RU2794879C2 - Assembly method and device for heating aerosolized material - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: aerosolized materials.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a method for assembling a device and to a device for heating an aerosolized material to vaporize at least one component of the aerosolized material. Described is a method for assembling a device for heating an aerosolized material to vaporize at least one component of an aerosolized material to produce an aerosol for inhalation by a user, in which the device has a first proximal end and a second distal end. The method includes the following steps: providing a first frame to support a heating device for receiving and heating an aerosolized material, wherein the first frame or component supported by the first frame contains the first connecting element; providing a first sleeve for forming at least a portion of the device body, the first sleeve comprising a second connecting element; and inserting the first frame into the cavity of the first sleeve to cause automatic engagement of the first connecting element and the second connecting element during assembly of the device.

EFFECT: providing a device for heating the aerosolizable material to vaporize at least one component of the aerosolizable material.

23 cl, 13 dwg

Description

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The invention relates to methods for assembling a device for heating an aerosol material to vaporize at least one component of the aerosol material and to a device for heating an aerosol material to vaporize at least one component of the aerosol material.

State of the art

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, etc. during their use, tobacco is burned to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these products by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are so-called "non-burning" products or tobacco heating devices or products which release compounds when the material is heated but not burned. The substance may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Disclosure of invention

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for assembling a device for heating an aerosol material to vaporize at least one component of the aerosol material to produce an aerosol for inhalation by a user, the device having a first proximal end and a second distal end. The method includes: providing a first frame to support a heating device for receiving and heating an aerosolized material, wherein the first frame or component supported by the first frame contains the first connecting element; providing a first sleeve for forming at least a part of the body of the device, wherein the first sleeve contains a second connecting element; and inserting the first frame into the cavity of the first sleeve to cause automatic engagement of the first connecting element and the second connecting element during assembly of the device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the insert results in engagement of the first frame and the first sleeve or component supported by the first frame and the first sleeve by means of a first snap-on structure comprising a first connecting element and a second connecting element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the insertion includes insertion of the first frame towards the end stop of the first sleeve to block movement of the first frame relative to the first sleeve by means of the end stop.

In an exemplary implementation, the method includes the following: blocking the movement of the first frame relative to the first sleeve using an end stop. In an exemplary embodiment, blocking movement includes the following: blocking movement of the first frame relative to the first sleeve in a first direction opposite to the second direction in which the first frame is inserted into the cavity.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first snap-in structure includes an end stop.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first connecting element is a protrusion of the first frame or a component supported by the first frame, and the second connecting element is the receiving part of the first sleeve. In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving portion comprises an end stop, and the engagement includes: inserting a protrusion into the receiving portion. In an exemplary embodiment, the protrusion is a latch.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first snap-on structure is located at the second distal end.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of inserting the first scaffold into the cavity includes the following: abutting the first sleeve and the first scaffold via an end stop at the second distal end of the device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first sleeve is intended to be connected to the second sleeve for integration to form the body of the device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first proximal end is the end of the device for receiving the aerosol material, and the second distal end is the end of the device into which the aerosol material is inserted.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second distal end is the end opposite the opening for inserting the aerosol material into the heating chamber of the heating device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: providing a second frame containing a first zone occupied by a power source; and connecting the second frame and the first frame using the third connecting element of the first frame and the fourth connecting element of the second frame.

In an exemplary embodiment, providing the second frame includes the following: providing the second frame containing the first connecting element, and wherein the step of inserting the first frame into the cavity of the first sleeve is performed after the step of connecting the second frame and the first frame.

In an exemplary embodiment, the connection of the second frame and the first frame includes the following: connection is made using a second snap-on structure containing a third connecting element and a fourth connecting element. In an exemplary embodiment, the connection of the second frame and the first frame includes the following: inserting the second frame into the cavity of the first sleeve before connecting the second frame and the first frame.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second scaffold and the first scaffold are connected at the second distal end of the device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second snap-on structure is located at the second distal end.

In an exemplary embodiment, the snap-on design provides for local bending of at least one part to be connected and instantaneous curvature of at least one part to be connected.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of inserting the first scaffold into the cavity of the first sleeve precedes the step of connecting the second scaffold to the first scaffold.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first frame contains a second zone, which is occupied by at least one printed circuit board (PCB), and the step of connecting the second frame and the first frame includes the following: surround the second zone with the first sleeve and only part of the first zone. In an exemplary embodiment, the second zone is designed to accommodate several printed circuit boards. In an exemplary embodiment, the printed circuit boards are substantially the same length.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of surrounding the first sleeve includes the following: surround the second zone along its entire length with the first sleeve.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: providing a second housing sleeve; and connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve using the fifth connecting element of the first sleeve and the sixth connecting element of the second sleeve.

In an exemplary embodiment, connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve includes the following: connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve using a third snap-on structure containing a third connecting element and a fourth connecting element. In an exemplary embodiment, the first sleeve and the second sleeve form the body of the device.

In the exemplary embodiment, the first to third snap structures are different from each other. In the exemplary embodiment, the difference between the first and third snap-on structures is the difference in geometry. In the exemplary embodiment, the difference between the first and third snap-on structures is the difference in freedom of movement between the connected parts. In the exemplary embodiment, the difference between the first and third snap-on structures is a difference in design. In the exemplary embodiment, the difference between the first and third snap-on structures is the difference in the number of engaging parts. In an exemplary embodiment, the third snap-on structure may comprise three or more engaging portions. In an exemplary embodiment, the second snap-on structure may comprise a plurality of engaging portions. In an exemplary embodiment, the first snap-on structure may comprise one engaging portion. In an exemplary embodiment, the third snap-on structure may comprise at least one engaging portion more than the second engagement structure.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve includes the following: the second sleeve and the first sleeve surround at least a portion of the first zone. In an exemplary embodiment, the step of connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve includes the following: surrounding the second sleeve and the first sleeve at least a portion of the power supply in the power supply compartment.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve includes limiting the bidirectional movement of the first sleeve relative to the first frame, wherein the bidirectional movement occurs along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber. In an exemplary embodiment, the step of connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve includes progressive connection. In an exemplary embodiment, gradual connection includes the following: stepwise connecting and disengaging the first sleeve and the second sleeve over a number of fixed steps. In the exemplary embodiment, the number of fixed stages of incremental connection and disengagement corresponds to the number of connected parts of the third latching structure.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve includes the following: inserting the connected first and second frame into the cavity of the second sleeve before connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve includes the following: aligning a user-operated button with an opening in the second sleeve. In an exemplary embodiment, the step of connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve includes: covering the user-operated button with the second sleeve until the user-operated button is aligned with the hole in the second sleeve.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve includes the following: surrounding the heating chamber portion of the heating device with the second sleeve.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of surrounding the second sleeve includes the following: surround only a portion of the heating chamber with the second sleeve.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of surrounding the second sleeve includes the following: surround the expansion chamber of the heating device with the second sleeve.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of surrounding the second sleeve includes the following: surround a portion of the heating chamber with a thermal layer of the second sleeve, wherein the thermal layer has a thermal conductivity different from that of the second sleeve. In an exemplary embodiment, a connection between the thermal layer and the interior of the second sleeve is provided.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of surrounding the second sleeve includes the following: surround the expansion chamber of the heating device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second frame includes a pair of arms defining a third zone occupied by the support tube of the heating device, wherein the step of connecting the first frame and the second frame includes: guiding the pair of arms around the support tube.

In an exemplary embodiment, the third snap-on structure comprises jointly connecting the perimeter of the first sleeve and the perimeter of the second sleeve.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: attaching a second sleeve to a second frame with fasteners. In an exemplary embodiment, the fastening step includes engaging the fastener with the threaded portion of the second frame. In an exemplary embodiment, the fastening step includes first inserting the fastener through the second sleeve and then the second frame.

In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosol material contains tobacco and/or reconstituted and/or in gel form and/or contains an amorphous solid.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for heating an aerosol material to vaporize at least one component of the aerosol material to produce an aerosol for inhalation by a user, the device having a first proximal end and a second distal end. The device comprises: a first frame for supporting a heating device for receiving and heating an aerosolized material, wherein the first frame or component supported by the first frame contains the first connecting element; and a first sleeve for forming at least a portion of the body of the device, wherein the first sleeve contains a second connecting element; wherein the first connecting element and the second connecting element are configured to automatically connect when the first frame is inserted into the cavity of the first sleeve during assembly of the device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first sleeve includes an end stop towards which the first frame can be inserted, so that movement of the first frame relative to the first sleeve can be blocked by the end stop.

In an exemplary embodiment, an end stop is provided at the distal end of the first sleeve. In an exemplary embodiment, the distal end of the first sleeve corresponds to the second distal end of the device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first proximal end is the end of the device for receiving the aerosol material, and the second distal end is the end of the device into which the aerosol material is inserted.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second distal end is the end opposite the opening for inserting the aerosol material into the heating chamber of the heating device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the end stop is configured to block movement of the first frame relative to the first sleeve in a first direction opposite to the second direction in which the first frame is inserted into the cavity.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first connector and the second connector form a first snap-on structure for connecting the first frame and the first sleeve or the component supported by the first frame and the first sleeve. In an exemplary embodiment, the first snap-in structure includes an end stop.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first connecting element is a protrusion of the first frame or a component supported by the first frame, and the second connecting element is the receiving part of the first sleeve. In an exemplary implementation of the receiving part contains the end stop. In an exemplary embodiment, the protrusion is a latch.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a second frame connected to the first frame using a third connector of the first frame and a fourth connector of the second frame. In an exemplary embodiment, the second frame contains the first connecting element. In an exemplary embodiment, the second frame is connected to the first frame using a second snap-on structure comprising a third connector and a fourth connector. In an exemplary embodiment, the snap-on design provides for local bending of at least one part to be connected and instantaneous curvature of at least one part to be connected.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a second sleeve such that when the second sleeve and the first sleeve are connected, the second sleeve and the first sleeve surround at least a portion of the first zone of the second frame intended to receive the power supply.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating device comprises a heating chamber and a second sleeve and a first sleeve surround a portion of the heating chamber.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second sleeve is connected to the second frame with fasteners, with the fasteners first inserted through the second sleeve, and then the second frame.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second sleeve includes an opening for inserting aerosol material and an opening for alignment with a user-operated button.

In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosol material contains tobacco and/or reconstituted and/or in gel form and/or contains an amorphous solid.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

in fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a device for heating an aerosol material to vaporize at least one component of the aerosol material, the device being shown with an inserted consumable containing the aerosol material;

in fig. 2 is a schematic front view of an example of the device shown in FIG. 1 with a consumable inserted;

in fig. 3 is a schematic right side view of an example of the device shown in FIG. 1 with a consumable inserted;

in fig. 4 is a schematic left side view of an example of the device shown in FIG. 1 with a consumable inserted;

in fig. 5 is a schematic front view of an example of the device shown in FIG. 1 with a consumable inserted in cross section taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 4;

in fig. 6 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of an example of the device shown in FIG. 1, no consumable inserted;

in fig. 7 shows the procedure for assembling parts of the example device shown in FIG. 1;

in fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the first assembly step in which the first frame and part of the heating device of the exemplary device shown in FIG. 1 into the first sleeve of the example device shown in FIG. 1 towards the end stop of the first sleeve;

in fig. 8a is a schematic cross-sectional view of the joining of the parts in the first assembly step to form the first snap-on structure;

in fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the second first assembly step in which the first frame shown in FIG. 8 and a heating device of the example of the device shown in FIG. 1 with the second frame of the example device shown in FIG. 1;

in fig. 10 shows the first joinable part of the second frame shown in FIG. 9 to form part of the second snap-on structure;

in fig. 11 shows the second joint part of the first frame shown in FIG. 9 to form part of the second snap-on structure and a first frame latch to form part of the first snap-on structure;

in fig. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the third assembly step in which the second sleeve of the example device shown in FIG. 1 with the second frame of the example device shown in FIG. 1; And

in fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for assembling a device for heating an aerosol material to vaporize at least one component of the aerosol material.

Implementation of the invention

In this context, the expression "aerosolizable material" means substances that emit volatile components when heated, usually in the form of vapor or aerosol. The "aerosolizable material" may be a non-tobacco material or a tobacco-containing material. "Aerosolable material", for example, may include one or more of the following: tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, exploded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extract, homogenized tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The aerosol material may be in the form of ground tobacco, cut tobacco leaves, extruded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, reconstituted aerosol material, liquid, gel, amorphous solid, gel sheet, powder or agglomerates, and the like. "Aerosolable material" may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. The "aerosolizable material" may contain one or more humectants such as glycerin or propylene glycol. The expression "aerosol generating material" can also be used interchangeably with the expression "aerosolizable material" in this document.

As noted above, the aerosolized material may contain an "amorphous solid", which may also be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (ie, non-fibrous) or "dried gel". An amorphous solid is a solid material that can hold some fluid, such as a liquid. In some cases, the aerosolized material contains from about 50%, 60%, or 70% by weight of an amorphous solid to about 90%, 95%, or 100% by weight of an amorphous solid. In some cases, the aerosolized material consists of an amorphous solid.

In this context, the term "sheet" means an element having a width and length that is substantially greater than its thickness. For example, the sheet may be a tape.

As used herein, the term "heating material" or "heater material" in some instances refers to a material that can be heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field, such as when the aerosol material is heated by an induction heating device.

Other forms of heating the heating material include resistance heating, which employs electrically resistive heating elements that heat when an electrical current is applied to the electrically resistive heating element, thereby transferring heat to the heating material by conduction.

With reference to FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The device 1 is designed to heat the aerosol material to vaporize at least one component of the aerosol material to produce an aerosol for inhalation by the user. In this embodiment, the aerosolized material contains tobacco and the device 1 may be a tobacco heating device (also known in the art as a tobacco heating device or a non-burning tobacco heating device. Device 1 is a portable device for inhaling the aerosolized material by a user of a portable devices.

The device 1 comprises a first end 3 and a second end 5 opposite the first end 3. The first end 3 is sometimes referred to in this document as the mouth end or proximal end of the device 1. The second end 5 is sometimes referred to in this document as the distal end of the device 1. The device 1 has an on/off button 7 that allows you to turn on and off the device 1 as a whole at the request of the user of the device 1.

In general terms, the device 1 is configured to generate an aerosol to be inhaled by a user by heating the aerosol generating material. In use, the user inserts article 21 into device 1 and activates device 1, for example by using button 7, so that device 1 starts heating the aerosol generating material. The user then puffs through the mouthpiece 21b of the product 21 near the first end 3 of the device 1 to inhale the aerosol generated by the device 1. When the user puffs through the product 21, the resulting aerosol passes through the device 1 along a flow path to the proximal end 3 of the device 1.

In the examples, vapor is produced which is then at least partially condensed to form an aerosol before exiting the inhalation device 1 by the user.

In this regard, firstly, it can be noted that, as a rule, vapor is a substance in the gaseous phase at a temperature below the critical temperature, which means, for example, that vapor can condense into a liquid, increasing pressure without decreasing temperature. On the other hand, as a rule, an aerosol is a colloid of small solid particles or liquid droplets in air or other gas. "Colloid" is a substance in which microscopically dispersed insoluble particles are suspended in another substance.

For convenience, the term "aerosol" as used herein should be understood to mean aerosol, vapor, or a combination of aerosol and vapor.

The device 1 includes a housing 9 for accommodating and protecting various internal components of the device 1. Thus, the housing 9 is an outer housing for housing the internal components. In the embodiment shown, the body 9 comprises a sleeve 11 which encloses the perimeter of the device 1, covered by a top panel 17 at the first end 3 which generally defines the "top" of the device 1, and by a bottom panel 19 at the second end 5 (see Fig. 2– 5), which generally limits the "bottom" of device 1.

Sleeve 11 includes a second sleeve 11a and a first sleeve 11b. The second sleeve 11a is provided at the top of the device 1, shown as the top of the device 1, and extends from the first end 3. The first sleeve 11b is provided at the bottom of the device 1, shown as the bottom of the device 1, and extends from the second end 5. The second sleeve 11b 11a and the first sleeve 11b surround the perimeter of the device 1. That is, the device 1 has a longitudinal axis in the Y-axis direction, and the second sleeve 11a and the first sleeve 11b surround the internal components in a direction radial to the longitudinal axis.

In this embodiment, the second sleeve 11a and the first sleeve 11b are releasably connected to each other. In this embodiment, the second sleeve 11a is connected to the first sleeve 11b with a snap-in structure containing notches.

In some embodiments, top panel 17 and/or bottom panel 19 may be detachably attached to respective first and second sleeves 11b, 11a, respectively, to allow easy access to the inside of device 1. In some embodiments, sleeve 11 may be "permanently is attached to the top panel 17 and/or the bottom panel 19, for example, to prevent a user from accessing the inside of the device 1. In one embodiment, the panels 17 and 19 are made of plastic, including, for example, injection-molded glass-filled nylon, and the sleeve 11 Made from aluminium, although other materials and manufacturing processes may be used.

The top panel 17 of the device 1 has an opening 20 at the mouth end 3 of the device 1 through which, in use, the user inserts into the device 1 and removes from the device 1 a consumable 21 containing an aerosol material. In this embodiment, the consumable 21 acts as a mouthpiece that the user places between the user's lips. In other embodiments, an outer mouthpiece may be provided, wherein at least one vaporized component of aerosolized material is drawn through the mouthpiece. If an outer mouthpiece is used, then the material to be aerosolized is not in the outer mouthpiece.

The opening 20 in this embodiment is opened and closed by the door 4. In the embodiment shown, the door 4 can be moved between a closed position and an open position to allow the consumable 21 to be inserted into the device 1 when it is in the open position. The door 4 is made with the possibility of bidirectional movement in the direction of the X axis.

The connection port 6 is shown on the second end 5 of the device 1. The connection port 6 is for connecting the cable and the power supply 27 (shown in Fig. 6) to charge the power supply 27 of the device 1. The connection port 6 extends in the Z direction from the front side of the device 1 towards the back of the device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the connection port 6 is accessible on the right side of the device 1 at the second end 5 of the device 1. Advantageously, the device 1 can stand on the second end 5 during charging or provide a data connection through the connection port 6. In the embodiment shown, the connection port 6 is USB connector.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second sleeve 11a has a bevelled surface at the first end 3 of the device 1. The bevelled surface is located at a first angle α with respect to the surface of the first sleeve 11b at the second end 5. In this embodiment, the surface of the first sleeve 11b at the second end 5 is substantially parallel to the direction X axis. Therefore, as shown, the consumable 21 can be inserted through the hole 20 (shown in FIG. 1) at the proximal portion of the first end 3. Where the second sleeve 11a and the first sleeve 11b meet at the junction 11c, a second angle is formed β with respect to the direction of the X axis. It is shown that the second angle β is greater than the first α.

In FIG. 3 and 4 respectively show the right and left side of the device 1. Here, the consumable 21 is shown in the central part on the side. This is because the hole 20 through which the consumable 21 is inserted is located at the midpoint of the device along the Z axis and is offset from the center in the X axis direction.

In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 shows schematic front views of the device 1 with the consumable article inserted and removed, respectively, in cross section along the line A-A of the device 1, as shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 6, a heating element 23, a control circuit 25 and a power supply 27 are housed or fixed in the housing 9. In this embodiment, the control circuit 25 is part of the electronics compartment and contains two printed circuit boards (PCB) 25a, 25b. In this embodiment, the control circuit 25 and the power supply 27 are adjacent to the side of the heating device 23 (that is, adjacent when viewed from the end), and the control circuit 25 is located under the power supply 27. Advantageously, this ensures that the device 1 is compact in the transverse direction corresponding to the direction of the X axis.

The control circuit 25 in this embodiment includes a controller, such as a microprocessor, configured and configured to control the heating of the aerosolizable material in the consumable 21, as discussed further below.

The power supply 27 in this embodiment is a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, a non-rechargeable battery, a capacitor, a hybrid battery-capacitor, or an electrical connection may be used. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium ion battery, a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), an alkaline battery, and/or the like. The battery 27 is electrically connected to the heating device 23 to supply electricity when needed and under control of the control circuit 25 to heat the aerosolizable material in the consumable (as discussed in order to vaporize the aerosolizable material without causing the aerosolizable material to burn).

The advantage of placing the power source 27 on the side of the heating device 23 is that a physically large power source 27 can be used without the device 1 as a whole being excessively elongated. As will be appreciated, in general, a physically large power supply 27 has a higher capacity (i.e., total electrical energy that can be provided, often measured in amp-hours or the like), and thus battery life for the device. 1 may be longer.

In one embodiment, the heating device 23 is typically in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube having a hollow inner heating chamber 29 into which the consumable 21 containing the aerosolizable material is inserted for heating in use. Generally speaking, heating chamber 29 is a heating zone for inserting consumable 21. Various arrangements of heating device 23 are possible. In some embodiments, heating device 23 may comprise a single heating element or may be formed from several heating elements arrayed along a longitudinal axis. heating device 23. One or each heating element may be annular or tubular, or at least partially annular or partially tubular in its circumference. In one embodiment, one or each heating element may be a thin film heater. In another embodiment, one or each heating element may be made from a ceramic material. Examples of suitable ceramic materials include alumina and aluminum nitride and silicon nitride ceramics, which may be laminated and sintered. Other heating devices are possible, including, for example, induction heating, infrared heating elements that heat by emitting infrared radiation, or resistive heating elements formed by, for example, a resistive electrical winding.

In this particular embodiment, the heating device 23 is supported by a stainless steel support tube 75 and includes a heater 71. In one embodiment, the heater 71 may include a substrate on which at least one electrically conductive element is formed. The substrate may be in the form of a sheet and may include, for example, a plastic layer. In a preferred embodiment, this layer is a polyimide layer. The electrically conductive element(s) may be printed or otherwise applied to the substrate layer. The electrically conductive element(s) may be sheathed or coated with a substrate.

The support tube 75 is a heating element that transfers heat to the consumable 21. Thus, the support tube 75 contains the heating material. In this embodiment, the material of the heater is stainless steel. In other embodiments, other metallic materials may be used as the heating material. For example, the heating material contains a metal or metal alloy. The heating material may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aluminium, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, steel, carbon steel, mild steel, ferritic stainless steel, molybdenum, copper and bronze.

The heating device 23 may be sized such that when the consumable 21 is inserted into the device 1, substantially all of the aerosol material is heated in use.

In some embodiments, one or each heating element may be positioned such that selected areas of the aerosolized material may be heated independently, such as in turn (over time) or together (simultaneously) as desired.

The heating device 23 in this embodiment is surrounded at least along its length by a vacuum region 31. The vacuum region 31 helps to reduce the heat transferred from the heating device 23 to the outside of the device 1. losses. Vacuum region 31 also helps keep the exterior of device 1 cool during operation of heater 23. In some embodiments, vacuum region 31 may be surrounded by a double-walled sleeve, with the area between the two walls of the sleeve evacuated to create a low pressure region to minimize heat transfer by conduction and/or convection. In other embodiments, another insulating device may be used, for example, using thermally insulating materials, including, for example, suitable foam material, in addition to or instead of the vacuum region.

The housing 9, sometimes referred to as the casing, may also contain various internal support structures 37 (best seen in Fig. 6) to support all of the internal components as well as the heating device 23.

The device 1 also includes a bead 33 that extends around the opening 20 and protrudes from it into the housing 9, and an expansion element 35 that is located between the bead 33 and one end of the vacuum region 31. The expansion element 35 is a funnel that forms an expansion chamber 40 on end 3 on the mouth side of device 1. Collar 33 is a retainer for holding consumable 21 (as best shown in FIG. 5). In this embodiment, the latch can be detached from the device 1.

One end of the expansion member 35 is connected to and supported by the second sleeve 11a, and the other end of the expansion member 35 is connected to and supported by one end of the cassette 51. The first sealing element 55, shown as an o-ring, is located between the expansion element 35 and the second sleeve 11a, and the second sealing element 57, also shown as an o-ring, is located between the expansion element 35 and the cassette 51. Each o-ring is made of silicone, however, other elastomeric materials may be used to provide a seal. The first and second sealing elements 55, 57 prevent gas from entering the surrounding components of the device 1. Seal elements are also provided at the distal end to prevent liquid from entering and exiting at the distal end.

As best seen in FIG. 6, bead 33, expansion element 35 and vacuum zone 31/heating element 23 are arranged coaxially so that, as best seen in FIG. 5, when the consumable 21 is inserted into the device 1, the consumable 21 passes through the bead 33 and expansion member 35 into the heating chamber 29.

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the heating device 23 is generally in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube. The heating chamber 29 formed by this tube communicates with the opening 20 at the end 3 from the mouth side of the device 1 through the expansion chamber 40.

In this embodiment, the expansion element 35 includes a tubular body that has a first open end adjacent to the opening 20 and a second open end adjacent to the heating chamber 29. The tubular body includes a first section that extends from the first open end to approximately half the length tubular body, and a second section that extends from about half the length of the tubular body to the second open end. The first section contains an expanding part, expanding from the second section. Thus, the first section has an inner diameter that increases outward towards the first open end of the hole. The second section has a practically constant inner diameter.

As best seen in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the expansion element 35 is located in the housing 9 between the bead 33 and the vacuum zone 31/heater 23. More specifically, at the second open end, the expansion element 35 is located between the end portion of the support tube 75 of the heater 23 and the interior of the vacuum region. 31, so that the second open end of the expansion member 35 is connected to the support tube 75 and the interior of the vacuum region 31. At the first open end, the expansion member 35 receives a bead 33 so that the legs 59 of the bead 33 protrude into the expansion chamber 40. Therefore, the inner diameter of the first section of the expansion member 35 is larger than the outside diameter of the legs when the consumable 21 is inserted into the device 1 (see FIG. 5) and when the consumable 21 is not present.

As best understood from FIG. 5, the inner diameter of the first section of the expander 35 is larger than the outer diameter of the consumable 21. Therefore, there is an air gap 36 between the expander 35 and the consumable 21 when the consumable 21 is inserted into the device 1 for at least part of the length of the expander 35. The air gap 36 is located around the entire circumference of the consumable 21 in this area.

As best seen in FIG. 6, collar 33 includes several legs 59. In this embodiment, there are four legs 59, of which, as seen in FIG. 6 only three are visible. However, in other embodiments, there may be more or less than four legs 59. Legs 59 are circumferentially spaced at equal distances around the inner surface of bead 33 and are in expansion chamber 40 when device 1 is assembled. In this embodiment, when installed in the device 1, the legs 59 are evenly spaced around the perimeter of the opening 20. In one embodiment, there are four legs 59, in other embodiments, there may be more or less than four legs 59. Each of the legs 59 extends in the direction the Y-axis and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the expansion chamber 40 and protrudes into the opening 20. Legs 59 also extend radially at the tip 59a of the leg 59 towards the expansion member 35 so that the tips 59a are angled away from each other. The tip 59a of each leg 59 provides improved passage of the consumable 21 to avoid damage to the consumable 21 when inserting and/or removing the consumable 21 from the device 1. Together, the legs 59 form a gripping section that grips the consumable 21 to properly position and hold the part. of the consumable 21 that is inside the expansion chamber 40 when the consumable 21 is inside the device 1. Between themselves, the legs 59 gently squeeze or pinch the consumable 21 in the area or areas of the consumable that the legs 59 contact.

Legs 59 may be of resilient material (or otherwise resilient) so that they deform (e.g., compress) slightly to better grip consumable 21 when consumable 21 is inserted into device 1, but then regain their original shape. when the consumable 21 is removed from the device 1, since the legs 59 are moved to the rest position shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, the legs 59 can move reversibly from the first position, which is the rest position, to the second position, which is the deformed position shown in FIG. 5, whereby the consumable 21 is clamped. In this embodiment, the legs 59 are integral with the main body of the bead 33. However, in some embodiments, the legs 59 may be separate components attached to the body of the bead 33. The inner diameter of the space formed between legs 59 in the first, initial position, may be, for example, from 4.8 mm to 5 mm, preferably 4.9 mm. The legs 59 occupy space within the opening 20 so that the span of the opening 20 at the locations of the legs 59 is smaller than the span of the opening 20 at the locations without the legs 59.

The expansion member 35 may be made of, for example, plastic, including, for example, polyetheretherketone (PEEK). PEEK has a relatively high melting point compared to most other thermoplastics and is highly resistant to thermal degradation.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the heating chamber 29 communicates with a reduced inner diameter region 38 towards the distal end 5. This region 38 defines a cleaning chamber 39 defined by the cleaning tube 41. The cleaning tube 41 is a hollow tube which provides an end stop for the consumable 21 passed through the opening at the mouth end 3 (see FIG. 5). The cleaning tube 41 is designed to support and accommodate the heating device 23.

The device 1 may further comprise a door 61 at the distal end 5 of the device 1 which opens and closes an opening in the bottom panel 19 to allow access to the heating chamber 29 so that the heating chamber 29 can be cleaned. The door 61 pivots around the hinge 63. This access is through the door 61 specifically allows the user to clean inside the heating device 23 and the heating chamber 29 at the distal end 5. When the door 61 is opened, the through hole extends through the entire device 1 between the opening 20 at the mouth end 3 and the opening at one end of the chamber for cleaning at the distal end 5 of the device 1. Thus, the user can easily clean almost the entire interior of the hollow heating chamber 29. To do this, the user can access the heating chamber 29 through any end of the device 1 of his choice. The user may use one or more different cleaning devices for this purpose, including, for example, a classic brush, brush, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 6, the top panel 17 typically forms the first end 3 of the body 9 of the device 1. The top panel 17 supports a shoulder 33 that defines an insertion point in the form of an opening 20 through which, in use, the consumable 21 is retractably inserted into the device 1.

Collar 33 extends around and protrudes from opening 20 into housing 9. In this embodiment, collar 33 is a separate element from top panel 17 and is attached to top panel 17 by means of a device such as a bayonet mechanism. In other embodiments, adhesive or screws may be used to connect bead 33 to top panel 17. In other embodiments, shoulder 33 may be integral with top panel 17 of body 9 such that shoulder 33 and top panel 17 form a single unit.

As best seen from FIG. 5 and 6, the open spaces defined by adjacent pairs of legs 59 of bead 33 and consumable 21 form vents 20a around the outside of consumable 21. These vents 20a allow hot vapors exiting consumable 21 to exit device 1 and allow cooling air to flow into the device 1 around the consumable 21. In this embodiment, four vents are located around the periphery of the consumable 21, which provide ventilation to the device 1. In other embodiments, more or fewer of these vents 20a may be provided.

Referring again in particular to FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the consumable 21 is in the form of a cylindrical rod that has or contains an aerosol material 21a at the rear end of the consumable 21 that is inside the heating device 23 when the consumable 21 is inserted into the device 1. The front end of the consumable 21 exits from the device 1 and acts as a mouthpiece 21b, which is an assembly including one or more filters for filtering the aerosol and/or a cooling element 21c for cooling the aerosol. The filter/cooling element 21c is separated from the aerosol material 21a by a space 21d, and is also separated from the tip of the mouthpiece assembly 21b by an additional space 21e. Consumable 21 is wrapped around the perimeter with an outer layer (not shown). In this embodiment, the outer layer of the consumable 21 is permeable to allow some heated volatiles from the aerosol material 21a to escape from the consumable 21.

During operation, the heating device 23 will heat the consumable 21 to vaporize at least one component of the aerosol material 21a.

The primary flow path for the heated aerosol volatiles 21a is axially through consumable 21, through space 21d, filter/cooler element 21c, and additional space 21e before entering the user's mouth through the open end of mouthpiece 21b. However, some of the volatile components may exit consumable 21 through its permeable outer wrapper into space 36 surrounding consumable 21 in expansion chamber 40.

It would be undesirable for the user to inhale the volatile components that exit the consumable 21 into the expansion chamber 40 because these components will not pass through the filter/cooling element 21c and thus will be unfiltered and uncooled.

Advantageously, the volume of air surrounding the consumable 21 in the expansion chamber 40 causes at least some of the volatile components that exit the consumable 21 through its outer layer to cool and condense on the inner wall of the expansion chamber 40, preventing the user from possibly inhaling their volatile components. .

This cooling effect can be aided by cold air that can flow from outside the device 1 into the space 36 surrounding the consumable 21 in the expansion chamber 40 through the vents 20a to allow fluid to flow in and out of the device. The first ventilation channel is limited between a pair of several adjacent legs 59 of the bead 33 to provide ventilation around the outside of the consumable 21 at the insertion point. The second ventilation channel is provided between the second pair of adjacent legs 59 so that at least one heated volatile component exits the consumable 21 at a second location. Thus, the first and second vents provide ventilation around the outside of the consumable 21 at the insertion point. In addition, the heated volatiles that exit the consumable 21 through its outer wrapper do not condense on the inner wall of the expansion chamber 40 and can exit the device 1 safely through the ventilation channels 20a without being inhaled by the user. The expansion chamber 40 and ventilation help to reduce the temperature and water vapor content of the heated volatile components of the aerosolized material.

The device 1 is provided with a thermal layer 13 towards the first end 3 of the device 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the interlayer 13 is connected to the second sleeve 11a. Thermal pad 13 is a heat spreader that helps manage heat distribution and helps protect second sleeve 11a from thermal stress by distributing internal heat generated by use of device 1 over a larger area. The thermal pad 13 is made of a metallic material such as aluminum to be lightweight and distribute heat sufficiently around the proximal end 3. This helps to avoid localized hot spots and increases the service life of the second sleeve 11a. The interlayer 13 distributes heat by conduction. The interlayer 13 is not intended for thermal insulation or heat reflection by radiation.

As shown in FIG. 6, support tube 75 is surrounded on the outside by heater 71. In this example, heater 71 is a thin film heater containing polyimide and electrically conductive elements. The heater 71 may contain several heating areas that are controlled independently and/or simultaneously. In this example, heater 71 is designed as a single heater. However, in other embodiments, heater 71 may be comprised of multiple heaters aligned along the longitudinal axis of heating chamber 29. In some embodiments, multiple temperature sensors may be used to determine the temperature of heater 71 and/or support tube. The support tube 75 in this embodiment is made of stainless steel to conduct heat from the heater 71 to the consumable 21 when the consumable 21 is inserted into the heating zone (the heating zone is limited by the heat conduction area of the support tube 75). In other embodiments, the support tube 75 may be made from a different material, as long as the support tube 75 is thermally conductive. In other embodiments, other heating elements 75 may be used. For example, the heating element may be an inductively heated current collector. In this embodiment, the support tube 75 acts as an elongated support to support the use of the article 21 containing the aerosolizable material.

In this embodiment, the heater 71 is located outside the support tube 75. However, in other embodiments, the heater 71 may be located inside the support tube 75. The heater 71 in this embodiment includes a portion that extends beyond the support tube 75 and is referred to in this document tail section 73 of the heater. The tail portion 73 of the heater extends beyond the heating chamber 29 and is configured to be electrically connected to the control circuit 25 . In the embodiment shown, the heater tail 73 is physically connected to one printed circuit board 25a. Electric current can be supplied from the power source 27 to the heater 71 using the control circuit 25 and the tail section 73 of the heater.

Since a connection is required between the heating chamber 29 and the control circuit 25, it may be difficult to prevent air (or any other fluids) from flowing between the heating chamber 29 and the electronics compartment. In this embodiment, a gasket 15 is used to prevent such fluid flow, as shown in FIG. 6. Gasket 15 includes a first seal 15a and a second seal 15b. Gasket 15 surrounds heater tail 73 and is sandwiched between base 53 and cassette 51. In the embodiment shown, four fasteners 43 are used to provide sufficient force to press base 53 and cassette 51 together and block access to and from chamber 29 in this point. Fasteners 43 are screws that are tightened to a predetermined torque. In other embodiments, other fasteners 43, such as bolts, may be used.

In FIG. 7 shows the assembly procedure 100. The assembly procedure 100 is for assembling parts of the device 1 shown in FIG. 1.

In this embodiment, assembly procedure 100 includes three steps S1-S3. Each of the three steps S1-S3 is shown in FIG. 7 dotted arrow. The order of the three steps S1-S3 does not necessarily correspond to the step number because the steps are interchangeable and can be performed in any order. For example, at least one of the three steps S1-S3 may be performed as the first step or as the last step of the assembly procedure 100 . This provides a flexible build process.

If the three assembly steps S1 to S3 are performed sequentially (first step S1, second step S2, third step S3), the assembly process is convenient because each part or group of parts is brought together with an adjacent part or group of parts in the same direction. The direction may be directed downwards, for example, in the direction of the Y axis (corresponding to a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device 1), and the connection of the various components may be directed towards the surface on which the first sleeve 11b stands or is located (for example, the lower end 5 of the device 1) .

In the first assembly step S1, the first frame 19 is brought closer to the first sleeve 11b. In this embodiment, the first frame 19 comprises the bottom panel 19 of the device 1. The direction of insertion of the first frame 19 into the first sleeve 11b corresponds to the Y-axis direction. The first frame 19 is shown to be connected to and support the heating device 23 and the control circuit 25. As discussed earlier, the aerosol material is inserted into the heating device 23 by introducing the aerosol material in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device 1 and the longitudinal axis of the elongated heating zone 29.

In the first assembly step S1, as also shown in FIG. 8, the connected first frame 19 and the heating device 23 are inserted into the cavity 12b of the first sleeve 11b.

In this embodiment, the control circuit 25, comprising two circuit boards 25a, 25b (shown in Fig. 6), is also connected to the first frame 19.

After the insertion of the first frame 19 and the heating device 23 into the cavity 12b, the relative movement of the first frame 19 and the first sleeve is blocked using the first end stop 97 (see Fig. 8), shown as the receiving part 97. The receiving part 97 is configured to receive the latch 93 of the first frame 19. The retainer 93 may be referred to as a protrusion because the retainer 93 is a protrusion. The latch 93 is configured to deflect under load to mate with the receiving portion 97. In this embodiment, the latch 93 is shown as a cantilevered protrusion. Thus, the latch 93 includes a tip at a distal end away from the body of the first frame 19 and a base at a proximal end closer to the body of the first frame 19. The tip is configured to deflect or curve around the base for engagement and disengagement. Although in this embodiment, the first connecting element, shown as the latch 93, is part of the first frame 19, in other embodiments, the first connecting element may consist of a component that is supported by the first frame 19. The second frame 37, for example, is a component that is supported the first frame 19 when the second frame 37 is connected to the first frame 19.

The latch 93 and the receiving portion 97 are an example of a connecting member that are snapped together to lock. It can be said that the latch 93 is the first connecting element, and the receiving part 97 can be called the second connecting element. In this embodiment, a certain degree of movement is provided between the latch 93 and the receiving portion 97. This is because precise position control is not required in the first assembly step S1, unlike the second and third assembly steps S2, S3. In other embodiments, there may be little or no freedom of movement between the latch 93 and the receiving portion 97 as precise position control can be used.

The receiving portion 97 includes an edge that abuts against the protrusion 95 of the latch 93 to block the latch 93 and prevents relative movement of the first frame 19 and the first sleeve 11b in at least a first direction, for example, in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion of the first frame 19 into the cavity 12b.

The latch 93 is shown inside the receiving portion 97 in FIG. 8a. The protrusion 95 of the latch 93 automatically enters the receiving portion 97 when the first frame 19 is inserted into the cavity 12b of the first sleeve 11b. The first sleeve 11b causes the latch 93 to deflect inwardly until the latch 93 enters the receiving portion 97. Once in the receiving portion 97, the latch 93 is not subject to structural stresses and is not deflected from the resting position.

The thrust portion 81 of the first frame 19 is configured to abut against the second end stop 83 of the first sleeve 11b. The second end stop 83 limits the relative movement between the first sleeve 11b and the first frame 19 in a second direction, such as the insertion direction of the first frame 19 into the cavity 12b. In this embodiment, the second end stop 83 prevents relative movement between the first sleeve 11b and the first carcass 19 in a direction opposite to the direction of relative movement limited by the first end stop 97. Accordingly, the abutment of the stop portion 81 and the second end stop 83 may prevent further insertion of the first carcass 19 through the cavity 12b of the first sleeve 11b. The thrust portion 81 is shown as a protrusion that extends around the perimeter of the first frame 19.

In some embodiments, the thrust portion 81 may be a protrusion or multiple protrusions, so long as the thrust portion 81 can abut against the second end stop 83. Therefore, the second end stop 83 is configured to block (limit) the relative movement between the first frame 19 and the first sleeve 11b in the insertion direction. That is, the second end stop 83 limits the insertion of the first frame 19 in the direction along the Y-axis. In contrast, the first end stop 97 is configured to block (limit) the relative movement between the first frame 19 and the first sleeve 11b in the withdrawal direction opposite to the insertion direction. The blocking direction of the second end stop 83 may be one direction along the Y-axis, so that at this stage, the first frame 19 and the first sleeve 11b can freely move relative to each other in the direction opposite to the insertion direction.

In the embodiment shown, the second end stop 83 is provided at the distal end of the first sleeve 11b, while the first end stop 97 is provided adjacent to the distal end of the first sleeve 11b rather than at the distal end. However, in other embodiments, the implementation of the second end stop 83 can be performed at a distance from the distal end of the first sleeve 11b.

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the abutment 81 of the first frame 19 and the second end stop 83 of the first sleeve 11b are located at the distal end, closer to the bottom of the device 1 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In this embodiment, the thrust portion 81 of the first frame 19 includes an end space for receiving a second end stop 83 of the first sleeve 11b. In some embodiments, the thrust portion 81 of the first frame 19 may comprise a plurality of protrusions defining a space between adjacent protrusions, the space being adapted to receive the protrusion of the second end stop 83 of the first sleeve 11b. In this embodiment, the second end stop 83 of the first sleeve 11b comprises the end of the first sleeve 11b which, as shown in FIG. 6 is located at the distal end of the first sleeve 11b. The second end stop 83 is shown in this embodiment as the inward portion of the main body of the first sleeve 11b rather than as a protrusion of the main body of the first sleeve 11b. In some embodiments, the implementation of the second end stop 83 of the first sleeve 11b may contain a ledge, which may be a single ledge. In other embodiments, the implementation of the second end stop 83 may contain several protrusions.

If the abutment 81 of the first frame 19 is configured to abut against the second end stop 83 in the first assembly step S1, then the opening 6a provides access to the electrical connection port 6. Otherwise, the main body of the first sleeve 11b covers the first frame 19 and at least part heating device 23.

In this embodiment, the first frame 19 is engaged with the first sleeve 11b by the first snap-on structure in the first step S1 of the assembly procedure 100. The first snap-on structure includes a latch 93 and a receiving portion 97. As the first frame 19 is moved toward the distal end of the first sleeve 11b, the protrusion 95 of the latch 93 automatically enters the receiving portion 97 of the first sleeve 11b. When the latch 93 enters the cavity 12b, the latch 93 automatically deflects inward and then automatically deflects outward when it reaches the receiving portion 97.

As also shown in FIG. 8a, the protrusion 95 includes a beveled portion 94. The beveled portion 94 allows the first snap structure to be easily engaged and the first frame 19 to securely fit onto the first sleeve 11b. The protrusion 95 also includes a blocking portion to prevent the first frame 19 from being pulled out of the first sleeve 11b in a direction opposite to the insertion direction. The locking portion rests against the receiving portion 97. The only way to remove the first frame 19 from the first sleeve 11b when connected to the first snap-on structure is to deflect the latch 93 and remove the lug 95 from the receiving portion 97.

In the embodiment shown, the first snap-on structure includes two latches 93 and two receiving portions 97 are shown. In other embodiments, the first snap-on structure may include a single latch 93 for engagement with a corresponding single receiving portion 97.

The first assembly step S1 is convenient in that it is not necessary to align the parts to be joined of the first snap-in structure because the shape of the cavity 12b of the first sleeve 11b effectively feeds the first frame 19 along the first sleeve 11b. Thus, the insertion leads to an automatic engagement of the connecting elements. The process of sliding the two parts together, in this case the first frame 19 and the first sleeve 11b, results in the automatic locking of the first frame 19 and the first sleeve 11b.

In FIG. 7 and 9-11 show the second step S2 of the assembly procedure 100. The second assembly step S2 includes the following: connecting the first frame 19 and the second frame 37.

In this embodiment, the second frame 37 is the support structure for the power supply 27 . The second frame 37 contains the first zone in which the power source 27 is located. That is, the first zone is intended to accommodate the power supply 27 therein. The second frame 37 includes a first coupled portion 87. The first frame 19 includes a second coupled portion 85. Together, the first coupled portion 87 and the second coupled portion 85 form a second snap-on structure. The first connecting part 87 and the second connecting part 85 are examples of the connecting member. The second connecting part 85 can be called the third connecting element, and the first connecting part 87 - the fourth connecting element.

In this embodiment, between the first connecting part 87 and the second connecting part 85, a smaller amount of movement is provided than the amount of movement between the latch 93 and the receiving part 97. This is because the second assembly step S2 requires more precise position control, unlike the first assembly step S1. In other embodiments, some freedom of movement may be provided between the first mating part 87 and the second mating part 85.

When the first frame 19 is fully inserted into the cavity 12b of the first sleeve 11b so that the thrust portion 81 abuts against the second end stop 83, the first sleeve 11b surrounds only a portion of the first zone. In addition, the second PCB accommodating area 25a, 25b is surrounded by the first sleeve 11b when the second frame 37 is connected to the first frame 19 in the second and first assembly steps S1, S2.

As shown in FIG. 9 and 12, the second frame 37 includes a first arm 37b and a second arm 37c defining a cavity 37a therebetween. The cavity 37a of the second frame 37 is designed to receive a heating device 23 connected to the first frame 19. As also shown in FIG. 10, the first and second levers 37a, 37b comprise a first connecting part 87.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first connecting part 87 has two first protrusions 87a which are separated from each other by a first recess 87b.

As shown in FIG. 11, the second connecting part 85 is a latch for insertion and engagement with the first connecting part 87. The second connecting part 85 includes two second recesses 85a for receiving the two first protrusions 87a of the first connecting part 87. After insertion, the two first protrusions 87a of the first connecting part 87 abut into the wall of the second joint part 85, forming two second protrusions 85b to hold the first and second joint parts 87, 85 together and engage the first frame 19 and the second frame 37.

As shown in FIG. 10, for example, the two first protrusions 87a of the first mating part 87 comprise a beveled portion allowing the two second protrusions 85b of the second mating part 85 to slide along the two first protrusions 87a before entering the first recess 87b. The beveled portion extends obliquely from the tip of each of the first projections 87a towards the first recess 87b.

After engagement, the two first projections 87a are held within the respective second recesses 85a of the second engagement portion 85, and the two second projections 85b of the second engagement portion 85 are held within the first recess 87b of the first engagement portion 87.

Thus, the snap-on structure of the first connection part 87 and the second connection part 85 provides more resistance to the separation of the connection. Although local deformation is required to engage and separate the first mating portion 87 and the second mating portion 85, the beveled portion facilitates reversible deformation (deflection) to ensure ease of insertion and secure fixation of the first frame 19 and the second frame 37.

Although there is a temporary bending of the first joint part 87 and the second joint part 85, in this embodiment, the bending motion is reversible, and the first joint part 87 and the second joint part 85 return to rest when the first frame 19 and the second frame 37 are connected. At rest, no deformation force is applied between the first engagement portion 87 and the second engagement portion 85.

In this embodiment, the second latching structure provides joint connection of the first connecting part 87 and the second connecting part 85 when the second frame 87 and the first frame 19 are connected. That is, the first connecting part 87 and the second connecting part 85 are interlocked after the connection to prevent (prohibit) relative movement between the second frame 37 and the first frame 19. For example, the two second protrusions 85b fit exactly into the recess 87b to prevent such relative movement. In other embodiments, co-engagement may not be required, for example, if friction is used to maintain the engagement state.

The engagement of the parts with a snap-in device makes it easy to press the parts to be joined and join them together. In some embodiments, the implementation of the engagement of one connecting element with another connecting element may prevent movement, but not completely constrain the two parts. That is, in some snap-on designs, there may be some play between the parts.

In FIG. 7 and 12 show the third step S3 of the assembly procedure 100. The third assembly step S3 includes the following: connecting the second sleeve 11a to the second frame 37.

The second sleeve 11a includes a cavity 12a for receiving the second frame 37 and the heating device 23. After assembly, the second sleeve 11a can be connected to the second frame 37 using fasteners 18. Once connected, the user-operated button 7 becomes aligned with the hole in the second sleeve 11a. As shown in FIG. 2, the hole corresponds to the outer concentric circle, and the inner concentric circle corresponds to the user-operated button 7. In the embodiment shown, two fasteners 18 are shown. In other embodiments, a single fastener 18 may be used, as long as the second sleeve 11a is securely held on the second frame 37. The use of two fasteners 18 helps distribute forces over a larger area than one fastener 18 to provide stability in assembly procedure 100. In other examples, three or more fasteners 18 may be used. Threaded portions 18 are provided to accommodate the fasteners 18 in the main body of the second frame 27.

When the first frame 19 is connected to the second frame 37, the fasteners 18 allow the second sleeve 11a to be connected to the second frame 37, so that the second sleeve 11a, the second frame 37 and the first frame 19 can be integrally connected to the first sleeve 11b. Fasteners 18 also help to simplify assembly by holding the relative position of the second sleeve 11a with respect to the connected second frame 37 and first frame 19 when connecting the second sleeve 11a and the first sleeve 11b in the third assembly step S3.

The second sleeve 11a is connected to the first sleeve 11b by the third snap-on structure in the third assembly step S3. The third snap-on structure includes the first structure 89 of projections and gaps of the second sleeve 11a. The protrusions and spaces of the first structure 89 are located at an X-axis angle. In other embodiments, the protrusions and spaces of the first structure 89 may be located in the direction of the X axis. The first sleeve includes a second structure 91 containing a protrusion. In other embodiments, the second structure 91 may include projections and gaps and may be substantially the same as the first structure 89 for appropriate engagement.

When the second sleeve 11a is slid over the first sleeve 11b, the protrusion of the second structure 91 intermittently extends between adjacent spaces formed between the protrusions of the first structure 89. This provides feedback to the assembler and provides a step-by-step connection procedure. When the first structure 89 is fully inserted, it is inside the cavity 12b of the first sleeve 11b and is covered by the first sleeve 11b.

The first structure 89 and the second structure 91 are examples of a connecting member. The second structure 91 may be referred to as the fifth connector and the first structure 89 as the sixth connector. In this embodiment, there is little or no freedom of movement between the first structure 89 and the second structure 91 in the connected state. This is because the first sleeve 11b and the second sleeve 11a are required to be precisely connected as a whole. Such location control is more important than, for example, in the first assembly step S1.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the device 1 is assembled so that the second sleeve 11a and the first sleeve 11b are connected, the second sleeve 11a and the first sleeve 11b are configured to surround at least a portion of the first zone within which the power source 27 is located.

Advantageously, the device 1 is assembled quickly and conveniently. The use of snap-on structures leads to automatic connection of parts, which helps to speed up the assembly process.

Although a snap-on design is described, in some embodiments, the first and second couplers, the third and fourth couplers, and/or the fifth and sixth couplers form a mechanical latch that is latched and/or disengaged under pressure. That is, the respective connecting members of the mechanical mechanism can be pressed against each other to engage. The process of pressing the respective connecting elements together leads to temporary bending of at least one of the connecting elements before the connecting elements are automatically mutually locked. Thus, interlocking is caused by inserting one of the connecting elements into the other connecting element.

The first to sixth connecting elements described in this document engage to interlock. Mutual interlocking results in the connection of two separate components or groups of components. Although there may be some freedom of movement between connected components or groups of components, the engagement of the connecting elements prevents separation. That is, disconnection only occurs when the at least one connecting element bends (deflects) in a reversible manner.

Although the first frame 19 contains the first connecting element, the first connecting element may consist of any internal components that the first frame 19 supports. For example, the first connection element may consist of at least one of the following: a heating device 23, a control circuit 25, a second frame 37 and power supply 27. In some embodiments, when the first connector is contained in the second frame 37 and/or power source 27, the first assembly step S1 occurs after the second assembly step S2. However, in other embodiments, the second assembly step S2, in which the first frame 19 is connected to the second frame 37, may be performed before the step of connecting the first sleeve 11b to the second frame 37 and/or the power source 27. This is because, during assembly of the device, automatic engagement occurs between the second frame 37 and/or power supply 27 and the first sleeve 11b, and not between the first frame 19 and the first sleeve 11b.

In FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a method 200 for assembling a device for heating an aerosol material to vaporize at least one component of the aerosol material. The method may further comprise any of the features previously described, alone or in combination.

The method 200 includes providing a first frame 201 to support a heating device for receiving and heating an aerosolized material, the first frame comprising a first connecting member. The method 200 also includes providing a first sleeve 202 for forming at least a portion of the device body, the first sleeve including a second connector. After the first frame and the first sleeve are formed, the method includes: inserting the first frame 203 into the cavity of the first sleeve to cause the first connector and the second connector to automatically engage during assembly of the device.

In some embodiments, the implementation of the aerosol material contains tobacco. However, in other embodiments, the aerosol material may be tobacco, may be substantially all tobacco, may contain tobacco and non-tobacco aerosol material, may contain non-tobacco aerosol material, or may not contain tobacco. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material may contain a vaporizing or aerosolizing agent, or a wetting agent, such as glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol.

In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material is a non-liquid aerosolizable material, and the device is for heating the non-liquid aerosolizable material to vaporize at least one component of the aerosolizable material.

After all or substantially all of the volatile component(s) of the aerosolizable material in the consumable 21 has been used up, the user may remove the article 21 from the device 1 and dispose of the article. 21. Subsequently, the user may reuse the device 1 with another article 21. However, in other appropriate embodiments, the article may not be consumable, and the device and article may be disposed of together after the volatile components of the aerosol material have been used up.

In the embodiments described herein, the consumable 21 includes a mouthpiece assembly 21b. However, it is understood that in other embodiments, the exemplary device described herein may include a mouthpiece. For example, device 1 may include a mouthpiece that is an integral part of the device, or in other embodiments, the device may include a mouthpiece that is detachably attached to device 1. In one example, the device 1 may be configured to receive an aerosol material that needs to be heated. Aerosolizable material may be contained in a consumable product that does not include a mouthpiece. The user can puff through the mouthpiece of the device 1 to inhale the aerosol generated by the device by heating the material to be aerosolized.

In some embodiments, article 21 is a solid supplied or otherwise provided separately from device 1 with which article 21 can be used. However, in some embodiments, device 1 and one or more articles 21 may be provided together as a system, such as , as a kit or as a block, possibly with additional components such as cleaning accessories.

In order to solve various problems and advance the art, this disclosure, by way of illustration and examples, shows various embodiments by which the claimed invention can be practiced, and which provide for improved heating elements for use with an aerosol material heating device, methods for forming a heating element for use with a device for heating an aerosol material for vaporizing at least one component of the aerosol material, and systems comprising a device for heating an aerosol material for vaporizing at least one component of the aerosol material and a heating element heated by such a device. only representative examples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to promote understanding and convey ideas about the claimed and otherwise stated features. It is understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, constructions, and/or other aspects of the disclosure should not be construed as limitations on the disclosure given by the claims or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and that, without deviating from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure , other embodiments and modifications can be applied. Various embodiments may respectively contain, consist of, or essentially consist of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, and so on. The invention may include other inventions not expressly claimed, but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims (33)

1. A method for assembling a device for heating an aerosol material to vaporize at least one component of the aerosol material to produce an aerosol for inhalation by a user, the device having a first proximal end and a second distal end, the method including the following steps, wherein: providing a first frame to support a heating device for receiving and heating the aerosolized material, wherein the first frame or component supported by the first frame contains the first connecting element; providing a first sleeve for forming at least a part of the body of the device, wherein the first sleeve contains a second connecting element; And inserting the first frame into the cavity of the first sleeve to cause automatic engagement of the first connecting element and the second connecting element during assembly of the device. 2. The method of claim. 1, in which the insert leads to the connection of the first frame and the first sleeve or component supported by the first frame, and the first sleeve through the first snap-on structure containing the first connecting element and the second connecting element. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the insertion includes insertion of the first frame towards the end stop of the first sleeve to block movement of the first frame relative to the first sleeve by means of the end stop. 4. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, in which the first connecting element is a protrusion of the first frame or component supported by the first frame, and the second connecting element is the receiving part of the first sleeve. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which includes the following steps, in which: provide a second frame containing the first zone, which is occupied by the power source; And engaging the second frame and the first frame using the third connecting element of the first frame and the fourth connecting element of the second frame. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein providing the second frame includes providing the second frame containing the first connecting element, and wherein the step of inserting the first frame into the cavity of the first sleeve is performed after the step of connecting the second frame and the first frame. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of inserting the first frame into the cavity of the first sleeve precedes the step of connecting the second frame to the first frame. 8. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 5-7, in which the first frame contains a second zone, which is occupied by at least one printed circuit board (PCB), and the step of connecting the second frame and the first frame includes the following: surround the second zone with the first sleeve and only part of the first zone. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of surrounding the first sleeve includes the following: surround the second zone with the first sleeve along its entire length. 10. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9 includes the following steps, in which: provide the presence of the second sleeve of the body; And connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve using the fifth connecting element of the first sleeve and the sixth connecting element of the second sleeve. 11. The method of claim. 10, in which the step of connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve includes the following: surround the second sleeve and the first sleeve at least part of the first zone. 12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the step of connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve includes: inserting the connected first and second frame into the cavity of the second sleeve before joining the second sleeve and the first sleeve. 13. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 10, 11, in which the step of connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve includes the following: aligning a user-operated button with an opening in the second sleeve. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve includes: covering the user-operated button with the second sleeve until the user-operated button aligns with the opening in the second sleeve. 15. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 10-14, in which the step of connecting the second sleeve and the first sleeve includes the following: surrounding the heating chamber part of the heating device with the second sleeve. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of surrounding the second sleeve includes the following: surround only a portion of the heating chamber with the second sleeve. 17. A device for heating an aerosolized material to vaporize at least one component of the aerosolized material to produce an aerosol for inhalation by a user, the device having a first proximal end and a second distal end, the device comprising: a first frame for supporting a heating device for receiving and heating the aerosolized material, wherein the first frame or component supported by the first frame includes a first connecting element; And a first sleeve for forming at least a portion of the body of the device, the first sleeve comprising a second connecting element; wherein the first connecting element and the second connecting element are configured to automatically connect when the first frame is inserted into the cavity of the first sleeve during assembly of the device. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the first connector and the second connector form a first snap-on structure for connecting the first frame and the first sleeve or the component supported by the first frame and the first sleeve. 19. The device of claim. 18, wherein the first connecting element is a protrusion of the first frame or component supported by the first frame, and the second connecting element is the receiving part of the first sleeve. 20. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 17-19, containing a second frame connected to the first frame using the third connecting element of the first frame and the fourth connecting element of the second frame. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the second frame comprises a first connecting element. 22. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 20-21, in which the second frame is connected to the first frame using a second snap-on structure containing a third connecting element and a fourth connecting element. 23. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 17-22 comprising a second sleeve such that when the second sleeve and the first sleeve are connected, the second sleeve and the first sleeve surround at least a portion of the first zone of the second frame intended to receive the power source.

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