatable element is arranged in a start position which is either one of the first position and the second position may require application of a progressively increasing force against the bias of the spring to rotate the rotatable element out of the start position for approximately half the angle of rotation between the first position and the second position, and wherein when the rotational position of the rotatable element exceeds approximately the half angle of rotation between the first position and the second position, continued rotation to an end position which is the other of the first position and the second position may be provided by resiling of the spring so that the rotatable element assumes the end position without application of further force.
The half angle of rotation between the first position in the second position may also be referred to as the halfway point, in particular the halfway point of the rotation between the first position and the second position.
Here, a user trying to rotate the rotatable element between the first and the second positions needs to overcome an initial force provided by the bistable spring holding the rotatable element in place in the respective first or second position. The rotation by the user thus compresses the spring further, which at first counteracts the rotation, while the force required by the user to rotate the rotatable element increases until the bistable spring is in a central region, after a half angle of rotation of the rotation, where the bistable spring is not compressed anymore but extends. From the halfway point onwards, the bistable spring is thus providing a force in the direction of rotation so that the bistable spring facilitates further rotation or even completely provides the force required for further rotation into the other position.
Once the halfway point between the first position and the second position is met, the initial force required to rotate the rotatable element becomes zero or even negative, resulting in an improved user experience. The user begins to turn the rotatable element with increasing force, until the halfway point, e.g., at approximately 45° is reached, whereupon the rotatable element snaps into the other position without requiring additional force provided by the user. Such may provide a tactile feedback to the user, who may thus operate the aerosol generating apparatus, in particular the rotatable element, without visual supervision.
The preceding summary is provided for purposes of summarizing some examples to provide a basic understanding of aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the above-described features should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Moreover, the above and/or proceeding examples may be combined in any suitable combination to provide further examples, except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following text and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of examples in reference to the appended drawings in which like numerals denote like elements.

Fig. 1 is a block system diagram showing an example aerosol generating apparatus.
Figs. 2A , 2B and 2C are schematic diagrams showing a part of an example aerosol generating apparatus according to the present disclosure.
Figs. 3A to 3C are schematic diagrams showing the rotation of an example rotatable element according to the present disclosure.
Fig. 3D is a schematic diagram showing a further example rotatable element according to the present disclosure.
Fig. 3E is a schematic diagram showing an example bistable spring according to the present disclosure.
Fig. 4 is a block system diagram showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 1, where the aerosol generating apparatus is configured to generate aerosol from a solid precursor.
Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Before describing several examples implementing the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited by specific construction details or process steps set forth in the following description and accompanying drawings. Rather, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the systems, apparatuses and/or methods described herein could be embodied differently and/or be practiced or carried out in various alternative ways.
Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, and known techniques and procedures may be performed according to conventional methods well known in the art and as described in various general and more specific references that may be cited and discussed in the present specification.
Any patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publications mentioned in the specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
All examples implementing the present disclosure can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While particular examples have been described, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the systems, apparatus, and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the inventive concept(s). All such similar substitutions and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the inventive concept(s) as defined by the appended claims.
The use of the term "a" or "an" in the claims and/or the specification may mean "one," as well as "one or more," "at least one," and "one or more than one." As such, the terms "a," "an," and "the," as well as all singular terms, include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Likewise, plural terms shall include the singular unless otherwise required by context.
The use of the term "or" in the present disclosure (including the claims) is used to mean an inclusive "and/or" unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or unless the alternatives are mutually exclusive. For example, a condition "A or B" is satisfied by any of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
As used in this specification and claim(s), the words "comprising, "having," "including," or "containing" (and any forms thereof, such as "comprise" and "comprises," "have" and "has," "includes" and "include," or "contains" and "contain," respectively) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
Unless otherwise explicitly stated as incompatible, or the physics or otherwise of the embodiments, examples, or claims prevent such a combination, the features of examples disclosed herein, and of the claims, may be integrated together in any suitable arrangement, especially ones where there is a beneficial effect in doing so. This is not limited to only any specified benefit, and instead may arise from an "ex post facto" benefit. This is to say that the combination of features is not limited by the described forms, particularly the form (e.g. numbering) of example(s), embodiment(s), or dependency of claim(s). Moreover, this also applies to the phrase "in one embodiment," "according to an embodiment," and the like, which are merely a stylistic form of wording and are not to be construed as limiting the following features to a separate embodiment to all other instances of the same or similar wording. This is to say, a reference to 'an,' 'one,' or 'some' embodiment(s) may be a reference to any one or more, and/or all embodiments, or combination(s) thereof, disclosed. Also, similarly, the reference to "the" embodiment may not be limited to the immediately preceding embodiment. Further, all references to one or more embodiments or examples are to be construed as non-limiting to the claims.
The present disclosure may be better understood in view of the following explanations, wherein the terms used that are separated by "or" may be used interchangeably:
As used herein, an "aerosol generating apparatus" (or "electronic(e)-cigarette") may be an apparatus configured to deliver an aerosol to a user for inhalation by the user. The apparatus may additionally/alternatively be referred to as a "smoking substitute apparatus", if it is intended to be used instead of a conventional combustible smoking article. As used herein a combustible "smoking article" may refer to a cigarette, cigar, pipe or other article, that produces smoke (an aerosol comprising solid particulates and gas) via heating above the thermal decomposition temperature (typically by combustion and/or pyrolysis). An aerosol generated by the apparatus may comprise an aerosol with particle sizes of 0.2 - 7 microns, or less than 10 microns, or less than 7 microns. This particle size may be achieved by control of one or more of: heater temperature; cooling rate as the vapour condenses to an aerosol; flow properties including turbulence and velocity. The generation of aerosol by the aerosol generating apparatus may be controlled by an input device. The input device may be configured to be user-activated, and may for example include or take the form of an actuator (e.g. actuation button) and/or an airflow sensor.
Each occurrence of the aerosol generating apparatus being caused to generate aerosol for a period of time (which may be variable) may be referred to as an "activation" of the aerosol generating apparatus. The aerosol generating apparatus may be arranged to allow an amount of aerosol delivered to a user to be varied per activation (as opposed to delivering a fixed dose of aerosol), e.g. by activating an aerosol generating unit of the apparatus for a variable amount of time, e.g. based on the strength/duration of a draw of a user through a flow path of the apparatus (to replicate an effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article).
The aerosol generating apparatus may be portable. As used herein, the term "portable" may refer to the apparatus being for use when held by a user.
As used herein, an "aerosol generating system" may be a system that includes an aerosol generating apparatus and optionally other circuitry/components associated with the function of the apparatus, e.g. one or more external devices and/or one or more external components (here "external" is intended to mean external to the aerosol generating apparatus).
As used herein, an "external device" and "external component" may include one or more of a: a charging device, a mobile device (which may be connected to the aerosol generating apparatus, e.g. via a wireless or wired connection); a networked-based computer (e.g. a remote server); a cloud-based computer; any other server system.
An example aerosol generating system may be a system for managing an aerosol generating apparatus. Such a system may include, for example, a mobile device, a network server, as well as the aerosol generating apparatus.
As used herein, an "aerosol" may include a suspension of precursor, including as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. An aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapour. An aerosol may include one or more components of the precursor.
As used herein, a "precursor" may include one or more of a: liquid; solid; gel; loose leaf material; other substance. The precursor may be processed by an aerosol generating unit of an aerosol generating apparatus to generate an aerosol. The precursor may include one or more of: an active component; a carrier; a flavouring. The active component may include one or more of nicotine; caffeine; a cannabidiol oil; a non-pharmaceutical formulation, e.g. a formulation which is not for treatment of a disease or physiological malfunction of the human body. The active component may be carried by the carrier, which may be a liquid, including propylene glycol and/or glycerine. The term "flavouring" may refer to a component that provides a taste and/or a smell to the user. The flavouring may include one or more of: Ethylvanillin (vanilla); menthol, Isoamyl acetate (banana oil); or other. The precursor may include a substrate, e.g. reconstituted tobacco to carry one or more of the active component; a carrier; a flavouring.
As used herein, a "storage portion" may be a portion of the apparatus adapted to store the precursor. It may be implemented as fluid-holding reservoir or carrier for solid material depending on the implementation of the precursor as defined above.
As used herein, a "flow path" may refer to a path or enclosed passageway through an aerosol generating apparatus, e.g. for delivery of an aerosol to a user. The flow path may be arranged to receive aerosol from an aerosol generating unit. When referring to the flow path, upstream and downstream may be defined in respect of a direction of flow in the flow path, e.g. with an outlet being downstream of an inlet.
As used herein, a "delivery system" may be a system operative to deliver an aerosol to a user. The delivery system may include a mouthpiece and a flow path.
As used herein, a "flow" may refer to a flow in a flow path. A flow may include aerosol generated from the precursor. The flow may include air, which may be induced into the flow path via a puff by a user.
As used herein, a "puff" (or "inhale" or "draw") by a user may refer to expansion of lungs and/or oral cavity of a user to create a pressure reduction that induces flow through the flow path.
As used herein, an "aerosol generating unit" may refer to a device configured to generate an aerosol from a precursor. The aerosol generating unit may include a unit to generate a vapour directly from the precursor (e.g. a heating system or other system) or an aerosol directly from the precursor (e.g. an atomiser including an ultrasonic system, a flow expansion system operative to carry droplets of the precursor in the flow without using electrical energy or other system). A plurality of aerosol generating units to generate a plurality of aerosols (for example, from a plurality of different aerosol precursors) may be present in an aerosol generating apparatus.
As used herein, a "heating system" may refer to an arrangement of at least one heating element, which is operable to aerosolise a precursor once heated. The at least one heating element may be electrically resistive to produce heat from the flow of electrical current therethrough. The at least one heating element may be arranged as a susceptor to produce heat when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. The heating system may be configured to heat a precursor to below 300 or 350 degrees C, including without combustion.
As used herein, a "consumable" may refer to a unit that includes a precursor. The consumable may include an aerosol generating unit, e.g. it may be arranged as a cartomizer. The consumable may include a mouthpiece. With liquid or gel implementations of the precursor, e.g. an e-liquid, the consumable may be referred to as a "capsule" or a "pod" or an "e-liquid consumable". The capsule/pod may include a storage portion, e.g. a reservoir or tank, for storage of the precursor. With solid material implementations of the precursor, e.g. tobacco or reconstituted tobacco formulation, the consumable may be referred to as a "stick" or "package" or "heat-not-burn consumable". In a heat-not-burn consumable, the mouthpiece may be implemented as a filter and the consumable may be arranged to carry the precursor. The consumable may be implemented as a dosage or pre-portioned amount of material, including a loose-leaf product.
As used herein "heat-not-burn" (or "HNB" or "heated precursor") may refer to the heating of a precursor, typically tobacco, without combustion, or without substantial combustion (i.e. localised combustion may be experienced of limited portions of the precursor, including of less than 5% of the total volume).
Referring to Fig. 1, an example aerosol generating apparatus 1 includes a power supply 2, for supply of electrical energy. The apparatus 1 includes an aerosol generating unit 4 that is driven by the power supply 2. The power supply 2 may include an electric power supply in the form of a battery and/or an electrical connection to an external power source. The apparatus 1 includes a precursor 6, which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit 4 to generate an aerosol. The apparatus 2 includes a delivery system 8 for delivery of the aerosol to a user.
Electrical circuitry (not shown in figure 1) may be implemented to control the interoperability of the power supply 4 and aerosol generating unit 6.
In variant examples, which are not illustrated, the power supply 2 may be omitted since, e.g. an aerosol generating unit implemented as an atomiser with flow expansion may not require a power supply.
Figures 2A, 2B and 2C are schematic diagrams showing a part of an example aerosol generating apparatus according to the present disclosure.
Figure 2A shows the top end 53 of a housing 104 of an exemplary embodiment of an aerosol generating apparatus 1. At the top end 53, a closure element 100, e.g., a rotatable element 100 is arranged at, comprising an opening/passage 102. The opening/passage 102 is arranged for receiving a consumable 70, not depicted in figure 2A. The diameter of the opening/passage 102 is adapted to the size of a consumable 70, to facilitate insertion of the consumable 70 into the interior of the rotatable element 100. At the same time, the diameter of the opening/passage 102 and the diameter of the consumable 70 are chosen so that the consumable 70 with its outer surface and the opening/passage 102 with its inner surface are in contact with one another to facilitate heat transfer between the consumable 70 and the opening/passage 102, in particular heat transfer from the consumable 70 to the material of the opening/passage 102.
Figure 2B shows a cross section through the similar part of the aerosol generating apparatus as depicted in figure 2A. The rotatable element 100 comprises opening/passage 102 which in the depicted position where the longitudinal extension of the opening/passage 102 is parallel to the longitudinal extension of an exemplary heating element 54, and the longitudinal extension of the housing 104 in general, is positioned so to receive a consumable 70 and facilitating insertion of the consumable 70 through the opening/passage 102 into the consumable cavity 106. When a consumable 70 is inserted through the opening/passage 102 into the consumable cavity 106, the heating element 54 will penetrate into the interior of the consumable 70 so that in the inserted condition, the heating element 54 will be arranged within the consumable 70 and in close contact with the consumable material. In this situation, where the consumable 70 is inserted through the opening/passage 102 into the consumable cavity 106 and onto the heating element 54, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 allows the generation of aerosol to be inhaled by a user through the consumable 70 by heating the consumable material with a heating element 54.
With a consumable being in good thermal contact with the rotatable element 100, the consumable 70 and in particular generated aerosol traveling within the consumable may be cooled. In order to provide cooling, the rotatable element 100 may comprise a material with a high thermal conductivity like a metal, e.g., steel, stainless steel, copper or aluminium. The thermal capacity of the rotatable element 100 may be sufficient to cool a single consumable during the consumption of the consumable. This may result in the user being required to wait a certain amount of time after consuming a consumable to allow cooling, i.e., dissipating heat, from the rotatable element 100, before consuming a further consumable. Of course, a user may choose to still consume a further consumable but may then not enjoy the cooling function of the rotatable element 100. Additionally, or alternatively, the rotatable element 100 may be in thermal contact with the surroundings and/or the housing 104 of the aerosol generating apparatus 1 to dissipate thermal energy from the rotatable element 100 received from the consumable during consumption.
Figure 2B shows an optional chamfered or filleted edge 120 at the side of the rotatable element 100 pointing to the outside of the housing 104 to facilitate insertion of a consumable 70. Likewise, the opening of the consumable cavity 106 in the direction of the rotatable element 100 may comprise an optional chamfered or filleted edge 120, to facilitate receiving a consumable 70 within the consumable cavity 106 in the process of moving the consumable 70 through the opening/passage 102 of rotatable element 100 towards the interior of the housing 104 and thus towards the heating element 54.
Figure 2C essentially corresponds to the aerosol generating apparatus 1 as shown and explained in relation to figure 2B, however, while the rotatable element 100 is in the first position in figure 2B, the rotatable element 100 in figure 2C is in the second position. Here, the passage 102 is not parallel to the consumable cavity 106 anymore, but essentially perpendicular. While a consumable may thus not be inserted into the consumable cavity 106 anymore, the consumable cavity 106 and the passage 102 are closed relative to the outside of the aerosol generating apparatus 1. Thereby, the consumable cavity 106 and the passage 102 may be protected from outside material, like dirt or debris, entering the aerosol generating apparatus 1 unintentionally.
Figures 3A to 3C are schematic diagrams showing the rotation of an example rotatable element 100 according to the present disclosure.
Figure 3A to 3C show the rotatable element 100 in three distinct positions together with the arrangement of the bistable spring throughout the rotation of the rotatable element 100 between an exemplary fully closed, second, position and a fully opened, first, position. The fully closed second position is depicted in figure 3A, while the fully opened first position is depicted in figure 3C. Figure 3B shows an intermediate position, which may be the halfway position or halfway point between the fully opened and the fully closed position, where the bistable spring is at the turning point of force support between the fully closed position and the fully open position.
In figure 3A, the rotatable element 100 is in the fully closed position where the opening/passage 102 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the housing and in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the consumable cavity 106 and the heating element 54 arranged within the consumable cavity 106. Thereby, foreign objects from the exterior of the aerosol generating apparatus 1 are unable to enter the opening/passage 102 and thus also the consumable cavity 106. In the fully closed position according to figure 3A, also the opening/passage 102 is fully arranged within the housing 104 of the aerosol generating apparatus, thereby avoiding entering of foreign objects into the opening/passage 102. The feature of the opening/passage 102 being arranged within the housing 104 as depicted in figure 3A, is a feature independent of the remaining features depicted in figure 3A and may be implemented in a variety of different embodiments of the aerosol generating apparatus.
In case the opening/passage 102 would not be completely closed off in the closed state, foreign objects would be able to still enter the opening/passage 102 and would be able to move from the interior of the opening/passage 102 to the consumable cavity 106 when a user would rotate the rotatable element 100 from the fully closed position to and more open position, e.g., as depicted in figure 3B or 3C.
Figure 3A depicts an exemplary housing section 122 of the housing 104, where the bistable spring 108 connects the housing 104 with the rotatable element 100. The housing section 122 comprises an attachment element 110b, to which the bistable spring 108 is attached to. In particular, the bistable spring 108 is exemplarily connected in a rotatable manner to the attachment element 110b. Put another way, with the movement of the rotatable element 100 between the fully opened and the fully closed position and an associated movement of the bistable spring, the attachment of the bistable spring 108 at the attachment element 110b may rotate so to allow a movement of the bistable spring. The rotatable element 100 comprises a rotation axis 112 which is exemplarily accommodated by housing section 122 as well. However, it is conceivable that the rotation axis 112 is accommodated by a different part of the housing 104.
Likewise, the rotatable element 100 comprises an attachment element 110a to where the bistable spring 108 is connected to as well. Thereby, the rotatable element 100 and the housing 104, here exemplarily via the housing section 122 are connected by the rotatable spring 108. When moving the rotatable element 100 between the fully closed and the fully open position, the bistable spring is first compressed, thereby providing a force counteracting the rotation until a certain midway point, where the bistable spring reverses and starts to extend, thereby providing a force in the direction of the rotation. In other words, when transitioning between the fully closed position and the fully opened position, at first, the bistable spring is opposing an external force provided by a user trying to rotate the rotatable element 100 until the midway point, from where the bistable spring is supporting the rotation of the user. The midway point coincides with the bistable spring being compressed in the first part of the movement from a fully closed position and a fully open position as a start position of the rotation, to the respective other position to being expanded from the midway point to the end position of the rotation.
The housing section 122 exemplarily comprises an opening 124, where the attachment element 110a of the rotatable element 100 travels in. The housing section may be arranged so that in a respective end position, i.e., one of the fully closed position of the fully open position, the attachment element 110a rests against the housing section 122. At the same time, the bistable spring provides a force trying to move the rotatable element 100 even further in a certain rotational direction by trying to expand itself, thereby pushing the attachment element 110a against a boundary of the opening 124 of the housing section 122. Thereby, the bistable spring holds the rotatable element 100 in place in the fully opened and the fully closed position by forcing the attachment element 110a to rest against the material of the opening 124 of the housing section 122. As mentioned before, the housing section 122 may be a separate element or may be part of the housing 104. Likewise, the opening 124 may be arranged within the housing 104 itself and may not require a separate housing section 122.
Figure 3B shows the midway point of the rotation of the rotatable element 100 between a fully closed position as depicted in figure 3A and a fully opened position as depicted in figure 3C. The midway point here exemplarily coincides with the point in the rotation of the rotatable element 100 where the attachment elements 110a,b are closest to one another, i.e., have the minimum distance during the rotation. This results in the bistable spring being maximally compressed, while being extended by rotation from the midway point to either the fully opened or the fully closed position.
Effectively, at the midway point in this exemplary embodiment, both the attachment elements 100a,b and the rotation axis 112 are on a single line. Since this position of the bistable spring in figure 3B is an instable minimum distance/maximum force point, the bistable spring is unable to hold the rotatable element 100 in place in the midway point. Rather, any minimal movement out of the midway point allows the bistable spring to exert a force on the rotatable element 100, thus moving the rotatable element 100 in the respective direction to assume the fully opened or fully closed position. This behaviour assures that once a user opens or closes the aerosol generating apparatus by moving the rotatable element 100 into the fully opened or fully closed position, the bistable spring provides a force to keep the rotatable element 100 in the respective position.
In figure 3C, the rotatable element 100 has assumed the fully opened position, where the opening/passage 102 is open and accessible from the exterior of the housing 104 and likewise the consumable cavity 106 is accessible through the opening/passage 102. The attachment element 110a of the rotatable element 100 rests against the other side of the opening 124 and maintains the position of the rotatable element 100 in the fully open position by exerting a force on the attachment element 110a, thereby pressing the attachment element 110a against the material of the housing section 122. In the position shown in figure 3C, a user may thus insert a consumable 70 into the opening/passage 102 for consumption. After consumption, the user would remove the consumable 70 from the consumable cavity 106 and the opening/passage 102 and subsequently would rotate the rotatable element 100 from the fully open position depicted in figure 3C through the midway point depicted in figure 3B to the fully closed position depicted in figure 3A.
Figure 3D is a schematic diagram showing a further example rotatable element 100 according to the present disclosure.
In figure 3D, the rotatable element 100 is shown on its own. Attachment point 110a and rotation axis 112 is shown, with the bistable spring 108 being a depicted only schematically. In addition to the opening/passage 102, the rotatable element 100 comprises a concave recess 114 in an outer surface of the rotatable element 100. The recess 114 in figure 3D is exemplarily depicted as a part of a sphere. The recess 114 may thus be dome-shaped. The recess 114 is provided in the outer surface of the rotatable element 100 so that the distance between the rotable element 100 and the tip of the heating element 54 is increased in the second position compared to a situation where the recess 114 would not be provided or an orientation of the rotatable element 100 between the first and second positions (i.e. when the tip of the heating element 54 does not face the recess 114).
The recess 114 has a perimeter 114a that is ciruclar having a diameter identical to the diameter of the opening of the consumable cavity 106. Thus, in the second position, the recess 114 effectively closes the consumable cavity 106. A surface of the concaved recess 114 may be the only area of the rotable element 100 that faces the consumable cavity 106 in the second position and, therefore, may be exposed to thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity 106.
The recess 114 may include a heat barrier 118 which may include one or more layers covering the surface of the recess 114. The one or more layers can include a material configured to reflect thermal radiation so that thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity 106 is reflected back into the consumable cavity 106. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more layer include a material made from a heat-insulating material for thermally insulating the closure element 100 from thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity 106.
In an alterantive embodiment, the heat barrier 118 is provided by polishing the surface of the recess 114 for increasing the ratio of reflected thermal radiation compared to absorbed thermal radiation. All these embodiments may contribute to the reduction of the heat transfer from the consumable cavity 106 to the rotatable element 100 via thermal conduction, thermal convection, and/or thermal radiation.
Alternatively (not shown in the figures), the recess 114 may be embodied as elongate clearance such as a passage or groove, e.g., running along a part of the surface of the rotatable element 100 in the region of the rotatable element 100 that is in the vicinity of the heating element 54, e.g., its tip, when being rotated between the fully opened and the fully closed position. Such an elongate recess/clearance 114 may allow to move the rotatable element 100 closer to the heating element 54, thereby potentially reducing the required size of the aerosol generating apparatus 1. In one exemplary embodiment, not depicted in figure 3D, the recess/clearance 114 is a passage adapted to the dimensions of the heating element 54 in its tip region and running from that side of the opening of passage 102 that is arranged in the interior of the housing when the rotatable element 100 is in the fully opened position to approximately the halfway point between the two openings of passage 102. This allows an easy transition of the heating element 54 within the recess/clearance 114 when moving the rotatable element 100 between the fully opened and fully closed position.
Additionally, the recess/clearance 114, regardless of a specific form or shape, may comprise at least one of a heat reflective element, a heat insulating element, a heat reflective material and a heat insulating material in the region of the recess/clearance 114. Thereby, it may be possible that the aerosol generating apparatuses 1 is closed shortly/immediately after consumption of a consumable, i.e., the rotatable element 100 is moved from the fully open to the fully closed position, while the heating element 54 may be still comparably hot. Thereby, damage to the rotatable element 100 may be avoided in case the heating element 54 would still maintain a sufficiently high temperature that would potentially alter, e.g., melt or burn or otherwise damage the material of the rotatable element 100. In case of a spherical or parabolic shape of the recess/clearance 114, the specific geometric shape of the recess/clearance 114 may be at a particular distance from the heating element 54, e.g., its tip. For example, the distance and may be such that a part of the heating element 54 is equidistant from the surface of the recess/clearance 114, thereby avoiding a particular region of the recess/clearance 114 being heated differently, e.g., higher, then another region of the recess/clearance 114. The spherical or parabolic shape of the recess/clearance 114 may embody a heat reflector.
Figure 3E is a schematic diagram showing an example bistable spring according to the present disclosure.
Figure 3E shows an exemplary embodiment of a bistable spring 108. The bistable spring comprises a central part 108a, which is providing the spring functionality of the bistable spring, as well as two end sections where the attachment points 116 are arranged at. The attachment points 116 are exemplarily embodied as a loop made of the same spring material, which can be attached to the attachment elements 110a,b at the housing 104/housing section 122 and the rotatable element 100 respectively. The attachment points have a general circular shape to that they may be fitted over similarly sized circular attachment elements 110a,b and be rotated about the attachment elements 110a,b.
The bistable spring 108 may be made of spring wire or music wire and may be preformed on a wire bending machine. The bistable spring 108 may use the same material throughout the complete spring element, including the central part 108a and the attachment points 116. The spring material may e.g. be wire with a thickness of between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm, in particular between 0.3 mm and 0.4 mm, further in particular 0.35 mm. The central part 108a may consist of a defined number of windings of the spring material, e.g., two, three, four or five windings of spring material.
Figure 4 shows an implementation of the apparatus 1 of Figure 1, where the aerosol generating apparatus 1 is configured to generate aerosol by a-heat not-burn process.
In this example, the apparatus 1 includes a device body 50 and a consumable 70.
In this example, the body 50 includes the power supply 4 and a heating system 52. The heating system 54 includes at least one heating element 54. The body may additionally include any one or more of electrical circuitry 56, a memory 58, a wireless interface 60, one or more other components 62.
The electrical circuitry 56 may include a processing resource for controlling one or more operations of the body 50, e.g. based on instructions stored in the memory 58.
The wireless interface 60 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with an external (e.g. mobile) device, e.g. via Bluetooth.
The other component(s) 62 may include an actuator, one or more user interface devices configured to convey information to a user and/or a charging port, for example (see e.g. Figure 5).
The body 50 is configured to engage with the consumable 70 such that the at least one heating element 54 of the heating system 52 penetrates into the solid precursor 6 of the consumable. In use, a user may activate the aerosol generating apparatus 1 to cause the heating system 52 of the body 50 to cause the at least one heating element 54 to heat the solid precursor 6 of the consumable (without combusting it) by conductive heat transfer, to generate an aerosol which is inhaled by the user.
Figure 5 shows an example implementation of the aerosol generating apparatus 1 of Figure 4.
As depicted in Figure 5, the consumable 70 is implemented as a stick, which is engaged with the body 50 by inserting the stick into an aperture at a top end 53 of the body 50, which causes the at least one heating element 54 of the heating system 52 to penetrate into the solid precursor 6.
The consumable 70 includes the solid precursor 6 proximal to the body 50, and a filter distal to the body 50. The filter serves as the mouthpiece of the consumable 70 and thus the apparatus 1 as a whole. The solid precursor 6 may be a reconstituted tobacco formulation.
In this example, the at least one heating element 54 is a rod-shaped element with a circular transverse profile. Other heating element shapes are possible, e.g. the at least one heating element may be blade-shaped (with a rectangular transverse profile) or tube-shaped (e.g. with a hollow transverse profile).
In this example, the body 50 includes a cap 51. In use the cap 51 is engaged at a top end 53 of the body 50. Although not apparent from Fig. 5, the cap 51 is moveable relative to the body 50. In particular, the cap 51 is slidable and can slide along a longitudinal axis of the body 50.
The body 50 also includes an actuator 55 on an outer surface of the body 50. In this example, the actuator 55 has the form of a button.
The body 50 also includes a user interface device configured to convey information to a user. Here, the user interface device is implemented as a plurality of lights 57, which may e.g. be configured to illuminate when the apparatus 1 is activated and/or to indicate a charging state of the power supply 4. Other user interface devices are possible, e.g. to convey information haptically or audibly to a user.
The body may also include an airflow sensor which detects airflow in the aerosol generating apparatus 1 ,e.g. caused by a user inhaling through the consumable 70). This may be used to count puffs, for example.
In this example, the consumable 70 includes a flow path which transmits aerosol generated by the at least one heating element 54 to the mouthpiece of the consumable.
In this example, the aerosol generating unit 4 is provided by the above-described heating system 52 and the delivery system 8 is provided by the above-described flow path and mouthpiece of the consumable 70.

Claims

An aerosol generating apparatus, comprising
a consumable cavity (106) comprising an opening for receiving a consumable (70) for heating the consumable (70) in the consumable cavity (106), and

a closure element (100) for selectively opening and closing access to the consumable cavity (106),

wherein the closure element (100) is arranged to be movable between a first position and a second position,

wherein in the first position, access to the consumable cavity (106) is provided, to allow insertion of a consumable (70) into the consumable cavity (106),

wherein in the second position, access to the consumable cavity (106) is obstructed by the closure element (100) to block access to the consumable cavity (106),

wherein the closure element (100) further comprises a heat barrier (118),

wherein the heat barrier (118), when the closure element (100) is in the second position, is arranged adjacent to the opening of the consumable cavity (106) and is configured to reduce a heat transfer of thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity (106) to the closure element (100) .
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein moving the closure element (100) between the first position and the second position comprises one of a swivelling motion, a transposition, and a rotation.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein moving the closure element (100) into the second position is inhibited when a consumable (70) is present in the consumable cavity (106), and/or

wherein the closure element (100) is rotatable by approximately 90° between the first position and the second position.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the closure element (100) is held in either the first position or the second position by a spring (108) arranged between the closure element (100) and a structural element of the aerosol generating apparatus (1), and

wherein the spring (108) is arranged to bias the closure element (100) towards either the first position or the second position.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat barrier (118) includes at least one layer on an outer surface of the closure element (100).
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the at least one layer includes a material configured to reflect thermal radiation so that thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity (106) is reflected by the at least one layer.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the heat barrier (118) is an area of an outer surface of the closure element (100) that is polished so that thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity (106) is reflected by the heat barrier (118).
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the at least one layer includes a material made from a heat-insulating material for thermally insulating the closure element (100) from thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity (106).
The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element (100) comprises a concave recess (114) in an outer surface thereof,
wherein the recess (114) is arranged adjacent to the consumable cavity (106) when the rotatable element (100) is in the second position, and

wherein the heat barrier (118) is located in the recess (114).
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the recess (114) has conical shape, a frusto-conical shape, or a dome-shape.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a perimeter (114a) of the recess (114) on the outer surface of the closure element (100) is aligned with the opening of the consumable cavity (106) facing the recess (114) in the second position.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the claims 9 to 11, wherein the heat barrier (118) is located only in the recess (114).
The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element (100) is a rotatable element (100), rotatable between the first position and the second position, and comprising a passage (102) for insertion of a consumable (70).
The aerosol generating apparatus according to the preceding claim,
wherein the passage (102) extends through the rotatable element (100), and/or

wherein the passage (102) has a diameter that is adapted to the diameter of a consumable so that the inner surface of the passage (102) is in surface contact with the outer surface of the consumable (70).
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 13 and 14,
wherein the rotatable element (100) is made of a material arranged for transferring thermal energy away from the consumable (70), and/or

wherein the rotatable element (100) is made of a material out of the group consisting of metal, steel, stainless steel, copper and aluminium.