NZ626722B2 - Polygonal aerosol-generating device - Google Patents
Polygonal aerosol-generating device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ626722B2 NZ626722B2 NZ626722A NZ62672212A NZ626722B2 NZ 626722 B2 NZ626722 B2 NZ 626722B2 NZ 626722 A NZ626722 A NZ 626722A NZ 62672212 A NZ62672212 A NZ 62672212A NZ 626722 B2 NZ626722 B2 NZ 626722B2
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- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- aerosol
- generating device
- generating
- cavity
- section
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 abstract description 42
- 239000000443 aerosol Substances 0.000 abstract description 17
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 abstract description 16
- 230000000391 smoking Effects 0.000 description 32
- 241000208125 Nicotiana Species 0.000 description 8
- 235000002637 Nicotiana tabacum Nutrition 0.000 description 8
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 8
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 210000004072 Lung Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000004696 Poly ether ether ketone Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000004059 degradation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002530 poly[4-(4-benzoylphenoxy)phenol] polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N propylene glycol Chemical compound CC(O)CO DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000000088 Lip Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- SNICXCGAKADSCV-JTQLQIEISA-N Nicotine Chemical compound CN1CCC[C@H]1C1=CC=CN=C1 SNICXCGAKADSCV-JTQLQIEISA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229960002715 Nicotine Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene (PE) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003213 activating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000019504 cigarettes Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001808 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000796 flavoring agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019634 flavors Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N glycerine Chemical compound OCC(O)CO PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000011187 glycerol Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000017525 heat dissipation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229930015196 nicotine Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000779 smoke Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002604 ultrasonography Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
- A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
- A24D1/14—Tobacco cartridges for pipes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/90—Arrangements or methods specially adapted for charging batteries thereof
-
- A24F47/008—
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
- A61M11/04—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
- A61M11/04—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised
- A61M11/041—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised using heaters
- A61M11/042—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised using heaters electrical
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
- A61M11/04—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised
- A61M11/041—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised using heaters
- A61M11/047—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised using heaters by exothermic chemical reaction
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
- A61M15/06—Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/82—Internal energy supply devices
- A61M2205/8206—Internal energy supply devices battery-operated
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
- H05B6/02—Induction heating
- H05B6/10—Induction heating apparatus, other than furnaces, for specific applications
- H05B6/105—Induction heating apparatus, other than furnaces, for specific applications using a susceptor
- H05B6/108—Induction heating apparatus, other than furnaces, for specific applications using a susceptor for heating a fluid
Abstract
Aerosol-generating device (100) having a polygonal transverse cross-section having at least 6 sides. The elongate aerosol-generating device comprises a substrate receiving cavity (302) adapted to receive an aerosol-forming substrate, a heating element (406) adapted to heat an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol, and a power supply (506) adapted to provide power to the heating element. A charging device (600) comprises a cavity (602) having a polygonal transverse cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of said aerosol-generating device, the cavity being adapted to receive the elongate aerosol-generating device. The cavity comprising means for keying the aerosol-generating device to the charging device, wherein the means for keying comprises at least one notch for receiving at least one corresponding protrusion on the aerosol-generating device, wherein the at least one protrusion is a button adapted to activate the aerosol-generating device. te to generate an aerosol, and a power supply (506) adapted to provide power to the heating element. A charging device (600) comprises a cavity (602) having a polygonal transverse cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of said aerosol-generating device, the cavity being adapted to receive the elongate aerosol-generating device. The cavity comprising means for keying the aerosol-generating device to the charging device, wherein the means for keying comprises at least one notch for receiving at least one corresponding protrusion on the aerosol-generating device, wherein the at least one protrusion is a button adapted to activate the aerosol-generating device.
Description
POLYGONAL AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE
The specification relates to an aerosol-generating device with a polygonal cross-
section. The specification also relates to a system comprising the aerosol-generating
device and a charging device for receiving the aerosol-generating device.
Smoking articles in which an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco
containing substrate, is heated rather than combusted are known in the art. The aim of
such heated smoking articles is to reduce known harmful smoke constituents produced by
the combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco in conventional cigarettes. Typically in
such heated smoking articles, an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a heat
source to a physically separate aerosol-forming substrate or material, which may be located
within, around or downstream of the heat source. During smoking, volatile compounds are
released from the aerosol-forming substrate by heat transfer from the heat source and
entrained in air drawn through the smoking article. As the released compounds cool, they
condense to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the consumer.
A number of prior art documents disclose aerosol-generating devices for consuming
or smoking heated smoking articles. Such devices include, for example, heated smoking
systems and electrically heated smoking systems.
It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device that is capable of
dissipating the excess heat generated by the device during use. It would also be desirable
to provide such an aerosol-generating device that is ergonomic to hold in use. It would also
be desirable to provide such a device that remains stationary while not in use.
It is also known in the art to provide a secondary device for charging the aerosol-
generating device while the aerosol-generating device is not in use. Providing such a
secondary charging device allows the aerosol-generating device to be smaller, and lighter.
The secondary charging device may also provide means for storing information relating to
the usage of the aerosol-generating device.
It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system comprising an
aerosol-generating device and a secondary device for charging the aerosol-generating
device that reduces the possibility of incorrectly connecting the aerosol-generating device to
the secondary device.
As used herein, an ‘aerosol-generating device’ relates to a device that interacts with
an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be
part of an aerosol-generating article, for example part of a smoking article. An aerosol-
generating device may comprise one or more components used to supply energy from a
power supply to an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. For example, an
aerosol-generating device may be a heated aerosol-generating device. An aerosol-
generating device may be an electrically heated aerosol-generating device or a gas-heated
aerosol-generating device. An aerosol-generating device may be a smoking device that
interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an
aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs thorough the user's mouth.
As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-forming substrate’ relates to a substrate capable of
releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be
released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. As an alternative to heating or
combustion, in some cases volatile compounds may be released by a chemical reaction or
by a mechanical stimulus, such as ultrasound. An aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or
liquid or comprise both solid and liquid components. An aerosol-forming substrate may be
adsorbed, coated, impregnated or otherwise loaded onto a carrier or support. An aerosol-
forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article or smoking
article.
An aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. An aerosol-forming substrate
may comprise tobacco, for example may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing
volatile tobacco flavour compounds, which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate
upon heating. In preferred embodiments an aerosol-forming substrate may comprise
homogenised tobacco material, for example cast leaf tobacco. An aerosol-forming substrate
may comprise at least one aerosol-former, such as propylene glycol or glycerine.
As used herein, the terms ‘aerosol-generating article’ and ‘smoking article’ refer to
an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile
compounds that can form an aerosol. For example, an aerosol-generating article may be a
smoking article that generates an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs
through the user's mouth. An aerosol-generating article may be disposable.
Preferably an aerosol-generating article is a heated aerosol-generating article, which
is an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is intended to
be heated rather than combusted in order to release volatile compounds that can form an
aerosol. The aerosol formed by heating the aerosol-forming substrate may contain fewer
known harmful constituents than would be produced by combustion or pyrolytic degradation
of the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-generating article may be, or may comprise, a
tobacco stick.
In one aspect there is provided an aerosol-generating system, comprising an
elongate aerosol-generating device having a polygonal transverse cross-section, wherein
the polygon comprises at least 6 sides; and a charging device comprising a cavity having
a polygonal transverse cross-section corresponding to the polygonal transverse cross-
section of the aerosol-generating device, the cavity being adapted to receive the elongate
aerosol-generating device and comprising means for keying the aerosol-generating device
to the charging device, wherein the means for keying comprises at least one notch for
receiving at least one corresponding protrusion on the aerosol-generating device, wherein
the at least one protrusion is a button adapted to activate the aerosol-generating device.
The term ‘comprising’ as used in this specification and claims means ‘consisting at
least in part of’. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include
the term ‘comprising’, other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each
statement can also be present. Related terms such as ‘comprise’ and ‘comprised’ are to be
interpreted in a similar manner.
By providing an aerosol-generating device with such a multi-faceted cross-section
the surface area of the device is increased as compared to a device having a circular cross-
section. Utilising a polygon with at least 6 sides advantageously provides a user with a
more ergonomic feel, while increasing the surface area for heat dissipation.
In addition, providing a polygonal cross-section, with straight sides, advantageously
increases the stability of the device when it is placed on a surface while it is not in use.
The polygon may comprise between 6 and 16 sides, preferably between 7 and 12
sides. In one preferred embodiment the polygon comprises 10 sides.
The polygon may be a regular polygon. The term regular polygon refers to a
polygon that is equiangular, all of the angles are the same, and equilateral, all of the sides
are the same length. The aerosol-generating device may have a regular polygonal
transverse cross-section along its entire length. Alternatively, the aerosol-generating device
may have a regular polygonal cross-section that extends along only a portion of its length.
Where the regular polygonal cross-section does not extend along the entire length of the
aerosol-generating device, for example, the cross-section of the aerosol-generating device
may change due to a button, such as a button incorporated into the aerosol-generating
device, such as a button adapted to activate the device in use.
As used herein, the term “length” refers to the dimension in the longitudinal direction.
The term “longitudinal” refers to the main axis of the elongate aerosol-generating device.
As used herein, the term “transverse” refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction.
At least one end of the aerosol-generating device may be tapered. Alternatively,
both ends of the aerosol-generating device may be tapered. Preferably, the radius of the or
each end face of the tapered end is at least 50% of the maximum radius of the aerosol-
generating device. The radius of a polygon is measured from the centroid of the polygon to
a vertex thereof.
Where the at least one end of the aerosol-generating device is tapered, preferably,
the at least one end of the aerosol-generating device is tapered along at least about 5% of
the length of the device. More preferably, the at least one end of the aerosol-generating
device is tapered along at least about 7% of the length of the device. Yet more preferably,
the at least one end of the aerosol-generating device is tapered along at least about 7.5%.
Where the at least one end of the aerosol-generating device is tapered, the taper
may be linear or curved.
Preferably, the elongate aerosol-generating device comprises an outer housing
having a substrate receiving cavity adapted to receive an aerosol-forming substrate, a
heating element adapted to heat an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol, and
a power supply adapted to provide power to the heating element. The device may also
comprise a controller for controlling the power supplied from the power supply to the
heating element.
Where the aerosol-generating device comprises a substrate receiving cavity, a
holder may be provided within the cavity. The holder is adapted to hold an aerosol-forming
substrate adjacent the end of the aerosol-generating device having the cavity. A plurality of
air inlets to a plurality of air channels within the device may be formed the holder and the
outer housing portion. The air channels may diverge away from the air inlets within the
device as the outer housing diverges with the tapering. Providing such air channels may
improve the air entrainment within the device. In addition, the entrained air may improve
the insulation between the aerosol-forming substrate and the outer housing.
The substrate receiving cavity may be adapted to receive a smoking article
comprising an aerosol-forming substrate having a mouth end and a distal end, the aerosol-
forming substrate being at the distal end.
In use, a user applies his or her lips to the mouth end of the smoking article and
inhales while activating the device. Air and any aerosol-generated within the device are
drawn through the mouth end of the smoking article to be inhaled by the user. When the
user inhales, air and aerosol move through the smoking article from the distal end to the
mouth end. In some embodiments, air may be drawn into the device through the end of the
device proximal to the smoking article. In some embodiments, air may be drawn into the
device through a sidewall. In other embodiments, air may be drawn into the device through
a combination of the proximal end of the device and a sidewall of the device.
The smoking article may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The smoking article
may be substantially elongate. The smoking article may also have a length and a
circumference substantially perpendicular to the length. The smoking article substrate may
be received in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device such that the length of the
smoking article is substantially parallel to the airflow direction in the aerosol-generating
device.
The outer housing of the aerosol-generating device may be manufactured from two,
four or more portions. The portions are preferably joined together along a transverse cross-
section of the device, and may be adapted to join around a button on the device. Where
the outer housing comprises four portions, the portions may be two tapered end portions,
and two substantially cylindrical central portions. The outer housing of the aerosol-
generating system may be manufactured from any suitable material or combination of
materials. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, metals, alloys,
plastics or composite materials containing one or more of those materials, or thermoplastics
that are suitable for food or pharmaceutical applications, for example polypropylene,
polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyethylene.
In a further aspect, there is also provided an aerosol-generating system. The
system comprises an elongate aerosol-generating device as described above, and a
charging device comprising a cavity having a polygonal transverse cross-section
corresponding to the polygonal transverse cross-section of the aerosol-generating device,
the cavity being adapted to receive the elongate aerosol-generating device.
Preferably, the aerosol-generating device receiving cavity comprises means for
keying the aerosol-generating device to the charging device. The keying means may
comprise at least one notch for receiving at least one corresponding protrusion on the
aerosol-generating device. The at least one protrusion may be a button adapted to activate
the aerosol-generating device.
In one embodiment where the aerosol-generating device comprises at least one
tapered end, the tapered end enables the device to be more easily inserted into the cavity
of the charging device.
As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in
terms of their corresponding structure.
Any feature relating to one aspect may be applied to other aspects, in any
appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to apparatus
aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some or all features in one aspect can be
applied to any, some or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.
It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features
described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented or supplied or
used independently.
These and other aspects of the apparatus will become apparent from the following
exemplary embodiments that are described with reference to the following figures in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an aerosol-generating
device;
Figure 2 shows a side-view of the aerosol-generating device shown in Figure 1;
Figures 3(a) and 3(b) show end-views of the aerosol-generating device shown in
Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the air flow through the aerosol-generating
device shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3;
Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the aerosol-generating device shown in Figures
1, 2 and 3; and
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a charging device adapted to receive and
charge the aerosol-generating device shown in Figures 1 to 5.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an aerosol-generating
device 100. The device 100 is elongate and comprises two opposed polygonal end faces
102 and 104 respectively. The device 100 also comprises a button 106 adapted to activate
the aerosol-generating device when pressed. The operation of the device is described in
further detail below. As can be seen, the outer housing of the device 100 comprises four
portions joined at the coupling lines 108, 110 and 112 respectively. The four portions
respectively are a first tapered end portion 114 attached to a first central portion 116, a
second tapered end portion 120 attached to a second central portion 118. The four portions
fit together around an inner housing (not shown) in a manner described below.
The device 100 has a regular polygonal cross-section along the majority of its length.
However, in the region of the button 106 the cross-section is no longer a regular polygon,
but remains a simple polygon.
Figure 2 shows a side-view of the aerosol-generating device 100 shown in Figure 1.
As can be seen, the button 106 protrudes from the surface of the device so that the user
may more easily push the button to activate the device in use.
Figures 3(a) and 3(b) show the polygonal end faces 102 and 104 of the device 100
respectively. As can be seen, the polygon in this embodiment has 10 sides. The button
106 has a triangular cross-section. Figure 3(a) shows the end face 102 with five electrical
connections 300. The electrical connections are adapted to connect with a secondary,
charging, device which is described in further detail below. As can be seen, providing a
polygonal cross-section allows for the five electrical connections 300 to more easily be
positioned on the end face 102 of the aerosol-generating device 100. Figure 3(b) shows
the end face 104. A cavity 302 is provided to accept a smoking article comprising an
aerosol-forming substrate.
Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of the air flow through the device. As
can be seen in this embodiment, when the smoking article is received within the cavity 302
of the device 100, air drawn into the device passes around the outside of a smoking article
holder 402 having a circular cross-section. The drawn air proceeds into the aerosol-forming
substrate at the distal end of the smoking article adjacent a heating bushing 404 of a blade
shaped heating element 406 provided in the cavity 302. The drawn air proceeds through
the substrate, entraining the aerosol, and then to the mouth end of the smoking article. Air
inlets 408 formed between the outer housing and the holder 402 enable air to be entrained
more efficiently and aid with insulating the heated smoking article from the outer housing.
The air inlets 408 may be seen in cross-section in Figure 3(b).
Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the aerosol-generating device 100. The device
comprises a first outer housing portion 500 comprising the first tapered end portion 114 and
the first central portion 116. The device further comprises a second outer housing portion
502 comprising the second tapered end portion 120 and the second central portion 118.
The device also comprises an inner housing 504. The device also comprises a power
supply in the form of a battery 506, a controller 508 adapted to control the power supplied
from the battery 506 to a heating element (not shown). The button 106 is located in the
central housing portion 504, and engages with the controller 508 to enable the user to
activate the device.
In use, a user inserts a smoking article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate into
the cavity 302 of the aerosol-generating device 100. The aerosol-forming substrate
engages with the heating element 406. When the user activates the device by pushing
button 106, power is supplied to the heating element 406 from the battery 506 via the
controller 508. The heating element 406 heats the aerosol-forming substrate to generate
an aerosol and the aerosol is entrained within the air flow as the user draws on the mouth
end of the smoking article.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a charging device 600 adapted to receive and
charge the aerosol-generating device 100. The charging device comprises a cavity 602
adapted to receive the aerosol-generating device 100, a power supply in the form of a
battery 604, and a controller 606. When the device 100 requires charging it is inserted into
the cavity 602, and the electrical connections 300 are coupled to corresponding electrical
connections (not shown) at the bottom of the cavity 602.
The cavity 602 has a polygonal cross-section that corresponds to the cross-section
of the aerosol-generating device 100. In addition, the cavity is provided with an additional
notch that allows the button 106 of the device to be located within the cavity 602. The notch
and button protrusion on the device 100 allow the device to be keyed to the charging device
600 such that the device 100 may only be inserted into the charging device 600 in one
orientation. By providing such a keying means, the user is prevented from inserting the
device 100 incorrectly, and thus the correct electrical connections are made every time the
device 100 is inserted. In addition, the tapered end portion 114 of the aerosol-generating
device 100 allows the user to more easily insert the device into the cavity 602.
It is of course to be understood that the specification is not intended to be restricted
to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only.
Claims (8)
1. An aerosol-generating system, comprising: an elongate aerosol-generating device having a polygonal transverse cross- section, wherein the polygon comprises at least 6 sides; and a charging device comprising a cavity having a polygonal transverse cross- section corresponding to the polygonal transverse cross-section of the aerosol- generating device, the cavity being adapted to receive the elongate aerosol- generating device and comprising means for keying the aerosol-generating device to the charging device, wherein the means for keying comprises at least one notch for receiving at least one corresponding protrusion on the aerosol-generating device, wherein the at least one protrusion is a button adapted to activate the aerosol- generating device.
2. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, wherein the polygon comprises between 7 and 12 sides.
3. An aerosol-generating system according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the polygon is a regular polygon.
4. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one end of the aerosol-generating device is tapered.
5. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim, wherein both ends of the aerosol-generating device are tapered.
6. An aerosol-generating system according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the radius of the end face of the aerosol-generating device or each tapered end is at least 50% of the maximum radius of the aerosol-generating device.
7. An aerosol-generating system according to Claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the or each end of the aerosol-generating device is tapered along at least 5% of the length of the device.
8. An aerosol-generating system according to any of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the taper is linear or curved.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP12150114.2 | 2012-01-03 | ||
EP12150114 | 2012-01-03 | ||
PCT/EP2012/077090 WO2013102615A2 (en) | 2012-01-03 | 2012-12-28 | Polygonal aerosol-generating device and system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ626722A NZ626722A (en) | 2016-04-29 |
NZ626722B2 true NZ626722B2 (en) | 2016-08-02 |
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