EP4712805A1

EP4712805A1 - Housing for a heater assembly of an aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: EP4712805A1
Application number: EP24725213.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jaakko MCEVOY; Tilen CEGLAR
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2023-05-15
Filing date: 2024-05-13
Publication date: 2026-03-25
Also published as: CN120957622A; JP2026512367A; KR20250168487A; WO2024235905A1

Abstract

A housing (100) for a heater assembly of an aerosol generating device comprises upper, lower, and side walls (130), defining: a cavity (C) for accommodating a planar, resilient consumable (200) of the device; and a flared opening (100A) for guiding the consumable (200) into the cavity (C). A height dimension (HC) of the cavity (C) is less than a height dimension of the consumable (200). The flared opening (100A) comprises continuous upper and lower surfaces (110A) configured to transition from a first height dimension (HC), which is equal to or greater than the height dimension of the consumable (200), to a second height dimension, which is equal to the height dimension (HC) of the cavity (C). The consumable (200) is compressible by the continuous upper and lower surfaces (110A, 120A) of the flared opening (100A) to reduce the height dimension of the consumable (200) to be equal to the height dimension (HC) of the cavity (C), thereby to provide a snug contact-fit of the consumable (200) in the cavity (C) between the upper and lower walls (110, 120). The width dimension (WC) of the cavity is greater than a width dimension of the consumable (200) and an air flow channel (160, 162) is formed between at least one side wall of the consumable (200) and at least side wall of the housing to permit air to flow into an end face (250) of the consumable (200).

Description

HOUSING FOR A HEATER ASSEMBLY OF AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to aerosol generating devices. In particular, the invention relates to a housing for a heater assembly of an aerosol generating device, for example a heat-not-burn device.

BACKGROUND

Aerosol generating devices can generate an aerosol by heating a consumable including an aerosol generating substance above an aerosol generating temperature, using one or more heaters. Typically, a heater in an aerosol generating device, such as a heat-not-burn device, comprises a cavity into which a tobacco-containing consumable is inserted. The cavity may be formed from one or more walls, with each wall including a substrate upon which a heating track is formed. When electrical energy is supplied to the heating track via electrical contacts, the heat is transferred to the consumable and an aerosol is generated to be inhaled by the user.

The consumable typically comprises a flat, thin element having rectangular form, which is inserted into the cavity longitudinally through a slot. Due to its flat, thin shape, the consumable may be prone to out-of-plane bending and even buckling during insertion. Successful insertion without damage to the consumable may therefore depend to some extent on the skill of the user, which may be limited due to poor manual dexterity and/or lack of experience in use of the device. This difficulty may be exacerbated by the structural design of the device, for example with regard to cavity geometry and construction.

The present invention aims to alleviate these problems to at least some extent. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a housing for a heater assembly of an aerosol generating device, the housing comprising upper, lower, and side walls, defining: a cavity for accommodating a planar, resilient consumable of the device; and a flared opening for guiding the consumable into the cavity, wherein: a height dimension of the cavity is less than a height dimension of the consumable; and the flared opening comprises continuous upper and lower surfaces configured to transition from a first height dimension, which is equal to or greater than the height dimension of the consumable, to a second height dimension, which is equal to the height dimension of the cavity, so that the consumable is compressible by the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the flared opening to reduce the height dimension of the consumable to be equal to the height dimension of the cavity, thereby to provide a snug contact-fit of the consumable in the cavity between the upper and lower walls.

In use, a consumable is manually inserted into the cavity of the housing, the housing forming a part of a heater assembly which is located in an aerosol generating device, such as a heat-not-burn device. The consumable comprises a flat, thin element having rectangular form and contains a tobacco substrate material for vaporisation by the heater assembly. The flared opening or lip/mouth part of the inventive, hollow housing serves as a guide to ease the consumable into the cavity under a pushing force applied by a user of the device, thereby to reduce a risk of bending or buckling of the consumable during its insertion, and further to compress the consumable so that the inserted, resilient consumable conforms tightly to the upper and lower walls of the housing, thereby to ensure efficient transfer of heat from the upper and lower walls to the consumable during use of the device.

As used herein with regard to the flared opening of the housing, “continuous surface” means a surface that is substantially free of discontinuities such as intervals, gaps, or breaks which are large in comparison to the consumable, such that the surface is suitable for guiding the consumable into the cavity substantially unhindered. In an alternative first aspect of the invention, there is provided a housing for a heater assembly of an aerosol generating device, the housing comprising upper, lower, side and end walls , defining: a cavity for accommodating a planar, resilient consumable of the device; and a flared opening for guiding the consumable into the cavity, wherein: a height dimension of the cavity is less than a width dimension of the cavity, such that the cavity is elongated along its width; the height dimension of the cavity is less than a height dimension of the consumable; the width dimension of the cavity is greater than a width dimension of the consumable such that an airflow channel is formed between at least one side wall of the consumable and at least one side wall of the housing, upon the consumable being inserted into the cavity by the user, wherein the air flow channel additionally extends between the consumable and the end wall of the cavity to permit air to flow into an end face of the consumable; and the flared opening comprises continuous upper and lower surfaces configured to transition from a first height dimension, which is equal to or greater than the height dimension of the consumable, to a second height dimension, which is equal to the height dimension of the cavity, so that the consumable is compressible by the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the flared opening to reduce the height dimension of the consumable to be equal to the height dimension of the cavity, thereby to provide a snug contact-fit of the consumable in the cavity between the upper and lower walls.

In this way, the cavity comprises an oblong opening, where the width dimension is greater than the height dimension. This may advantageously allow for more even distribution of compressed material in the consumable, leading to more uniform heat conductivity and vapour generation. This design has advantages over alternative designs where the consumable may not be compressed evenly, leading to a lack of uniformity in vapour generation.

Each one of the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the flared opening may be curved. Each one of the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the flared opening may be flat. Each one of the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the flared opening may comprise a curved portion and a flat portion. A width dimension of the cavity may be greater than a width dimension of the consumable; and the flared opening may comprise continuous side surfaces configured to transition from a first width dimension, which is greater than the width dimension of the cavity, to a second width dimension, which is equal to the width dimension of the cavity, so that the consumable is further guidable into the cavity by the continuous side surfaces of the flared opening.

Each one of the continuous side surfaces of the flared opening may be curved. Each one of the continuous side surfaces of the flared opening may be flat. Each one of the continuous side surfaces of the flared opening may comprise a curved portion and a flat portion.

The width dimension of the cavity may be selected to be equal to a width dimension of the consumable when the consumable is located in the cavity in said snug contact-fit between the upper and lower walls.

The inner surfaces of the walls of the housing and/or the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the flared opening may be generally smooth and free of raised features, in order to enable uninhibited insertion of the consumable into the cavity. The continuous upper and lower surfaces of the flared opening may be elastically deformable by insertion of the consumable, so as to compress the consumable to reduce the height dimension of the consumable.

The housing may be of unitary construction. That is, the housing may comprise a single piece of material. The housing may be an extrusion. The housing may comprise a box-section shape.

A single-piece housing that is formed by extrusion is particularly advantageous because it provides smooth surfaces which are generally free of discontinuities and raised features so as to ease the transition of the consumable through the flared opening and into the cavity. This reduces even further the risk that the long, thin consumable might bend or buckle as it is inserted into the flared opening and is pushed into the cavity. The housing may comprise stainless steel. The housing may comprise grade 403 stainless steel. The housing may comprise any other suitable material, for example plastics or ceramics.

The cavity may have a length-height aspect ratio of about 8:1. The cavity may have a length-height aspect ratio of 8.6:1 .

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a heater assembly of an aerosol generating device, the heater assembly comprising a housing as described herein above.

Preferably, the heater assembly further comprising an abutment that limits insertion of the consumable into the cavity to maintain a gap between the end wall of the cavity and the end surface of the consumable.

Preferably, the heater assembly further comprising two air flow channels formed between respective side walls of the consumable and respective side walls of the housing.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising said heater assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a housing for a heater assembly of an aerosol generating device;

Figure 2 shows a partial, cut-away view of the housing;

Figure 3 shows a side view of a consumable inserted in the housing, the housing forming a part of a heater assembly which is located in an aerosol generating device, such as a heat-not-burn device (the heater assembly and the device not being shown in the drawing); and Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional plan view of the consumable being inserted into the hosing, the housing forming part of a heater assembly which is located in an aerosol generating device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a generally planar, box-section housing 100 comprises a flat upper wall 110 arranged in parallel relationship with a flat lower wall 120, the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120 being spaced apart and connected to each other by two flat side walls 130, 140, and a flat end wall 150. In the sense of Figures 1 and 2, each of the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120 is arranged in a horizontal orientation in the X-Y plane, while two of the flat side walls 130, 140 are arranged in a vertical orientation in the X-Z plane and the end wall 150 is arranged in a vertical orientation in the Y-Z plane. Thus, in this example, each of the two flat side walls 130, 140, and the flat end wall 150, is arranged at 90 degrees to the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120.

The boxsection housing 100 has a length dimension (in the X direction in the sense of Figures 1 and 2) and a width dimension (in the Y direction), the length dimension being greater than the width dimension so that the box-section housing 100 is rectangular in form. The length dimension may be between about 33 mm and 43 mm, more preferably between about 34 mm and 37 mm, and the width dimension may be between about 12 mm and 16 mm, more preferably between about 12.5 mm and 15 mm. The box-section housing 100 also has a height dimension or thickness (in the Z direction) which is smaller than each of the length dimension and the width dimension. The height dimension may be between about 1.2 mm and 1.8 mm, more preferably between about 1.5 mm and 1.7 mm The box-section housing 100 is therefore generally flat and slender in form. The length dimension and the height dimension of the box-section housing 100 may be selected so that the box-section housing 100 has a length-height aspect ratio of about 8: 1 , preferably about 8.6: 1 .

Together, the flat upper wall 110, the flat lower wall 120, the two flat side walls 130, 140, and the flat end wall 150, define an internal volume or cavity C for receiving a consumable for heating, as will be described later herein. The cavity C has a uniform height dimension HC between the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120, and a uniform width dimension WC between the long side walls 130, 140. The height dimension HC of the cavity C is selected to be smaller than an initial height dimension of the consumable. The cavity C may have a height dimension HC of between about 1 .2 mm and 1.6 mm. In this example, the width dimension WC of the cavity C is selected to be greater than a width dimension of the consumable. The cavity C may have a width dimension WC of between about 12 mm and 16 mm. The cavity C may have a length-height aspect ratio of about 8: 1 , preferably about 8.6: 1 .

An end portion of the box-section housing 100 comprises an upper surface 110A and a lower surface 120A which are intersected at their ends by two side surfaces 130A, 140A. The upper surface 110A curves upwardly (in the -X and +Z directions, out of the X-Y plane), while the lower surface 120A curves downwardly (in the -X and -Z directions, out of the X-Y plane). In this example, each of the upper surface 110A and the lower surface 120A is continuously curved. Also in this example, the two side surfaces 130A, 140A curve outwardly (one side surface 130 curving outwardly in the -X and +Y directions, out of the X-Z plane, and the other side surface 140 curving outwardly in the -X and -Y directions, out of the X- Z plane). Further in this example, each of the two side surfaces 130A, 140A is continuously curved.

Together, the curved upper, lower, and side surfaces 110A, 120A, 130A, 140Aform a flared opening 100A to the cavity C.

In this example, the box-section housing 100 is constructed from stainless steel, for example grade 403 stainless steel. Also in this example, the box-section housing 100 is of unitary construction and is formed by extrusion. The upper, lower, and side surfaces 110A, 120A, 130A, 140A of the flared opening 100A are formed by deformation of end portions of the flat upper wall 110, the flat lower wall 120, and the long flat side walls 130, 140 of the extruded box-section housing 100, the surfaces 110A, 120A, 130A, 140A of the flared opening 100A being outwardly inclined with respect to the respective flat walls 110, 120, 130, 140. The deformation may be performed according to mechanical forming processes, for example cold working, as will be understood by the skilled reader. Thus, in this example, each surface 110A, 120A, 130A, 140A of the flared opening 100A is effectively a continuous extension of one of the flat upper wall 110, the flat lower wall 120, and the long flat side walls 130, 140.

Referring now also to Figure 3, at the extreme (-X) end of the box-section housing 100 the flared opening 100A has a maximum height dimension H100A and a maximum width dimension W100A. The maximum height dimension H100A is selected to be greater than (or at least equal to) the initial, maximum height dimension H200 or thickness of an uninstalled consumable 200. The maximum height dimension H100A of the flared opening 100A may be between about 1.5 mm and 8 mm, more preferably between about 1.8 mm and 5 mm, and the initial, maximum height dimension H200 of the uninstalled consumable 200 may be between about 1.3 mm and 1.8 mm. Also in this example, the maximum width dimension W100A is selected to be greater than an initial width dimension W200 of the consumable 200. The maximum width dimension W100A of the flared opening 100A may be between about 13 mm and 16 mm, more preferably between about 13.5 mm and 15 mm, and the initial width dimension W200 of the (uninstalled) consumable 200 may be between about 11 mm and 14 mm, more preferably between about 11.5 mm and 13.5 mm.

Each of the height dimension and the width dimension of the flared opening 100A progressively reduces in the (+X) direction towards the cavity C. At the point that the curved surfaces 110A, 120A, 130A, 140A of the flared opening 100A transition to the respective flat upper wall 110, flat lower wall 120, and long flat side walls 130, 140, the height and width dimensions of the flared opening 100A are equal to the height and width dimensions HC, WC of the cavity C.

The consumable 200 comprises a tobacco substrate material and a support element held in a high GSM paper wrapper (none of these being shown in the Figures). The support element may comprise corrugated card or paper. The consumable 200 is rectangular and is shaped similarly to the cavity C of the boxsection housing 100. Thus, the consumable 200 is generally flat and slender in form. Furthermore, the consumable 200 is generally pliant and compressible such that a squeezing force applied to its upper and lower surfaces will tend to cause a reduction in the height dimension H200 of the consumable.

Insertion of the consumable 200 into the cavity C will now be described, with particular reference to Figure 3.

A user grasps a proximate (-X) end of the consumable 200 and offers up a distal end thereof to the flared opening 100A. It will be recalled that the maximum height and width dimensions H100A and W100A of the flared opening 100A are greater than the initial height and width dimensions H200, W200 of the consumable 200. The user is therefore able to easily guide the distal end to come into locating contact with the curved surfaces 110A, 120A, 130A, 140A of the flared opening 100A at the extreme (-X) end of the box-section housing 100, with the consumable 200 in a generally horizontal orientation (in the X-Y plane in the sense of Figures 1-3).

The user exerts a pushing force F1 to the proximate end of the consumable 200 to begin to move the consumable 200 through the flared opening 100A in the direction (+X) of the cavity C. It will be recalled that the height dimension of the flared opening 100A progressively reduces in the (+X) direction towards the cavity C, and that the height dimension HC of the cavity C is smaller than the height dimension H200 of the consumable. Thus, as the consumable 200 passes through the flared opening 100A under the pushing force F1 applied by the user, the curved surfaces 110A, 120A apply a compression or squeezing force F2 to the consumable 200 which deforms the resilient consumable 200 such as to progressively reduce its height dimension H200, ultimately to be equal to the height dimension HC of the cavity C. The curved surfaces 110A, 120A may comprise thin-walled metal which may deform elastically so as to move (“flex”) the curved surfaces 110A, 120A apart from each other to accommodate the consumable 200, while still providing the compression force F2 to the consumable 200 during said elastic deformation. Thus, the distal end of the consumable 200 is guided into the cavity C by the curved surfaces 110A, 120A. Continued application of the pushing force F1 by the user causes the consumable 200 to travel along the cavity C toward the end wall 150. As the consumable 200 moves through the cavity C, the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120 apply a compression or squeezing force F3 to the consumable 200 which maintains the (reduced) height dimension of the consumable 200 equal to the height dimension HC of the cavity C. The flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120 may comprise thin-walled metal which may deform elastically so as to move (“flex”) the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120 apart from each other to accommodate the consumable 200, while still providing the compression force F3 to the consumable 200 during said elastic deformation.

Insertion of the consumable 200 into the cavity C is completed when the proximate end of the consumable 200 has reached the region of the entrance to the cavity C and the distal end of the consumable 200 is at an end region of the cavity C at the end wall 150. At this point, the consumable 200 is entirely (or almost entirely, as shown in the case of Figure 3) contained within the cavity C. Furthermore, in this position the upper and lower surfaces of the resilient consumable 200 apply an outward reaction force to counter the compressive force F3 that is applied by the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120, the reaction force being constant and proportional to the amount of deformation of the consumable 200. Thus, the upper and lower surfaces of the consumable 200 are in a snug contact-fit with the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120 respectively, thereby enabling efficient heat transfer from the flat upper wall 110 and flat lower wall 120 when the flat upper wall 110 and/or the flat lower wall 120 is heated in order to heat the tobacco substrate material of the consumable 200 to release aerosolizable material therefrom.

It will be recalled that, In this example, the maximum width dimension W100A of the flared opening 100A is greater than an initial width dimension W200 of the consumable 200. Also, the width dimension of the flared opening 100A is equal to the width dimension WC of the cavity C at the point that the curved surfaces 130A, 140A of the flared opening 100A transition to the respective long flat side walls 130, 140. Furthermore, the width dimension WC of the cavity C is selected to be greater than the initial width dimension W200 of the consumable 200. Accordingly, the reduction in the height dimension H200 of the consumable 200, caused by the compressive force F3 applied to the consumable 200 by the flat upper wall 110 and the flat lower wall 120, may be compensated for by an increase in the width dimension W200 of the consumable 200. That is, the consumable 200 may become thinner and wider as it is compressed. Furthermore, the width dimension WC of the cavity C may be selected so that respective sides of the consumable 200 are brought into contact with the long flat side walls 130, 104 when the consumable 200 is fully compressed in the cavity C, thereby further improving the efficiency of heat transfer to the consumable 200.

While in the above-described example the flared opening comprises continuously curved upper and lower surfaces, in other examples the upper and lower surfaces take a different form. In an example, each of the upper and lower surfaces comprises one or more curved portions and one or more flat portions. In another example, each of the upper and lower surfaces is flat such that the flared opening is tapered in profile. All such arrangements are within the scope of the claimed invention, provided that the flared opening comprises continuous upper and lower surfaces configured to transition from a first height dimension, which is equal to or greater than the height dimension of the consumable, to a second height dimension, which is equal to the height dimension of the cavity.

While in the above-described example the two side surfaces of the flared opening curve outwardly (one side surface curving outwardly in the -X and +Y directions, out of the X-Z plane, and the other side surface curving outwardly in the -X and - Y directions, out of the X-Z plane), in other examples the two side surfaces are flat and are in the X-Z plane. In an example, the two side surfaces are flat and are inclined outwardly from the X-Z plane.

Different forms of the upper and lower surfaces of the flared opening may be combined with different forms of the side surfaces thereof and all practicable combinations are within the scope of the claimed invention. Thus, in an example, the upper and lower surfaces are curved while the side surfaces are flat. In another example, the upper and lower surfaces are flat while the side surfaces are curved. In another example, one or both of the upper and lower surfaces and the side surfaces comprises one or more curved portions and one or more flat portions.

Preferably, the inner surfaces of the flat upper and lower walls of the housing and the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the flared opening are generally smooth and free of raised features, in order to enable uninhibited insertion of the consumable into the cavity.

While in the above-described example the box-section housing includes a short flat side wall (or end wall) which connects the long flat side walls, the short flat side wall may be omitted in other examples.

While in the above-described example the box-section housing is formed by extrusion, in other examples the housing is formed by different methods, for example casting or milling.

While in the above-described example the housing is a box-section housing, comprising flat upper and lower walls, and flat, right-angled side walls, in other examples the housing is differently shaped while still being hollow and defining the cavity for the consumable. Thus, in some examples, the flat, right-angled side walls are chamfered or filleted. In some examples, the side walls are outwardly curved so as to be convex. In some examples, the side walls are inwardly curved so as to be concave.

While in the above-described example the consumable 200 comprises a high GSM paper wrapper, it will be understood that a wide variety of different kinds of wrapper may alternatively be used, including, but not limited to, aluminium-coated wrappers and cigarette papers.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional plan view of the consumable 200 being inserted into the housing 100, the housing 100 forming part of a heater assembly which is located in an aerosol generating device (not shown). Components which share reference numerals to components of other figures are defined identically. Whereas the configuration of Figure 3 depicts the housing 100 as it appears to an observer located along the +Y axis, Figure 4 depicts the housing 100 as it appears to an observer located along the +Z axis. In this sense, the upper wall 110 of the housing 100 faces towards the observer in Figure 4. The upper wall 110 is not visible in the cross-sectional view of Figure 4. The side walls 130 and 140 of the housing 100 extend into the page in Figure 4, along with the end wall 150. A mouthpiece end 180 is shown at the end of the housing 100 at which the flared opening 100A is located. The mouthpiece end 180 is configured to align with a mouthpiece of the aerosol generating device which the housing 100 is located within. The width dimension WC of the cavity is shown and is vertical on the page in Figure 4. Similarly, a width W200 dimension of the consumable 200 is depicted. Three airflow channels 160, 162, 164, are positioned between the side walls 130, 140, the end wall 150, and the corresponding walls 230, 240, 250, of the consumable 200 when it is inserted into the cavity C. Two abutments 170 are positioned inside of the cavity C and are fixed to the side walls 130, 140 of the housing 100. A schematic air flow path 166 is shown and defines the path the air takes through the air flow gaps 160, 162, 164, in operation of the device.

The width dimension of the cavity W200 is less than the width dimension of the cavity WC, such that the side walls of the consumable 230, 240, do not contact the side walls of the housing 130, 140, upon the consumable 200 being inserted into the cavity C. As a result, the two air flow gaps 160, 162, are formed between the side walls of the consumable 230, 240, and the side walls of the housing 130, 140. The abutments 170 prevent the end wall of the consumable 250 from contacting the end wall 150 of the housing 100, forming a third gap, and, in-turn, forming a third air flow channel 164. Air, when a user inhales on the mouthpiece during operation of the device, is pulled into the housing 100, through the flared opening 100A, and flows into the two air flow gaps 160, 162. The air travels through these gaps 160, 162, where it reaches the abutments 170 and passes through slits (not shown) that are located on the faces of the abutments 170 extending into the page (along the -Z axis). The air subsequently enters the third air flow channel 164 and begins heading in a direction away from the end wall 150 and back towards the mouthpiece end 180 of the housing 100. The air, therefore, passes back through the consumable 200, where it mixes with an aerosol formed therein, and exits through the flared opening 100A. It is then inhaled by a user. This air path is depicted in Figure 4 by the arrows 166. In other embodiments, there may be only one gap between the consumable 200 and one of the side walls 130, 140. It should be understood that the invention has been described in relation to its preferred embodiments and may be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A housing for a heater assembly of an aerosol generating device, the housing comprising upper, lower, side and end walls, defining: a cavity for accommodating a planar, resilient consumable of the device; and a flared opening for guiding the consumable into the cavity, wherein: a height dimension of the cavity is less than a width dimension of the cavity, such that the cavity is elongated along its width; the height dimensionE of the cavity is less than a height dimension of the consumable; the width dimension of the cavity is greater than a width dimension of the consumable such that an airflow channel is formed between at least one side wall of the consumable and at least one side wall of the housing, upon the consumable being inserted into the cavity by the user, wherein the air flow channel additionally extends between the consumable and the end wall of the cavity to permit air to flow into an end face of the consumable; and the flared opening comprises continuous upper and lower surfaces configured to transition from a first height dimension, which is equal to or greater than the height dimension of the consumable, to a second height dimension, which is equal to the height dimension of the cavity, so that the consumable is compressible by the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the flared opening to reduce the height dimension of the consumable to be equal to the height dimension of the cavity, thereby to provide a snug contact-fit of the consumable in the cavity between the upper and lower walls.

2. A housing according to claim 1 , wherein each one of the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the flared opening is curved.

3. A housing according to claim 1 , wherein each one of the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the flared opening is flat.

4. A housing according to claim 1 , wherein each one of the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the flared opening comprises a curved portion and a flat portion.

5. A housing according to any preceding claim, wherein: the flared opening comprises continuous side surfaces configured to transition from a first width dimension, which is greater than the width dimension of the cavity, to a second width dimension, which is equal to the width dimension of the cavity, so that the consumable is further guidable into the cavity by the continuous side surfaces of the flared opening.

6. A housing according to claim 5, wherein each one of the continuous side surfaces of the flared opening is curved.

7. A housing according to claim 5, wherein each one of the continuous side surfaces of the flared opening is flat.

8. A housing according to claim 5, wherein each one of the continuous side surfaces of the flared opening comprises a curved portion and a flat portion.

9. A housing according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the width dimension of the cavity is selected to be equal to a width dimension of the consumable 200 when the consumable is located in the cavity in said snug contact-fit between the upper and lower walls.

10. A housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner surfaces of the walls of the housing and/or the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the flared opening are generally smooth and free of raised features, in order to enable uninhibited insertion of the consumable into the cavity , and optionally wherein the continuous upper and lower surfaces of the flared opening are elastically deformable by insertion of the consumable, so as to compress the consumable to reduce the height dimension of the consumable.

11. A housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is of unitary construction, optionally wherein the housing is an extrusion, further optionally wherein the housing has a box-section shape.

12. A housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises stainless steel, optionally grade 403 stainless steel.

13. A housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the cavity has a length-height aspect ratio of about 8:1 , optionally 8.6:1.

14. A heater assembly of an aerosol generating device, the heater assembly comprising a housing according to any preceding claim.

15. A heater assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising an abutment that limits insertion of the consumable into the cavity to maintain a gap between the end wall of the cavity and the end surface of the consumable.

16. A heater assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising two air flow channels formed between respective side walls of the consumable and respective side walls of the housing.

17. An aerosol generating device comprising a heater assembly according to claim 14.