EP4602945A1

EP4602945A1 - Aerosol generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4602945A1
Application number: EP24157760.0A
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: WO2025172405A1

Abstract

An aerosol generating apparatus (100, 200, 300) comprising: a housing (120); and an aerosol generating unit (140) that is movable in a slot (125) extending into the housing (120), the aerosol generating unit (140) including: a shroud (146) which defines a cavity for receiving a consumable (70), a heating element (152) within the cavity, and a window (150) extending through the shroud (146) and into a portion of the cavity in which the heating element (152) is located, wherein the aerosol generating unit (140) is movable along the slot between a first position in which the window (150) is hidden within the housing (120), and a second position in which the window (150) is exposed from the housing (120) such that the heating element (152) is accessible via the window (150). The extendible nature of the aerosol generating unit (140), coupled with the inclusion of a window (150) in the shroud (146), makes it easier to access the cavity and the heating element (152) contained therein, such that debris can be removed more easily. Further, the shroud (146) itself helps to prevent debris from falling into the housing (120) during cleaning, by helping to hold the consumable (70) together, and at least partially blocking consumable debris from any gaps between the housing (120) and aerosol generating unit (140).

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. The aerosol generating apparatus may further comprise a body for housing the power supply and aerosol generating unit, wherein the body may comprise a heating cavity in which the aerosol generating unit is arranged and into which a consumable can be inserted.
A drawback with known aerosol generating apparatuses is the ability to clean the aerosol generating unit and heating cavity. Here, after a smoking session and when a consumable, such as a heat-not-burn consumable, is removed from the heating cavity, it is known that fibres or other particles of the consumable can be left in the cavity as debris. Also, where a rod or blade or the like of the aerosol generating unit is arranged in the cavity to penetrate the consumable, not only does the penetration increase the risk of debris from being pulled out of the consumable, but also it is known that the consumable can become baked onto the surfaces of the cavity. It is desirable to remove and clean debris from the cavity. Leaving debris in the cavity can reduce the performance of the aerosol generating unit and also poses a risk of migrating from the cavity into other compartments of the aerosol generating device such as the compartment housing electronics or the battery, which is undesirable. In spite of the effort already invested in the development of aerosol generating apparatuses/systems further improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY

At its broadest, there is provided an aerosol generating apparatus having a housing and an aerosol generating element movable in the housing to expose a heating element of the aerosol generating unit. Advantageously, exposing the heating element makes it more accessible for cleaning, thereby making it easier to maintain the device.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating apparatus comprising: a housing; and an aerosol generating unit that is movable in a slot extending into the housing, the aerosol generating unit including: a shroud which defines a cavity for receiving a consumable, a heating element within the cavity, and a window extending through the shroud and into a portion of the cavity in which the heating element is located, wherein the aerosol generating unit is movable along the slot between a first position in which the window is hidden within the housing, and a second position in which the window is exposed from the housing such that the heating element is accessible via the window.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to the present invention is easy to clean and maintain. More particularly, by moving the aerosol generating unit to the second position, the heating element and cavity can be made accessible via the window, making it easier for a user to remove debris from around the heating element and cavity wall(s).
In some examples, the aerosol generating apparatus further comprises a gasket positioned in a gap between an outer surface of the shroud and an inner surface of the housing for reducing the amount of consumable debris that can enter the housing.
Advantageously, the use of a gasket to prevent debris from the consumable, as well as dust and other particulates in the air, from being able to pass into an internal space of the housing via the gap between the aerosol generating unit and housing prevents the consumable debris from accumulating on or damaging the internal mechanisms or circuitry of the apparatus housed within the housing.
More particularly, the gasket is configured to protect the internal space of the housing. The internal space of the housing is a space within the housing which houses one or more additional components of the aerosol generating apparatus, which may include a battery and/or other control electronics (e.g., a printed circuit board).
For the avoidance of doubt, the gasket is positioned within the slot in the housing, through which the aerosol generating unit is movable. The gap is a space within the slot between the aerosol generating unit and the inner surface of the housing. Finally, the internal space of the housing is a space within the housing which houses one or more additional components of the aerosol generating apparatus, which may include: a battery, a printed circuit board etc.
Suitably, the aerosol generating unit comprises a first end through which a consumable may be inserted into the cavity and a second end opposite the first end, and the aerosol generating unit may be arranged between the first end and the second end. The gasket (or at least a portion of the gasket) may be positioned such that the gasket is between the window and the second end of the aerosol generating unit when the aerosol generating unit is in the first position and the second position. The gasket (or a portion of the gasket) is positioned between the window and the internal space of the housing, so that debris coming from the window are blocked from entering the internal space of the housing both when the aerosol generating unit is in the first position and the second position. Advantageously, this prevents debris from being able to slip underneath the gasket when the aerosol generating unit is in the first position.
The gasket may have any suitable shape. In some examples, the gasket is an O-ring seal arranged around the aerosol generating unit to seal the gap. Advantageously, this simplifies the construction and implementation of the gasket.
The gasket may be formed from silicon. Preferably, the gasket may be formed from a low friction material, which advantageously allows the aerosol generating unit and/or housing to move more easily relative to gasket.
In some examples, the gasket is contained entirely within the housing when the aerosol generating unit is in the first position and when the aerosol generating unit in the second position. The gasket does not extend out or beyond the housing slot, and more specifically remains fully within the gap defined between the aerosol generating unit and the housing (and therefore also fully within the housing). In this way, debris can be more effectively prevented from entering the interior of the housing via the gap regardless of the positioning of the aerosol generating unit. Thus, in use contact is maintained between the gasket and the inner wall surfaces of the housing at all times (e.g., regardless of whether the aerosol generating unit is in the first position or the second position), such that the gasket seals the gap to inhibit debris passing into the housing.
In some examples, the gasket is attached to the housing. In some examples, the gasket is overmoulded onto the housing. This may form a particularly strong seal between the gasket and the housing. Overmoulding may permit detailed gasket shapes, e.g., a lip seal, which may improve sealing performance.
The gasket may be attached to the housing within the opening, such that the gasket sits flush with the opening, e.g., a top surface of the gasket may be arranged flush with the periphery of the opening.
In some examples, the gasket is arranged in a groove in the inner surface of the housing. The groove may extend around the entirety of the inner surface of the housing, or may be comprised of one or more discrete recesses in the surface of the housing into which protrusions on the gasket extend so as to hold the gasket in place. Advantageously, this may improve sealing, and may help to maintain the gasket in its intended position even when buffeted by frictional forces resulting from the movement of the aerosol generating unit.
In some examples, the gasket is attached to the aerosol generating unit. In some examples, the gasket is overmoulded onto the aerosol generating unit, and most suitably the gasket is overmoulded onto the shroud. Advantageously, overmoulding may permit a detailed gasket shape, for example, an overmoulded gasket can be moulded to directly match the outline of the shroud, which may provide a tighter seal between the two. For example, the overmoulded seal may be a lip seal, which may improve sealing performance.
In some examples, the aerosol generating apparatus further comprises a push-push mechanism for controlling the movement of the aerosol generating unit between the first position and the second position.
Advantageously, this may prevent the aerosol generating unit from moving between the first position and the second position at inopportune moments, improving device usability.
In some examples, the aerosol generating apparatus further comprises a cleaning tool for cleaning the heating element and cavity via the window.
Suitably, the housing or aerosol generating portion includes a storage portion in which the cleaning tool can be stored when not in use.
According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of cleaning an aerosol generating apparatus, comprising steps of moving an aerosol generating unit of the aerosol generating apparatus from a first position in which the aerosol generating unit is housed in a slot in a housing of the aerosol generating apparatus such that a window of the aerosol generating unit is hidden within the housing, to a second position in which the aerosol generating unit extends out of the housing such that the window is exposed from the housing; and accessing a cavity in the aerosol generating unit using the window to clean the cavity of the aerosol generating unit and a heating element in the cavity.
Advantageously, the method according to the second aspect may allow the aerosol generating apparatus to be more easily cleaned, as the ability to move the aerosol generating apparatus out of the housing, as well as the ability to use the window portion to access the cavity, may make it easier to access and clean the aerosol generating unit.
In some examples, moving the aerosol generating unit between the first position and second position is controlled by a push-push mechanism of the aerosol generating unit.
Advantageously, this may prevent the aerosol generating unit from moving between the first position and the second position at inopportune moments, which may improve device usability.
In some examples, moving the aerosol generating unit between the first position and the second position includes sliding the aerosol generating unit past a gasket of the aerosol generating apparatus, wherein the gasket is positioned in a gap between an outer surface of the aerosol generating unit and an inner surface of the housing.
In some examples, moving the aerosol generating unit between the first position and the second position includes sliding a gasket on an outer surface of the aerosol generating unit along an inner surface of the housing, wherein the gasket is positioned in a gap between an outer surface of the aerosol generating unit and the inner surface of the housing.
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.
Figs. 4a and 4b are perspective views of a portion of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one example of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to a second example of the present disclosure.
Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to a third example of the present disclosure.
Fig. 7 is a flowchart describing a method of cleaning an aerosol generating apparatus.

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 referto 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, an "information carrying medium" may include one or more arrangements for storage of information on any suitable medium. Examples include: a computer readable medium; a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder; codes encoding information, such as optical (e.g. a bar code or QR code) or mechanically read codes (e.g. a configuration of the absence or presents of cutouts to encode a bit, through which pins or a reader may be inserted).
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 Figs. 4a and 4b, there is shown an aerosol generating apparatus 100, which may be implemented in any of the preceding examples, comprising a housing 120 (only part of which is shown in Fig. 4, see Fig. 5 for a complete version) and an aerosol generating unit 140 which is movable relative to the housing 120 between a first position in which the aerosol generating unit 140 is housed in the housing 120 (shown in Fig. 4a) and a second position in which the aerosol generating unit 140 extends out of the housing 120 (shown in Fig. 4b).
In the example of Figs 4a and 4b, the housing 120 has a tubular structure which includes a tube chassis (not shown) and an upper chassis 124. However, the housing 120 is not limited to having a tubular structure, and may instead comprise any structure suitable for housing the aerosol generating unit 140. Additionally, though the tubular structure is shown in the present example as having a circular cross section, alternative examples may instead have a triangular or square cross sectional shape.
The aerosol generating unit 140 includes a base 142 for movably attaching to the housing 120. The aerosol generating unit 140 further includes a shroud 146 which extends from the base 142 of the aerosol generating unit 140 to define a cavity. A consumable (not shown) can be inserted into said cavity via an opening 148 in a top portion of the shroud 146, said opening 148 being at an opposite end of the shroud 146 to the base 142. A heating element 152 also extends from the base 142 into the cavity. In the present example, the heating element 152 is a rod (or blade) structure that protrudes into the cavity of the aerosol generating unit 140 along a longitudinal direction defined by the cavity, such that a bottom portion of the consumable is pierced by the heating element 152 when said consumable is inserted into the cavity. However, the skilled person will recognise a plurality of alternative forms of the heating element 152 that also fall within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the heating element 152 may instead be a heating plate attached to a surface of the shroud facing into the cavity. In use, the heating element 152 is connected to the battery 130, such that power from the battery 130 is suppliable to the heating element 152.
In addition to the opening 148, the shroud 146 also includes a window portion 150 (i.e., one or more windows) in a side of the shroud 146, which opens into the cavity. More specifically, the window portion 150 extends in a transverse or lateral direction through a side wall of the shroud 146, the transverse or lateral direction being perpendicularto a longitudinal direction along which the shroud 146 extends. The window portion 150 is located at the base of the shroud 146 (i.e., the portion of the shroud 146 that is closest to the base 142), such that the window portion 150 opens up into a base portion of the cavity in which at least a portion of the heating element 152 is located.
The window portion 150 is formed of a first window and a second window located on an opposite side of the shroud 146 to the first window, but the window portion 150 is not limited in this way. For example, the window portion 150 may alternatively be formed from just a single window, or multiple windows spaced along a single side of the shroud 146 in the longitudinal direction. Advantageously, the window portion 150 provides access to inaccessible regions of the cavity, making the cavity easier to clean. The aerosol generating apparatus 100 further comprises a slot (not shown) which extends into the housing 120 along a longitudinal direction. In use, the aerosol generating unit 140 is movable in this slot between the first position, in which the window portion 150 is hidden within the housing 120, and the second position in which the aerosol generating unit 140, and more specifically the window portion 150, is extended out of the housing 120.
In the first position, the aerosol generating unit 140 is either fully or partially housed within the housing 120 so as to enclose the window portion 150 within the housing 120. In other words, the window portion 150 is housed within the housing 120 when the aerosol generating unit 140 is in the first position, such that accessibility to the cavity via the window portion 150 is blocked by side walls of the housing 120 (i.e., a user of the aerosol generating apparatus 100 cannot access the window portion 150).
In the second position, the window portion 150 extends out of the housing 120, and more specifically the slot extending within the housing 120, such that the window portion 150 is no longer enclosed within the housing 120, and is instead accessible to the user of the aerosol generating apparatus 100.
Referring to Fig. 5, there is shown an aerosol generating apparatus 200. The aerosol generating apparatus 200 includes many of the same features as the aerosol generating apparatus 100 shown in Figs. 4a and 4b, and these are given corresponding reference numerals. On top of this, the aerosol generating apparatus 200 comprises further additional features which are described in the following.
The aerosol generating apparatus 200 comprises a housing 220, an aerosol generating unit 140 and a push-push mechanism 160 for controlling the movement of the aerosol generating unit 140 relative to the housing 120.
The housing 120 comprises a tube chassis 122 and an upper chassis 124, which are attachable together to form a tubular structure extending along a longitudinal direction. The housing 120 includes a slot 125 extending into the tubular structure from a first end, said slot 125 being for movably receiving the aerosol generating unit 140. A groove 126 is formed in the wall bounding the slot 125, said groove 126 being useful for positioning a gasket included in some embodiments of the present invention (the gasket being described below in relation to Fig. 6). The housing 120 further comprises an internal space 127, in which are housed further components of the aerosol generating apparatus 200 such as a battery 130 and a printed circuit board (PCB) 132 for controlling the apparatus 200. The PCB 132 is coupled to the battery 130, and both the battery 130 and PCB 132 are housed within the housing 120.
The aerosol generating unit 140 includes a base 142 that is movably attachable to the housing 120. More specifically, the base 142 includes two connecting parts 144, spaced apart by a gap, which extend from the base 142 along the longitudinal direction. Said connecting parts 144 movably engage with the interior walls of the upper chassis 124, allowing the aerosol generating unit 140 to be moved relative to the housing 120 via the push-push mechanism 160 (described below).
The aerosol generating unit 140 also includes a shroud 146 which longitudinally extends from the base 142 of the aerosol generating unit 140 to define a cavity. In this example, the extension of the shroud from the base 144 is in the opposite direction to the direction of extension of the connecting parts 144. A consumable (not shown) can be inserted into said cavity via an opening 148 in a top portion of the shroud 146, said opening 148 being at an opposite end of the shroud 146 to the base 142. A heating element 152 also extends from the base 142 into the cavity, such that a bottom portion of the consumable is pierced by the heating element 152 when said consumable is inserted into the cavity. In use, the heating element 152 is connected to the battery 130, such that power from the battery 130 is suppliable to the heating element 152.
In addition to the opening 148, the shroud 146 also includes a window portion 150 in a side of the shroud 146, which opens into the cavity. More specifically, the window portion 150 of the present example extends through the shroud 146 in a lateral or transverse direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shroud 146. The window portion 150 is located at the base of the shroud 146 (i.e., the portion of the shroud 146 that is closest to the base 142), such that the window portion 150 opens up into a base portion of the cavity in which at least a portion of the heating element 152 is located. In this example, the window portion 150 is formed of a first window and a second window located on an opposite side of the shroud 146 to the first window, but the window portion 150 is not limited in this way. For example, the window portion 150 may alternatively be formed from just a single window, or multiple windows spaced along a single side of the shroud 146 in the longitudinal direction. The shroud 146 further comprises a flanged rim 149, which extends radially outward from the shroud 146 around the opening 148. The flanged rim 149 is configured to have a radial width (i.e., a width in the plane perpendicularto the longitudinal direction) that is equal to the radial width of the upper chassis 124 opening through which the aerosol generating unit 140 is receivable. In this way, when the aerosol generating unit 140 is housed within the upper chassis 124, an outer periphery of the flanged rim 149 will be in contact with inner surfaces of the upper chassis 124. The present disclosure is not limited in this way, however. For example, the radial width of the flanged rim 149 may be greater than the width of the upper chassis 124 opening, or there may be no flanged rim 149 at all.
In use, the aerosol generating unit 140 is slidably attached to the upper chassis 124 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction between the first position in which the window portion 150 is hidden within the housing 120, and a second position in which the aerosol generating unit 140, and more specifically the window portion 150, is extended out of the housing 120. In other words, in the first position the window portion 150 will be covered by the housing 120, such that a user of the aerosol generating apparatus 200 cannot access to the window portion 150. In contrast, in the second position the window portion 150 extends out of the housing 120, such that the window portion 152 is accessible to the user of the aerosol generating apparatus 200.
The push-push mechanism 160 comprises a spring block 162 attached to the aerosol generating unit 140, a pair of springs 164 attached to the spring block 162 and a pair of spring rods 166 coupled to the springs 164. In use, the push-push mechanism 160 is usable to control the movement of the aerosol generating unit 140 relative to the housing 120. More specifically, the push-push mechanism 160 is usable to `click' the aerosol generating unit 140 between the first position and the second position. The aerosol generating apparatus 200 further comprises a cap 168 that is attachable to the spring block 162, as well as a door 170 housed between the cap 168 and the spring block 162. The cap 168 comprises an aperture 169 which is aligned with the opening 148, so as to define a pathway for insertion of a consumable into the cavity. The door 170 is movable between an open position in which the pathway into the cavity is accessible, and a closed position in which the door 170 blocks the pathway into the cavity. Advantageously, the cap 168 provides a surface which the user can press on so as to 'activate' the push-push mechanism 160. More specifically, when the aerosol generating unit 140 is in the first position, and only its top portion is visible (i.e., the opening 148 and the flanged rim 149), the cap makes it easier to press the aerosol generating unit 140 further into the housing, so that the push-push mechanism 160 will then cause the aerosol generating unit 140 to 'click' back up into the second position.
The aerosol generating apparatus 200 further comprises a sliding lock 180 positioned between the upper chassis 124 and the aerosol generating unit 140. Said sliding lock 180 being configured to limit the movement of the aerosol generating unit 140 relative to the housing 120.
Although not shown in Fig. 5, the aerosol generating apparatus 200 may further include a cleaning tool for cleaning the heating element 152 and cavity (i.e., removing debris from around these components) via the window portion 150. The cleaning tool may be carried around separately to the housing 120 and aerosol generating unit 140, or there may alternatively the housing 120 or aerosol generating unit 140 may include a storage portion in which the cleaning tool can be placed whilst not in use.
Referring to Fig. 6, this shows an aerosol generating apparatus 300 that is similar to both the aerosol generating apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 4a and 4b and the aerosol generating apparatus 200 shown in Fig. 5, and corresponding features have been given the same reference numerals. In the example of Fig. 5, the aerosol generating unit 140 has a smaller cross-sectional size than the opening in the upper chassis 124, such that when the aerosol generating unit 140 is received within the upper chassis 124, there is a gap between an outer periphery of the aerosol generating unit 140 and the inner surface of the upper chassis 124.
In addition to the features of the example of Fig. 4, the aerosol generating apparatus 300 shown in Fig. 5 further comprises a gasket 190 that is positioned between the housing 120 and the aerosol generating unit 140. More specifically, the gasket 190 is positioned in the gap between the inner surface of the upper chassis 124 and an outer periphery of the aerosol generating unit 140. In use, the gasket 190 seals the gap between the aerosol generating unit 140 and the housing 120, so as to prevent consumable debris from falling into the housing via this gap.
The gasket 190 may be formed from a deformable material. The application of an external force to the gasket 190 (such as a 'compressive', 'tensile', or 'twisting' force) may change the shape of the gasket 190. For example, the gasket 190 may take on a compressed, extended or twisted shape as a result of the applied force. Even more suitably, the gasket 190 can be formed from an elastic material. The gasket 190 may return to its original shape in the absence of external forces. Advantageously, having a deformable, or elastically deformable, gasket 190 allows the gasket 190 to adapt to the movement of the aerosol generating unit 140 relative to the housing 120, such that the gasket 190 can better maintain the seal between the aerosol generating unit 140 and housing 120 when the aerosol generating unit 120 is moved between the first position and the second position.
The gasket 190 is configured such that the whole gasket 190 cannot be extended out of the upper chassis opening 124, such that the gap between the aerosol generating unit 140 and housing 120 always remains sealed.
In this example, the gasket 190 is attached to the housing 120, such that the gasket remains fixed in place as the aerosol generating unit 140 slides between the first and second positions. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this way. For example, the gasket 190 may instead be slidably attached to the housing 120, such that the gasket 190 may be slidable relative to both the aerosol generating unit 140 and the housing 120 within a range in which the gasket 190 still seals the gap between the aerosol generating unit 140 and housing 120. The gasket 190 may be slidably attached to the housing 120 within a range in which the gasket 190 always maintains contact with the walls of the housing 120 (i.e., the gasket 190 is never fully removed from the housing 120). Alternatively, the gasket 190 may be attached to an outer periphery of the base 142 of the aerosol generating unit 140, such that the gasket 190 slides with the aerosol generating unit 140 relative to the housing 120.
The gasket may also be overmoulded around the aerosol generating unit, e.g. so that the shape of the gasket matches the exact shape of the aerosol generating unit more accurately. However, the gasket is not limited in this way, and may be configured to have a standard circular shape.
Whilst the gasket 190 is only explicitly included in the aerosol generating apparatus 300 of Fig. 6, it may also be incorporated into either the aerosol generating apparatus 100 of Figs. 4a and 4b, or the aerosol generating apparatus 200 of Fig. 5
Referring to Fig. 7, this shows a flowchart describing steps of cleaning an aerosol generating apparatus of the present disclosure. The steps may be performed on any of the aerosol generating apparatuses 100 200 300 described in the preceding examples.
In the first step 402, the aerosol generating unit 140 is moved from a first position in which the aerosol generating unit 140 is housed within a housing 120 (for example, see Fig. 4a) to a second position in which the aerosol generating unit 140 extends out of the housing 120 such that a window portion 150 located on the aerosol generating unit is extended out of the housing 120 (for example, see Fig. 4b). In some examples, this movement might be controlled by the push-push mechanism 160 shown in Fig. 5. In the second step 404, the window portion 150 may be used (by a user) to clean the cavity within the aerosol generating unit 140. This might include cleaning the internal surfaces of the cavity (i.e., the surfaces of the side walls of the cavity), and/or cleaning a heating element 152 protruding into the cavity. The cavity of the aerosol generating unit 140 may be defined by a shroud 146 which surrounds the heating element 152, as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6.
The user may use a tool to clean the cavity, such as a rod with a cleaning material on an end. Alternatively, the user may be able to use their finger to clean the cavity.
An external surface of the aerosol generating unit 140 extending out of the housing is also cleanable by the user.
In the third step 406, the aerosol generating unit 140 is moved from the second position to the first position, in which the window portion 150 is hidden within the housing 120. In some examples, all of the aerosol generating unit 140 may be housed within the housing 120. Alternatively, parts of the aerosol generating unit 140 not containing the window portion 150 may remain extended out of the housing 120 in the second position.
The aerosol generating apparatuses 100 200 300 described above make it easier to clean the aerosol generating unit 140 as well as the heating element 152, as the inclusion of a window portion 150 that is extendible out of the housing allows difficult-to-reach portions of the aerosol generating unit 140 to be more easily accessed and cleaned. Further, the inclusion of a gasket 190 (which is described in relation to the aerosol generating unit 300 of Fig. 6, but which could equally be included in the aerosol generating apparatuses 100 200 of Figs. 4a, 4b and 5) prevents debris form a consumable from falling into the housing 120 where it may clog up/damage the mechanisms and/or circuitry of the aerosol generating apparatus 100 200 300.

Claims

An aerosol generating apparatus comprising:
a housing; and

an aerosol generating unit that is movable in a slot extending into the housing, the aerosol generating unit including:
a shroud which defines a cavity for receiving a consumable,

a heating element within the cavity, and

a window extending through the shroud and into a portion of the cavity in which the heating element is located,

wherein the aerosol generating unit is movable along the slot between a first position in which the window is hidden within the housing, and a second position in which the window is exposed from the housing such that the heating element is accessible via the window.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a gasket positioned in a gap between an outer surface of the shroud and an inner surface of the housing for reducing the amount of consumable debris that can enter the housing.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the gasket is an O-ring seal arranged around the aerosol generating unit to seal the gap.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the gasket is contained entirely within the housing when the aerosol generating unit is in the first position and when the aerosol generating unit in the second position.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the gasket is attached to the housing.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the gasket is overmoulded onto the housing.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 5 or 6, wherein the gasket is arranged in a groove in the inner surface of the housing.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the gasket is attached to the aerosol generating unit.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 8, wherein the gasket is overmoulded onto the aerosol generating unit.
The aerosol generating apparatus of any previous claim, further comprising a push-push mechanism for controlling the movement of the aerosol generating unit between the first position and the second position.
The aerosol generating apparatus of any previous claim, further comprising a cleaning tool for cleaning the heating element and cavity via the window.
A method of cleaning an aerosol generating apparatus, comprising steps of:
moving an aerosol generating unit of the aerosol generating apparatus from a first position in which the aerosol generating unit is housed in a slot in a housing of the aerosol generating apparatus such that a window of the aerosol generating unit is hidden within the housing, to a second position in which the aerosol generating unit extends out of the housing such that the window is exposed from the housing; and

accessing a cavity in the aerosol generating unit using the window to clean the cavity of the aerosol generating unit and a heating element in the cavity.
The method of claim 12, wherein moving the aerosol generating unit between the first position and the second position is controlled by a push-push mechanism of the aerosol generating unit.
The method of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein moving the aerosol generating unit between the first position and the second position includes sliding the aerosol generating unit past a gasket of the aerosol generating apparatus, wherein the gasket is positioned in a gap between an outer surface of the aerosol generating unit and an inner surface of the housing.
The method of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein moving the aerosol generating unit between the first position and the second position includes sliding a gasket on an outer surface of the aerosol generating unit along an inner surface of the housing, wherein the gasket is positioned in a gap between an outer surface of the aerosol generating unit and the inner surface of the housing.