EP4602941A1

EP4602941A1 - Aerosol generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4602941A1
Application number: EP24157749.3A
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
Also published as: WO2025172416A1

Abstract

The invention provides an aerosol generating apparatus (300) comprising a body and heating system (310), the heating system comprising a heating element (320) and a supporting frame (330). The supporting frame comprises a guiding portion (370), wherein the guiding portion has a guide hole (340) for locating a consumable in contact with the heating element, and a heater portion (385), wherein the heater portion defines a heating chamber (350) about the heating element. The guide hole extends from an end face of the supporting frame to the heating chamber, and wherein a width of the guide hole in the guiding portion is less than a width of the heating chamber defined by the heater portion. In a first aspect, a side wall of the supporting frame comprises an aperture (360) for exposing the heating element. In a second aspect the heating element extends at least partially into the guide hole.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating apparatus.

BACKGROUND

A typical aerosol generating apparatus may comprise a power supply, an aerosol generating unit that is driven by the power supply, an aerosol precursor, which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit to generate an aerosol, and a delivery system for delivery of the aerosol to a user.
A drawback with known aerosol generating apparatuses is accessing internal components for cleaning, in particular those components that come in direct contact with the aerosol consumable. A further drawback with known aerosol generating apparatuses is the difficulty in correctly positioning the aerosol precursor for aerosol generation, particularly in heat-not-burn devices.
In spite of the effort already invested in the development of aerosol generating apparatuses/systems further improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides aerosol generating apparatus that comprises a body and heating system, the heating system comprising a heating element and a supporting frame.
In some examples, the supporting frame comprises a guiding portion, wherein the guiding portion has a guide hole for locating a consumable in contact with the heating element (for example, for locating a consumable about the heating element).
In some examples the supporting frame comprises a heater portion, wherein the heater portion defines a heating chamber about the heating element.
In some examples, the guide hole extends from an end face of the supporting frame to the heating chamber.
In some examples, a width of the guide hole in the guiding portion is less than a width of the heating chamber defined by the heater portion.
In some examples, a side wall of the supporting frame comprises an aperture for exposing the heating element.
By providing an aperture for exposing the heating element in a side wall of the supporting frame, the user may more easily access the heating element for cleaning, thereby improving the cleanliness, hygiene and efficiency of the apparatus. Put another way, the heating element is open and accessible to the user from an aperture other than the aperture through which a consumable is provided for generating aerosol. The aperture through which a consumable is provided is typically sized equivalently to the consumable, which can make accessing the heating element with a cleaning tool difficult. Therefore, the act of cleaning the heating element is simplified by providing an alternative access point in the form of the aperture in the side wall of the supporting frame. The aperture in the side wall of the supporting frame may pass through the entire frame, i.e., there may be apertures on opposite sides of the supporting frame to form a through hole exposing the heating element from multiple sides.
By providing a guide hole for locating a consumable in contact with the heating element in the supporting frame, the guide hole being separate from the aperture in the side wall of the supporting frame, the consumable may be guided to the heating element on insertion into the apparatus, thereby ensuring good thermal contact between the consumable and the heating element and improving the efficiency of the device. The provision of such a guide hole is particularly prescient in the examples where an aperture is provided in a side wall of the supporting frame because providing such an aperture means that there is at least a portion of the supporting frame where the consumable will not be supported or guided onto the heating element. Accordingly, a dedicated guide hole may ensure the proper insertion of the consumable even when the supporting frame is provided with an aperture in its side wall.
The consumable passes through the guiding portion on its way to the heating portion when being inserted into the apparatus and travelling towards the base of the heating element. Such an arrangement ensures that the consumable is properly aligned, for example with a heating element in the heating portion, before the consumable arrives at the heating portion, thereby significantly reducing the risk of misaligning the consumable with the heating element. Accordingly, the use of the apparatus is simplified for the user and the efficiency of generating the aerosol is improved through better thermal contact between the consumable and the heating element.
The guide hole may be sized to fit closely to the width of the consumable in order to provide accurate guidance to the consumable on insertion, whilst the heating portion may be of a greater width, because the guiding of the consumable is no longer required after the guiding portion, in order to provide sufficient airflow through the consumable during inhalation by the user.
In some examples, the heating element extends longitudinally through the heating chamber and extends at least partially into the guide hole. In this way, the consumable may contact the heating element before exiting the guiding portion, thereby significantly reducing the risk of misaligning the consumable with the heating element. Accordingly, the use of the apparatus is simplified for the user and the efficiency of generating the aerosol is improved through better thermal contact between the consumable and the heating element.
In some examples, the apparatus is adapted to adjust between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the aperture is closed by the body, and wherein in the second configuration the aperture is open. In this way, the user may selectively open and close the aperture in the side wall of the supporting frame to selectively expose and conceal the heating element. For example, when the apparatus is in use for producing an aerosol, and the heating element is active, the apparatus may be in the first configuration where the aperture is closed and the heating element is concealed. When the apparatus is not in use for producing an aerosol, and the heating element is not active, the apparatus may be in the second configuration where the aperture is open and the heating element is exposed. In this way, the safety of the apparatus is improved as well as the convenience for cleaning the heating element.
In some examples, in the first configuration the supporting frame is at a first position, and wherein in the second configuration the supporting frame is at a second position, different from the first position. In this way, the user may manually move the supporting frame between first and second positions in order to selectively close and open the aperture respectively. For example, when the apparatus is in use for producing an aerosol, and the heating element is active, the supporting frame may be in the first position where the aperture is closed and the heating element is concealed. When the apparatus is not in use for producing an aerosol, and the heating element is not active, the supporting frame may be in the second position where the aperture is open and the heating element is exposed. In this way, the safety of the apparatus is improved as well as the convenience for cleaning the heating element. Further, as there is a positional change in the supporting frame between the first and second positions, the user may easily identify which configuration the apparatus is in, thereby further improving the ease of use of the apparatus.
In some examples, the supporting frame is slidably received within the body between the first and second positions. In this way, the apparatus may be changed between the first and second configurations without having to fully detach the supporting frame from the body. Accordingly, the convenience of switching between the first and second configurations may be improved as the user is not required to fully attach and detach the supporting frame in order to change between the configurations.
In some examples, wherein the supporting frame is attached to the body in the first configuration and fully detached from the body in the second configuration. By making the supporting frame detachable from the body, the access of the user to the aperture in the side wall of the supporting frame may be improved, thereby improving the convenience of cleaning the heating element.
In some examples, in the first configuration the body is in a first position, and wherein in the second configuration the body is in a second position. In this way, the user may manually move the body between first and second positions in order to selectively close and open the aperture respectively, for example by concealing and revealing the aperture in the side wall of the supporting frame. For example, when the apparatus is in use for producing an aerosol, and the heating element is active, the body may be in the first position where the aperture is closed, i.e., concealed, and the heating element is concealed. When the apparatus is not in use for producing an aerosol, and the heating element is not active, the body may be in the second position where the aperture is open, i.e., revealed, and the heating element is exposed. In this way, the safety of the apparatus is improved as well as the convenience for cleaning the heating element. Further, as there is a positional change in the supporting frame between the first and second positions, the user may easily identify which configuration the apparatus is in, thereby further improving the ease of use of the apparatus.
The present disclosure provides an aerosol generating apparatus that comprises a body and heating system, the heating system comprising a heating element and a supporting frame.
In some examples, the supporting frame comprises a guiding portion, wherein the guiding portion has a guide hole for locating a consumable in contact with the heating element.
In some examples, the supporting frame comprises a heater portion, wherein the heater portion defines a heating chamber about the heating element.
In some examples, the guide hole extends from an end face of the supporting frame to the heating chamber.
In some examples, a width of the guide hole in the guiding portion is less than a width of the heating chamber defined by the heater portion.
In some examples, the heating element extends longitudinally through the heating chamber and extends at least partially into the guide hole.
By providing a guide hole for locating a consumable in contact with the heating element in the supporting frame, the guide hole being separate from the aperture in the side wall of the supporting frame, the consumable may be guided to the heating element on insertion into the apparatus, thereby ensuring good thermal contact between the consumable and the heating element and improving the efficiency of the device. The provision of such a guide hole is particularly prescient in the examples where an aperture is provided in a side wall of the supporting frame because providing such an aperture means that there is at least a portion of the supporting frame where the consumable will not be supported or guided onto the heating element. Accordingly, a dedicated guide hole may ensure the proper insertion of the consumable even when the supporting frame is provided with an aperture in its side wall.
By providing a supporting frame with a guiding portion and a heater portion, arranged between a base of the heating element and the guiding portion, the consumable passes through the guiding portion on its way to the heating portion when being inserted into the apparatus and travelling towards the base of the heating element. Such an arrangement ensures that the consumable is properly aligned, for example with a heating element in the heating portion, before the consumable arrives at the heating portion, thereby significantly reducing the risk of misaligning the consumable with the heating element. Accordingly, the use of the apparatus is simplified for the user and the efficiency of generating the aerosol is improved through better thermal contact between the consumable and the heating element. By making a width of the guide hole in the guiding portion less than a width of the guide hole in the heater portion, the guiding portion may be sized to fit closely to the width of the consumable in order to provide accurate guidance to the consumable on insertion, whilst the heating portion may be of a greater width, because the guiding of the consumable is no longer required after the guiding portion, in order to provide sufficient airflow through the consumable during inhalation by the user.
By arranging the heating element to extend at least partially into the guide hole, the consumable may contact the heating element before exiting the guiding portion, thereby significantly reducing the risk of misaligning the consumable with the heating element. Accordingly, the use of the apparatus is simplified for the user and the efficiency of generating the aerosol is improved through better thermal contact between the consumable and the heating element.
In some examples, a side wall of the supporting frame comprises an aperture for exposing the heating element. By providing an aperture for exposing the heating element in a side wall of the supporting frame, the user may more easily access the heating element for cleaning, thereby improving the cleanliness, hygiene and efficiency of the apparatus. Put another way, the heating element is open and accessible to the user from an aperture other than the aperture through which an aerosol precursor is provided for generating aerosol. The aperture through which an aerosol precursor is provided is typically sized equivalently to the aerosol precursor, which can make accessing the heating element with a cleaning tool difficult. Therefore, the act of cleaning the heating element is simplified by providing an alternative access point in the form of the aperture in the side wall of the supporting frame. The aperture in the side wall of the supporting frame may pass through the entire frame, i.e., there may be apertures on opposite sides of the supporting frame to form a through hole exposing the heating element from multiple sides.
In some examples, the apparatus is adapted to adjust between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the aperture is closed by the body, and wherein in the second configuration the aperture is open. In this way, the user may selectively open and close the aperture in the side wall of the supporting frame to selectively expose and conceal the heating element. For example, when the apparatus is in use for producing an aerosol, and the heating element is active, the apparatus may be in the first configuration where the aperture is closed and the heating element is concealed. When the apparatus is not in use for producing an aerosol, and the heating element is not active, the apparatus may be in the second configuration where the aperture is open and the heating element is exposed. In this way, the safety of the apparatus is improved as well as the convenience for cleaning the heating element.
In some examples, in the first configuration the supporting frame is at a first position, and wherein in the second configuration the supporting frame is at a second position, different from the first position. In this way, the user may manually move the supporting frame between first and second positions in order to selectively close and open the aperture respectively. For example, when the apparatus is in use for producing an aerosol, and the heating element is active, the supporting frame may be in the first position where the aperture is closed and the heating element is concealed. When the apparatus is not in use for producing an aerosol, and the heating element is not active, the supporting frame may be in the second position where the aperture is open and the heating element is exposed. In this way, the safety of the apparatus is improved as well as the convenience for cleaning the heating element. Further, as there is a positional change in the supporting frame between the first and second positions, the user may easily identify which configuration the apparatus is in, thereby further improving the ease of use of the apparatus.
In some examples, the supporting frame is slidably received within the body between the first and second positions. In this way, the apparatus may be changed between the first and second configurations without having to fully detach the supporting frame from the body. Accordingly, the convenience of switching between the first and second configurations may be improved as the user is not required to fully attach and detach the supporting frame in order to change between the configurations.
In some examples, the supporting frame is attached to the body in the first configuration and fully detached from the body in the second configuration. By making the supporting frame detachable from the body, the access of the user to the aperture in the side wall of the supporting frame may be improved, thereby improving the convenience of cleaning the heating element.
In some examples, in the first configuration the body is in a first position, and wherein in the second configuration the body is in a second position. In this way, the user may manually move the body between first and second positions in order to selectively close and open the aperture respectively, for example by concealing and revealing the aperture in the side wall of the supporting frame. For example, when the apparatus is in use for producing an aerosol, and the heating element is active, the body may be in the first position where the aperture is closed, i.e., concealed, and the heating element is concealed. When the apparatus is not in use for producing an aerosol, and the heating element is not active, the body may be in the second position where the aperture is open, i.e., revealed, and the heating element is exposed. In this way, the safety of the apparatus is improved as well as the convenience for cleaning the heating element. Further, as there is a positional change in the supporting frame between the first and second positions, the user may easily identify which configuration the apparatus is in, thereby further improving the ease of use of the apparatus.
In some examples, the apparatus further comprises a movable cap, wherein the moveable cap is adapted to selectively close the guide hole. In this way, the user may open and close the guide hole where the consumable is received. Accordingly, the user may prevent ingress of unwanted debris to the heating chamber when the apparatus is not in use.
The present disclosure provides a system for generating an aerosol. The system comprises a consumable and the aerosol generating apparatus described above. The aerosol generating apparatus is adapted to receive the consumable within the guide hole and the width of the guide hole is similar to a width of the consumable. In some examples, the width of the guide hole is the same as the width of the consumable, such that the consumable is slidably receivable within the guide hole.
In this way, the consumable is held in a tight fit in the guide hole in order to accurately locate the consumable to the heating element on insertion into the apparatus.
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.
Fig. 2 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. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to a first aspect of the invention.
Figs. 5A to 5D are schematic elevation views of aerosol generating apparatuses moving between first and second configurations.
Fig. 6 is a schematic cross section of an aerosol generating apparatus according to a second aspect of the invention.
Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to a third aspect of the invention.

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. The consumable may include an information carrying medium. 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.
Fig. 2 shows an implementation of the apparatus 1 of Fig. 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. Fig. 3).
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.
Fig. 3 shows an example implementation of the aerosol generating device 1 of Fig. 2.
As depicted in Fig. 3, 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. 3, 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.
Referring to Fig. 4 an aerosol generating apparatus 100, which may be implemented in any of the preceding examples, comprises a body and heating system 110, the heating system comprising a heating element 120.
The apparatus 100 comprises a supporting frame 130 having a longitudinally extending guide hole 140 for locating a consumable in contact with the heating element 120, for example about the heating element 120. The guide hole 140 may be sized and shaped according to the consumable to be provided to the apparatus 100, thereby forcing a consumable received in the guide hole 140 to move along a desired path of travel.
The frame 130 further comprises a heater portion defining a heating chamber 145. The width of the guide hole 140 is less than the width of the heating chamber 145.
The side wall 150 of the supporting frame 130 comprises an aperture 160 exposing the heating element 120 for cleaning. Apertures 160 may be provided in side walls 150 on opposing sides of the supporting frame 130 in order to define a through-hole through the supporting frame 130, exposing the heating element 120 from multiple sides for cleaning.
Referring to Figs. 5A to 5D, the apparatus 100 is shown adjusting between a first configuration (shown in Figs. 5A and 5C) and a second configuration (shown in Figs. 5B and 5D) according to different embodiments. In each case, in the first configuration the supporting frame 130 is in a first position relative to the body 165 where the aperture 160 is closed by the body 165. Further, in each case, in the second configuration the supporting frame 130 is in a second position relative to the body 165 where the aperture 160 is open. The first and second configurations may be reached by moving either the supporting frame 130 or the body 165 depending on the implementation of the apparatus 100.
Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B show an example where the supporting frame 130 is detachably connected to the body 165 in the first position and where the supporting frame 130 is detached from the body 165 to expose the heating element 120, respectively.
Fig. 5C and Fig. 5D show an example where the supporting frame 130 is slidably received within the body 165 in the first position and where the supporting frame 130 is slid partially out of the body 165 to expose the heating element 120, respectively.
Referring to Fig. 6 an aerosol generating apparatus 200, which may be implemented in any of the preceding examples, comprises a body and heating system 210 comprising a heating element 220.
The apparatus 200 comprises a supporting frame 230 having a longitudinally extending guide hole 240 for locating a consumable in contact with the heating element 220. The guide hole 240 may be sized and shaped according to the consumable to be provided to the apparatus 200, thereby forcing a consumable received in the guide hole 240 to move along a desired path of travel.
The supporting frame 230 comprises a guiding portion 270 and a heater portion 280 arranged between the base of the heating element 220 and the guiding portion 270. A width 275 of the guide hole 240 in the guiding portion 270 is less than a width 285 of the heating chamber 250 in the heater portion 285. The heating element 220 extends longitudinally through the heating chamber 250 in the heater portion 280 and extends into the guide hole 240 in the guiding portion 270.
Referring to Fig. 7 an aerosol generating apparatus 300, which may be implemented in any of the preceding examples and comprises elements of the examples shown in Fig. 4 and Fig.6, comprises a body and heating system 310, the heating system comprising a heating element 320.
The apparatus 130 comprises a supporting frame 330 having a longitudinally extending guide hole 340 for locating a consumable in contact with the heating element 320. The guide hole 340 may be sized and shaped according to the consumable to be provided to the apparatus 300, thereby forcing a consumable received in the guide hole 140 to move along a desired path of travel.
The supporting frame 330 comprises a guiding portion 370 and a heater portion 380 arranged between the base of the heating element 320 and the guiding portion 370. A width 375 of the guide hole 340 in the guiding portion 370 is less than a width 385 of the heating chamber in the heater portion 385. The heating element 320 extends longitudinally through the heating chamber in the heater portion 380 and extends into the guide hole 340 in the guiding portion 370.
The side wall 350 of the supporting frame 330 comprises an aperture 160 exposing the heating element 320 for cleaning. Apertures 360 may be provided in side walls 350 on opposing sides of the supporting frame 330 in order to define a through-hole through the supporting frame 330, exposing the heating element 320 from multiple sides for cleaning.
The apparatus 300 shown in Fig. 7 further comprises a movable cap 390 adapted to selectively open or close the guide hole 340.

Claims

An aerosol generating apparatus comprising a body and heating system, the heating system comprising a heating element and a supporting frame, wherein the supporting frame comprises:
a guiding portion, wherein the guiding portion has a guide hole for locating a consumable in contact with the heating element; and

a heater portion, wherein the heater portion defines a heating chamber about the heating element,

wherein the guide hole extends from an end face of the supporting frame to the heating chamber, and wherein a width of the guide hole in the guiding portion is less than a width of the heating chamber defined by the heater portion, and
wherein a side wall of the supporting frame comprises an aperture for exposing the heating element.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating element extends longitudinally through the heating chamber and extends at least partially into the guide hole .
The aerosol generating apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is adapted to adjust between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the aperture is closed by the body, and wherein in the second configuration the aperture is open.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 3, wherein in the first configuration the supporting frame is at a first position, and wherein in the second configuration the supporting frame is at a second position, different to the first position.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 4, wherein the supporting frame is slidably received within the body between the first and second positions.
The aerosol generating apparatus of any of claims 3 to 4, wherein the supporting frame is attached to the body in the first configuration and fully detached from the body in the second configuration.
An aerosol generating apparatus comprising a body and heating system, the heating system comprising a heating element and a supporting frame, wherein the supporting frame comprises:
a guiding portion, wherein the guiding portion has a guide hole for locating a consumable in contact with the heating element; and

a heater portion, wherein the heater portion defines a heating chamber in contact with the heating element,

wherein the guide hole extends from an end face of the supporting frame to the heating chamber, and wherein a width of the guide hole in the guiding portion is less than a width of the heating chamber defined by the heater portion, and
wherein the heating element extends longitudinally through the heating chamber and extends at least partially into the guide hole.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 7, wherein a side wall of the supporting frame comprises an aperture for exposing the heating element
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus is adapted to adjust between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the aperture is closed by the body, and wherein in the second configuration the aperture is open.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 9, wherein in the first configuration the supporting frame is at a first position, and wherein in the second configuration the supporting frame is at a second position, different from the first position.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 10, wherein the supporting frame is slidably received within the body between the first and second positions.
The aerosol generating apparatus of any of claims 9 to 10, wherein the supporting frame is attached to the body in the first configuration and fully detached from the body in the second configuration.
The aerosol generating apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises a movable cap, wherein the moveable cap is adapted to selectively close the guide hole.
A system for generating an aerosol, the system comprising:
a consumable; and

the aerosol generating apparatus of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the aerosol generating apparatus is adapted to receive the consumable within the guide hole, and wherein the width of the guide hole is similar to a width of the consumable.
The system claimed in claim 14, wherein the width of the guide hole is the same as the width of the consumable, such that the consumable is slidably receivable within the guide hole.