JP2024517083A - Aerosol generating device with a push rod - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generation device (10) configured to operate with an aerosol-generating substrate (12), the aerosol generation device (10) comprising: a device body extending along a device axis (Y) and defining at least one side wall (40); a cup-shaped heating chamber (45) defining an open end and a closed end opposite the open end, the cup-shaped heating chamber (45) configured to receive a heater portion of the aerosol-generating substrate (12); and an ejection mechanism (48) comprising a push rod (81) formed from a flexible material and configured to slide within the heating chamber (45) between a retracted position and an ejection position, the push rod (81) comprising a pusher (89) configured to eject the aerosol-generating substrate (12) from the heating chamber (45) by pushing while the push rod (81) slides from the retracted position to the ejection position.

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device equipped with a push rod.

The aerosol generating device according to the invention is configured to operate with an aerosol generating substrate, e.g., a solid substrate capable of forming an aerosol when heated. Thus, this type of aerosol generating device, also known as a heated non-combustion device, is adapted to generate an aerosol for inhalation by heating, rather than burning, the substrate, by conduction, convection, and/or radiation.

The popularity and use of risk reduction or risk modification devices (also known as vaporizers) has grown rapidly in recent years as an aid to assist regular smokers who wish to quit smoking traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and rolling tobacco. A variety of devices and systems are available that heat or warm a vaporizable substance, as opposed to burning tobacco in traditional tobacco products.

A commonly available risk reduction or modification device is an aerosol generating device or non-combustion heating device that heats a substrate. This type of device generates an aerosol or vapor by heating an aerosol substrate, typically comprising moist tobacco or other suitable vaporizable material, to a temperature typically ranging from 150°C to 350°C. By heating, rather than burning or combusting, the aerosol substrate, an aerosol is released that contains the ingredients desired by the user but does not contain the toxic and carcinogenic by-products of combustion and burning. Furthermore, aerosols generated by heating tobacco or other vaporizable material typically do not contain the burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning, which can be unpleasant to the user. Thus, the substrate does not require sugars and other additives that are typically added to such materials to make the smoke and/or vapor more palatable to the user.

The aerosol substrate, also known as the aerosol generating base, represents a consumable part of the aerosol generating device. Thus, the aerosol substrate needs to be replaced with another one when it is no longer capable of producing an aerosol and/or a flavor desired by the user. In some aerosol generating devices, replacing the aerosol generating substrate with a new one can be cumbersome for the user. Furthermore, some aerosol generating substrates may leave a residue inside the device, which may degrade the operation of the device.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device in which the user can replace the aerosol generating substrate in a particularly convenient manner and without leaving any residue inside the device.

To this end, the present invention provides an aerosol generating device adapted to operate with an aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol generating device comprising:
a device body extending along a device axis and defining at least one side extending along the device axis;
a cup-shaped heating chamber defining an open end and a closed end opposite the open end, the cup-shaped heating chamber being configured to receive a heater portion of an aerosol-generating substrate through the open end;
an ejection mechanism comprising a push rod, the push rod being made from a flexible material and configured to slide within the heating chamber between a retracted position and an ejection position;
The push bar relates to an aerosol generating device comprising a pusher configured to eject the aerosol generating substrate from a heating chamber by pushing the aerosol generating substrate from the closed end towards the open end while the push bar slides from a retracted position to an ejection position.

The user can activate the ejection mechanism to easily replace the aerosol generating substrate without leaving any residue within the device. This is achieved by using a pusher that pushes the substrate and ejects it out of the heating chamber. The pusher is moved by a push rod that can be actuated directly or indirectly by the user. Furthermore, the push rod is made of a flexible material such as a somewhat soft silicone, which allows the push rod to be placed within the limited volume of the aerosol generating device without being bulky, cumbersome and difficult to use.

According to some embodiments, the heating chamber comprises at least one heated wall configured to heat the aerosol-generating substrate, the heated wall having an inner surface, and the pusher configured to be in contact with the inner surface of the heated wall while pushing against the aerosol-generating substrate.

Thanks to these features, the push rod is able to expel any residue of the aerosol-generating substrate from the heating chamber that may remain on the inner surface of the heating wall.

According to some embodiments, the heating chamber extends along the device axis, the device body further includes a mouthpiece defining a through hole, the through hole extending along the device axis and facing an open end of the heating chamber, the mouthpiece configured to receive a mouthpiece portion of the aerosol generating substrate.

These features allow the mouthpiece to be used separately from the aerosol generating substrate. This mouthpiece may form part of the aerosol generating device and may ultimately be replaceable.

According to some embodiments, the pusher is further configured to traverse the heating chamber and at least a portion of the through hole of the mouthpiece while pushing against the aerosol-generating substrate.

Thanks to these features, the ejection of the aerosol generating device may be more efficient. Furthermore, the risk of clogging of the substrate inside the heating chamber and/or the mouthpiece is reduced. Furthermore, the plunger can eject residues formed by the aerosol generating substrate from the mouthpiece by passing at least partially through the mouthpiece.

According to some embodiments, the pusher further comprises cleaning means configured to clean the through-hole of the mouthpiece and/or the heating chamber while pushing the aerosol-generating substrate.

By virtue of these features, the plunger may not only expel residue remaining after use of the aerosol-generating substrate, but may also clean the inner surface of at least a portion of the heating chamber and/or mouthpiece. This is particularly useful when residue, especially small residue, remains attached to the inner surface, for example, during heating.

According to some embodiments, the pusher is configured to impermeably seal the heating chamber at the closed end when the pusher rod is in the retracted position.

According to some embodiments, the open end of the heating chamber defines the only air permeable opening of the heating chamber when the push rod is in the retracted position.

Thanks to these features, the airflow can enter the interior of the heating chamber only through the open end of the chamber. This allows the airflow to be arranged in a suitable manner inside the device. For example, before entering the heating chamber, the airflow can flow outside the chamber and thus cool the outer surface of the device during operation of the device. This therefore allows the temperature of the housing of the device to be reduced and the risk of burns to the user to be reduced.

According to some embodiments, the ejection mechanism further includes an actuator configured to move the push rod between the retracted position and the ejected position, the push rod extending between a proximal end that receives the pusher and a distal end that is fixed to the actuator.

These features allow the user to manually trigger the ejection of aerosol-generating substrate from the device.

According to some embodiments, the pusher bar is configured to slide between the above positions following a serpentine path that includes two parallel straight segments, and each of the proximal and distal ends is slidable within a respective straight segment of the serpentine path.

These features allow the push rod to be placed compactly inside the aerosol generating device.

In some embodiments, the ejection mechanism further comprises guide means for directing the push rod along a tortuous path.

Thanks to these features, the push rod can be precisely guided by the guide means which reduces the risk of the rod becoming jammed.

According to some embodiments, the actuator is configured to slide within the slot between a distal position that provides a retracted position of the push rod and a proximal position that provides an ejected position of the push rod.

These features allow the user to easily activate the actuator.

According to some embodiments, the slot is disposed in a sidewall of the device body. The actuator is preferably configured to fit snugly into the slot at least at a distal location to prevent air from entering the interior of the device body.

These features make it possible to precisely design the air flow paths inside the aerosol generating device, since airflow can only enter the interior of the device through designated air inlets.

In some embodiments, a heater is provided adjacent the outer surface of the heating wall.

Thanks to these features, the aerosol-generating substrate can be heated by heat transfer through at least one wall of the heating chamber.

According to some embodiments, the cup-shaped heating chamber defines a rectangular cross-section.

These features make it possible to use aerosol-generating substrates with flat geometries.

According to some embodiments, the cup-shaped heating chamber is bounded by at least two opposing heated walls, each of which defines an inner surface, and the pusher is configured to be in contact with the inner surface of each heated wall while pushing against the aerosol-generating substrate.

Thanks to these features, the push rod is able to expel any residue of aerosol-generating substrate from the heating chamber that may remain on the inner surface of each heated wall.

The present invention further relates to an assembly comprising an aerosol generating device as described above and an aerosol generating substrate.

The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the following description, given purely as a non-limiting example and described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an aerosol-generating substrate that can be used with the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heating chamber of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1, the heating chamber receiving the aerosol generating substrate of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 along plane IV. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 along plane V, in which the aerosol-generating substrate is inserted inside the aerosol-generating device. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, in which the aerosol-generating substrate is being ejected from the aerosol-generating device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a push rod included in the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4, showing a preferred embodiment of a heater portion of an aerosol-generating substrate.

Before describing the present invention, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

As used herein, the term "aerosol generating device" or "device" may include a vapor inhalation device for delivering aerosols, including aerosols for vapor inhalation, to a user using a heater element, as described in more detail below. The device may be portable. "Portable" may refer to a device that is held and used by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol (as opposed to a fixed amount of aerosol), for example, by activating a heater element for a variable amount of time, the generation of which may be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be user-activated, such as a vapor inhalation button and/or a puff sensor. The puff sensor may be sensitive to puff strength and duration to allow for variable amounts of vapor to be provided (to mimic the smoking effect of a conventional combustible smoking article, such as a cigarette, cigar, or pipe). The device may include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heater and/or heated aerosol generating material (aerosol precursor) to a specific target temperature and then maintain the temperature at a target temperature that allows for efficient generation of aerosol.

As used herein, the term "aerosol" may include a suspension of vaporizable material as one or more of solid particles, liquid droplets, and gas. The suspension may be in a gaseous state, including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to/include vapor. Aerosol may include one or more components of vaporizable material.

As used herein, the term "vaporizable material" or "precursor" may refer to a smokable material that may include, for example, nicotine or tobacco and an aerosol-forming agent. The tobacco may take the form of various materials, such as cut tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf, and/or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol-forming agents include polyols (e.g., sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols, such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol), non-polyols (e.g., monohydric alcohols, acids, such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters, such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerin, or vegetable glycerin). In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. The substrate may also include at least one of a gelling agent, a binder, a stabilizing agent, and a humectant.
First embodiment of the invention Figure 1 shows an aerosol generating device 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The aerosol generating device 10 is intended to operate with an aerosol-generating substrate 12, which is shown in more detail in Figure 2.

2, the aerosol-generating substrate 12 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped of flat shape extending along the substrate axis X and having external dimensions L×W×D. In a typical example, the length L of the substrate along the substrate axis X is substantially equal to 33 mm, the width W and the depth D are substantially equal to 12 mm and 1.2 mm, respectively. According to different examples, the values L, W and D can be selected, for example, within the range of ±40%. The depth D of the substrate 12 is formed by a pair of parallel walls 13A, 13B, hereafter referred to as substrate side walls 13A, 13B, and the width W of the substrate is formed by a pair of parallel walls 14A, 14B, hereafter referred to as substrate contact walls 14A, 14B. According to other embodiments of the invention, the aerosol-generating substrate 12 can have any other suitable shape and/or external dimensions. For example, the aerosol-generating substrate 12 may form a circular tubular shape.

The aerosol-generating substrate 12 includes a heater portion 15 and a mouthpiece portion 16 arranged along a substrate axis X. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate 12 may include only the heater portion 15. The heater portion 15 may, for example, be slightly longer than the mouthpiece portion 16. For example, the length L2 of the heater portion 15 along the substrate axis X may be substantially equal to 18 mm, and the length L1 of the mouthpiece portion 16 along the substrate axis X may be substantially equal to 15 mm. The heater portion 15 defines an abutment end 18 of the substrate 12, and the mouthpiece portion 16 defines a mouth end 20 of the substrate 12. The heater portion 15 and the mouthpiece portion 16 may be fixed to each other by a single wrapper extending around the substrate axis X. In other embodiments, the portions 15, 16 may be wrapped by different wrappers and fixed to each other by any other suitable means. The or each wrapper may, for example, comprise paper, and/or nonwoven fabric, and/or aluminum. The or each wrapper may be porous or air impermeable. The or each wrapper defines a plurality of air flow passages extending into the interior of the substrate 12 between the abutment end 18 and the mouth end 20.

The heater portion 14 is intended to be heated by a heater (using a heating chamber in this example) and comprises a vaporizable material as defined above. According to the first and second embodiments of the invention, the mouthpiece portion 16 is intended to be received inside a mouthpiece, as will be described in more detail below. According to other embodiments of the invention, the mouthpiece portion 16 forms itself a mouthpiece intended to contact the mouth and/or lips of a user. The mouthpiece portion 16 comprises, for example, a core 17 that acts like a filter. The core 17 may be, for example, a foam or a bundled strand or fiber. The core 17 may be formed into a stable shape by an extrusion and/or rolling process. The substrate may be shaped to provide one or more air flow paths. In the particular example of FIG. 2, the mouthpiece portion 16 defines a plurality of air holes 22 arranged along the entire circumference of the mouthpiece portion 16, for example along two axes perpendicular to the substrate axis X. In other words, according to this example, the ventilation holes 22 are arranged on each wall of the substrate among the substrate side walls 13A, 13B and the substrate contact walls 14A, 14B. According to another example, the ventilation holes 22 are arranged only on the substrate contact walls 14A, 14B, or preferably only on one of the substrate contact walls 14A, 14B. In both examples, the ventilation holes 22 may be aligned perpendicular to the substrate axis on the or each corresponding wall of the substrate 12 and may be spaced apart by the same distance. The ventilation holes 22 allow fresh air to enter the interior of the substrate 12 to achieve a specific steam inhalation/taste effect.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 10 comprises a device body 30, which extends along a device axis Y and forms at least one side wall 40 of the device 10. The device body 30 comprises a mouthpiece 32 and a housing 34, which are arranged successively along the device axis Y. According to the example of FIG. 1, the mouthpiece 32 and the housing 34 form a single part. In this case, the side wall 140 has, for example, a smooth outer surface and defines a smooth transition zone between the mouthpiece 32 and the housing 34. According to other examples, the mouthpiece 32 and the housing 34 form two separate parts. In particular, according to these examples, the mouthpiece 32 is designed to be fixed to or received in an insertion opening formed in one of the ends of the housing 34.

In each cross section, the housing 34 may, for example, form a substantially rectangular shape with rounded edges. In this case, the housing 34 with the mouthpiece 32 forms at least four side walls 40. According to other embodiments, the housing 34 may have a round cross-sectional shape. In this case, the housing 34 may form only one side wall 40 together with the mouthpiece 32. The housing 34 may be sealed at the end opposite the mouthpiece 32. The housing 34, and thus the mouthpiece 32, may be made of any suitable material, such as aluminum or plastic. In some embodiments, the material may be a thermally conductive material. In some other embodiments, the material may be a thermally insulating material.

In some embodiments, the housing 34 may form one or more openings in a corresponding portion of the device sidewall 40 suitable for disposing control and/or visual elements. For example, such elements may include actuators, control buttons, touch panels, screens, LEDs, etc. In particular, in the example of FIG. 1, the housing 34 forms a slot 42 for receiving an actuator, which will be described in more detail below. According to some examples, the slot 42 or any other slot disposed on the sidewall 40 may receive an LED, for example, indicating at least an ON state of the device 10. This may also indicate, for example, a battery default state, an error state, etc.

The housing 34 defines an interior space of the device 10 that houses various elements designed to perform the different functions of the device 10. This interior space may house, for example, a battery for powering the device 10, a control module for controlling the operation of the device 10, a heating chamber 45 for heating the aerosol-generating substrate 12, at least one heating element 47 for heating the heating chamber 45, and an exhaust mechanism 48 designed to exhaust the aerosol-forming substrate 12 from the heating chamber 45. Of these elements, only the heating chamber 45, the heating element 47, and the exhaust mechanism 48 will be described in more detail with reference to the following figures.

5 and 6, the mouthpiece 32 is traversed by a through hole 60 extending along the device axis Y between the distal portion 62 and the outlet 64. In particular, the through hole 60 is designed to receive the mouthpiece portion 16 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 such that the substrate axis X coincides with the device axis Y. The through hole 60 therefore has the same cross-sectional shape as the aerosol-generating substrate 12 and defines internal dimensions that are slightly larger than the external dimensions of the mouthpiece portion 16 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12. In particular, in the illustrated example, the through hole 60 defines a rectangular cross-section so that it can receive the mouthpiece portion 16 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the through hole 60 may have non-constant cross-sectional dimensions. For example, the through hole 60 may have cross-sectional dimensions (particularly width) that are gradually reduced from the distal portion 62 to the outlet 64. Furthermore, the through hole 60 and the mouthpiece portion 16 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 may have the same length in dimensions respectfully along the device axis Y and the substrate axis X. According to another embodiment, the length of the mouthpiece portion 16 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 can be shorter than the length of the through-hole 60 so that the mouth end 20 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 can be flush with the outlet port 64.

The distal portion 62 is open to the heating chamber 45 to allow the heater portion 15 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 to be inserted therein. In the illustrated example, the distal portion 62 forms an opening in fluid communication with an inlet 66 disposed on the side wall 40 of the device body 30. In this example, the inlet 66 is formed in the transition zone between the housing 34 and the mouthpiece 32. According to other examples, the inlet 66 may be formed anywhere else in the device body 30. For example, the inlet 66 may be formed on the wall of the housing 34 opposite the mouthpiece 32.

In embodiments in which the aerosol-generating substrate 12 includes vents 22, at least some of these vents 22 are positioned to face the inlet 66.

3 and 4, the heating chamber 45 forms a cup-shaped heating chamber extending along the device axis Y between an open end 70 and a closed end 71. The heating chamber 45 is designed to receive the heater portion 15 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12. To this end, the heating chamber 45 defines substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the aerosol-generating substrate 12. In particular, in the illustrated example, the heating chamber 45 defines a rectangular cross-sectional shape having two parallel chamber side walls 73A, 73B and two parallel chamber contact walls 74A, 74B. Each of the walls 73A, 73B, 74A, 74B may be made of a thermally conductive material, such as a metal. Furthermore, at least some of the walls 73A, 73B, 74A, 74B, or all of these walls may form a single part.

The internal dimensions of the heating chamber 45 are defined by a length L3 measured along the device axis Y, a width W3 measured as the distance between the chamber side walls 73A and 73B, and a depth D3 measured as the distance between the chamber contact walls 74A and 74B. These internal dimensions L3, W3, and D3 are selected based on the outer dimensions L2, W, and D of the heater portion 15 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12.

In particular, the depth D3 of the heating chamber 45 is selected to be slightly greater than or substantially equal to the depth D of the aerosol-generating substrate 12. In this case, the substrate contact walls 14A, 14B may be in contact with the chamber contact walls 74A, 74B when the heater portion 15 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 is received inside the heating chamber 45. Advantageously, in this case, the chamber contact walls 74A, 74B are in intimate contact with the substrate contact walls 14A, 14B. In some embodiments, the depth D3 of the heating chamber 45 may even be slightly smaller than the normal depth D of the aerosol-generating substrate 12. In this case, the heating chamber 45 and/or the mouthpiece 32 are configured to compress the heater portion 15 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 by exerting a force on the substrate contact walls 14A, 14B. This makes it possible to improve the intimate contact between the heating chamber 45 and the corresponding contact walls of the substrate 12 and thus improve the heat transfer between these walls.

The width W3 of the heating chamber 45 is selected such that at least one pair of opposing side walls 73A, 13A, or 73B, 13B of the heating chamber 45 and the aerosol-generating substrate 12 form an air flow path therebetween. Advantageously, the width W3 of the heating chamber 45 is selected such that each pair of opposing side walls 73A, 13A, or 73B, 13B of the heating chamber 45 and the aerosol-generating substrate 12 form an air flow path therebetween. In other words, the width W3 of the heating chamber 45 is selected to form a distance d1 between each pair of opposing side walls 73A, 13A, or 73B, 13B, as shown in FIG. 4. In particular, in the example of this figure, W3=W+2d1. The distance d1 may be selected, for example, to be substantially equal to the depth D3 of the heating chamber 45. In this case, when the heater portion 15 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 is inserted into the heating chamber 45, air flow paths having a substantially square cross section are formed along the device axis Y on both sides of the aerosol-generating substrate 12. Of course, the distance d1 may be selected to be equal to any other value depending on the flow rate required inside the aerosol-generating substrate 12 while the aerosol-generating substrate 12 is being heated.

3 and 4, a heating element 47 is arranged outside the heating chamber 45 in contact with one of the chamber contact walls 74A, 74B. In particular, in the example of these figures, the heating element 47 is arranged adjacent to the outer surface of the chamber contact wall 74A. This chamber contact wall 74A is therefore called a heating wall, and may have an inner surface in contact with the aerosol-generating substrate 12. The heating element 47 may comprise a polyimide film heater extending along substantially the entire area of said outer surface of the chamber contact wall 74A or along only a portion of this surface. In this last case, said portion may form a width substantially equal to the width W of the aerosol-generating substrate 12. The heating element 45 is powered by a battery and controlled by a control module of the aerosol generating device 10. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device 10 may comprise two heating elements 47, each of which is mounted on the outer surface of one of the chamber contact walls 74A, 74B. In this case, the heating chamber 45 forms two heating walls 74A, 74B. Furthermore, according to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device 10 further comprises an insulator disposed between the or each heating element 47 and the inner surface of the housing 34. The same insulator may be disposed between the outer surface of each of the chamber side walls 73A, 73B and the inner surface of the housing 34.

The ejection mechanism 48 is shown in more detail in Figures 5 to 7. With reference to these figures, the ejection mechanism 48 includes a push rod 81 and an actuator 82 fixed to the push rod 81.

The push rod 81 is configured to slide within the heating chamber 45, and advantageously within at least a portion of the mouthpiece 32, between a retracted position (shown in FIG. 5) and an ejection position (shown in FIG. 6). In particular, in the retracted position of the push rod 81, the device 10 and in particular the heating chamber 45 are designed to operate normally, i.e., to generate aerosol from an aerosol-generating substrate 12 partially received within the heating chamber 45. In the ejection position, the push rod 81 ejects the aerosol-forming substrate 12 from the heating chamber 45, e.g., when the device and the heating chamber 45 are not operating to generate aerosol.

In the illustrative example of these figures, the push rod 81 extends between a proximal end 85 and a distal end 87. The distal end 87 is fixed to the actuator 82. The proximal end 85 receives a pusher 89 configured to eject the aerosol-generating substrate 12 from the heating chamber 45 by pushing the aerosol-generating substrate 12 from the closed end 71 towards the open end 70 of the heating chamber 45 while the push rod 81 slides from the retracted position to the ejection position.

In the retracted position of the push rod 81, the plunger 89 forms a wall of the core-filling chamber 45 sealing the closed end 71 of the core-filling chamber 45. Advantageously, in this position, the plunger 89 is configured to impermeably seal the heating chamber 45 such that the only air-permeable opening of the chamber 45 is at the open end 70 of the chamber 45 as shown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, in this case, the plunger 89 may define an axially protruding rib in the heating chamber 45, which allows the abutment end 18 of the aerosol-forming substrate 12 to be kept at a distance from the plunger 89 when the aerosol-forming substrate 12 is partially inserted into the heating chamber 45. This distance allows the air flow to make a "U" turn in the heating chamber 45. According to another embodiment, the plunger 89 may form an inlet hole allowing air to enter the chamber 45 through the closed end 71 of the chamber 45. In this case, the pusher 89 may be provided without ribs, and the heating chamber 45 may be provided without an air flow path between at least one pair of opposing side walls 73A, 13A or 73B, 73B of the heating chamber 45 and the aerosol-generating substrate 12.

During the sliding of the push rod 81 from the retracted position to the ejection position, the pusher 89 can slide through the heating chamber 45 and advantageously through at least a portion of the mouthpiece 32. For this purpose, the pusher 89 may define the same cross-sectional shape as the heating chamber 45 and thus the mouthpiece 32. In one embodiment, this cross-sectional shape of the pusher 89 allows it to contact only at least one of the chamber contact walls 74A, 74B, advantageously each of the chamber contact walls 74A, 74B, during the sliding of the push rod 81. In another embodiment, this shape also allows the pusher 89 to contact at least one of the chamber side walls 73A, 73B, advantageously each of the chamber side walls 73A, 73B. According to both embodiments, the pusher may be at least partially in contact with the inner surface of the mouthpiece 32, i.e. with the surface that bounds the through hole 60 of the mouthpiece 32. In some embodiments, the plunger 89 may include cleaning means configured to clean the surfaces in contact with the plunger 89. These cleaning means may include brushes.

The push rod 81 is made of a flexible material, for example a somewhat soft silicone. In some embodiments, the push rod 81 may be axially flexible and laterally substantially rigid. In this case, the push rod 81 may comprise a flexible substrate and a number of laterally rigid elements fixed to the substrate. In the general case, as shown in the figures, the push rod 81 is flexible so as to follow a tortuous path inside the device body 30. This path may be formed, for example, by two parallel straight sections and a curved section connecting the straight sections. In particular, a first straight section may be formed by the interior part of the heating chamber 45 and thus by at least a part of the through hole 60 of the mouthpiece 32. The proximal end 85 of the push rod 81, and in particular the pusher 89, therefore follow this first straight section during sliding of the push rod 81 from one position to the other. The second straight section may be formed by a slot 42 arranged in the side wall 40 of the device body 30. Thus, the distal end 85 of the push rod 81 and in particular the actuator 82 follow this second straight line segment while sliding the push rod 81 from one position to the other. Advantageously, these straight line segments are parallel to the device axis Y and may be offset along this axis Y and along an axis perpendicular to the device axis Y. The curved line segments therefore ensure a smooth transition between said straight line segments. According to some embodiments, the ejection mechanism 48 may further comprise guide means forcing the push rod 81 to follow a tortuous path. In particular, these guide means may guide the push rod 81 in the curved line segments of the tortuous path. For this purpose, the guide means may present a pair of slots that guide the push rod 81 laterally, or rollers arranged in the transition zone between each straight line segment and the curved line segment.

As mentioned above, the actuator 82 may be arranged in the slot 42 and may protrude from this slot 42 to be actuated, for example, by a user. In particular, the actuator 82 may slide in the slot 42 between a distal position resulting in a retracted position of the push rod 81 and a proximal position resulting in an ejected position of the push rod 81. For example, the actuator 82 may be actuated by a user to slide between the aforementioned positions. According to another example, the actuator 82 may be actuated by a user to slide from a distal position to a proximal position and, when not further actuated by the user, may return from the distal position to the proximal position by a suitable biasing means. The biasing means may be formed, for example, by a spring or any other elastic element. According to yet another example, the actuator 82 may be actuated by an electrical mechanism powered by a battery of the device. In some embodiments, the actuator 82 is configured to fit snugly into the slot, at least in the distal position, to prevent air from entering the device body 30.

The operation of the aerosol generating device 10 will now be described. Initially, the aerosol-generating substrate 12 is considered to have been removed from the device 10 and the actuator 82 is in a distal position. To start a steam inhalation session, the user partially inserts the aerosol-generating substrate into the heating chamber 45. The device 10, and in particular the heating chamber 45, can then be operated to generate aerosol. During this period, the actuator 82 may be, for example, mechanically blocked in a distal position. If the aerosol-generating substrate 12 needs to be replaced, the user can stop the operation of the heating chamber 45 and slide the actuator 82 along the slot 42 from a distal position to a proximal position. This causes the push rod 81 to slide from a retracted position to an ejected position. The aerosol-generating substrate 12 is thus pushed out of the heating chamber 45 and the mouthpiece 32 and ejected from the device 10, as shown in FIG. 6. By traversing the heating chamber 45 and thus at least partially through the through hole 60, the pusher 89 may remove any remaining residue from the substrate 12.

As shown in FIG. 9, the heater portion 15 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 may have, for example, a flat plate shape with grooves on both opposing surfaces.
Second embodiment of the invention Figure 8 shows an aerosol generating device 110 according to a second embodiment of the invention, which is similar to the aerosol generating device 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention, in particular adapted to operate with the same aerosol generating substrate 12 as shown in Figure 2.

The aerosol generating device 110 according to the second embodiment of the invention also includes a device body 130 that defines at least one sidewall 140 of the device 110. Contrary to the previous embodiment, the device body 130 according to the second embodiment of the invention does not define a mouthpiece. As shown in FIG. 8, the mouthpiece is formed by at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 16 of the aerosol generating substrate 12.

In particular, according to this embodiment, the device body 130 forms an insertion opening 136 at one of its ends, which extends perpendicular to the device axis Y. As in the first embodiment of the invention, the opening 136 is suitable for receiving at least the heater portion 15 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12. In particular, as in the previous case, the opening 136 communicates with a heating chamber arranged in the device body 130. This heating chamber is similar to the heating chamber described above and is in particular adapted to receive the heater portion 15 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12.

Contrary to the previous case, at least a part of the mouthpiece portion 16 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 protrudes through the opening 136, thus forming a mouthpiece. In other words, this protruding part of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 is designed to come into contact with the lips and mouth of the user during use of the device 110, and forms the outlet 164.

As before, an inlet 166 is formed on the sidewall 140 of the device body 130. This inlet 166 is in fluid communication with each of the air flow passages formed between the sidewall of the heating chamber and the aerosol-generating substrate 12. Furthermore, as before, the flow makes a "U" turn within the chamber and flows inside the aerosol-generating substrate 12 to the outlet 164.

If the aerosol-generating substrate 12 comprises vent holes 22, these vent holes 22 may be arranged on a protruding portion of the mouthpiece portion 16 of the substrate 12, as shown in FIG. 8. According to another example, the vent holes 22 are arranged on a portion of the mouthpiece portion 16 of the substrate 12 that is received within the device body 130 and that advantageously faces the inlet 166, as in the first embodiment of the invention.

As with the first embodiment of the invention, an ejection mechanism is provided disposed within the device body 130 to facilitate removal of the aerosol-generating substrate 12, the ejection mechanism including an actuator 182 disposed in the sidewall 140 of the device 110. The ejection mechanism is similar to the ejection mechanism 48 described above. The actuator 82 may be slidable within a slot 142 disposed in the sidewall 140.
Third embodiment of the invention The aerosol generating device according to the third embodiment of the invention has the same structure as the aerosol generating device 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention, the only difference being the nature of the substrate 12 that the aerosol generating device according to the third embodiment can receive. In particular, the aerosol generating device may be adapted to receive aerosol generating substrates of different lengths. For example, the aerosol generating device according to the third embodiment of the invention may be adapted to receive an aerosol generating substrate of "normal" length, i.e. a substrate similar to the substrate of FIG. 2. In this case, the aerosol generating device may operate like the aerosol generating device 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention, i.e. the device may form a mouthpiece that is part of the device body. The aerosol generating device according to the third embodiment of the invention may also be adapted to receive an elongated aerosol generating substrate. In this case, the substrate may protrude from the device body to form a mouthpiece. In other words, in this case, the aerosol generating device according to the third embodiment of the invention may operate like the aerosol generating device 110 according to the second embodiment of the invention.

Claims (15)

An aerosol generating device (10; 110) configured to operate with an aerosol-generating substrate (12) and
- a device body (30; 130) extending along a device axis (Y) and defining at least one sidewall (40; 140) extending along said device axis (Y);
- a cup-shaped heating chamber (45) defining an open end (70) and a closed end (71) opposite said open end (70), the cup-shaped heating chamber (45) being configured to receive a heater portion (15) of said aerosol-generating substrate (12) through said open end (70);
an ejection mechanism (48) comprising a push rod (81) formed from a flexible material and configured to slide within said heating chamber (45) between a retracted position and an ejected position, said push rod (81) being flexible to follow a tortuous path inside said device body (30; 130);
The aerosol generating device (10; 110), wherein the push rod (81) comprises a pusher (89) configured to eject the aerosol-generating substrate (12) from the heating chamber (45) by pushing the aerosol-generating substrate (12) from the closed end (71) towards the open end (70) while the push rod (81) slides from the retracted position to the ejection position. - said heating chamber (45) comprises at least one heated wall (74A) configured to heat said aerosol-generating substrate (12), said heated wall (74A) having an inner surface;
The aerosol generating device (10; 110) according to claim 1, wherein the pusher (89) is configured to be in contact with the inner surface of the heated wall (74A) while pushing the aerosol-generating substrate (12). - said heating chamber (45) extends along said device axis (Y);
- An aerosol generating device (10) as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the device body (30) further comprises a mouthpiece (32) defining a through hole (60) extending along the device axis (Y) and facing the open end (70) of the heating chamber (45), the mouthpiece (32) being configured to receive a mouthpiece portion (15) of the aerosol generating substrate (12). The aerosol generating device (10) of claim 3, wherein the pusher (89) is further configured to traverse the heating chamber (45) and at least a portion of the through hole (60) of the mouthpiece (32) while pushing the aerosol generating substrate (12). The aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a cleaning means configured to clean the through hole (60) of the mouthpiece (32) and/or the heating chamber (45) while the pusher (89) is pushing the aerosol generating substrate (12). The aerosol generating device (10; 110) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pusher (89) is configured to impermeably seal the heating chamber (45) at the closed end (71) when the push rod (81) is in the retracted position. The aerosol generating device (10; 110) of claim 6, wherein the open end (70) of the heating chamber (45) defines the only air permeable opening of the heating chamber (45) when the push rod (81) is in the retracted position. - said ejection mechanism (48) further comprises an actuator (82; 182) configured to move said push rod (81) between said retracted position and said ejection position;
- An aerosol generating device (10; 110) as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the push rod (81) extends between a proximal end (85) that receives the pusher (89) and a distal end (87) fixed to the actuator (82; 182). The aerosol generating device (10; 110) of claim 8, wherein the push rod (81) is configured to slide between the positions following the serpentine path that includes two parallel straight sections, and each of the proximal end (85) and the distal end (87) is slidable within a respective straight section of the serpentine path. The aerosol generating device (10; 110) of claim 10, wherein the ejection mechanism (48) further comprises guide means for guiding the push rod along the serpentine path. The aerosol generating device (10; 110) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the actuator (82; 182) is configured to slide within the slot (42; 142) between a distal position that provides the retracted position of the push rod (81) and a proximal position that provides the ejected position of the push rod (81). the slot (42; 142) is disposed on the side wall (40; 140) of the device body (30; 130);
Preferably, the actuator (82; 182) is configured to fit snugly into the slot (42; 142) at least at the distal position to prevent air from entering the device body (30; 130). The aerosol generating device (10; 110) of any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a heater (47) adjacent to the outer surface of the heating wall (74A). An aerosol generating device (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the cup-shaped heating chamber (45) defines a rectangular cross-section. The aerosol generating device (10; 110) of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the cup-shaped heating chamber (45) is bounded by at least two opposing heated walls (74A, 74B), each heated wall (74A, 74B) defining an inner surface, and the pusher (89) is configured to be in contact with the inner surface of each heated wall (74A, 74B) while pushing against the aerosol generating substrate (12).

Images