EP4602948A1

EP4602948A1 - Aerosol generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4602948A1
Application number: EP24157766.7A
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: WO2025172408A1

Abstract

The invention refers to aerosol generating apparatus (1) for generating an aerosol from a consumable (70) including a precursor (6), the aerosol generating apparatus comprising a device body (50) and a cap (51), wherein the device body (50) includes a heating element (54) located between a first end (50a) of the device body (50) and second end (50b) of the device body (50), the heating element (54) being operable to aerosolise the precursor when heated, wherein the device body (50) includes an engagement location which is arranged between the heating element (54) and the first end (50a), wherein the cap (51) is configured to be removably attached to the device body (50) at the second end (50b) thereof, and wherein, in an attached position, the cap (51) at least partially covers the heating element (54) and engages the engagement location.

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, and an aerosol precursor, which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit to generate an aerosol.
A drawback with known aerosol generating apparatuses is the ability to clean the aerosol generating unit and the heating cavity in which the aerosol generating unit is arranged. Cleaning of the aerosol generating unit is more efficient when there is wide access to the aerosol generating unit. On the other hand, access to the aerosol generating unit should be restricted during operation of the aerosol generating unit for safety reasons, e.g. to protect from the heat generated by the aerosol generating unit.
In spite of the effort already invested in the development of aerosol generating apparatuses/systems further improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an aerosol generating apparatus for generating an aerosol from a consumable including a precursor. The aerosol generating apparatus comprises a device body and a cap.
In some examples, the device body includes an aerosol generating unit (e.g. a heating element) located between a first end of the device body and second end of the device body, the aerosol generating unit being operable to aerosolise the precursor when operated (e.g. heated in case the aerosol generating unit includes a heating element). Optionally, the device body includes an engagement location which is arranged between the aerosol generating unit and the first end. Further optionally, the cap is configured to be removably attached to the device body at the second end thereof. Optionally, in an attached position, the cap at least partially covers the aerosol generating unit and engages the engagement location. In some examples, the cap and the engagement location are configured to magnetically cooperate to fasten cap to device body.
In this way, there is an overlap between the cap and the device body below the aerosol generating unit. This overlap improves the closure and/or sealing of the heating cavity by the cap. Further, the engagement location can be arranged away from the aerosol generating unit. For example, the engagement location may not interfere when attaching the cap to the device body. This may be helpful for exemplary embodiments in which the cap is removably fixed to the device body at the engagement location.
The device body may be an elongate body defining a longitudinal direction. The first end may be opposite to the second end along the longitudinal direction of the device body. The second end may be the end at which the aerosol generating unit is arranged and/or at which the cap is attached to the device body.
When the cap is removed from the device body, the aerosol generating unit (e.g. heating element) may be exposed so that is accessible to a user, e.g. for cleaning the aerosol generating unit/heating element. In the attached position, the cap and/or the device body screen the aerosol generating unit, e.g. so that a user cannot access and/or touch the aerosol generating unit. Thus, the cap may be considered covering the aerosol generating unit for preventing access or blocking access to the aerosol generating unit.
Along the longitudinal direction, the ordering may be as follows: first end, engagement location, aerosol generating unit, and second end, wherein optionally the respective locations do not overlap along the longitudinal direction. Thus, the engagement location may be arranged between the heating element (e.g. the heating element) and the first end. The engagement location may be located away from the heating element when viewed from the second end. The cap may contact, overly, cover, and/or overlap with the device body at the engagement location. This may mean that, in the attached position, the cap extends beyond the heating element when viewed along the longitudinal direction from the second end.
The engagement location may include one or more locations on the device body. The engagement location may include one or more points and/or one or more areas on an outer surface of the device body. The engagement location may be exposed and/or accessible by the user if the cap is removed from the device body.
In some examples, the device body includes a first wall and a second wall separated by a gap from the first wall to define a heating cavity therebetween for receiving the consumable, wherein the device body further includes a base wall extending between bottom ends of the first wall and the second wall to form a lower side of the heating cavity. Optionally, the aerosol generating unit (e.g. heating element) protrudes from the base wall into the heating cavity. Further optionally, the cap comprises a first arm section, a second arm section separated from the first arm section, and a top section extending between upper ends of the first arm section and the arm second section, wherein the first arm section, the second arm section, and the top section are configured such that, when the cap is attached to the device body, the first arm section and the second arm section extend or are located between the first wall and the second wall at opposing lateral sides of the heating cavity and the top section extends between upper ends of the first wall and the second wall. In the attached position, lower ends of the first arm section and the second arm section (e.g. free ends of the first and second arm sections) extend below the base wall for engaging the engagement location.
In this way, there is an overlap between the cap and the device body as the first arm section and the second arm section extend beyond the base wall. This overlap improves the closure and/or sealing of the heating cavity by the cap. Further, the device body may not include protrusions that protrude from the device body towards the cap (e.g. from the base wall) and are arranged between the first wall and the second wall to overlap with the first arm section and the second arm section in the attached position. These protrusions would limit access to the cavity for cleaning, especially from the side between the first wall and the second wall. Further, these protrusions would form with the first wall the second wall, and the base wall a half-space which would be difficult to clean. Thus, the overlap of the first arm section and the second arm section with the device body below the base wall eliminates the need to provide those protrusions and, therefore, simplifies the cleaning of the heating cavity.
The first wall and the second wall may be (directly) connected to each other by the base wall. The first wall, the second wall, and the base wall may form a continuous wall. The first wall, the second wall, and/or the base wall may have a straight inner surface that faces the heating cavity. However, it is possible that the first wall, the second wall and/or the base wall may include recesses, protrusions, and/or sub-cavities, for example for providing additional space for the consumable. The first wall, the second wall, and/or the base wall may be considered a part of an outer surface of the device body that at least partially defines the heating cavity. The inner surface of the heating cavity (e.g. as at least partially defined by the first wall, the second wall, and the base wall) may be made from a heat resistant material, such as metal, ceramic and the like. The first wall, the second wall, and the base wall may form a unitary component.
The heating element may be arranged on the base wall and/or between first wall and the second wall. The heating element may protrude from the base wall parallel to planes defined by the first wall and/or the second wall, respectively.
An inner surface of the first wall facing the heating cavity and an inner surface of the second wall facing the heating cavity may each define a plane which can extend parallel to each other. The base wall may extend between these planes defined by the first wall and a second wall, e.g. at an angle of 90° to the planes defined by the first wall and/or the second wall. The first wall and a second wall may extend beyond the base wall in a direction of the extension of the base wall. This could mean that the base wall is shorter than the first wall and/or the second wall in a width direction of the device body. The aerosol generating unit may extend in a longitudinal direction of the device body (which is perpendicular to the width direction) from the base wall. So, the first wall and/or the second wall may protrude from the base wall in the width direction and/or the longitudinal direction.
The first wall, the second wall, and the base wall may form a U-shape in a cross-sectional view wherein the base wall connects the two legs of the U-shape. The heating cavity is open so that the inner surfaces defined by the first wall, the second wall, and/or the base wall are exposed. Thus, when the cap is removed, the inner surfaces and/or the aerosol generating apparatus can be cleaned.
The first arm section, the second arm section, and the top section of the cap may also form a U-shaped in a cross-sectional view. In the attached position, the U-shape in a cross-sectional view of the cap is perpendicular to the U-shape in a cross-sectional view of the first wall, the second wall and the base wall of the device body.
The first arm section, the second arm section, and the top section may define respective inner surfaces of the cap which, in the attached position, completely surround the heating cavity.
The first arm section and the second arm section may be connected to each other by the top section. The inner surfaces of first arm section, the second arm section, and the top section may form a continuous wall. The first arm section, the second arm section, and/or the top section may have straight inner surfaces that faces the heating cavity in the attached position. However, it is possible that the inner surfaces of the first arm section, the second arm section and/or the top section may include recesses, protrusions, and/or sub-cavities, for example for providing additional space for the consumable. For example, the top section may include a through-hole for inserting the consumable into the heating cavity in the attached position.
The first arm section, the second arm section, and/or the top section may be considered a part of an outer surface of the cap that at least partially closes the heating cavity in the attached position. The inner surface of the cap (e.g. as at least partially defined by the first arm section, the second arm section, and the top section) may be made from a heat resistant material, such as metal, ceramic and the like. The first arm section, the second arm section, and the top section may form a unitary component.
In the attached position, the aerosol generating unit may be arranged on and/or extend between first arm section and the second arm section, for example towards the top section. So, in the attached position, the base wall and the top section may be separated in the longitudinal direction. Further, the first arm section and/or the second arm section extend in the longitudinal direction in the attached position.
In another example, the top section is close to or contacts the base wall in the attached position. In this example, a passage for inserting the consumable may provide the heating cavity. Thus, unlike the example discussed above, the heating cavity is not provided between the top section and the base wall. Rather, with this example, the top section is arranged to contact or to be close to the base wall in the attached position and the heating cavity is (solely) provided by the passage. As described before, the first arm section and/or the second arm section may protrude beyond the top section (towards and/or over the device body in the attached position). The passage in this example may extend all the way to a base of the heating element in the attached position. The passage can be part of the cap and can be removed with the cap. This example may be considered having a passage contacting or ending close to the base wall in the attached position. The passage may surround the heating element along its entire extension in the attached position. The cap device may include a solid body which includes a bore providing the passage. The diameter of the passage may correspond to the diameter of the consumable.
In this example, the heating cavity provided by the first wall, the second wall, and/or the base wall may be considered a cavity for receiving the cap. The actual heating cavity in this example is provided by the passage which is at least partially arranged in the cavity provided by the first wall, the second wall, and/or the base wall in the attached position.
In the attached position, the first arm section and/or the second arm section may extend between portions of the first wall and the second wall (e.g. respective side portions thereof). For example, side surfaces of the first arm section and/or the second arm section may contact the first wall and/or the second wall in the attached position. Further, in the attached position, the first wall and/or the second wall may extend beyond the top section in the width direction so that the first wall and/or the second wall may overlap with the cap. For example, a portion of the cap is arranged between a distal end portion of the first wall and/or the second wall. The planes defined by the first wall and/or the second wall may extend in the width and longitudinal directions.
Similarly, a portion of the first arm section and/or the second arm section may overlap with the device body, e.g. a portion of the device body that is arranged below the base wall if the aerosol generating unit is considered to be arranged above the base wall. So, the first wall, the second wall, the first arm section, and/or the second arm section may overlap with portions of the respective other component which enhances the closure of the heating cavity in the attached position. The engagement location may correspond to point/area of overlap between the first side surface and the first arm section and/or the between the second side surface and the second arm section.
In some examples, the cap is configured to be completely separable from the device body for providing access to the heating cavity. In this way, the cleaning of the heating cavity can be further simplified because the cap can be completely removed from the device body so that no component of the cap hinders the access to the heating cavity.
The cap may be considered a completely separate component from the device body. For example, there is no physical or mechanical connection between the device body and the cap.
In some examples, the gap between the first wall and the second wall is sized so as to prevent a user's finger entering the heating cavity. For example, the gap is 5 mm or less. In this way, the risk that the user touches the heating element with their finger is reduced. Touching the heating element with a finger may break the heating element or the finger may be burnt due to residual heat of the heating element, for example during cleaning of the heating element directly after use.
In some examples, the device body is shaped to provide a linear guide for the first arm section and the second arm section. Optionally, the first arm section and the second arm section are constrained to move along the linear guide when bringing the cap into the attached position. In this way, the device body provides a form fit for the cap for attaching the cap to the device body. Further, the linear guide may allow only a single linear movement for bringing the cap into the attached position.
The linear guide may be at least partially provided by the first wall and the second wall. For example, the inner surfaces of the first wall and the second wall may limit the movement of the cap perpendicular to the inner surfaces of the first wall and the second wall when bringing the cap into the attached position. In other words, the inner surfaces of the first wall and the second wall prevent a movement of the cap perpendicular to the width and the longitudinal directions. The first wall and the second wall may allow a two-dimensional movement of the cap relative to the device body. For example, the first wall and the second wall allow a linear movement of the cap along their direction of extension.
The movement of the cap defined by the first wall and a second wall may be provided by a sliding movement of the first arm section, the second arm section and/or the top section along the inner surfaces of the first wall and a second wall. For example, when bringing the cap into the attached position, side surfaces of the first arm section, the second arm section, and/or the top section slide along the inner surfaces of the first wall and the second wall. So, the inner surfaces of the first wall and the second wall limit the movement of the cap to two dimensions, e.g. in a plane parallel to the extensions of the inner surfaces of the first wall and a second wall. A width of the first arm section, the second arm section, and/or of the top section may be equal to or slightly smaller than a distance between the inner surfaces of the first wall and the second wall (e.g. along the width direction).
A further limitation of the movement of the cap to a single dimension (e.g. for providing a linear guide) is provided by a portion of the device body which overlaps with the first arm section and the second arm section (e.g. by the engagement location). In this way, the U-shaped cap may be further restricted from moving parallel to the direction of extension of the base wall of the device body (e.g. in the width direction) because the portion of overlap (e.g. at least partially provided by the base wall) limits the movement of the cap perpendicular to the extension of the first arm section and the second arm section. So, when bringing the cap into the attached position, the shapes of the device body and of the cap provide a linear guide.
The linear guide may allow a movement of the cap relative to device body in a linear a direction (e.g. along the longitudinal direction) if no further means for fixing the cap to device body are provided which are described in the following. However, it is also possible that a friction fit is provided so that friction between the cap (e.g. the inner surface of the first arm section and/or the second arm section) and the device body prevent a movement of the cap relative to the device body along the linear direction provided by the linear guide. In other words, when bringing the cap in to the attached position along the linear guide, friction between the cap and the device body fixes the cap to the device body in the attached position.
In some examples, the aerosol generating apparatus further comprises cap fixing means including a first component and a second component which interact to fix the cap to the device body in the attached position . Optionally, the cap fixing means includes a first component and a second component. Further optionally, in the attached position, the first component is arranged in a portion of the first arm section and/or the second arm section that extends below the base wall. In an example, the second component is arranged on the device body, optionally at the engagement location.
In this way, the cap fixing means fixes the cap to device body in the attached position. The cap fixing means may provide a removable fixation of the cap to the device body. This may mean that the cap may be removably attached to the device body. Portions and/or parts of the cap fixing means may be located at the engagement position. Further, the engagement position may be formed by the cap fixing means.
The first component may include one or more units that are arranged on the first arm section and/or the second arm section. The second component may include one or more units, e.g. a number of units that corresponds to the units of the first component. The units of the second component may be arranged to interact with their respective units of the first component in the attached position. For example, the first component and the second component provide an attractive force in the attached position so that the cap is fixed to the device body. In a further example, the first component interlocks with the second component in the attached composition. In a third example, the first component and a second component repel each other so that the cap is pushed towards the attached position.
The first component and the second component may be arranged close to each other in the attached position because the first arm section of the second arm section overlap with the device body in the attached position. Thus, the forces between the first component and the second component can be high and/or the first component and the second component can interlock with each other. In this way, a reliable fixation of the cap to the device body can be provided. The second component may define the position of the engagement location.
In some examples, the device body further comprises a first side surface and a second side surface. Optionally, the first side surface, the second side surface, the first wall, and the second wall provide the linear guide in that (i) the first side surface and the second side surface are arranged between a plane defined by the first wall and a plane defined by the second wall and/or (ii) the first side surface and the second side surface are arranged inclined to the base wall.
In this way, the first component and the second component can be arranged to face each other in the attached position while being sufficiently far away from the aerosol generating unit, e.g. from the heat generated by the aerosol generating unit. Further, the base wall may act as shield (e.g. a heat shield) for the first component and the second component. This may reduce any harm caused by the heat of the aerosol generating unit.
The first side surface and/or the second side surface may extend parallel to a corresponding inner surface of the first arm section and the second arm section, respectively, in the attached position. The first side surface and/or the second side surface may form an angle of 85° to 95°, optionally 90°, with the base wall. The first side surface and the second side surface may be connected to opposing ends of the base wall, respectively.
Further, the first side surface and the second side surface may extend between inner surfaces of the first wall and the second wall. Thus, in the attached position, end portions or free ends of the first arm section and/or the second arm section may be arranged between the first wall and the second wall (e.g. a thickness direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction), and the first side surface and the second side surface are arranged between the end portions or free ends of the first arm section and the second arm section (e.g. in the width direction).
Optionally, in the attached position, the end portion of the first arm section contacts the first side surface, the first wall, and the second wall and/or the end portion of the second arm section contacts the second side surface, the first wall, and the second wall. Thus, the first side surface and the second side surface are arranged between the first arm section and the second arm section in the attached position for limiting a movement of the cap relative to the device body in a direction of extension of the base wall (e.g. in the width direction). As described above, the first wall and the second wall limit the movement of the cap in a direction perpendicular thereto (e.g. in the thickness direction). So, the cap can only move linearly when being in the attached position or close to the attached position. This potential linear movement may be prevented by the cap fixing means (e.g. by the first component and the second component).
In an optional example, the cap may not only be restricted in a movement by the linear guide in the attached position but also before reaching the attached position. This may be provided in that the first side surface and the second side surface have appropriate lengths so that the first arm section and the second arm section can slide along the first side surface and the second side surface, respectively, for providing the linear guide.
In some examples, the first side surface, the base wall, and the second side surface provide a continuous wall. In this way, the heating cavity can be easily and reliably sealed with regard to the other components of the device body.
For example, the first side surface, the second side surface, the base wall, the first wall, and/or the second wall form a unitary component. In this way, the heating cavity can be solely defined by these components.
In some examples, the first arm section and the second arm section are located between the first wall and the second wall in the attached position. In this way, the first arm section and the second arm section can close the heating cavity on side areas of the heating cavity, e.g. opposing open areas of the heating cavity. The open area of the heating cavity that opposes the base wall may be closed by the top section of the cap.
In some examples, the first arm section and the second arm section contact the first side surface and the second side surface in the attached position. In this way, the first side surface and the second side surface contribute to the provision of the linear guide for the first arm section and the second arm section while the area of contact between the first arm section and the first side surface as well as between the second arm section and the second side surface provides a reliable sealing and/or closing of the heating cavity.
In some examples, the second component is arranged on the first side surface and/or the second side surface. In this way, the second component can be arranged far away from the aerosol generating unit and/or facing away from the aerosol generating unit so that little or no heat generated by the aerosol generating unit reaches the second component. For example, the base wall as well as the respective side surface are arranged in a direct line between the aerosol generating unit and the second component so that little or no heat radiation can reach the second component.
A unit of the second component may be arranged on the first side surface and another unit of the second component may be arranged on the second side surface. The first side surface and/or the second side surface may include a cavity, recess, and/or slot in which the second component is received. Alternatively, the second component may protrude from the first side surface and/or the second side surface.
The first side surface and the second side surface may face opposing directions and/or may be arranged on opposing sides of the device body. Thus, the units of the second component may be arranged on opposing sides of the device body.
In some examples, the first component includes a first magnet, and the second component includes a second magnet. Optionally, the first magnet and the second magnet are arranged to repel each other. Further optionally, in the attached position, the second magnet of the second component is arranged/located/positioned between the first magnet of the first component and the base wall.
In this way, the magnets of the first component and the second component provide a bistable configuration which pushes the cap either into the attached position or away from the attached position depending on position of the cap relative to the device body. Further, the magnets of the first component and the second component provide a non-contact cap fixing means which may extend the lifespan of the cap fixing means. Further, due to the arrangement of the second magnets, the first side surface and/or the second side surface, the magnets are shielded from the heat generated by the aerosol generating unit.
The second magnets may have a polarity that opposes the polarity of the first magnets if they are positioned to face each other (e.g. close to arriving at the attached position). For example, a north pole of the second magnet faces a north pole of the first magnet when the magnets face each other. Thus, the magnets of the first component and the second component repel each other. The second magnets may be arranged at the engagement locations.
When moving the cap along the linear guide, the first magnet is slid along the second magnet as the magnet of the first component may be arranged at the distal end portion of the first arm section and/or the second arm section. As a result, a repulsive force is generated that pushes the cap away from the device body as long as the first magnet approaches the second magnet. Once the first magnet has passed the second magnet, the magnets continue repelling each other so that the first is pushed away from the second magnet resulting in that the cap is pushed towards the attached position. In other words, the first magnet may be trapped by the linear guide between the second magnet and a limit stop provided by the device body. So the magnets of the first component and the second component in connection with the linear guide provide a fixation of the cap to the device body.
The device body may include a limit stop which provides an abutment for the cap when moving along the linear guide. So, the cap may reach the attached position once the cap abuts against the limit stop when moving along the linear guide. The limit stop may be a stop surface that extends between the first wall and the second wall and along the first side surface and/or the second side surface. For example, an end surface of the first arm section and/or the second arm section may abut against the stop surface of the limit stop. A first stop surface may be continuous and/or forms a unitary component with the first side surface, the first wall, and the second wall and/or a second stop surface may be continuous with the second side surface, the first wall, and the second wall. Thus, an end surface of the first arm section abuts against the first stop surface and/or an end surface of the second arm section abuts against the second stop surface.
The limit stop may provide a reliable spacing between the base wall and the top section in the attached position. The limit stop may define an end position of the cap when the cap is moved along the linear guide. The end position may correspond to the attached position.
In some examples, the cap includes a passage for inserting the consumable into the heating cavity in the attached position. In this way, the consumable can be inserted into the heating cavity when the cap is in the attached position.
The passage may include a through-hole through the top section. The passage may generally have the shape of a pipe which connects the through-hole in the top section with a mouthpiece or mouth opening at an outer surface of the cap through which the consumable may be inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus. The passage may be part of a delivery system operative to deliver an aerosol to a user. For example, the passage in combination with the consumable form the delivery system.
In examples, the passage may extend almost entirely through the cap so that the passage ends close to or in contact with the base wall in the attached position (as described above). Thus, the passage may provide the heating cavity. The passage may be a bore in the cap for receiving the consumable.
In some examples, the heating element is elongate body and defines a heater axis. Optionally, the passage defines a centre axis. Further optionally, the heater axis coincides with or is coaxial to the centre axis in the attached position. In this way, the passage guides the consumable to a correct position on the heating element and/or supports the consumable when the consumable is inserted into the heating cavity.
The heating element may have the form of a rod or bar that protrudes from the base wall. The heating element may include a heating wire which can be configured to heat an outer surface of the heating element that is in contact with the consumable. The heating element may be inserted into the consumable. The heating element may have a circular cross-sectional view (perpendicular to the heater axis). However, other shapes in a cross-sectional view are possible. For example, the heater axis is perpendicular to a plane defined by the base wall.
The passage may have a circular cross-sectional view (perpendicular to the centre axis). However other shapes in a cross-sectional view are possible. The centre axis may coincide with the middle of the circular shape of the passage in a cross-sectional view. The centre axis and the heater axis may extend parallel to each other or coincide. The heater axis and/or the centre axis may extend in the longitudinal direction in the attached position. The insertion of the consumable into the passage may facilitate that the consumable is correctly pushed onto the heating element. In this way, the consumable can be reliably and easily placed onto the heating element.
In some examples, the aerosol generating apparatus further includes a door movable between a closed position, in which the door overlaps with the passage for closing or blocking the passage, and an open position, in which a door provides access to or unblocks the passage. In this way, the door closes the passage so that the heating cavity is entirely closed in the attached position (i.e. when the cap is attached to the device body). This may help to prevent dirt or other particles from entering the heating cavity.
In the attached position and when the door is in the closed position, the heating cavity is completely closed by the cap. The door may be held both in the open position and the closed position so that the door does not involuntarily move between the open position and the closed position.
The cap may include a cap housing that covers the passage, the top section, the first arm section, and/or the second arm section. The cap housing may have a through-hole or aperture which at least partially coincides with the passage for allowing the consumable to be inserted into the passage via the aperture. The door may close the aperture in the housing for opening or closing the passage. The housing may also cover the magnets of the first component. For example, the first arm section, the second arm section, and the base wall provide an inner surface of the cap and the housing provides an outer surface of the cap.
The door may include an inner door portion and an outer door portion which are connected to each other. The inner door portion may be arranged between the housing and the first arm section, the second arm section, and/or the base wall, e.g. in a cavity provided between and by the housing and the first arm section, the second arm section, and/or the top section. The outer door portion may be arranged on an outer surface of the housing. The outer door portion may be exposed on the cap. The aperture in the housing may include an elongated slit through which a mechanical connection between the inner door portion and the outer door portion extends. The mechanical connection (e.g. a screw) may slide along the elongated slit when the door is moved from the closed position to the open position and vice versa. Thus, the elongated slit provides a linear guide for the door.
The housing may be curved in an area around the aperture. For example, the housing may have a semicircular shape for connecting the first arm section to the second arm section. The passage may be aligned with a centre of the curved housing. The door may also be curved, optionally having the same curvature as the housing so that the door can slide along the housing when moving from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.
In some examples, the cap further includes a door retaining means including a first cap magnet and a second cap magnet for pushing the door towards the open position and/or the closed position. In this way, the door retaining means holds or maintains the door in the closed position and/or the open position.
The second cap magnet may be arranged on and/or fixed to the door. The first cap magnet may be arranged on and/or fixed to the housing, the base wall, the passage, the first arm section, the second arm section, and/or a further component arranged in the cavity defined between the housing and the top section, the first arm section, and the second arm section.
The first cap magnet and the second cap magnet may attract each other to hold the door in the closed position or the open position.
In some examples, the first cap magnet is arranged on the cap and the second cap magnet is arranged on the door. Optionally, the second cap magnet moves over the first cap magnet when bringing the door from the open position to the closed position and/or vice versa. Further optionally, the first cap magnet and the second cap magnet are arranged to repel each other. In this way, the first cap magnet and the second cap magnet provide a bistable configuration in which the door is held both in the open position and the closed position by the same magnets.
In this example, the door retaining means includes a similar technical functioning as the cap fixing means for fixing the cap to the device body. The first cap magnet may have a polarity that faces the second cap magnet which is the same polarity as the polarity of the second cap magnet that faces the first cap magnet. Thus, when the first cap magnet is moved to directly face the second cap magnet (at one position when moving the door from the open position to the closed position and vice versa), magnetic poles of the same polarity face each other so that the magnets repel each other. Thus, the first and the second cap magnets generate a force that the pushes the door towards the open position or the closed position. In other words, the first cap magnet is arranged on one side of the second cap magnet in the open position and the first magnet is arranged on the other side of the second cap magnet in the closed position when viewed along the linear movement of the door from the closed position to the open position.
In a second aspect, this disclosure provides an aerosol generating system which includes the aerosol generating apparatus as described herein and the consumable.
In a third aspect, this disclosure provides an aerosol generating apparatus for generating an aerosol from a consumable including a precursor. The aerosol generating apparatus comprises a device body, a heating element, and a cap. The device body includes a first wall and a second wall separated by a gap from the first wall to define a heating cavity therebetween for receiving the consumable. The device body further includes a base wall extending between bottom ends of the first wall and the second wall to form a lower side of the heating cavity. The heating element protrudes from the base wall into the heating cavity and operable to aerosolise the precursor when heated. The cap is configured to be removably attached to the device body. The cap comprises a first arm section, a second arm section separated from the first arm section, and a top section extending between upper ends of the first arm section and the arm second section. The first arm section, the second arm section, and the top section are configured such that, when the cap is attached to the device body, the first arm section and the second arm section extend between the first wall and the second wall at opposing lateral sides of the heating cavity and the top section extends between upper ends of the first wall and the second wall. When the cap is attached (forming the attached position), lower ends of the first arm section and the second arm section extend below the base wall.
The preceding summary is provided for purposes of summarizing some examples to provide a basic understanding of aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the above-described features should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Moreover, the above and/or proceeding examples may be combined in any suitable combination to provide further examples, except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following text and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

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

Fig. 1 is a block system diagram showing an example aerosol generating apparatus.
Fig. 2 is a block system diagram showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 1, where the aerosol generating apparatus is configured to generate aerosol from a solid precursor.
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is an explosive view showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 shows partial cross-sectional views of the apparatus of Fig. 4 showing a movement from an attached position (left image) via an intermediate position (middle image) to a removed position (right image).
Fig. 6 shows partial cross-sectional views of a cap of the apparatus of Fig. 4 showing a movement of a door from a closed position (left image) via an intermediate position (middle image) to an open position (right image).

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 components; 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 an aerosol generating unit. When referring to the flow path, upstream and downstream may be defined in respect of a direction of flow in the flow path, e.g. with an outlet being downstream of an inlet.
As used herein, a "delivery system" may be a system operative to deliver an aerosol to a user. The delivery system may include a mouthpiece and a flow path.
As used herein, a "flow" may refer to a flow in a flow path. A flow may include aerosol generated from the precursor. The flow may include air, which may be induced into the flow path via a puff by a user.
As used herein, a "puff" (or "inhale" or "draw") by a user may refer to expansion of lungs and/or oral cavity of a user to create a pressure reduction that induces flow through the flow path.
As used herein, an "aerosol generating unit" may refer to a device configured to generate an aerosol from a precursor. The aerosol generating unit may include a unit to generate a vapour directly from the precursor (e.g. a heating system or other system) or an aerosol directly from the precursor (e.g. an atomiser including an ultrasonic system, a flow expansion system operative to carry droplets of the precursor in the flow without using electrical energy or other system). A plurality of aerosol generating units to generate a plurality of aerosols (for example, from a plurality of different aerosol precursors) may be present in an aerosol generating apparatus.
As used herein, a "heating system" may refer to an arrangement of at least one heating element, which is operable to aerosolise a precursor once heated. The at least one heating element may be electrically resistive to produce heat from the flow of electrical current therethrough. The at least one heating element may be arranged as a susceptor to produce heat when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. The heating system may be configured to heat a precursor to below 300 or 350 degrees C, including without combustion.
As used herein, a "consumable" may refer to a unit that includes a precursor. The consumable may include an aerosol generating unit, e.g. it may be arranged as a cartomizer. The consumable may include a mouthpiece. With liquid or gel implementations of the precursor, e.g. an e-liquid, the consumable may be referred to as a "capsule" or a "pod" or an "e-liquid consumable". The capsule/pod may include a storage portion, e.g. a reservoir or tank, for storage of the precursor. With solid material implementations of the precursor, e.g. tobacco or reconstituted tobacco formulation, the consumable may be referred to as a "stick" or "package" or "heat-not-burn consumable". In a heat-not-burn consumable, the mouthpiece may be implemented as a filter and the consumable may be arranged to carry the precursor. The consumable may be implemented as a dosage or pre-portioned amount of material, including a loose-leaf product.
As used herein "heat-not-burn" (or "HNB" or "heated precursor") may refer to the heating of a precursor, typically tobacco, without combustion, or without substantial combustion (i.e. localised combustion may be experienced of limited portions of the precursor, including of less than 5% of the total volume).
Referring to Fig. 1, an example aerosol generating apparatus 1 includes a power supply 2, for supply of electrical energy. The apparatus 1 includes an aerosol generating unit 4 that is driven by the power supply 2. The power supply 2 may include an electric power supply in the form of a battery and/or an electrical connection to an external power source. The apparatus 1 includes a precursor 6, which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit 4 to generate an aerosol. The apparatus 2 optionally 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 2 and aerosol generating unit 4.
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 aerosol generating 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 aerosol generating apparatus 1 includes a device body 50 and a consumable 70.
In this example, the device body 50 includes the power supply 2 and a heating system 52 (which is an example of the aerosol generating unit 4). The heating system 52 includes at least one heating element 54. The device body 50 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 device 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 device 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 70. In use, a user may activate the aerosol generating apparatus 1 to cause the heating system 52 of the device body 50 to cause the at least one heating element 54 to heat the solid precursor 6 of the consumable 70 (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 device body 50 by inserting the stick into an aperture 116 at a top end 53 of the body 50 (see also Figs. 4 to 6), 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 device body 50, and a filter distal to the device 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 device body 50 includes a cap 51. In use the cap 51 is engaged at a top end 53 of the device body 50. Although not apparent from Fig. 3 but from Fig. 5 (see description thereof), 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 device body 50.
The device 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 device 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 2. 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 70.
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.
Fig. 4 shows an example implementation of the aerosol generating device 1 of Fig. 2. The aerosol generating device 1 of Fig. 4 has the same optional features, characteristics, and/or optional embodiments as the aerosol generating device 1 of Figs. 2 and/or 3 except for the differences described below.
The exploded view of Fig. 4 does not show the heating element 54, the actuator 55, the electrical circuitry 56, the memory 58, the wireless interface 60, and one or more other components 62. These components can be present with the example implementation of the aerosol generating device 1 of Fig. 4 but are omitted in Fig. 4 because Fig. 4 focuses on the structural components of the aerosol generating device 1. Further, Fig. 4 does not show the consumable 70.
The device body 50 includes a device housing 80 and a heating cavity housing 82 which is attached to the device housing 80 in an assembled configuration (see Figs. 5 and 6). The device housing 80 includes a first shell 84, a second shell 86, and/or one or more support elements 88. The first shell 84 and the second shell 86 define an internal cavity in which the electrical circuitry 56, the memory 58, the wireless interface 60, and/or one or more other components 62 can be housed. The first shell 84, the second shell 86, and the heating cavity housing 82 may completely surround these components and/or provide a sealed cavity for these components.
The support elements 88 may be used for attaching the first shell 84 to the second shell 86 and/or may provide support for the electrical circuitry 56, the memory 58, the wireless interface 60, and/or one or more other components 62. The first shell 84, the second shell 86, and/or the support elements 88 may be made from a metal or plastic material.
The device body 50 is an elongate body defining a longitudinal direction. The device body 50 has a first end 50a and second end 50b which form opposing ends along the longitudinal direction. The first end 50a may be formed by an end portion the device housing 80. The second end may be formed by end portions of the device housing 80 and the heating cavity housing 82.
The heating cavity housing 82 may be a unitary component which may be made from a heat resistant material such as metal or ceramics. A heat insulating material may be arranged between the heating cavity housing 82 and the first shell 84 and/or the second shell 86. The heating cavity housing 82 provides an open heating cavity 89 in which the heating element 54 is arranged (not shown in Fig. 4). Further, the consumable 70 can be arranged within the heating cavity 89 for generating the aerosol by the activation of the heating element 54.
The heating cavity housing 82 may include a first wall 90, a second wall 92, a base wall 94, a first side surface 96, a second side surface (not visible in Fig. 4), a first stop surface 98, and/or a second stop surface (not visible in Fig. 4). The second side surface may have to same configuration as first side surface 96 except for that is arranged on an opposing side of the device body 50. Similarly, the second stop surface may have to same configuration as the first stop surface 98 except for that is arranged on the opposing side of the device body 50 (see for example Fig. 5).
The first wall 90 extends parallel to the second wall 92. The base wall 94 extends between the first wall 90 and the second wall 92 and/or is connected to the first wall 90 and the second wall 92. The first side surface 96 and/or the second side surface are inclined relative to the base wall 94, for example by 90°. The first side surface 96 and/or the second side surface also extend between the first wall 90 and the second wall 92 and/or are connected to the first wall 90 and the second wall 92.
The first stop surface 98 and/or the second stop surface provide a connection between the first wall 90 and a second wall 92. So, the first wall 90, the second wall 92, the base wall 94, the first side surface 96, the second side surface, the first stop surface 98, and the second stop surface form a continuous inner surface of the heating cavity 89. The heating cavity 89 may be accessed by a user when the cap 51 is removed from the device body 50, for example for cleaning the heating cavity 89 and/or the heating element 54 arranged within the heating cavity 89.
The cap 51 includes a cap heating cavity housing 100, a cap housing 102, and/or a door 104. The cap housing 102 is (permanently) attached to the cap heating cavity housing 100 and/or the door 104 is movably attached to the cap housing 102. The cap 51 may further include a cap insulating portion 106 which may be arranged between the cap heating cavity housing 100 and the cap housing 102. The cap insulating portion 106 may be provided for thermally insulating the cap housing 102 from the cap heating cavity housing 100.
The cap heating cavity housing 100 can be made from a heat resistant material, such as metal or ceramic, and/or can be a unitary component. The cap housing 102 may also be a unitary component and/or can be made from a metal or plastic material.
The cap heating cavity housing 100 may include a first arm section 108, a second arm section 110, a top section 112, and/or a passage 114. The first arm section 108, the second arm section 110, and the top section 112 may provide an inner surface which closes the heating cavity 89 in an attached position of the aerosol generating apparatus 1 (see Figs. 5 and 6). The inner surfaces of the first arm section 108 and of the second arm section 110 may extend parallel to each other and are connected to the inner surface of the top section 112. The first arm section 108 and the second arm section 110 may protrude from opposing ends of the top section 112.
The first arm section 108, the second arm section 110, and the top section 112 are dimensioned to fit into the heating cavity 89. For example, the first arm section 108, the second arm section 110, and the top section 112 have a width that is approximately equal or minimally smaller than a gap between the first wall 90 and the second wall 92 so that first arm section 108, the second arm section 110, and the top section 112 can be moved between the first wall 90 and a second wall 92. Thus, in the attached position, side surfaces of the first arm section 108, the second arm section 110, and the top section 112 are in contact with the inner surfaces of the first wall 90 and the second wall 92.
Further, a distance between the inner surfaces of the first arm section 108 and the second arm section 110 is approximately equal or minimally larger than the distance between the first side surface 96 and the second side surface. Thus, in the attached position, the inner surfaces of the first arm section 108 and the second arm section 110 are in contact with the first side surface 96 and a second side surface, respectively.
The first arm section 108 and the second arm section 110 have respective lengths so that distal ends or free ends of the first arm section 108 and the second arm section 110 abut against the first stop surface 98 and the second stop surface, respectively, in the attached position (see Fig. 5). The length of the first arm section 108 may be equal to the length of the second arm section 110, wherein the length may be measured relative to the top section 112.
Thus, the first wall 90, the second wall 92, the first side surface 96, and the second side surface provide a linear guide along which the cap 51 can be slid when bringing the cap 51 towards the attached position (see also Fig. 5 and corresponding description). The first stop surface 98 and the second stop surface provide a stop for the linear movement of the cap 51.
The passage 114 may be dimensioned to receive the consumable 70. The passage 114 may include a centre axis that coincides with a heater axis which is defined by the elongate heater element 54. Thus, the insertion of the consumable 70 through the passage 114 results in that the elongate heater element 54 penetrates the consumable 70.
The passage 114 may be in contact with the top section 112 and forms an opening in the top section 112.
The cap housing 102 may cover outer surfaces of the first arm section 108, the second arm section 110, and/or the top section 112. The outer surfaces of the first arm section 108, the second arm section 110, and/or the top section 112 may be those surfaces of the cap heating cavity housing 100 and are not in contact with the heater cavity housing 82 in the attached position (similarly, the side surfaces of the first arm section 108, the second arm section 110, and/or the top section 112 may be those surfaces of the cap heating cavity housing 100 and are in contact with the heater cavity housing 82 in the attached position). The cap housing 102 and the device housing 80 may form a continuous outer surface in the attached position. The cap housing 102 and the device housing 80 can be made from the same material and/or may have the same colour for providing a uniform appearance in the attached position.
The cap housing 102 may include an aperture 116 and/or a slit 118. The aperture 116 coincides with the passage 114 for forming a continuous pathway from the outside of the cap 51 to the heating cavity 89 in the attached position. The aperture 116 and the slit 118 may form a continuous through-hole through the cap housing 102. The slit 118 may extend from a side of the aperture 116 along a direction of extension of the cap housing 102.
The door 104 may include an inner door portion 120 and an outer door portion 122 which is attached to the inner door portion 120 through the aperture 116 and/or the slit 118 (for example by means of a screw or other fastening means). The inner door portion 120 is arranged between the cap housing 102 and the cap heating cavity housing 100 and/or the cap insulating portion 106. The outer door portion 122 includes an outer door part 124 and a door cover 126. The door cover 126 may be fixed to the door outer door part 124 by means of an adhesive. The door cover 126 may be made from the same material as the cap housing 102 and/or may have the same colour for providing a uniform appearance. The door cover 126 and the outer door part 124 can be moved along an outer surface of the cap housing 102.
The door 104 can be moved between an open position, in which the door 104 does not cover the aperture 116 and the passage 114, and a closed position, in which the door 104 covers the aperture 116 and the passage 114 (see Fig. 6 and corresponding description). When moving the door 104 from the open position to the closed position and vice versa, the fastening means slides along and/or within the slit 118. Thus, the slit 118 provides a linear guide for the movement of the door 104.
The cap housing 102 and the door 104 are curved, optionally by the same curvature. So, the movement of the door 104 from the open position to the closed position provides a curved linear movement of the door 104 along the curved surface of the cap housing 102.
The aerosol generating apparatus 1 may further include a cap fixing means 128 which can comprise one or more first magnets 130 and one or more second magnets 132. The cap fixing means 128 may be provided for holding the cap 51 in the attached position relative to the device body 50. In other words, the cap fixing means 128 may hold the cap 51 at a certain position along the linear guide provided by the device body 50.
The one or more first magnets 130 are an example of a first component and/or are attached at a distal end portion of the first arm section 108 and/or the second arm section 110. The one or more second magnets 132 are an example of a second component and/or are arranged on the first side surface 96 and/or the second side surface. For example, the first side surface 96 and/or the second side surface may include a recess in which a respective one of the second magnets 132 is inserted. The second magnets 132 may be located at engagement locations. As described in more detail in connection with Fig. 5, the second magnet 132 is arranged between the first magnet 130 and the base wall 94 in the attached position. Further, the first magnet 130 and a corresponding second magnet 132 are orientated so that they repel each other.
The aerosol generating apparatus 1 may further include a door retaining means 134 which can comprise a first cap magnet 136 and a second cap magnet 138. The door retaining means 134 may be provided for holding the door 104 in both the open and the closed positions. In other words, the door retaining means 134 may hold the door 104 at two separate positions along the linear guide provided by the slit 118.
The first cap magnet 136 is attached to the cap 51, for example to the cap insulating portion 106. The second cap magnet 138 is attached to the door 104, for example to the inner door portion 120. As described in more detail in connection with Fig. 6, the second cap magnet 138 is positioned on either side of the first cap magnet 136 when the door 104 is in the open or closed position. Further, the first cap magnet 136 and the second cap magnet 138 are orientated so that they repel each other.
Fig. 5 shows three positions when the cap 51 is moved from the attached position along the linear guide away from the device body 50. In the attached position shown in the left image of Fig. 5, the first magnet 130 of the cap fixing means 128 is arranged below the second magnet 132. This means, the second magnet 132 is arranged between the first magnet 130 and the base wall 94. As the first magnet 130 and the second magnet 132 repel each other, the first magnet 130 is pushed downwards so that the first arm section 108 and the second arm section 110 abut against the first stop surface 98 and the second stop surface, respectively. So, the repulsive force between the first magnet 130 and the second magnet 132 fixes the cap 51 to device body 50.
For removing the cap 51 from the device body 50, the cap 51 needs to be moved against the repulsive force between the first magnet 130 and the second magnet 132. The middle image of Fig. 5 shows an intermediate position along the linear guide when the cap 51 is removed from the device body 50. At this intermediate position, the first magnet 130 and the second magnet 132 directly oppose each other so that the repulsive force between the magnets 130, 132 is maximum. When the cap 51 is further moved along the linear guide, the repulsive force between first magnet 130 and the second magnet 132 pushes the cap 51 away from the device body 50. The repulsive force between first magnet 130 and the second magnet 132 decreases when the cap 51 is further moved away from the device body 50.
When the cap 51 is attached to the device body 50, the various positions along the linear guide can be seen from the right image of Fig. 5 to the left image of Fig. 5, i.e. an opposite description of the process of removing the cap 51 from the device body 50.
Fig. 6 shows three positions when the door 104 is moved from the closed position to the open position. In the closed position shown in the left image of Fig. 6, the second cap magnet 138 is arranged above the first cap magnet 136. Due to the repulsive force between the first cap magnet 136 and the second cap magnet 138, the door 104 is pushed towards the closed position.
For opening the passage 114 and/or the aperture 116, the door 104 needs to be moved against the repulsive force between the first cap magnet 136 and the second cap magnet 138. The middle image of Fig. 6 shows an intermediate position along the linear guide provided by the slit 118. At this intermediate position, the first cap magnet 136 and the second cap magnet 138 directly oppose each other so that the repulsive force between the cap magnets 136, 138 is maximum. When the door 104 is further moved along the slit 118, the repulsive force between first cap magnet 136 and the second cap magnet 138 pushes the towards the open position. So, the first cap magnet 136 and the second cap magnet 138 provide a bi-stable configuration in which the door 104 is either held in the open or the closed position.

Claims

An aerosol generating apparatus for generating an aerosol from a consumable (70) including a precursor (6), the aerosol generating apparatus comprising a device body (50) and a cap (51),
wherein the device body (50) includes an aerosol generating unit (4) located between a first end (50a) of the device body (50) and second end (50b) of the device body (50), the aerosol generating unit (4) being operable to aerosolise the precursor (6) when operated,

wherein the device body (50) includes an engagement location which is arranged between the aerosol generating unit (4) and the first end (50a),

wherein the cap (51) is configured to be removably attached to the device body (50) at the second end (50b), and

wherein, in an attached position, the cap (51) at least partially covers the aerosol generating unit (4) and engages the engagement location.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device body (50) includes a first wall (90) and a second wall (92) separated by a gap from the first wall (90) to define a heating cavity (89) therebetween for receiving the consumable (70), the device body (50) further including a base wall (94) extending between bottom ends of the first wall (90) and the second wall (92) to form a lower side of the heating cavity,
wherein the aerosol generating unit (4) includes a heating element (54) which protrudes from the base wall (94) into the heating cavity (89),

wherein the cap (51) comprises a first arm section (108), a second arm section (110) separated from the first arm section (108), and a top section (112) extending between upper ends of the first arm section (108) and the second arm section (110), the first arm section (108), the second arm section (110), and the top section (112) being configured such that, when the cap is attached to the device body (50), the first arm section (108) and the second arm section (110) extend between the first wall (90) and the second wall (92) at opposing lateral sides of the heating cavity (89) and the top section (112) extends between upper ends of the first wall (90) and the second wall (92), and

wherein, in the attached position, lower ends of the first arm section (108) and the second arm section (110) extend below the base wall (94) for engaging the engagement location.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the device body (50) is shaped to provide a linear guide for the first arm section (108) and second arm section (110), and
wherein the first arm section (108) and the second arm section (110) are constrained to move along the linear guide when bringing the cap (51) into the attached position.
The aerosol generating apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising cap fixing means (128) including a first component and a second component which interact to fix the cap (51) to the device body (50) in the attached position,
wherein, in the attached position, the first component is arranged on a portion of the first arm section (108) and/or the second arm section (110) that extends below the base wall (94), and

wherein the second component is arranged on the device body (50) at the engagement location.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 4 when depending on claim 3, wherein the device body (50) further comprises a first side surface (96) and a second side surface,
wherein the first side surface (96), the second side surface, the first wall (90), and the second wall (92) provide the linear guide in that
the first side surface (96) and the second side surface are arranged between a plane defined by the first wall (90) and a plane defined by the second wall (92), and

the first side surface (96) and the second side surface are each inclined to the base wall (94).
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first side surface (96), the base wall (94), and the second side surface provide a continuous wall.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claims 5 or 6, wherein the first arm section (108) and the second arm section (110) are located between the first wall (90) and the second wall (92) in the attached position.
The aerosol generating apparatus of any one of the claims 5 to 7, wherein the first arm section (108) and the second arm section (110) contact the first side surface (96) and the second side surface in the attached position.
The aerosol generating apparatus of any one of the claims 5 to 8 when depending on claim 4, wherein the second component is arranged on the first side surface (96) and/or the second side surface.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claims 4 or 9, wherein the first component includes a first magnet (130) and the second component each includes a second magnet (132),
wherein the first magnet (130) and the second magnet (132) are arranged to repel each other, and

wherein, in the attached position, the second magnet (132) is arranged between the first magnet (130) and the base wall (94).
The aerosol generating apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the cap (51) includes a passage (114) for inserting the consumable (70) into the heating cavity (89) in the attached position.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 11 when dependent on any one of the claims 2 to 10, wherein the heating element (54) is an elongate body defining a heater axis,
wherein the passage (114) defines a centre axis, and

wherein the heater axis is coaxial to the centre axis in the attached position.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claims 11 or 12, wherein the cap (51) further includes a door (104) movable between a closed position, in which the door (104) blocks the passage (114), and an open position, in which the door (104) unblocks the passage (114).
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 13, wherein the cap (51) includes a door retaining means (134) including a first cap magnet (136) and a second cap magnet (138) for maintaining the door (104) in the open position and/or the closed position.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first cap magnet (136) is arranged on the cap (51) and the second cap magnet (138) is arranged on the door (104),
wherein the second cap magnet (138) moves over the first cap magnet (136) when bringing the door (104) from the open position to the closed position, and

wherein the first cap magnet (136) and the second cap magnet (138) are arranged to repel each other.