EP4602943A1

EP4602943A1 - A device for generating an aerosol

Info

Publication number: EP4602943A1
Application number: EP24157754.3A
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: WO2025172404A1

Abstract

A device for generating an aerosol from a consumable. The device comprises an inner structure defining a cavity for receipt of a consumable, an outer housing comprising an opening through which the consumable can be inserted into the cavity, and a closure for closing the opening in the outer housing. The closure comprises an outer wall and an inner wall that define a space therebetween. The closure is slideably mounted so as to be slideable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position each of the inner and outer walls extends across the opening to the cavity to obstruct the opening. In the open position the opening is substantially unobstructed by the closure.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a device for generating an aerosol.

BACKGROUND

A typical device for generating an aerosol (i.e. an aerosol generating device) may comprise a power supply, an aerosol generating unit that is driven by the power supply, and may be configured to receive an aerosol precursor forming part of a consumable, which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit to generate an aerosol. The aerosol may be delivered to a user by a delivery system of the apparatus.
Some aerosol generating devices include a cavity into which the consumable is received. The aerosol generating unit of such devices can include a heating element located in the cavity (e.g. surrounding the consumable or inserted into the consumable when the consumable is received in the cavity).
A drawback with such aerosol generating devices is that the heating element (and other heated parts of the device) may be exposed to a user when the consumable is removed from the cavity. Likewise, the cavity can be exposed to dust and debris (e.g. in a user's pocket) which can collect in the cavity to the detriment of the normal operation of the device.
In spite of the effort already invested in the development of aerosol generating devices/systems further improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a device (e.g. a heat-not-burn device) for generating an aerosol from a consumable, the device comprising:

an inner structure defining a cavity for receipt of the consumable; and
an outer housing comprising an opening through which the consumable can be inserted into the cavity.

In some examples, the device may comprise a closure for closing the opening in the outer housing. The closure may comprise an outer wall and an inner wall that define a space therebetween. The closure may be moveably mounted (e.g. to the outer housing) so as to be moveable between:

a closed position in which each of the inner and outer walls extends across the opening to the cavity to obstruct the opening; and
an open position in which the opening is substantially unobstructed by the closure.

The closure may be slideably mounted (e.g. to the outer housing) so as to be slideable between the closed position and the open position. For the avoidance of doubt, the term "slideable" refers to a translational movement of the closure (as opposed to e.g. a hinging or rotational movement).
In some embodiments, the device further comprises an aerosol-generating unit for generating an aerosol from a consumable when received in the cavity, The aerosol generating unit may include a heating system. The heating system may include a heating element for heating a consumable when received in the cavity. The heating element may be mounted in the cavity. The provision of a closure for closing the opening of the outer housing allows a user to close the opening to avoid unintended contact with heated parts of the device and to avoid ingress of dust and debris into the cavity. By providing the closure with spaced inner and outer walls the closure provides two layers of protection. This can improve the insulative nature of the closure (i.e. ensuring that any heat retained in the chamber after use is not transmitted (or is minimally transmitted) to the outer wall). Thus, the dual-wall (inner and outer) design may reduce the likelihood of a user burning themselves (e.g. by preventing excessive heating of the outer wall). Likewise, if the outer wall is compromised, the inner wall will still provide a barrier to the cavity (e.g. will prevent dust and debris from entering the cavity).
By slideably mounting the closure, the overall size of the device may be minimised. A slideable closure, for example, may project minimally from the outer housing of the device regardless of whether it is in the open or closed position (this is in contrast to, for example, a hinged closure). Likewise, a slideable closure may take up limited space within the device itself, which again may facilitate minimising the overall size of the device.
For the avoidance of doubt, the term "substantially unobstructed" is intended to mean that the opening is sufficiently unobstructed to allow for insertion of a consumable into the cavity. For example, in the open position, the opening may have perpendicularly arranged first and second dimensions both greater than 7mm e.g. greater than 7.2mm or 7.5mm. As may be appreciated, the closure may extend partly (e.g. by a small amount) across the opening when in the open position, while still allowing for insertion of a consumable. For example, in the open position more than 80% (or e.g. 90%) of the area of the opening may be unobstructed (i.e. uncovered) by the closure when the closure is in the open position.
In the closed position the closure may substantially fully obstruct the opening (i.e. may extend fully across the entirety of the opening). The closure may cover e.g. at least 80% or at least 90% of the area of the opening. The closure may fully obstruct (i.e. extend across the entirety of) the opening. Both the inner and outer walls may extend substantially fully across the opening (e.g. may fully obstruct the entirety of the opening).
In the closed position, portions of the inner and outer walls of the closure defining the space therebetween may align over the cavity and/or the opening to the cavity. For example, the cavity may extend along a longitudinal axis (e.g. may be elongate along the longitudinal axis) and the portions of the inner and outer walls of the closure defining the space may be aligned on (e.g. intersect) the longitudinal axis when the closure is in the closed position. This may allow the space defined therebetween to function as a thermal insulator, reducing the transfer of heat from the cavity to the outer wall of the closure.
The inner and outer walls of the closure may be connected to one another at a connection portion. Each of the inner and outer walls may extend from the connection portion to a free end (i.e. the free ends being ends at which the inner and outer walls are not connected to one another). The inner and outer walls may be integrally formed at the connection portion, or may be mounted together e.g. by way of a fastener (such as a screw).
In at least the open position the outer wall may be external to the outer housing. This may allow a user to grip the outer wall to move the closure between the inner and outer positions.
In at least the open position, the inner wall may be internal to the outer housing. A portion of the outer housing may be received between the outer and inner walls of the closure (i.e. in the space defined between the inner and outer walls) when the closure is in the open position. This may provide a more robust connection between the closure and the outer housing when the closure is in the open position.
The closure may be slideably mounted so as to be slideable along a track. The track may be defined between the inner structure and the outer housing. The track may extend on opposite sides of the cavity (and/or opening). In the open and/or closed position at least part of the closure may be mounted in portions of the track on opposite sides of the cavity. This may increase the stability of the closure, for example as it is slid between the closed and open positions.
A gap may be defined between the inner structure and the outer housing. The gap may be configured to provide thermal insulation between the inner structure and the outer housing. Thus, the gap may reduce heat transfer from the inner structure to the outer housing in use (thereby limiting the temperature of the outer housing). The above-described track may be provided by the gap.
The track may be provided at an end of the device at which the opening to the cavity is located. The inner wall of the closure may be positioned in the track (at least when the closure is in the open position). At least part of the closure (e.g. the inner wall) may be slideably mounted within the track. The inner wall of the closure may be guided (e.g. between the outer housing and the inner structure) so as to slide along the track.
The closure may be configured to move (e.g. slide) along the outer housing (i.e. along a path that generally conforms to the shape of the outer housing). The closure may be configured to move (e.g. slide) along a curved path between the open and closed positions. The curved path may extend transversely with respect to the opening (and with respect to the cavity). Thus, the curved path may extend across a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis (of the cavity). The track (e.g. gap) may extend along a curved path (i.e. may have a curved cross-sectional shape taken in a plane that is parallel to the path along which the closure moves in use).
The closure may have a curved profile (e.g. taken parallel to the path along which the closure moves in use). The inner wall and/or outer wall may have a curved profile.
The outer housing may have a curved (e.g. convex) outer surface. The outer housing may have a curved (e.g. concave) inner surface, which may partly define the track and/or gap. The inner structure may have a curved (e.g. convex) outer surface, which may partly define the track and/or gap. The curved outer surface of the inner structure and the curved inner surface of the outer housing may be substantially complementary in shape.
The closure may comprise a sealing portion for substantially sealing between the inner structure and the outer housing (e.g. extending across the gap defined between the inner structure and the outer housing). This may prevent (or at least minimise) dust, dirt or debris entering the gap (or track) between the inner structure and the outer housing, which could otherwise interfere with operation of the closure.
For the avoidance of doubt it should be understood that the sealing portion may not provide a complete seal between the inner structure and the outer housing, at least because movement of the closure may need to be accommodated. Thus, for example, there may be some clearance between the sealing portion and one or both of the inner structure and the outer housing.
The sealing portion may have a through-hole that aligns with the cavity and the opening when the closure is in the open position to allow insertion of the consumable into the cavity while sealing the gap around the through-hole.
The sealing portion of the closure may be annular (i.e. may be an annular portion of the closure). A central void of the (e.g. annular) sealing portion may align with the cavity and/or the opening when the closure is in the open position. Thus, for example, a central axis of the sealing portion may be substantially coaxial with a central axis of the cavity and/or the opening when the closure is in the open position.
An internal diameter of the sealing portion (i.e. the diameter of the central void of the sealing portion) may be substantially the same as an internal diameter of the cavity and/or of the opening. In this way, an internal circumferential surface of the sealing portion (i.e. defining the central void of the sealing portion) may be substantially flush with surfaces defining the cavity and/or opening when the closure is in the open position. In this way, when the closure is in the open position a substantially continuous peripheral (e.g. circumferential) surface may be formed that defines the opening, central void of the sealing portion and the cavity. This may facilitate insertion of a consumable into the device by avoiding e.g. edges that could otherwise interfere with such insertion.
The device may comprise a retaining arrangement configured to retain the closure in the open and/or closed position. The retaining arrangement may, for example, be configured to urge the closure away from the closed position when the closure is in the open position. The retaining arrangement may be configured to urge the closure away from the open position when the closure is in the closed position. The retaining arrangement may comprise a bistability mechanism configured to urge the closure into the open position or closed position when the closure is in an intermediate position between the open and closed positions. In other words, the bistability mechanism may be configured to provide a resistance which must be overcome to slide the closure through an intermediate position when travelling between the open and closed positions and which urges the closure to complete the travel when the resistance is overcome. In this way, the retaining arrangement may be configured to provide bistability to the closure.
The retaining arrangement may comprise first and second magnets. The first magnet may be provided on the closure (e.g. may be mounted to the closure, such as embedded in the closure). The second magnet may be provided on the internal structure or outer housing (e.g. may be mounted to the internal structure/outer housing, such as embedded in the internal structure/housing). The first and second magnets may be arranged such that repulsion of the magnets retains the closure in the open and/or closed position. Thus, the magnets may be arranged such that poles of the same polarity face one another (i.e. in at least one position of the closure).
The second magnet may be positioned such that the first magnet passes the second magnet (i.e. with sufficient proximity for the first magnet to be repelled by the second magnet) as the closure is moved between the closed and open positions. Thus, the second magnet may be positioned such that the first and second magnets are closest (and the repulsion force between the magnets is greatest) when the closure is in an intermediate position between the open and closed positions.
In other embodiments, the retaining arrangement may be provided by one or more springs (e.g. compression, torsion and/or leaf springs). The retaining arrangement may additionally or alternatively comprise e.g. bump features for retaining the closure in the open and/or closed positions.
The closure may comprise a reflector. The reflector may be configured to reflect heat. The reflector may be arranged to reflect heat received from the cavity back towards the cavity. The reflector may be arranged to face the cavity (e.g. when the closure is in the closed position). The reflector may be provided on the inner wall. The reflector may be integrally formed with the closure (e.g. inner wall). The reflector may, for example, be in the form of a coating or surface treatment, or in the form of an element mounted to e.g. the inner wall.
The cavity may be cylindrical. At least part of the heating system may be located within the cavity or may at least partly surround the cavity for heating a consumable when received therein. The heating system may comprise at least one heating element. The heating element may be in the form of a projection (e.g. rod) extending into the cavity (e.g. for penetration into a consumable when received in the cavity). The heating element may be tubular (e.g. such that a consumable is receivable in a central void of the heating element).
In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus comprising the device of the first aspect and a consumable for receipt in the device. The consumable may comprise a solid precursor (e.g. reconstituted tobacco). The consumable may comprise a filter, which may be downstream of the solid precursor. The filter may provide a mouthpiece of the consumable (and thus a mouthpiece of the apparatus. The consumable may be receivable in the cavity of the device through the opening (i.e. when the closure is in the open position).
In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides use of the apparatus of the second aspect. Such use may comprise moving (e.g. sliding) the closure of the device to the open position and inserting the consumable into the cavity of the apparatus, through the opening in the outer housing. The use may comprise removing the consumable from the cavity and subsequently moving (e.g. sliding) the closure of the device to the closed position.
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. 4A is a detailed section view showing the example implementation of Fig. 3 with a closure in an open position.
Fig. 4B is a detailed section view showing the example implementation of Fig. 3 with a closure in a closed position.
Fig. 4C is a detailed section view showing the example implementation of Fig. 3 with a closure in an intermediate position.

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 the 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" 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 the 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 "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 the 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 a mouthpiece. The consumable may include an information carrying medium. The consumable, (which may include a precursor in the form of e.g. tobacco or reconstituted tobacco formulation) 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 3 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 4, which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit 3 to generate an aerosol. The apparatus 1 includes a delivery system 5 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 2 and aerosol generating unit 3.
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 6 and a consumable 7.
In this example, the device 6 includes the power supply 2 and a heating system 8. The heating system 8 includes at least one heating element 9. The device 6 may additionally include any one or more of electrical circuitry 10, a memory 11, a wireless interface 12, one or more other components 13.
The electrical circuitry 10 may include a processing resource for controlling one or more operations of the device 6, e.g. based on instructions stored in the memory 11.
The wireless interface 12 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with an external (e.g. mobile) device, e.g. via Bluetooth.
The other component(s) 13 may include an actuator, one or more user interface devices configured to convey information to a user and/or a charging port, for example.
The device 6 is configured to engage with the consumable 7 such that the at least one heating element 9 of the heating system 8 penetrates into the solid precursor 4 of the consumable 7. In use, a user may activate the aerosol generating apparatus 1 to cause the heating system 8 of the device 6 to cause the at least one heating element 9 to heat the solid precursor 4 of the consumable 7 (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 apparatus 1 of Fig. 2.
As depicted in Fig. 3, the consumable 7 is implemented as a stick, which is engaged with the device 6 by inserting the consumable 7 into an opening 14 at a top end 15 of the device 6, which causes the at least one heating element 9 of the heating system 8 to penetrate into the solid precursor 4.
The consumable 7 includes the solid precursor 4 proximal to the device 6, and a filter distal to the device 6. The filter serves as the mouthpiece of the consumable 7 and thus the apparatus 1 as a whole. The solid precursor 4 may be a reconstituted tobacco formulation.
In this example, the at least one heating element 9 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).
The device 6 also includes an actuator 16 on an outer surface of the device 6. In this example, the actuator 16 has the form of a button.
The device 6 also includes a user interface device 17 configured to convey information to a user. Here, the user interface device 17 is implemented as a plurality of lights, 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 2. Other user interface devices are possible, e.g. to convey information haptically or audibly to a user.
The device 6 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 7). This may be used to count puffs, for example.
In this example, the consumable 7 includes a flow path which transmits aerosol generated by the at least one heating element 9 to the mouthpiece of the consumable 7.
In this example, the aerosol generating unit 3 is provided by the above-described heating system 8 and the delivery system 5 is provided by the above-described flow path and mouthpiece of the consumable 7.
Figures 4A, 4B and 4C provide a detailed view of the device 6 of the apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 3. The device 6 includes a longitudinally extending cavity 18 (i.e. vertical as illustrated) into which the consumable 7 is received in use. When received in the cavity 18, the consumable 7 can be heated by the heating element 9. As set forth above, the heating element 9 of the present example is rod-shaped (e.g. for penetration into the consumable 7) but could otherwise be e.g. tube-shaped (for at least partly surrounding the consumable 7).
The device 6 includes an outer housing 19 within which the (circular) opening 14 at the top end 15 of the device 6 is formed (i.e. through which the consumable 7 can be inserted into the cavity 18 in use).
The device 6 further includes a closure 20 for closing the opening 14 formed in the outer housing 18. The closure 20 includes an outer wall 21 and an inner wall 22 that is spaced inwardly from the outer wall 21 (such that a space 23 is defined between the inner 22 and outer 21 walls). The inner 22 and outer 21 walls are connected to one another by a fastener 24 (which in the present example is a screw) at a connection portion 32. Each of the inner and outer walls 21, 22 may extend from the connection portion 32 to a respective free end (i.e. the free ends being ends at which the inner and outer walls 21, 22 are not connected to one another).
The cavity 18 of the device 6 is defined by an inner structure 25 of the device 6 (within the outer housing 19). A track is provided by a gap 26, which is formed between the inner structure 25 and the outer wall 19 (at the top end 15 of the device 6). This gap 26 can act as a thermal insulator, limiting the transfer of heat between the inner structure 25 and the outer housing 19 (such heat being generated by the heating system 8 in use).
The gap 26 is defined between an inner guide surface 27 (forming part of the inner structure 25) and an outer guide surface 28 (forming part of the outer wall 19). Each of the inner 27 and outer 28 guide surfaces are curved and are generally complementary in shape to one another (the inner guide surface 27 being convex and the outer guide surface 28 being concave). The shape of the guide surfaces 27, 28 mean that the gap 26 is also arcuate in shape and extends along a curved path in the transverse direction (i.e. extending generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, so as to be generally horizontal as illustrated).
The inner wall 22 of the closure 20 is received in the gap 26, so as to be internal to the device 6. The outer wall 21 of the closure 20 is, on the other hand, external to the device 6. This allows the outer wall 21 to be gripped by a user to move the closure 20.
The closure 20 is moveable between an open position (Figure 4A) and a closed position (Figure 4B).
In the closed position, each of the inner 22 and outer 21 walls of the closure 20 extend across the opening 14 to the cavity 18 so as to obstruct the opening 14. Accordingly, when in this closed position, the closure 20 prevents access to the cavity 18, and also restricts ingress of e.g. dust and debris. As should be apparent from Figure 4B, when the closure is closed, the space 23 formed between the inner 22 and outer 21 walls of the closure 20 is positioned across the opening 14 (and thus is aligned with the cavity 18). In this way the space 23 is able to at least partly aid in insulating the outer wall 21 from any residual heat in the cavity 18 as a result of use of the apparatus 1. The provision of both inner 22 and outer 21 walls also provides a more convoluted path between the external environment and the cavity 18 (i.e. when the closure 20 is closed), so as to make it more difficult for e.g. dust and debris to make its way into the cavity 18 when the device 6 is not in use.
In the open position, the opening 14 to the cavity 18 is substantially unobstructed by the closure 20. In particular, both the inner 22 and outer 21 walls of the closure 20 are displaced laterally with respect to the opening 14, and a portion of the outer housing 19 is received in the space 23 defined between the inner 22 and outer 21 walls of the closure 20.
To provide movement of the closure 20 between the open and closed positions, the closure 20 is slideably mounted to the device 6. In particular, the inner wall 22 of the closure 20 is arranged to slide within the gap 26 defined between the outer housing 19 and the inner structure 25 of the device 6 (and is guided by the inner 27 and outer 28 guide surfaces). In this way, the gap 26 provides dual functionality: it acts as a thermal insulator and also provides means for the closure 20 to be slideably mounted to the device 6.
The inner wall 22 slides along the gap 26 so as to follow a curved (arcuate) path 37 extending transversely across the top end 15 of the device 6. To accommodate such movement, both the inner 22 and outer 21 walls of the closure 20 have a generally curved profile (i.e. in a cross-section taken parallel to the movement of the closure 20).
Although not apparent from Figures 4A, 4B and 4C, the device 6 includes walls that extend parallel to the curved path 37 so as to restrict movement of the closure 20 to a transverse direction along the curved path 37 (i.e. preventing movement into and out of the page as illustrated).
To accommodate the closure 20 in each of the open and closed positions, the outer housing 19 includes first 30 and second 31 notches extending laterally from the opening 14. The first notch 30 accommodates a portion of the outer wall 21 of the closure 20 when in the closed position, and the second notch 31 accommodates a portion of the outer wall 21 of the closure 20 when in the open position (ensuring that the closure 20 is able to fully retract from the opening 14).
The closure 20 further includes an annular sealing portion 29. When the closure 20 is in the open position, the sealing portion 29 extends across the gap 26 so as to seal between the cavity 18 and the opening 14. This helps to ensure that, when the closure 20 is open, e.g. dirt, debris or dust is unable to make its way into gap 26, which could otherwise interfere with smooth operation of the closure 20.
The internal diameter of the annular sealing portion 29 is substantially the same as the internal diameter of the cavity 18. Thus, an internal circumferential surface 35 of the annular sealing portion 29 is arranged so as to be substantially flush with an internal circumferential surface 36 of the inner structure 25 defining the cavity 28. This aids with insertion of a consumable 7 into the cavity 18 by avoiding the presence of e.g. edges that could otherwise interfere with such insertion.
When the closure 20 is in the closed position, the annular sealing portion 29 is accommodated in the gap 26 between the outer housing 19 and the inner structure 25.
The device 6 further includes a retaining arrangement 38 that is configured to retain the closure 20 in the open and closed positions (i.e. when moved into such a position by the user). In the illustrated embodiment this is provided by first 33 and second 34 magnets provided within the device 6. The first magnet 33 is embedded within the inner wall 22 of the closure 20. The second magnet 34 is embedded in the inner structure 26 of the device 6 and is arranged such that poles of the magnets 33, 34 of the same polarity face one another as the magnets 33, 34 pass one another in use (i.e. such that the magnets 33, 34 repel one another when in close proximity).
The second magnet 34 is positioned to one side of the cavity 18 such that when the closure 20 is in the open position, the second magnet 34 urges the first magnet 33 (i.e. by repelling the first magnet 33) in a direction away from the closed position (i.e. so as to retain the closure 20 in the open position). Likewise, when the closure 20 is in the closed position, the position of the second magnet 34 is such that it urges the first magnet 33 in a direction away from the open position (i.e. effectively retaining the closure 20 in the closed position).
The position of the second magnet 34 is also such that the magnets 33, 34 effectively cross paths (i.e. come into close proximity with one another) as the closure 20 is moved between the open and closed positions. This is most apparent from Figure 4C, which shows the closure 20 in an intermediate position (between the open and closed positions). In this position, the first 33 and second magnets 34 are adjacent to one another. Due to the opposite polarity of the magnets 33, 34 when in this position there is a substantial repelling force between them so as to urge the closure 20 away from the intermediate position (and into either the closed or open position).
In this way, the first 33 and second 34 magnets effectively provide a bistable mechanism (i.e. providing the closure 20 with bistability) such that the closure 20 is stable in (and is retained in) both the open and closed positions and is unstable when in an intermediate position between the open and closed positions.

Claims

A device (6) for generating an aerosol from a consumable (7), the device comprising:
an inner structure (25) defining a cavity (18) for receipt of a consumable;

an outer housing (19) comprising an opening (14) through which the consumable can be inserted into the cavity; and

a closure (20) for closing the opening in the outer housing, the closure comprising an outer wall (21) and an inner wall (22) that define a space (23) therebetween;

wherein the closure is slideably mounted so as to be slideable between:
a closed position in which each of the inner and outer walls extends across the opening to the cavity to obstruct the opening; and

an open position in which the opening is substantially unobstructed by the closure.
A device according to claim 1, wherein in the closed position the space defined between the inner and outer walls of the closure is aligned over the cavity.
A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer wall of the closure is external to the outer housing in the open position and/or wherein the inner wall of the closure is internal to the outer housing in the open position.
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a portion of the outer housing is received in the space defined between the inner and outer walls of the closure when the closure is in the open position.
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure is slideable along a curved path (37) between the closed position and the open position.
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure is slideably mounted so as to be slideable along a track (26) defined between the inner structure and the outer housing, optionally wherein the track extends on opposite sides of the cavity.
A device according to claim 6, wherein the closure comprises a sealing portion (29) having a through-hole that aligns with the cavity and the opening when the closure is in the open position to allow insertion of the consumable into the cavity while sealing the gap around the through-hole.
A device according to claim 7, wherein the sealing portion is annular.
A device according to claim 8, wherein a central axis of the sealing portion is aligned with a central axis of the cavity when the closure is in the open position.
A device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein an inner diameter of the sealing portion is substantially the same as an inner diameter of the cavity.
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a retaining arrangement (38) configured to retain the closure in the open and/or closed position.
A device according to claim 11, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises a bistability mechanism configured to urge the closure into the open position or the closed position when the closure is in an intermediate position between the open and closed positions.
A device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises a first magnet (33) provided on the closure and a second magnet (34) provided on one of the internal structure and the outer housing, the magnets arranged such that repulsion of the magnets retains the closure in the open and/or closed position
A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure comprises a reflector arranged to face the cavity when the closure is in the closed position.
An apparatus (1) comprising a device according to any one of the preceding claims, and a consumable for insertion into the cavity of the device through the opening.