KR20230118868A - aerosol generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol generating device 10 includes a main body 12 configured to receive an aerosol generating article 100 . The main body 12 comprises an outer casing 18 having an inner surface 18a and an outer surface 18b, an inner casing 20 disposed within the outer casing 18 adjacent to the inner surface 18a, and an inner surface (22a) and an inner cover (22) having an outer surface (22b). The inner cover 22 is fixed to the periphery 20c of the inner casing 20, leaving a space 27 between the inner surface 22a of the inner cover 22 and the inner surface 20a of the inner casing 20. form The aerosol-generating device 10 further includes an outer cover 24 having an inner surface 24a and an outer surface 24b. An outer cover 24 is disposed over the inner cover 22 . The outer surface 18b of the outer casing 18 and the outer surface 24b of the outer cover 24 form the outer surface 48 of the aerosol-generating device 10, and the outer surface 24b of the outer cover 24 ) is positioned substantially flush with the outer surface 18b of the outer casing 18 to form a continuous outer surface 48. (18c) is contacted.

Description

aerosol generating device

The present disclosure relates generally to aerosol-generating devices, and more particularly, to aerosol-generating devices for heating an aerosol-generating substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The present disclosure is particularly applicable to hand-held aerosol generating devices. Such devices may generate an aerosol for inhalation by heating the aerosol base material by conduction, convection and/or radiation instead of burning it.

The popularity and use of reduced-risk or improved-risk devices (also known as vaporizers) has grown rapidly in recent years as an alternative to the use of traditional tobacco products. A variety of devices and systems are available that heat or warm an aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user.

One type of generally available reduced risk or improved risk device is a substrate heated aerosol generating device or so-called heat-not-burn device. Devices of this type produce an aerosol or vapor by heating an aerosol-generating substrate to a temperature typically in the range of 150°C to 300°C. Heating the aerosol-generating substrate to a temperature within this range, with or without burning, typically generates vapors that cool and condense to form an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user of the device.

Another type of generally available reduced-hazard or improved-hazard device heats an aerosol-generating liquid to produce a vapor, which cools and condenses to form an aerosol that is inhaled by a user. Aerosol-generating liquids typically contain nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, and a flavoring agent.

Both types of aerosol-generating devices include a main body that houses the aerosol-generating unit, and the main body may be formed by a plurality of component parts, such as one or more casing elements and cover elements. In order for an aerosol-generating device to have a user-pleasing aesthetic appearance, it is necessary to ensure a close fit between component parts, and the present disclosure seeks to address this need.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising a main body configured to receive an aerosol generating article, the main body comprising:

an outer casing having an inner surface and an outer surface;

an inner casing disposed within the outer casing adjacent to the inner surface;

an inner cover having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner cover being fixed to the periphery of the inner casing to form a space between the inner surface of the inner cover and the inner surface of the inner casing; and

An outer cover having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer cover disposed over the inner cover

contains;

The outer surface of the outer casing and the outer surface of the outer cover form an outer surface of the aerosol-generating device, wherein the outer surface of the outer cover is positioned substantially flush with the outer surface of the outer casing to form a continuous outer surface. To form, the periphery of the outer cover is brought into contact with the periphery of the outer casing.

An aerosol-generating article may include an aerosol-generating substrate.

The aerosol-generating device heats the aerosol-generating substrate without burning the aerosol-generating substrate to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating substrate and thereby generates a vapor that is cooled and condensed to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol-generating device. is configured to The aerosol-generating device is a handheld portable device, meaning that the user can hold and support the device with one hand without assistance.

In general terms, a vapor is a gaseous substance at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapor can be condensed into a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature, whereas an aerosol is an air or It is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in another gas. However, it should be noted that the terms 'aerosol' and 'vapor' may be used interchangeably herein, particularly with reference to any form of inhalable medium produced for inhalation by a user.

The close contact between the periphery of the outer cover and the periphery of the outer casing, which results in the outer surfaces of these components being positioned substantially flush with each other, allows the aerosol-generating device to have a pleasing aesthetic appearance with a continuous outer surface. ensure that the appearance

The aerosol-generating device may have a proximal end and a distal end, and may have a longitudinal direction extending between the proximal and distal ends. The aerosol generating device may have a front portion and may have a rear portion. The perimeter of the outer cover may be curved transversely to the longitudinal direction between the front and rear portions of the aerosol-generating device. The periphery of the outer casing may also be curved in the transverse direction. Thus, the flush outer surfaces of the outer cover and outer casing may form a transversely curved continuous outer surface between the front and rear portions of the aerosol-generating device. The curved continuous outer surface can further improve the aesthetic appearance of the aerosol generating device and improve user comfort when holding and operating the aerosol generating device.

The main body may include a peripherally extending groove. The outer cover may include a peripheral extension rim and may include a peripheral extension collar that may be disposed inwardly relative to the peripheral extension rim. The peripheral extension collar may be disposed within the peripheral extension groove, and the peripheral extension rim may contact the periphery of the outer casing. The contact between the peripheral extension rim of the outer cover and the periphery of the outer casing is such that the outer surface of the outer cover and the outer surface of the outer casing are located at the same height, in particular any other part of the main body such as the inner casing and/or the inner cover. It ensures that the component parts can form an invisible, continuous outer surface of the aerosol-generating device.

The peripheral extension collar may be spaced inwardly from the periphery of the outer casing. A close fit between the periphery of the outer cover and the periphery of the outer casing is thereby achieved, ensuring that the outer surfaces of the outer casing and the outer cover are flush and continuous.

The periphery of the outer casing may include peripherally extending ledges. A peripheral extension rim of the outer cover may contact a peripheral extension ledge of the outer casing. A good alignment and close fit between the outer cover and the outer casing is thereby achieved.

The peripherally extending groove may have a depth greater than the depth of the peripherally extending collar. This ensures that the peripherally extending rim of the outer cover can directly contact the peripherally extending ledge of the outer casing, and that there is no gap between these components which could affect the aesthetic appearance of the aerosol generating device.

A peripheral extension groove may be formed between a peripheral portion of the inner cover and a peripheral portion of the outer casing. Therefore, the peripheral extension groove can be easily formed when the inner cover and the outer casing are assembled, and does not need to be formed in any one component during manufacture. Manufacturing of the component parts of the aerosol-generating device can thus be simplified.

The aerosol generating device may further include at least one attachment element for releasably attaching the outer cover to the inner cover. Thus, the outer cover can be easily removed and replaced, for example by the user of the aerosol generating device. This may allow the aerosol generating device to be personalized, for example by allowing an outer cover having a different color and/or a different texture to be attached to the inner cover by the user.

The attachment element may include a magnet. The use of magnets allows the outer cover to be securely attached to the inner cover and detached from it.

The aerosol generating device may further include a snap-fit connection structure for securing the inner cover to the inner casing. Thereby, the inner cover is securely fixed to the inner casing.

The inner casing may be secured in position within the outer casing adjacent to an inner surface of the outer casing.

The outer casing may include metal, preferably aluminum. The use of metal, and in particular aluminum, ensures that the aerosol generating device has a pleasing aesthetic appearance. Further, the use of metal allows the peripheral extension ledge to be precisely formed, for example by a suitable machining process, ensuring a precise alignment and close fit between the peripheral extension rim of the outer cover and the peripheral extension ledge of the outer casing. . In some embodiments, the outer casing may alternatively include a plastic material.

The outer cover may include a plastic material. The use of a plastics material advantageously provides a sufficient amount of flexibility to the outer cover, allowing the outer cover's periphery to flex and conform to the outer casing's periphery. This may further ensure that a close fit can be achieved between the periphery of the outer cover and the periphery of the outer casing. In some embodiments, the outer cover may alternatively include metal.

The aerosol-generating device may include an aerosol-generating unit within a space formed between an inner surface of the inner cover and an inner surface of the inner casing. The aerosol-generating unit can include a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating unit may volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article, eg, to produce a vapor that may be cooled and condensed to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol-generating device. .

The aerosol-generating unit may include a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article, for example for heating an aerosol-generating substrate disposed within the cavity. It should be understood that the term “heater” means any device for outputting sufficient thermal energy to form a vapor or aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating substrate. The heater may be powered and may include a resistive track element (optionally with insulating packaging), an induction heating system (eg, with an electromagnet and a high frequency oscillator), and the like. The heater can be disposed around the outside of the cavity and thus the aerosol-generating substrate, the heater can partially or completely penetrate into the cavity and thus the aerosol-generating substrate, or any combination thereof.

The heater may include a resistance type heater. A resistance heater may include a resistance heating element or may include sidewall(s) forming a cavity. The sidewall(s) of the resistive heating element or cavity may include an electrically resistive material. Examples of suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, metals, metal alloys, electrically conductive ceramics such as tungsten and its alloys, and composite materials including metal materials and ceramic materials.

The heater may include an induction coil arranged to generate an alternating electromagnetic field for induction heating the induction heatable susceptor. The induction coil may include Litz wire or Litz cable. However, it will be appreciated that other materials may be used. An induction coil may extend around the cavity.

The induction coil may be substantially helical in shape. The circular cross-section of the helical induction coil can facilitate insertion into the cavity of an aerosol-generating substrate, and more specifically an aerosol-generating article comprising the aerosol-generating substrate and optionally one or more induction heatable susceptors, into the aerosol-generating substrate uniform heating can be guaranteed. The inductively heatable susceptor(s) may include sidewall(s) forming a cavity.

The inductively heatable susceptor(s) can include, but are not limited to, one or more of aluminum, iron, nickel, stainless steel, and alloys thereof, such as nickel chromium or nickel copper. When an electromagnetic field is applied in close proximity, the susceptor(s) can generate heat due to eddy currents and hysteretic losses, which can result in energy conversion from the electromagnetic field to heat.

The induction coil, in use, may be arranged to operate with a fluctuating electromagnetic field having a magnetic flux density of from about 20 mT to about 2.0 T at the point of highest concentration.

The aerosol-generating device may include a controller, and the controller may include electronic circuitry. The aerosol generating device may include a power source such as a battery. In embodiments using induction heaters, the power source and electronic circuitry may be configured to operate at high frequencies. The power supply and electronic circuitry may be configured to operate at a frequency of about 80 kHz to 500 kHz, possibly about 150 kHz to 250 kHz, and possibly about 200 kHz. The power source and electronic circuitry may be configured to operate at higher frequencies, for example in the MHz range depending on the type of inductively heatable susceptor used.

In one example, the aerosol-generating substrate can include a non-liquid aerosol-generating substrate, eg, any type of solid or semi-solid material. Exemplary types of aerosol-generating solids include powders, granules, pellets, flakes, strands, particles, gels, strips, loose leaves, cut leaves, cut fillers, porous materials, foam materials or sheets. The aerosol-generating substrate may include plant-derived materials, and in particular may include tobacco. This may advantageously include reconstituted tobacco.

Consequently, the aerosol-generating device may equally be referred to as a "heated tobacco device", a "non-combustion heated tobacco device", a "device for vaporizing tobacco products" and the like, which are suitable devices for achieving this effect. interpreted Accordingly, the aerosol-generating substrate may be referred to as a t-vapor substrate. The features disclosed herein are equally applicable to devices designed to vaporize any aerosol-generating substrate.

The aerosol-generating article may include a paper wrapper surrounding the aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating article may be formed substantially rod-shaped and may generally resemble a cigarette having a tubular region in which the aerosol-generating substrate is disposed in an appropriate manner. The aerosol-generating article may include, for example, a filter comprising cellulose acetate fibers. The filter may be positioned in a coaxial arrangement abutting the aerosol-generating substrate. One or more vapor collection areas, vapor cooling areas, and other structures may also be included in some designs.

The aerosol generating substrate may include an aerosol former. Examples of aerosol formers include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof such as glycerin and/or propylene glycol. Generally, the aerosol-generating substrate may include an aerosol former content of from about 5% to about 50% on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise an aerosol former content of about 10% to about 20%, and possibly about 15% on a dry weight basis.

In another example, the aerosol-generating substrate may include an aerosol-generating liquid. Aerosol-generating liquids may include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof such as glycerin and/or propylene glycol. An aerosol-generating liquid may contain nicotine and thus may be designated a nicotine-containing liquid. The aerosol generating liquid may contain one or more additives such as flavoring agents.

Upon heating, the aerosol-generating substrate, whether non-liquid or liquid, can release volatile compounds. Volatile compounds may include flavor compounds such as nicotine or tobacco flavors.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to the present disclosure.
2 is a schematic cross-sectional view from the side of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 showing an aerosol generating article ready to be loaded into the aerosol generating device.
3 is a schematic perspective view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 showing an aerosol generating article loaded into the aerosol generating device;
4 is a schematic cross-sectional view from the side of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 showing an aerosol generating article loaded into the aerosol generating device.
5 is a schematic perspective view of the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1 showing the continuous outer surface formed by the outer casing and the outer surfaces of the outer cover;
6 is a schematic exploded view of the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1, showing the components of the aerosol-generating device;
7 is a schematic perspective view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 with the outer cover removed from the aerosol generating device.
8 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the periphery of the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1 showing the continuous outer surface formed by the outer casing and the outer surfaces of the outer cover.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4 , the aerosol generating device 10 includes a main body 12 that houses the various components of the aerosol generating device 10 . In the example shown, the main body 12 has an irregular shape, although the main body is sized to fit the components described in the various embodiments described herein and can be held comfortably in the user's one hand without assistance. If so, it will be understood that it can have any shape.

The first end 14 of the aerosol-generating device 10, shown towards the lower end of each of FIGS. 1-4, is described for convenience as the distal, lower, proximal or lower end of the aerosol-generating device 10. The second end 16 of the aerosol-generating device 10, shown towards the upper end of each of FIGS. 1-4, is described as the proximal, top, or upper end of the aerosol-generating device 10. During use, the user typically places the first end 14 downward and/or distal to the user's mouth and the second end 16 upward and/or proximal to the user's mouth. Orient the aerosol generating device 10 into a furnace.

Referring also to FIGS. 5 and 6 , the main body 12 includes an outer casing 18 having an inner surface 18a and an outer surface 18b; an inner casing 20 having an inner surface 20a and an outer surface 20b; an inner cover 22 having an inner surface 22a and an outer surface 22b; and an outer cover 24 having an inner surface 24a and an outer surface 24b. The outer surface 18b of the outer casing 18 and the outer surface 24b of the outer cover 24 together form the outer surface 48 of the aerosol-generating device 10 .

The aerosol-generating device 10 includes an aerosol-generating unit 26 positioned within a space 27 formed between the inner surface 20a of the inner casing 20 and the inner surface 22a of the inner cover 22. The aerosol-generating unit 26 includes a heating chamber 28 defining a cavity 30 having a substantially cylindrical cross-section for receiving an aerosol-generating article 100 . The aerosol-generating unit 26 also further includes a power source 32, one or more batteries, which may be rechargeable for example, and a controller (not shown). The aerosol generating unit 26 may include a chassis on which the heating chamber 28, power source 32 and controller may be mounted. These components may form one unit.

The heating chamber 28 opens towards the second end 16 of the aerosol generating device 10 . In other words, the heating chamber 28 has an open first end 36 facing the second end 16 of the aerosol-generating device 10 . The heating chamber 28 is generally kept away from the inner surfaces 20a, 22a of the inner casing 20 and inner cover 22, thereby preventing heat from being transferred to the main body 12. To further increase the thermal insulation of the heating chamber 28, the heating chamber 28 may be surrounded by an insulator, for example a fibrous or foam material, for example cotton wool, an aerosol or gas, or in another example a vacuum insulator. can be provided.

The aerosol generating device 10 may further include a slide cover 40 that covers the open first end 36 of the heating chamber 28 to prevent access to the heating chamber 28 . A closed position (see Figs. 1, 2 and 5) and an open position exposing the open first end 36 of the heating chamber 28 to provide access to the heating chamber 28 (Figs. 3 and 4). ) can be moved transversely between them. Slide cover 40 can be biased to a closed position in some embodiments.

Heating chamber 28, and specifically cavity 30, is arranged to receive a correspondingly shaped generally cylindrical or rod-shaped aerosol-generating article 100, as shown in FIGS. 2-4. Generally, the aerosol-generating article 100 includes a pre-packaged aerosol-generating substrate 102 . The aerosol-generating article 100 is a disposable and replaceable article (also known as “consumables”), which may include, for example, tobacco as the aerosol-generating substrate 102 . The aerosol-generating article 100 has a proximal end 104 (or buccal end) and a distal end 106 . The aerosol-generating article 100 further includes a mouthpiece segment 108 disposed downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate 102 . The aerosol-generating substrate 102 and mouthpiece segment 108 are placed in coaxial alignment on the inside of a wrapper 110 (e.g., a paper wrapper) to hold the components in place, thereby forming a rod-shaped aerosol. A product article 100 is formed.

Mouthpiece segment 108 comprises the following components (detailed below) disposed sequentially and in coaxial alignment in a downstream direction, i.e., from the distal end 106 to the proximal (mouth) end 104 of the aerosol-generating article 100. not clearly shown): may include one or more of a cooling segment, a center hole segment, and a filter segment. The cooling segment generally includes a hollow paper tube having a thickness greater than the thickness of the wrapper 110 . The center hole segment may include a cured mixture containing cellulose acetate fibers and a plasticizer and serves to increase the strength of the mouthpiece segment 108 . The filter segment generally includes cellulose acetate fibers and serves as a mouthpiece filter. As the heated vapor flows from the aerosol-generating substrate 102 toward the proximal (mouth) end 104 of the aerosol-generating article 100, the vapor cools and condenses as it passes through the cooling segment and the center hole segment, where it passes through the filter segment Forms an aerosol having suitable properties for the user to inhale through.

In other embodiments, the heating chamber 28 heats another form of aerosol-generating substrate 102, such as a loose fracturing material, an otherwise packaged solid material, or an aerosol-generating liquid packaged within the aerosol-generating article 100. Can be arranged to accommodate.

The heating chamber 28 has a sidewall 42 extending between a base 44 (located at the second end 38 of the heating chamber) and an open first end 36 . The side wall 42 and the base 44 are connected to each other and may be integrally formed as one piece. In the illustrated embodiment, side wall 42 is tubular, and more particularly cylindrical. However, in other embodiments, sidewall 42 may have another suitable shape, for example a tube shape with an elliptical or polygonal cross section. In still further embodiments, sidewall 42 may be tapered.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base 44 of the heating chamber 28 is closed and may be, for example, sealed or air-tight. That is, the heating chamber 28 is cup-shaped. This may ensure that air drawn from the open first end 36 is prevented from flowing out of the second end 38 by the base 44 and is instead directed through the aerosol-generating substrate 102. there is. This may also ensure that a user inserts the aerosol-generating article 100 into the heating chamber 28 an intended distance, and not more than that.

The aerosol-generating unit 26 includes a heater 46 for heating the aerosol-generating substrate 102 without burning the aerosol-generating substrate 102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the heater 46 is a resistive heater coextend with the sidewall 42 of the heating chamber 28 . Of course, other types and configurations of heater 46 may be used as described earlier in this specification. In the illustrated embodiment, the heater 46 is mounted on the surface of the tubular sidewall 42 facing away from the interior volume of the heating chamber 28 . This can help protect the heater 46 from damage when the aerosol-generating article 100 is inserted into the cavity 30 formed by the heating chamber 28 .

In the first embodiment, electricity is supplied to the heater 46 of the aerosol-generating device 10 and more particularly of the aerosol-generating unit 26 . That is, the heater 46 is arranged to heat the aerosol-generating substrate 102 using electric power. To this end, a power source 32 is coupled to a controller (not shown). The controller is then coupled to heater 46 . A user operates the aerosol-generating device 10 using control means (not shown) arranged to couple or uncouple the power source 32 to the heater 46 via the controller.

To use the aerosol-generating device 10, the user displaces the slide cover 40 (if present) from the closed position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 to the open position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 let it The user then inserts the aerosol-generating article 100 through the open first end 36 into the heating chamber 28 such that the aerosol-generating substrate 102 is received within the cavity 30 and the aerosol-generating article ( The proximal end 104 of 100 is disposed at the open first end 36 of the heating chamber 28 and at least a portion of the mouthpiece segment 108 protrudes from the open first end 36 so that the user's lips are allow it to be combined.

Upon activation of the aerosol-generating device 10 by a user, current is supplied to the heater 46 causing the heater to heat. Heat from heater 46 is transferred, for example by conduction, radiation and convection, through sidewall 42 of heating chamber 28 and into the vicinity of an aerosol-generating article 100 disposed within heating chamber 28 to generate an aerosol. transferred to the substrate 102 . This results in heating of the aerosol-generating substrate 102, whereby vapor is produced. The generated vapor is cooled and condensed to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating device 10 through the mouthpiece segment 108 and more particularly through the filter segment. Evaporation of the aerosol-generating substrate 102 is facilitated by the addition of air from the ambient environment through the open first end 36 of the heating chamber 28 and the air flow is directed to the wrapper 110 of the aerosol-generating article 100. and the inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall 42.

As noted above, the main body 12 includes an outer casing 18 , an inner casing 20 , an inner cover 22 and an outer cover 24 . When these components (shown separately in FIG. 6) are fully assembled to form the main body 12 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the inner casing 20 is the outer casing 18 disposed inside, and more specifically, the outer surface 20b of the inner casing 20 is disposed adjacent to the inner surface 18a of the outer casing 18 . In some embodiments, inner casing 20 may be secured in position inside outer casing 18 by a snap-fit connection structure or in any other suitable manner.

The inner casing 20 has a periphery 20c. The inner cover 22 also has a periphery 22c. The periphery 22c of the inner cover 22 is fixed to the periphery 20c of the inner casing 20, for example by means of a snap-fitting connection structure 60 as shown in FIG. 8 or other suitable connecting means. , thereby forming a space 27 between the inner surfaces 20a and 22a of the inner casing 20 and the inner cover 22 in which the aerosol-generating unit 26 is accommodated.

The outer cover 24 is disposed over the inner cover 22, and the outer surface 22b of the inner cover 22 and the inner surface 24a of the outer cover 24 are positioned adjacent to each other. The outer cover 24 has a peripheral portion 24c and is in contact with the peripheral portion 18c of the outer casing 18 . 3 and 5, when the outer cover 24 is placed over the inner cover 22 and its periphery 24c is in contact with the periphery 18c of the outer casing 18, the inner casing 20 ) or any part of the inner cover 22 is visible from the outside of the aerosol-generating device 10 .

the outer surface 24b of the outer cover 24 is positioned substantially flush with the outer surface 18b of the outer casing 18 to form a continuous outer surface 48 of the aerosol-generating device 10; Contact is made between the cover 24 and the respective peripheral portions 24c and 18c of the outer casing 18. Referring to Fig. 8, both the perimeter 24c of the outer cover 24 and the perimeter 18c of the outer casing 18 are curved in the transverse direction of the aerosol-generating device 10, resulting in the same height of the outer surface It can be seen that the continuous outer surface 48 formed by sills 24b and 18b is also transversely curved. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating device 10 has a smooth substantially continuous curved outer profile located at the junction between the outer cover 24 and the perimeters 24c, 18c of the outer casing 18, for example The result is a curved outer profile that is both ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing.

The outer casing 18 typically includes a metal, for example aluminum, while the outer cover 24 typically includes a plastic material. Alternatively, outer casing 18 may include a plastic material and/or outer cover 24 may include metal.

The outer cover 24 is attached to the inner cover 22 of the aerosol generating device 10, and this attachment can be released to remove the outer cover 24 from the aerosol generating device 10 as shown in FIG. there is. The aerosol-generating device 10 generally includes one or more attachment elements 50, for example a magnet comprising a magnetic coupling element 52 and a magnetic counter-coupling element 54, which is attached to an outer cover Provides a releasable attachment between (24) and inner cover (22). Thus, although there is contact between the periphery 24c of the outer cover 24 and the periphery 18c of the outer casing 18, the outer cover 24 and the outer casing 18 do not separate the inner casing 20 and the inner cover. By (22), they are indirectly fixed to each other.

Referring again to FIG. 8 , the periphery 18c of the outer casing 18 includes peripherally extending ledges 56 extending in a transverse plane. In an exemplary embodiment, the peripherally extending jaws 56 may have a transverse dimension of about 0.7 mm. The outer cover 24 also includes a peripheral extension rim 58 extending in a transverse plane. The peripheral extension rim 58 is placed in contact with and over the peripheral extension ledge 56 to ensure that there is a close fit between the outer cover 24 and the outer casing 18 peripheries 24c, 18c, thereby Each of the outer surfaces 24b and 18b are positioned flush with each other to form a continuous outer surface 48 of the aerosol-generating device 10 .

The aerosol-generating device includes a peripherally extending groove 62 formed between a peripheral portion 64 of the inner cover 22 and a peripheral portion 66 of the outer casing 18 . The outer cover 24 includes a peripheral extension collar 68 disposed inwardly with respect to the peripherally extending flange 58 and spaced inwardly with respect to the peripheral portion 18c of the outer casing 18 . When the outer cover 24 is attached to the inner cover 22, the peripheral extension collar 68 is disposed within the peripheral extension groove 62. The peripheral groove 62 has a depth greater than that of the peripheral extension collar 68, whereby there is no contact between the peripheral extension collar 68 and the base of the peripheral extension groove 62, and thus the outer cover ( 24) to ensure that the peripheral extension rim 58 can directly contact the peripheral extension jaw 56 of the outer casing 18. As is evident from FIG. 8 , a small gap of about 0.15 mm in the exemplary embodiment exists between the inner facing surface 70 of the outer casing 18 and the opposite outer facing surface 72 of the peripheral extension collar 68. do. This gap ensures that the peripheral extension collar 68 can be securely positioned within the peripheral extension groove 62 when the outer cover 24 is attached to the inner cover 22, thereby ensuring that the outer cover 24 Ensure that the peripheral extension rim 58 can make direct contact with the peripheral extension jaws 56 of the outer casing 18 around the entire periphery of the aerosol-generating device 10, followed by the periphery 24c of the outer cover 24. and the periphery 18c of the outer casing 18 to ensure that there is a satisfactory fit.

Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope and scope of the claims should not be limited to the exemplary embodiments described above.

Any combination of the above features in all possible variations is encompassed by this disclosure unless otherwise specified herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Throughout the specific description and claims, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the words "comprise", "comprising" and the like are used in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or inclusive sense, i.e., "inclusive". but is to be construed in the sense of "but not limited to such".

Claims (13)

An aerosol-generating device (10) comprising a main body (12) configured to receive an aerosol-generating article (100), the main body (12) comprising:
an outer casing 18 having an inner surface 18a and an outer surface 18b;
an inner casing (20) disposed within the outer casing (18) adjacent to the inner surface (18a);
An inner cover (22) having an inner surface (22a) and an outer surface (22b), fixed to the periphery (20c) of the inner casing (20), the inner surface (22a) of the inner cover (22) and the inner casing an inner cover 22, forming a space 27 between the inner surface 20a of 20; and
an outer cover (24) having an inner surface (24a) and an outer surface (24b), the outer cover (24) disposed over the inner cover (22)
contains;
The outer surface 18b of the outer casing 18 and the outer surface 24b of the outer cover 24 form the outer surface 48 of the aerosol-generating device 10, and the outer surface 24 of the outer cover 24 The periphery 24c of the outer cover 24 is positioned such that the outer surface 24b is positioned substantially flush with the outer surface 18b of the outer casing 18 to form a continuous outer surface 48. An aerosol-generating device, in contact with the periphery (18c) of the outer casing (18). According to claim 1,
The aerosol generating device (10) has a proximal end (16), a distal end (14), and a longitudinal direction extending between the proximal end (16) and the distal end (14), wherein the outer cover (24) A periphery 24c is curved transversely to the longitudinal direction between the front and rear portions of the aerosol-generating device 10, and the periphery 16c of the outer casing 18 is also curved in the transverse direction. wherein the outer cover (24) and the outer casing (18) of equal height (24b, 18b) form the continuous outer surface (48) curved in the transverse direction. generating device. According to claim 1 or 2,
The main body 12 includes a peripheral extending groove 62;
the outer cover 24 includes a peripheral extension rim 58 and a peripheral extension collar 68 disposed inwardly relative to the peripheral extension rim 58;
wherein the peripherally extending collar (68) is disposed within the peripherally extending groove (62) and wherein the peripherally extending rim (58) is in contact with the peripheral portion (18c) of the outer casing (18). According to claim 3,
wherein the peripheral extension collar (68) is spaced inwardly from the periphery (18c) of the outer casing (18). According to claim 3 or 4,
The periphery 18c of the outer casing 18 includes a peripheral extension jaw portion 56, and the peripheral extension edge 58 of the outer cover 24 is connected to the peripheral extension jaw portion 56 of the outer casing 18. contacting, aerosol-generating device. According to any one of claims 3 to 5,
wherein the peripherally extending groove (62) has a depth greater than the depth of the peripherally extending collar (68). According to any one of claims 3 to 6,
wherein the peripherally extending groove (62) is formed between the peripheral portion (64) of the inner cover (22) and the peripheral portion (66) of the outer casing (18). According to any one of claims 1 to 7,
and at least one attachment element (50) for releasably attaching the outer cover (24) to the inner cover (22). According to claim 8,
The aerosol-generating device, wherein the attachment elements comprise magnets (52, 54). According to any one of claims 1 to 9,
and a snap-fitting connection structure (60) for securing the inner cover (22) to the inner casing (20). According to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The aerosol-generating device, wherein the outer casing (18) comprises a metal, preferably aluminum. According to any one of claims 1 to 11,
wherein the outer cover (24) comprises a plastic material. According to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The aerosol generating device 10 generates an aerosol generating unit 26 within a space 27 formed between the inner surface 22a of the inner cover 22 and the inner surface 20a of the inner casing 20. wherein the aerosol-generating unit (26) comprises a cavity (30) for receiving an aerosol-generating article (100).