TW202137899A - Aerosol generating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an assembly for use in an apparatus for heating aerosolisable material to volatalise at least one component of the aerosolisable material to generate an inhalable aerosol, the assembly having a structure delimiting an opening through which aerosolisable material can be removably inserted into the apparatus, a door coupled to the structure and movable between an open position where access to the opening is unrestricted, and a closed position where access to the opening is restricted, and a latching arrangement configured to hold the door in at least one of the open position and the closed position when the door is in the one of the open position and the closed position until an external force is applied, in use, to release the latching arrangement.

Description

Aerosol generating equipment

Field of invention

The present invention relates to an assembly of an apparatus for heating an atomizable material to volatilize at least one component of the atomizable material and includes a device for heating the atomizable material to volatilize at least one component of the atomizable material The system of the device.

Background of the invention

Smoking products such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these products that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are heating devices, which release compounds by heating rather than burning materials. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary of the invention

The first aspect of the present invention provides an assembly for heating an atomizable material to volatilize at least one component of the atomizable material to generate an inhalable aerosol in a device, the assembly comprising: a structure, It delimits the opening through which the atomizable material can be inserted into the device in a removable manner; the door, which is coupled to the structure and can be in an open position with unrestricted access to the opening, and the opening The opening is moved between closed positions where access is limited; and a latch configuration configured to hold the door in the open position and the open position when the door is in at least one of the open position and the closed position The one in the closed position until an external force is applied during use to release the latch configuration.

In an exemplary embodiment, the latch configuration includes a first part in the structure and a second separate part in the door, wherein the first part is configured to interact with the second part to open the door when the door is open. Position and the one of the closed position hold the door in the one of the open position and the closed position.

In an exemplary embodiment, the latch configuration is further configured to provide the door when the door is between the one of the open position and the closed position and an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position. Biased toward the one of the open position and the closed position.

In an exemplary embodiment, the assembly further includes at least one guide for guiding the movement of the door relative to the structure.

In an exemplary embodiment, the guide includes at least one of a male member or a female member for engaging with the corresponding other of the male member or the female member of the structure.

In an exemplary embodiment, the latch configuration is a mechanical latch configuration.

In an exemplary embodiment, the mechanical latch configuration includes a cam that includes at least one of a cam element disposed in one of the door and the structure, and at least one of a cam element disposed in the other of the door and the structure Follower.

In an exemplary embodiment, the door defines the cam element, the cam element includes one or more detents, and the at least one follower is assembled to the door when the door is in the open position and the closed position Or engage with the one or more detents to hold the door in respective open or closed positions.

In an exemplary embodiment, the assembly is configured such that the at least one follower is biased toward the cam element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one follower is biased toward the cam element by a spring.

In an exemplary embodiment, the surface of the cam element is configured to engage the at least one follower to press the at least one follower when the door is between the open position and the closed position.

In an exemplary embodiment, the assembly includes a spring plunger that includes a depressible member that is movably held in the housing and biased toward the cam element, wherein the at least one follower is depressible member.

In an exemplary embodiment, the depressible member is configured to roll relative to the cam element when the door moves relative to the structure.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pressable member is spherical or cylindrical.

In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more detents include at least two detents located at opposite end portions of the door in the direction of movement of the door.

In an exemplary embodiment, the latch configuration is a magnetic latch configuration.

In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic latch configuration includes at least one fixed magnet disposed in the structure and at least one door magnet disposed in the door, wherein the latch configuration is configured to be in the open position of the door Or in the closed position, the door is magnetically held in one of the open position or the second position.

In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic latch configuration is configured to: magnetically hold the door in the open position when the door is in the open position; and magnetically hold the door in the closed position when the door is in the closed position In the closed position.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one gate magnet has a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole, and the at least one fixed magnet has a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole, wherein: the first and second magnetic poles of each magnet have opposite Polarity; the first and second magnetic poles of each magnet are oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement of the door; and the first pole of the door magnet and the first pole of the fixed magnet face in substantially opposite directions and have the same polarity .

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one gate magnet has a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole, and the at least one fixed magnet has a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole, wherein: the first and second magnetic poles of each magnet have opposite Polarity; the first and second magnetic poles of each magnet are oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the door; and the first pole of the door magnet and the first pole of the fixed magnet face in substantially opposite directions and have the same polarity.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one door magnet and the at least one fixed magnet are substantially cubic, each having a longer edge in the direction of movement; wherein the center of mass of the at least one door magnet is aligned with the direction of movement. The ends of the door are equidistant; and the center of mass of the at least one fixed magnet is equidistant from the open position and the closed position in the direction of movement.

In an exemplary embodiment, the door has a lower surface adjacent to the upper surface of the structure, wherein: the at least one door magnet is disposed in a corresponding recess in the lower surface of the door so as not to be visible in use; and the at least one fixed magnet Located above and below the structure so as not to be visible in use.

In an exemplary embodiment, the door is substantially flat and elongated in the direction of movement.

In an exemplary embodiment, the length of the door in the direction parallel to the sliding direction is preferably between 14 mm and 15 mm, and the length perpendicular to the direction of movement is preferably between 11 mm and 12 mm, and the thickness is relatively small. It is preferably between 1 mm and 2 mm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the structure includes a recessed portion having a shape and size complementary to the door, the recessed portion being configured to receive the door in use and permit the door to be between the open position and the closed position move.

In an exemplary embodiment, the surface of the recessed portion, such as the upper surface, further includes an opening, and the opening is positioned toward one end of the recessed portion corresponding to the closed position.

In an exemplary embodiment, the material of the structure and the door is polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS).

In an exemplary embodiment, the atomizable material comprises tobacco and/or is reconstituted and/or is in the form of a gel and/or comprises an amorphous solid.

The second aspect of the present invention provides a system comprising a heating device configured to heat the atomizable material to volatilize at least one component of the atomizable material and the first aspect of the present invention for the heating device The assembly of the invention, wherein the heating device comprises at least one heater element arranged in the heater shell, and the heater element is assembled to heat the atomizable material in use.

In an exemplary embodiment, the atomizable material comprises tobacco and/or is reconstituted and/or is in the form of a gel and/or comprises an amorphous solid.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is given as an example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

As used herein, the term "atomizable material" includes materials that provide volatile components, usually in the form of a vapor or aerosol, after heating. "Atomizable materials" can be non-tobacco materials or tobacco-containing materials. The "atomizable material" may, for example, include one or more of the tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extracts, homogenized tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The atomizable material can be in the form of ground tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, reconstituted atomizable material, liquid, gel, amorphous solid, gelled flake, powder or viscose or the like form. "Atomizable material" may also include other non-tobacco products. Depending on the product, the atomizable material may or may not contain nicotine. The "atomizable material" may contain one or more humectants, such as glycerin or propylene glycol. The term "aerosol generating material" may also be used interchangeably with the term "atomizable material" herein.

As mentioned above, the atomizable material may include an "amorphous solid", which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (ie, non-fiber), or as a "xerogel" ". Amorphous solids are solid materials that can retain some fluid (such as liquid) inside. In some cases, the atomizable material includes from about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% of amorphous solids to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% of amorphous solids. In some cases, the atomizable material consists of amorphous solids.

As used herein, the term "sheet" refers to an element having a width and a length substantially greater than the thickness. For example, the sheet may be a strip.

As used herein, the term "heating material" or "heater material" in some examples refers to a material that can be heated by penetration with a changing magnetic field when the atomizable material is heated by an induction heating configuration, for example.

Other forms of heating a heating material include resistive heating, which involves a resistive heating element that heats up when an electric current is applied to the resistive heating element, and therefore transfers heat to the heating material by conduction.

As used herein, the term "centroid" refers to the geometric center of a 3-dimensional shape.

Referring to Fig. 1, a schematic perspective view of a device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The device 1 is used for heating the atomizable material to volatilize at least one component of the atomizable material to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user. In this embodiment, the atomizable material contains tobacco, and the device 1 is a tobacco heating product (also referred to as a tobacco heating device or a heat-not-burning device in the art). The device 1 is a handheld device for the user of the handheld device to inhale the atomizable material.

The device 1 includes a first end 3 and a second end 5 opposite to the first end 3. The first end 3 is sometimes referred to herein as the mouth or proximal end of the device 1. The second end 5 is sometimes referred to herein as the remote end of the device 1. The device 1 has an on/off button 7 to allow the device 1 as a whole to be turned on and off according to the needs of the user of the device 1.

Roughly, the device 1 is configured to generate an aerosol to be inhaled by the user by heating the aerosol generating material. In use, the user inserts the article 21 into the device 1 and, for example, uses the button 7 to activate the device 1 so that the device 1 starts heating the aerosol generating material. The user then draws on the cigarette holder 21b of the article 21 near the first end 3 of the device 1 to inhale the aerosol produced by the device 1. When the user sucks on the product 21, the generated aerosol flows through the device 1 toward the proximal end 3 of the device 1 along the flow path.

In an example, vapor is generated, which then at least partially condenses to form an aerosol before leaving the device 1 to be inhaled by the user.

In this regard, it should first be noted that, generally speaking, vapor is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical temperature, which means, for example, that vapor can be condensed into liquid by increasing its pressure without decreasing its temperature. On the other hand, generally speaking, aerosols are colloids of fine solid particles or droplets in air or another gas. "Colloid" is a substance in which microscopically dispersed insoluble particles are suspended in another substance.

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

The device 1 includes a housing 9 for positioning and protecting various internal components of the device 1. The housing 9 is therefore an outer shell for accommodating the internal components. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 9 includes a sleeve 11 surrounding the perimeter of the device 1, which is covered at the first end 3 by a structure, preferably a top panel structure 17 (which usually defines the device 1 "Top") and is covered by a bottom panel 19 at the second end 5 (see Figures 2 to 5) (this usually defines the "bottom" of the device 1).

The sleeve 11 includes a first sleeve 11a and a second sleeve 11b. The first sleeve 11 a is disposed at the top part of the device 1 (shown as the upper part of the device 1) and extends away from the first end 3. The second sleeve 11 b is disposed at the bottom part of the device 1 (shown as the lower part of the device 1) and extends away from the second end 5. The first sleeve 11a and the second sleeve 11b each surround the periphery of the device 1. That is, the device 1 includes a longitudinal axis in the Y-axis direction, and the first sleeve 11a and the second sleeve 11b each surround the internal components in a direction radial to the longitudinal axis.

In this embodiment, the first sleeve 11a and the second sleeve 11b are removably engaged with each other. In this embodiment, the first sleeve 11a engages with the second sleeve 11b in a snap fit configuration including grooves and recesses.

In some embodiments, the top panel structure 17 and/or the bottom panel 19 may be removably fixed to the corresponding first sleeve 11a and the second sleeve 11b to allow easy access to the inside of the device 1. In some embodiments, the sleeve 11 may be “permanently” fixed to the top panel structure 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 material, the plastic material includes, for example, glass-filled nylon formed by injection molding, and the sleeve 11 is made of aluminum, but other materials and other manufacturing can be used program.

The top panel structure 17 of the device 1 has an opening 20 at the mouth end 3 of the device 1. In use, the consumable product 21 containing atomizable material is inserted into the device 1 and removed from the device 1 through the opening by the user . In this embodiment, the consumable product 21 serves as a cigarette holder for the user to place between the user's lips. In other embodiments, an external mouthpiece may be provided, wherein at least one volatile component of the atomizable material is drawn through the mouthpiece. When an external cigarette holder is used, no atomizable material is provided in the external cigarette holder.

In this embodiment, the opening 20 is opened and closed by the door 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the door 4 is movable between a closed position and an open position to allow the consumable product 21 to be inserted into the device 1 when in the open position. The door 4 is assembled to move bidirectionally along the X-axis direction.

The connection port 6 is shown at the second end 5 of the device 1. The connection port 6 is used to connect to a cable and a power supply 27 (shown in FIG. 6) for charging the power supply 27 of the device 1. The connection port 6 extends from the front side of the device 1 to the rear side of the device 1 in the Z-axis direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the connection port 6 can be accessed 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 in order to provide a data connection via the connection port 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection port 6 is a USB socket.

Referring to Figure 2, the first sleeve 11a contains a surface at the first end 3 of the device 1, which gradually narrows. The tapered surface includes a first angle α with respect to the surface of the second sleeve 11b at the second end 5. In this embodiment, the surface of the second sleeve 11b at the second end 5 is substantially parallel to the X-axis direction. Therefore, as shown, the consumable article 21 can be inserted at the proximal portion of the first end 3 through the opening 20 (shown in FIG. 1). When the first sleeve 11a and the second sleeve 11b meet at the junction 11c, a second angle β with respect to the X-axis direction is formed. The second angle β is shown to be greater than the first angle α.

Figures 3 and 4 show the right and left sides of the device 1, respectively. Here, the consumable product 21 is displayed in the lateral center position. This is because the opening 20 through which the consumable product 21 is inserted is positioned at the midpoint of the device 1 along the Z-axis direction and eccentrically positioned in the X-axis direction.

Figures 5 and 6 show schematic front cross-sectional views of the device 1, in which consumable products are inserted and drawn out through the line A-A of the device 1 shown in Figure 4, respectively;

As shown in FIG. 6, the heater configuration 23, the control circuit system 25 and the power source 27 are located or fixed in the housing 9. In this embodiment, the control circuit system 25 is part of the electronic compartment and includes two printed circuit boards (PCB) 25a, 25b. In this embodiment, the control circuit system 25 and the power supply 27 are laterally adjacent to the heater arrangement 23 (that is, adjacent when viewed from one end), and the control circuit system 25 is located below the power supply 27. Advantageously, this makes the device 1 compact in the lateral direction corresponding to the X-axis direction.

In this embodiment, the control circuitry 25 includes a controller, such as a microprocessor configuration, which is configured and configured to control the heating of the atomizable material in the consumable article 21, as discussed further below.

In this embodiment, the power source 27 is a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, non-rechargeable batteries, capacitors, battery-capacitor hybrids, or connections to the main power supply can be used. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium ion batteries, nickel batteries (such as nickel cadmium batteries), alkaline batteries, and/or the like. The battery 27 is electrically coupled to the heater arrangement 23 to supply power when needed and under the control of the control circuit system 25 to heat the atomizable material in the consumable (as discussed, so that the atomizable material volatilizes without Burn the atomizable material).

The advantage of positioning the power supply 27 laterally adjacent to the heater configuration 23 is that a physically larger power supply 27 can be used without making the entire device 1 too long. As will be understood, in general, the physically larger power source 27 has a higher capacity (ie, the total power that can be supplied, usually measured in ampere hours or the like), and therefore the battery life of the device 1 Can be longer.

In one embodiment, the heater arrangement 23 is substantially in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube, which has a hollow internal heating chamber 29, into which a consumable article 21 containing atomizable material is inserted for supply Heat in use. Generally speaking, the heating chamber 29 is a heating area for storing the consumable products 21. Different configurations for the heater configuration 23 are possible. In some embodiments, the heater arrangement 23 may include a single heating element, or may be formed by multiple heating elements aligned along the longitudinal axis of the heater arrangement 23. The or each heating element may be annular or tubular, or at least partially annular or partially tubular around its circumference. In an embodiment, the or each heating element may be a thin film heater. In another embodiment, the or each heating element may be made of ceramic material. Examples of suitable ceramic materials include alumina and aluminum nitride and silicon nitride ceramics, which can be laminated and sintered. Other heater configurations are possible, including, for example, induction heating, infrared heater elements heated by emitting infrared radiation, or resistive heating elements formed by, for example, resistive windings.

In this embodiment, the heater arrangement 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 formed with at least one conductive element. The substrate may be in the form of a sheet and may include, for example, a plastic layer. In a preferred embodiment, the layer is a polyimide layer. The conductive elements can be printed or otherwise deposited in the substrate layer. The conductive element can be encapsulated in the substrate or covered with the substrate.

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

The heater arrangement 23 is sized so that when the consumable article 21 is inserted into the device 1, substantially the entire atomizable material is heated in use.

In some embodiments, the or each heating element may be configured such that selected areas of atomizable material may be heated sequentially (over time) or together (simultaneously) independently, for example, as needed.

In this embodiment, the heater arrangement 23 is at least partially surrounded by the vacuum area 31 along the length of the heater arrangement. The vacuum area 31 helps to reduce the heat transferred from the heater arrangement 23 to the outside of the device 1. This helps to reduce the power requirements for the heater arrangement 23 because it substantially reduces heat loss. The vacuum area 31 also helps to keep the outside of the device 1 cool during the operation of the heater arrangement 23. In some embodiments, the vacuum area 31 may be surrounded by a double-walled sleeve, where the area between the two walls of the sleeve has been evacuated to provide a low pressure area to minimize heat transfer by conduction and/or convection. In other embodiments, in addition to or instead of the vacuum area, another insulation configuration may be used, such as using an insulating material, including, for example, a suitable foam-type material.

The housing 9 (sometimes referred to as a shell) may further include various internal support structures 37 (best seen in FIG. 6) for supporting all internal components, and a heater arrangement 23.

The device 1 further includes a collar 33 and an expansion element 35 extending around the opening 20 and protruding from the opening to the inside of the housing 9, the expansion element being located between the collar 33 and one end of the vacuum area 31. The expansion element 35 is a funnel that forms an expansion chamber 40 at the mouth end 3 of the device 1. The collar 33 is a holder for holding the consumable article 21 (as best shown in Figure 5). In this embodiment, the holder can be reversibly removed from the device 1.

One end of the expansion element 35 is connected to and supported by the first sleeve 11a, and the other end of the expansion element 35 is connected to and supported by one end of the box 51. A first sealing element 55 shown as an o-ring is inserted between the expansion element 35 and the first sleeve 11 a, and a second sealing element 57 also shown as an o-ring is inserted between the expansion element 35 and the box 51. Each o-ring is made of silicone; however, other elastic materials can be used to provide the seal. The first sealing element 55 and the second sealing element 57 prevent gas from being transmitted to the surrounding components of the device 1. The sealing element is also provided at the distal end to prevent fluid from entering and leaving at the distal end.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the collar 33, the expansion element 35 and the vacuum area 31/heater arrangement 23 are coaxially arranged so that, as best seen in FIG. 5, when the consumable article 21 is inserted into the device 1 When in the middle, the consumable product 21 extends through the collar 33 and the expansion element 35 into the heating chamber 29.

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the heater arrangement 23 is substantially in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube. The heating chamber 29 formed by the tube is in fluid communication with the opening 20 at the mouth end 3 of the device 1 via the expansion chamber 40.

In this embodiment, the expansion element 35 includes a tubular body having 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 extending from the first open end to approximately half of the tubular body and a second section extending from the tubular body approximately half of the distance to the second open end. The first section includes a flared part that widens away from the second section. The first section therefore has an inner diameter that gradually decreases outward toward the first open end of the opening. The second section has a substantially constant inner diameter.

As best seen in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the expansion element 35 is located in the housing 9 between the collar 33 and the vacuum zone 31 / heater arrangement 23. More specifically, at the second open end, the expansion element 35 is inserted between the end portion of the support tube 75 of the heater arrangement 23 and the inside of the vacuum area 31, so that the second open end of the expansion element 35 and the support tube 75 And the interior of the vacuum area 31 engages. At the first open end, the expansion element 35 receives the collar 33 so that the legs 59 of the collar 33 protrude into the expansion chamber 40. Therefore, when the consumable product 21 is stored in the device 1 (see FIG. 5) and when there is no consumable product 21, the inner diameter of the first section of the expansion element 35 is larger than the outer diameter of the leg.

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

As best seen in FIG. 6, the collar 33 includes a plurality of legs 59. In this embodiment, there are four legs 59, of which only three legs are visible in the view of FIG. 6. However, in other embodiments, there may be more or less than four legs 59. When the device 1 is assembled, the legs 59 are configured to be equally spaced circumferentially around the inner surface of the collar 33 and are present in the expansion chamber 40. In this embodiment, when installed in the device 1, the legs 59 are equally spaced circumferentially around the periphery 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 Y-axis direction and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the expansion chamber 40 and protrudes into the opening 20. The legs 59 also extend radially at the tips 59a of the legs 59 in the direction toward the expansion element 35, so that the tips 59a are angled away from each other. The tip 59a of each leg 59 realizes the improved passage of the consumable product 21 so as to avoid damage to the consumable product 21 when the consumable product 21 is inserted and/or removed from the device 1. In summary, the legs 59 provide a clamping section that clamps the consumable product 21 in order to correctly position and maintain the part of the consumable product 21 in the expansion chamber 40 when the consumable product 21 is in the device 1 . Between the legs 59, the legs gently compress or clamp the consumable product 21 in one or more areas of the consumable product contacted by the legs 59.

The leg 59 may be constructed of an elastic material (or be elastic in some other way) so that it is slightly deformed (for example, compressed) when the consumable product 21 is inserted into the device 1 to better hold the consumable product 21 , But then the original shape of the legs 59 is restored when the consumable product 21 is removed from the device 1 because the legs 59 are biased to the rest position shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, the leg 59 can be reversibly moved from the first position to the second position, the first position being the rest position, and the second position being the deformed position shown in FIG. 5, thereby clamping the consumable product 21. In this embodiment, the legs 59 are integrally formed with the main body of the collar 33. However, in some embodiments, the leg 59 may be a separate component attached to the body of the collar 33. The inner diameter of the space formed between the legs 59 in the first rest position may be, for example, between 4.8 mm and 5 mm, and preferably 4.9 mm. The leg 59 occupies the space in the opening 20 so that the opening span of the opening 20 at the position of the leg 59 is smaller than the opening span of the opening 20 at the position where the leg 59 is not present.

The expansion element 35 may be formed of, for example, a plastic material including, for example, polyether ether ketone (PEEK). Compared to most other thermoplastic materials, PEEK has a relatively high melting point and is highly resistant to thermal degradation.

Referring to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the heating chamber 29 communicates with an area 38 whose inner diameter decreases toward the distal end 5. This area 38 defines a cleaning chamber 39 formed by the cleaning pipe 41. The cleaning tube 41 is a hollow tube that provides an end baffle for the consumable product 21 passing through the opening at the mouth end 3 (see FIG. 5). The cleaning pipe 41 is configured to support and position the heater arrangement 23.

The device 1 may further include a door 61 at the distal end 5 of the device 1, which opens and closes the opening in the bottom panel 19 to provide access to the heating chamber 29 so that the heating chamber 29 can be cleaned. The door 61 pivots about the hinge 63. This access via the door 61 particularly enables the user to clean in the heater arrangement 23 and the heating chamber 29 at the distal end 5. When the door 61 is open, a through hole is provided between the opening 20 of the entire device 1 at the mouth end 3 and the opening of the cleaning chamber at one end of the distal end 5 of the device 1. Therefore, it is easy for the user to clean substantially the entire interior of the hollow heating chamber 29. To this end, the user can optionally access the heating chamber 29 via any end of the device 1. The user may use one or more various cleaning devices for this purpose, including, for example, typical pipe cleaners or brushes or the like.

As shown in FIG. 6, the top panel structure 17 generally forms the first end 3 of the housing 9 of the device 1. The top panel structure 17 supports the collar 33, which defines an insertion point in the form of an opening 20 through which the consumable product 21 is removably inserted into the device 1 during use.

The collar 33 extends around the opening 20 and protrudes from the opening into the interior of the housing 9. In this embodiment, the collar 33 is a different element from the top panel structure 17 and is attached to the top panel structure 17 via an attachment such as a bayonet locking mechanism. In other embodiments, adhesives or screws may be used to couple the collar 33 to the top panel structure 17. In other embodiments, the collar 33 can be integrated with the top panel structure 17 of the housing 9, so the collar 33 and the top panel structure 17 form a single piece.

As best understood from FIGS. 5 and 6, the open space defined by the adjacent pairs of legs 59 and the consumable product 21 of the collar 33 forms a ventilation path 20 a around the outside of the consumable product 21. These ventilation paths 20a allow the hot vapor that has escaped from the consumable product 21 to leave the device 1 and allow cooling air to flow into the device 1 around the consumable product 21. In this embodiment, four ventilation paths are positioned around the periphery of the consumable product 21, which provides ventilation for the device 1. In other embodiments, more or fewer such ventilation paths 20a may be provided.

Referring again specifically to FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the consumable product 21 is in the form of a cylindrical rod. When the consumable product 21 is inserted into the device 1, the cylindrical rod is placed in the heater configuration 23 of the consumable product 21. The rear end of the inner section has or contains an atomizable material 21a. The front end of the consumable product 21 extends from the device 1 and serves as a cigarette holder 21b, which is a total of one or more of a filter for filtering aerosols and/or a cooling element 21c for cooling aerosols become. The filter/cooling element 21c is separated from the atomizable material 21a by a space 21d, and is also separated from the tip of the cigarette holder assembly 21b by another space 21e. The consumable product 21 is wrapped in an outer layer (not shown) along the circumference. In this embodiment, the outer layer of the consumable product 21 is permeable to allow some heated volatile components from the atomizable material 21 a to escape the consumable product 21.

In operation, the heater arrangement 23 will heat the consumable article 21 to volatilize at least one component of the atomizable material 21a.

The main flow path of the heated volatile components from the atomizable material 21a passes axially through the consumable product 21, through the space 21d, the filter/ Cooling element 21c and another space 21e. However, some of the volatile components can escape from the consumable product 21 through the permeable outer wrapping material of the consumable product and enter the space 36 surrounding the consumable product 21 in the expansion chamber 40.

Volatile components do not need to flow from the consumable product 21 into the expansion chamber 40 for inhalation by the user, because these components will not pass through the filter/cooling element 21c and therefore will not be filtered and cooled.

Advantageously, the volume of air surrounding the consumable product 21 in the expansion chamber 40 allows at least some of the volatile components of the consumable product to escape through the outer layer of the consumable product 21 to cool and condense in the expansion chamber 40 On the wall to prevent their volatile components from being inhaled by the user.

This cooling effect can be assisted by cooling air, which can enter the space 36 surrounding the consumable products 21 in the expansion chamber 40 from outside the device 1 via the ventilation path 20a, which allows fluid to flow into and out of the device. The first ventilation path is defined between a pair of adjacent legs 59 of the collar 33 to provide ventilation around the exterior of the consumable article 21 at the insertion point. The second ventilation path is provided between the second pair of adjacent legs 59 for at least one heated volatile component to flow from the consumable product 21 at the second position. Therefore, ventilation is provided by the first ventilation path and the second ventilation path around the outside of the consumable article 21 at the insertion point. In addition, the heated volatile components of the consumable product that escape through the outer wrapping material of the consumable product 21 do not condense on the inner wall of the expansion chamber 40, and can safely flow out of the device 1 through the ventilation path 20a without being used者 inhaled. Both the expansion chamber 40 and the ventilation help reduce the temperature and content of the water vapor composition released in the heated volatile components from the atomizable material.

The device 1 is equipped with a thermal pad 13 facing the first end 3 of the device 1. As shown in Fig. 6, the gasket 13 is coupled with the first sleeve 11a. The thermal pad 13 is a heat spreader, which helps to manage heat distribution and helps to protect the first sleeve 11a from thermal stress by distributing the internal heat generated by the device 1 in a larger area. The thermal pad 13 is made of a metal material such as aluminum so as to be lightweight and to sufficiently dissipate heat around the proximal end 3. This helps to avoid localized hot spots and prolong the life of the first sleeve 11a. The liner 13 distributes heat by conduction. The liner 13 is not assembled to insulate or reflect heat by radiation.

As shown in FIG. 6, the support tube 75 is wrapped by the heater 71 on the outside. In the example, the heater 71 is a thin film heater including polyimide and conductive elements. The heater 71 may include a plurality of heating regions that are independently controlled and/or simultaneously controlled. In this example, the heater 71 is formed as a single heater. However, in other embodiments, the heater 71 may be formed of a plurality of heaters aligned along the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 29. In some embodiments, multiple temperature sensors may be used to detect the temperature of the heater 71 and/or the support tube. In this embodiment, the support tube 75 is made of stainless steel to conduct heat from the heater 71 toward the consumable product 21 when the consumable product 21 is inserted into the heating zone (the heating zone is defined by the heat conduction area of the support tube 75) . In other embodiments, the support tube 75 may be made of different materials, as long as the support tube 75 conducts heat. In other embodiments, other heating elements 75 may be used. For example, the heating element can be a susceptor that can be heated by induction. In this embodiment, the support tube 75 serves as an elongated support for supporting the article 21 containing atomizable material in use.

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. In this embodiment, the heater 71 includes a portion that passes through the outside of the support tube 75 and is referred to herein as a heater tail end 73. The heater tail 73 extends beyond the heating chamber 29 and is configured for electrical connection to the control circuit system 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the heater tail 73 is physically connected to a PCB 25a. The current can be supplied to the heater 71 by the power supply 27 via the control circuit system 25 and the heater tail 73.

Since the connection between the heating chamber 29 and the control circuit system 25 is required, it may be difficult to prevent the air flow (or the flow of any other fluid) between the heating chamber 29 and the electronic compartment. In this embodiment, the gasket 15 is used to prevent such fluid flow, as shown in FIG. 6. The gasket 15 includes a first sealing member 15a and a second sealing member 15b. The gasket 15 surrounds the heater end 73 and is clamped together by the base 53 and the box 51. In the illustrated embodiment, four fastening members 43 are used to provide sufficient force to clamp the base 53 and the cassette 51 together and at this time block to the cavity 29 and access from the cavity 29. The fastening member 43 is a screw tightened to a predetermined torque. In other embodiments, different fastening members 43 may be used, such as bolts.

Referring to Figures 7-9, an example door assembly 80 for the device 1 is shown. The assembly 80 includes the top panel structure 17 of the device 1 and the door 4. The top panel structure 17 delimits the aperture 22 for receiving the collar 33, which together form at least a part of the opening 20 through which the consumable product 21 can be removably inserted into the device 1. The door 4 can be moved between a first open position where access to the opening 20 is not restricted as shown in FIG. 7 and a second closed position where access to the opening 20 is completely restricted as shown in FIG. 8 . In the open position, the door 4 is at the first end 83 of the top panel structure 17. In the closed position, the door 4 is at the second end 84 of the top panel structure 17. The aperture 22 is located at the second end 84 of the top panel structure 17. In this embodiment, the opening 20 is completely covered when the door 4 is in the closed position. In other embodiments, the opening 20 may be only partially covered by the door 4 in the closed position.

The top panel structure 17 includes a recessed portion 81 configured to accommodate the door 4 and permit the door 4 to move between the open and closed positions. The recessed portion 81 can protect the door 4 from damage. In this embodiment, the top panel structure 17 is further configured to accommodate a panel 82 that defines the upper surface of the top panel structure 17. As best seen in FIG. 9, the panel 82 defines an aperture 22 a that forms at least a portion of the opening 20. In some embodiments, the panel 82 can provide a low-resistance surface along which the door 4 can slide. In this way, the door 4 is less likely to scratch the panel 82 during use. The shape of the panel 82 corresponds to the shape of the recessed portion 81, and the panel 82 is fastened to the top panel structure 17 by a layer of adhesive 50. In other examples, the shape of the panel 82 may not correspond to the shape of the recessed portion 81, and/or the adhesive layer 50 may not be present and the panel 82 may be fastened to the top panel structure by any other suitable means. In other embodiments, the top panel structure 17 may not be assembled to accommodate the panel 82, and the panel 82 may not be present. In this embodiment, the recessed portion 81 defines the upper surface of the top panel structure 17 and the door 4 can slide along or above the upper surface. The door 4 is substantially elongated in its direction of movement. The surface of the door facing the top panel 82 or the recessed portion 81 is substantially flat. In other examples, the door 4 may not be elongated, and the surface facing the panel 82 or the recessed portion 81 may not be flat.

A plurality of ridges protrude into the device 1 from the periphery of the aperture 22 from the underside of the top panel structure 17. In this embodiment, the ridge forms part of the bayonet mechanism for retaining the collar 33 in the aperture 22 in a removable manner. In some embodiments, the ridge may be further used to help retain the top panel structure 17 to the first sleeve 11a. In some examples, the top panel structure 17 may be fastened to the first sleeve 11a and/or another part of the device 1 in a removable manner using a suitable holding method, such as using a clip. In other examples, the top panel structure 17 may be fastened to the device 1 by any other suitable means, such as using adhesives or screws. In some examples, the top panel structure 17 may not be removable. The device 1 may include gaskets (not shown) to provide a seal between the top panel structure 17 and the interior of the device 1.

In this embodiment, the door 4 is supported above the panel 82 in the recessed portion 81 by means of a guide formed at least in part by the male portion 24 connected to the door 4 and the female portion 18 in the structure. The guide is used to guide the movement of the door relative to the structure. Thereby, the male part 24 and the door 4 move along and within the female part 18 together. The female portion 18 may define a boundary, and the movement of the door is limited within the boundary. In this embodiment, the male part 24 is initially provided as a separate part separate from the door 4 and inserted through the female part 18 to be connected to the door 4. In this way, the male part 24 can be removed to conveniently remove the door 4 without risk of damaging the door 4. The male portion 24 interfaces with the opening 26 on the tab 28 protruding from the door 4 and is retained in the opening. In other examples, the male part 24 may be connected to the door 4 in other ways, such as by mating a male connector protruding from the door 4 with a female connector in the male part 24. Alternatively, the male part 24 may not be a separate part, and may alternatively be formed by a tab, a lock catch or another protrusion on the door 4. The male portion 24 and/or the female portion 18 may include a low-resistance surface to enable the door 4 to slide smoothly within the top panel structure 17 and reduce the risk of the door becoming jammed or otherwise damaged during operation. In other examples, the movement of the door 4 relative to the top panel structure 17 can be guided in other ways, such as by providing a female member in the door 4 and a corresponding male rail in the top panel structure 17. In other examples, the door 4 may not be supported above the panel 82 and may instead slide or roll along the panel 82 or the recessed portion 81.

Fig. 9 further shows the spring plunger 45 of the mechanical latch configuration which will be described in detail below with respect to Figs. 10-12. The spring plunger 45 is disposed in the top panel structure 17 and protrudes through the aperture 46 in the panel 82. The spring plunger 45 is disposed in the top panel structure 17 via an opening or recess 47 in the top panel structure 17, but in other examples, it may be disposed or fixed to the structure in any other manner. In the present embodiment including a mechanical latch configuration, the surface of the door 4 adjacent to the panel 82 defines a linear cam element 42 for interfacing with the spring plunger 45 in a linear cam configuration, so that the door 4 can be locked when the door 4 is in the open position. Latch, hold or hold in the open position and latch, hold or hold the door 4 in the closed position when the door 4 is in the closed position. The linear cam element 42 may be formed by the body of the door 4 or may be a separate element disposed in or on the door 4. The spring plunger includes a depressible member 48 that defines the follower of the linear cam configuration. Thereby, the mechanical latch configuration includes a first part in the form of a spring plunger 45 or a depressible member 48 arranged in the top panel structure 17 and a linear cam element defined by the door 4 or arranged in or on the door the second part. The first part is configured to interact with the second part by means of reciprocal actions when the door 4 is moved between the open position and the closed position by applying an external force. In other words, there is a certain interaction between the first part of the latch configuration in the top panel structure 17 and the second part of the latch configuration in the door 4, wherein the first part and the second part cooperate to latch, hold, or hold the door 4 Open and/or closed position.

In this example, the depressible member 48 in the spring plunger 45 defines the follower of the linear cam configuration. In other examples, the spring plunger 45 may not be present, and the follower may alternatively be defined by a different component, such as a flexible element, a ball, or a camber roller. In other examples, the door can be rotated, translated, or a combination of the two to move the door between the open and closed positions. In this case, the cam configuration can be some other form of cam configuration, such as a flat cam. In other instances, the door can be held in the open or closed position by other holding methods. There may be more than one cam configuration. For example, there may be more than one follower and/or more than one cam element.

A plan view of the assembly 80 with the door 4 in the closed position is shown in FIG. 10. In an alternative embodiment, the assembly 80 of FIG. 10 may alternatively include a magnetic latch configuration, as discussed below with reference to FIGS. 13-22. The guide in FIG. 10 includes the female member 18; however, in other examples, this may not be the case, and the assembly 80 may include any other guide. In Figures 11 and 12, a cross section T-T of the assembly 80 is shown, where the assembly 80 includes a mechanical latch configuration. The pressable member 48 of the spring plunger is held in the housing 49 in a movable manner and is biased toward the linear cam element 42. The depressible member 48 thereby abuts the linear cam element 42 in use. The spring plunger 45 may include a biasing element (not shown), such as a spring, such as a coil spring, or any other suitable flexible member or any other suitable flexible member disposed in the housing 49 to bias the depressible member 48 toward the linear cam element 42 Arch surface material. In some examples, there may not be a separate biasing element, and the depressible member 48 may be a flexible member, for example comprising an elastic material. In this way, the depressible member 48 is deformable in use. The pressable member 48 may be made of metal, plastic, rubber, or any other suitable material. In other examples, the housing 49 may not be present, and the depressible member 48 may be positioned in or on the top panel structure 17 in other ways. For example, the depressible member 48 may be placed in a recess or cavity in the top panel structure 17.

The linear cam element 42 of the door 4 includes two flat surfaces, each of which is inclined relative to the movement plane of the door 4 in different directions. The flat surfaces each include a detent 44a, 44b that is configured to engage with the depressible member 48 when the door 4 is in the open or closed position to hold the door 4 in the respective open or closed position until an external force is applied during use To release the latch configuration. Figure 11 shows the door 4 in an open position, with the depressible member 48 biased towards the linear cam element 42 such that the depressible member 48 engages the detent 44a. Figure 12 shows the door 4 in the closed position, where the depressible member 48 is biased towards the linear cam element 42 such that the depressible member 48 engages the detent 44b. Thereby, in each of FIGS. 11 and 12, the door 4 is held in place by the linear cam configuration.

When the door 4 is moved from the open or closed position by applying an external force and thus is located between the open position and the closed position, the depressible member 48 is individually pressed by one of the inclined plane surfaces of the linear cam element. For example, if the door 4 moves from right to left in FIG. 11 so that the door moves from the open position to the closed position, the pressable member 48 will be pressed by the inclined plane surface shown on the leftmost side of the door. Because the surface is inclined, the surface is not oriented perpendicular to the direction of the force applied by the biasing element of the spring plunger 45. Therefore, the resulting force applied to the linear cam element 42 by the biased depressible member 48 will have a component of the force in the direction of movement of the door 4. In this way, the door 4 will be biased toward the open position when the door 4 is between the open position and an intermediate position between the open and closed positions. In a similar manner, the door 4 will be biased toward the closed position when the door 4 is between the closed position and the intermediate position.

When the door 4 is in the middle position (not shown), the contact point of the two inclined surfaces of the linear cam element 42 will be related to the pressable member 48, and the door 4 will be in an unstable equilibrium state. In this position, the door 4 is not biased, and the resulting force on the door 4 will be perpendicular to the direction of movement of the door 4. If the door 4 is slightly disturbed from the intermediate position toward the open position, the door 4 will be biased toward the open position. If the door 4 is slightly disturbed from the intermediate position towards the closed position, the door 4 will be biased towards the closed position. In other examples, the linear cam element 42 may include one or more planar surfaces in the same orientation. In some examples, the one or more planar surfaces may be parallel to the movement plane, so that no biasing force is applied to the door 4. In other examples, the one or more planar surfaces may be angled in the same direction relative to the plane of motion, so that the door 4 is only biased in a single direction, such as toward the closed position or toward the open position.

In this example, the depressible member 48 has a spherical shape. The depressible member rolls relative to the linear cam element 42 in use to promote smooth movement of the door 4. In other examples, the depressible member 48 may be any other suitable shape, such as a cylindrical shape. In other examples, the depressible member 48 may not roll, and the linear cam element 42 may instead slide along the depressible member 48. In this example, the detents 44a and 44b have a shape corresponding to the shape of the pressable member 48 to promote the reliable holding of the door 4. However, in other examples, this may not be the case, and the detent may be any other suitable shape. The spring plunger 45 of this example is located in the center of the top panel structure 17 corresponding to the intermediate position and the detents 44a, 44b are located at the opposite ends of the door 4 in the direction of movement. In other examples, the spring plunger 45 may be offset from the center of the structure, and/or there may be more than one spring plunger 45 or follower. The detents 44a, 44b may be located on opposite sides of the door 4 in a dimension perpendicular to the direction of movement. There may be more than two detents 44a, 44b or only one detent 44a, 44b in the linear cam element 42. For example, there may be two spring plungers 45 in the top panel structure 17 and one detent 44a, 44b in the linear cam element 42. Alternatively, the one or more spring plungers 45 may be located in the door 4 and the linear cam element may be placed in or on the top panel structure 17.

Another embodiment of the present invention including a magnetic latch configuration will now be described below with reference to FIGS. 13-22. As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the top panel structure 17 of the assembly 80 further includes a pair of magnets 85. The magnet 85 is located below the upper surface of the top panel structure 17, as best seen in Figure 15, so as to be hidden within the device 1 during use. In this embodiment, the magnet 85 is held on the lower side of the top panel structure 17 by the ridge 95. In other embodiments, the magnet 85 may be contained in a container or recess and/or adhered to the lower side of the top panel structure 17. In other embodiments, one or more magnets 85 may be present. The magnet 85 is fixed relative to the top panel structure 17 in use and interacts with a corresponding pair of magnets 87 (shown in FIG. 20) disposed in the door 4 to form a magnetic latch configuration. The door magnet 87 is blocked by the views in FIG. 13 to FIG. 15. The "fixed" magnets 85 are substantially cubic, and the center of mass of each fixed magnet 85 is equidistant from each end of the structure 17 defined by the recess 81 in the direction of movement. In some embodiments, the fixed magnet 85 may have any shape other than a cubic shape, such as a cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the center of mass of the magnet 85 may not be equidistant from each end of the structure 17 defined by the recess 81 in the direction of movement.

The magnetic latch configuration of this embodiment is configured to magnetically hold the door 4 in at least one of the open position or the closed position when the door 4 moves to the first end 83 or the second end 84, respectively. In some embodiments, the magnetic latch configuration can be configured to magnetically hold the door 4 in the open position when the door 4 moves to the first end 83, and magnetically hold the door 4 in the open position when the door 4 moves to the second end 84 The door is held in the closed position. This holding prevents the door 4 from opening or closing unintentionally, for example, during transportation. The user can be sure that if the door 4 is in the open or closed position, it should remain in the open or closed position until it is manually moved by the user. The magnetic latch configuration is described in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 20-22.

FIG. 16 shows the top panel structure 17 with the door 4, the panel 82 that may be a protective layer, and the fixed magnet 85 removed. In one embodiment, the door 4 is coupled to the top panel structure 17 and can slide relative to the top panel structure by means of a track formed at least in part by the male member 86. The male member 86 is fixed to the top panel structure 17 using screws 89. In a preferred embodiment, the male member passes through the opening 94 in the top panel structure 17 (and passes through the corresponding opening 94a in the panel 82), and engages with the internal thread of the male member 86 and abuts the top panel structure The screw 89 under one of the 17 is retained. The screws 89 are visible on the underside of the top panel structure 17 in FIG. 15. In this embodiment, the male member 86 is substantially located at the center of the upper surface of the top panel structure 17. In other embodiments, the male member 86 may be offset from the center of the upper surface. The top of the male member 86 includes a ridge that is shaped to engage with the corresponding female member 88a on the underside of the door 4 to form a track that serves as a guide for guiding the movement of the door 4.

Figures 17 and 18 show the lower side of the door 4. The lower side of the door 4 includes a plurality of recesses 88 and 90. The elongated central recess 88 contains a female member 88a that is assembled and shaped to engage with the male member 86 to form a track. In this embodiment, the male member 86 includes a ridge, which is paired with the female member 88a to restrict the movement of the door 4 in the Y direction. In other embodiments, the same effect can be achieved by providing the recesses in the male member 86 and the corresponding shaped protrusions or ridges in the female member 88a or on the door 4. In some embodiments, the female member 88a may be a cast part, so that the female member 88a is retained in the elongated recess 88 in the door 4 without the need for adhesive or other holding means. In other embodiments, the female member 88a may not be present and the male member 86 may directly engage the recess 88, which is shaped to facilitate such engagement.

Figure 18 shows the male member 86 engaged with the door 4 via the female member 88a. The male member 86 can move along the female member 88a in the X direction, thereby permitting the relative movement of the door 4 and the top panel structure 17 in the X direction. In some embodiments, the female member 88a may be in the top panel structure 17 and the male member 86 may be in the door 4. In some embodiments, there may be more than one male member 86 and more than one female member 88a. In some embodiments, the track may be formed by engaging one or more protrusions on the door 4 with one or more corresponding recesses in the top panel structure 17, or vice versa. In this embodiment, the door 4 hides the track during use, so as to ensure that the male member 86 is protected from damage and will not catch or hook external objects.

The cover plate further includes two recesses 90 for accommodating two door magnets 87. The door magnet 87 is configured to interact with the fixed magnet 85 in a magnetic latch configuration as described above. The door magnet 87 is substantially cubic, and the center of mass of each door magnet 87 is equidistant from each end of the door 4 in the direction of movement. In some embodiments, the door magnet 87 may be any shape other than a cubic shape, such as a cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the center of mass of the door magnet 87 may not be equidistant from each end of the cover plate 4 in the direction of movement.

The door 4 in FIGS. 17 and 18 further includes four protrusions 91 for supporting the door 4 on the upper surface of the top panel structure 17. In some embodiments, the top end of the protrusion 91 may have a low friction resistance, so that the door 4 will not scratch the upper surface of the top panel structure 17 during use.

Fig. 19 shows the cross section T-T of Fig. 10 when the assembly 80 includes a magnetic latch configuration, and Fig. 20 shows the cross section U-U of Fig. 10, where the assembly 80 includes a magnetic latch configuration. The assembly 80 of FIGS. 19 and 20 does not include the female part 18 of the guide member shown in FIG. 10. Alternatively, the assembly 80 of FIGS. 19 and 20 includes a male member 86 that engages with the female member 88a for guiding the door 4 as described above. In this embodiment, the male member 86 passes through the opening 94 in the top panel structure 17 (and passes through the opening 94a in the panel 82). The male member 86 can then be fixed to the top panel structure 17 by means of screws 89. The male member 86 extends into the elongated recess in the door 4. In this embodiment, the male member 86 is adjacent to the first end of the door 4 to resist the magnetic force generated by the magnetic latch configuration to hold the door 4 in the closed position. The male member is adjacent to the second end of the door 4 opposite to the first end to resist the magnetic force generated by the magnetic latch arrangement to hold the cover in the open position.

The magnetic latch configuration will now be described with reference to FIGS. 20-22. FIG. 20 shows the fixed magnet 85 arranged in the top panel structure 17 and the door magnet 87 arranged in the door 4. 21 shows a schematic side view of FIG. 20, illustrating the door 4, the door magnet 87, the top panel structure 17, the fixed magnet 85, the upper surface 82, and the opening 20. In a preferred embodiment, the fixed magnet 85 and the door magnet 87 are each substantially vertically polarized. That is, each magnet has a first magnetic pole P1 and a second magnetic pole P2, wherein each magnetic pole is substantially oriented vertically, as shown in FIG. 21. The first magnetic pole P1 and the second magnetic pole P2 have opposite polarities. The first magnetic pole P1 of the door magnet 87 faces the first magnetic pole P1 of the fixed magnet 85. In this way, when the door 4 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 21, the force 92 caused by the repulsion between relatively similar poles P1 holds the door 4 in the closed position. Similarly, when the door 4 is in the open position, the force 93 caused by the repulsion between the relatively similar poles P1 holds the door 4 in the open position.

In other embodiments, the fixed magnet 85 and the gate magnet 87 may be polarized in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement. That is, the first magnetic pole P1 and the second magnetic pole P2 are substantially horizontally oriented. The magnet is arranged such that: when the door 4 is in the closed position, the first magnetic pole P1 of the door magnet 87 faces the first magnetic pole P1 of the fixed magnet 85; and when the door 4 is in the open position, the second magnetic pole P2 of the door magnet 87 faces Fix the second pole of the magnet 85. In this way, the door 4 can be held in the open position or the closed position by the magnetic force 92 or 93 caused by the repulsion between relatively similar poles in each position, respectively.

Figure 22 illustrates a top-down schematic view of a preferred magnetic latch configuration. The door 4, the pair of door magnets 87, the top panel structure 17 and the pair of fixed magnets 85 can be seen in FIG. 22. The door 4 is initially in the closed position, where the force 92 caused by the repulsion between relatively similar poles as described above holds the door 4 in the closed position. In this embodiment, the magnetic latch is configured: when the door 4 is between the closed position and the intermediate position IP, the door 4 is biased toward the closed position (illustrated in FIG. 21); and when the door 4 is between the open position and the intermediate position IP In between, the door 4 is biased toward the open position. When the door 4 is at the intermediate position IP, there is no resulting force in the sliding direction and the door 4 is not biased. In some embodiments, the intermediate position IP is at the center of the top panel structure 17 so that the magnet 85 is aligned with the magnet 87 when the door 4 is in the intermediate position IP. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate position IP is off-center so that the magnet 85 is not aligned with the magnet 87, as shown in FIG. 21.

Returning to FIG. 22, the user experiences resistance due to the magnetic force 92 when the door 4 moves from the open position to the intermediate position IP. If the door 4 moves toward the open position beyond the intermediate position IP, the user will no longer experience resistance when the door 4 will be biased toward the open position by the magnetic force 93. If the user instead moves the door 4 from the closed position to the intermediate position IP but releases the door 4 before reaching the intermediate position IP, the magnetic force 92 biases the door 4 back toward the closed position. The same effect will occur when the door 4 is moved from the open position to the intermediate position IP and/or the closed position. The magnetic latch configuration thereby helps prevent the door 4 from opening or closing unintentionally, for example during transportation.

In each of the embodiments described above with respect to the magnetic configuration, the biasing force is generated by the repulsion between the similar poles of the fixed magnet 85 and the corresponding door magnet 87. In an alternative embodiment not shown here, the biasing force is generated by the attraction between the opposite poles of the fixed magnet 85 and the corresponding door magnet 87. In this embodiment, there may be one or more fixed magnets 85 disposed at the first end 83 of the top panel structure 17 and one or more fixed magnets 85 disposed at the second end 84 of the top panel structure 17. The poles of the first end 83 and the second end 84 of the fixed magnet 86 can be assembled to generate attraction through the interaction with the corresponding opposite poles of one or more door magnets 87 placed in the center of the door 4 force. The attraction force biases the door 4 in the open position or the closed position, as described above.

In another alternative embodiment, the first end 83 of the fixed magnet 86 interacts with one or more door magnets 87 disposed at the first end 83 of the door 4, and the second end 84 of the fixed magnet 86 interacts with One or more door magnets 87 at the second end 84 of the door 4 interact. In this embodiment, the first end 83 of the fixed magnet 86 is assembled to attract the first end 83 of the door magnet 87, and the second end 84 of the fixed magnet 86 is assembled to attract the second end 84 of the door magnet 87 In order to bias the door 4 in the open position and the closed position, respectively, as described above.

In this embodiment, the material of the door 4 and the top panel structure 17 is polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS). In other embodiments, the material of the door 4 and/or the top panel structure 17 may be other than PC/ABS, such as glass-filled nylon. In some embodiments, the length of the door 4 in a direction parallel to the sliding direction is preferably between 14 mm and 15 mm, and the length perpendicular to the sliding direction is preferably between 11 mm and 12 mm, and the thickness is preferably between 14 mm and 15 mm. Between 1 mm and 2 mm.

In some embodiments, the atomizable material comprises tobacco. However, in other embodiments, the atomizable material may consist of tobacco, may consist essentially of tobacco, may include tobacco and atomizable materials other than tobacco, may include atomizable materials other than tobacco, or may not Contains tobacco. In some embodiments, the atomizable material may include vapor or aerosol formers or humectants, such as glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol.

In some embodiments, the atomizable material is a non-liquid atomizable material, and the device is used to heat the non-liquid atomizable material to volatilize at least one component of the atomizable material.

Once all or substantially all of the volatile components of the atomizable material in the consumable product 21 have been used, the user can remove the product 21 from the device 1 and discard the product 21. The user can then use the other of the device 1 and the product 21. However, in other embodiments, the product can be non-consumable, and once the volatile components of the atomizable material have been used, the equipment and product can be discarded together.

In the embodiment described herein, the consumable article 21 includes a cigarette holder assembly 21b. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the example device as described herein may include a cigarette holder. For example, the device 1 may include a cigarette holder integrated with the device, or in other embodiments, the device may include a cigarette holder that is detachably attached to the device 1. In an example, the device 1 can be configured to accommodate the atomizable material to be heated. The atomizable material can be contained in a consumable product that does not contain a cigarette holder part. The user can smoke on the cigarette holder of the device 1 to inhale the aerosol generated by the device by heating the atomizable material.

In some embodiments, the product 21 is sold, supplied, or otherwise provided separately from the device 1 that can be used with the product 21. However, in some embodiments, one or more of the device 1 and the article 21 may be provided together as a system, such as a kit or assembly, and may have additional components such as cleaning utensils.

In order to solve various problems and develop this technology, the entire content of the present disclosure is shown by explaining and practising the claimed invention and providing various examples of excellent heating elements for equipment for heating atomizable materials. A method for heating an atomizable material to volatilize at least one component of the atomizable material's heating element method, and includes a device for heating the atomizable material to volatilize at least one component of the atomizable material And a system of heating elements that can be heated by such equipment. The advantages and topography of the content of the disclosure are only representative samples of the embodiments, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is only for assisting in understanding and teaching the claimed morphology and the morphology revealed in other ways. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, morphology, structure, and/or other aspects of the content of the disclosure should not be regarded as limitations on the content of the disclosure or the scope of the patent application as defined by the scope of the patent application The equivalent is limited, and other embodiments can be used and can be modified without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably include various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, methods, etc., consist of these various combinations, or basically consist of these various combinations. This disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

1: equipment 3: first end/near end/oral end 4, 61: door 5,84: second end 6: Port 7: On/Off button 9: Shell/Shell 11: Casing 11a: First casing 11b: second casing 11c: Joint 13: Thermal pad 15: Gasket 15a: The first seal 15b: second seal 17: Top panel structure 18: Female part 19: bottom panel 20, 26, 94, 94a: opening 20a: Ventilation path 21: consumable products 21a: Atomizable material 21b: cigarette holder 21c: filter/cooling element 21d, 21e: space 22, 22a, 46: Porosity 23: heater configuration 24: Public part 25: Control circuit system 25a, 25b: Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 27: Power 28: Tabs 29: Heating chamber 31: Vacuum area 33: collar 35: Expansion element 36: air gap 37: Internal support structure 38: area 39: Clean the chamber 40: Expansion chamber 41: Clean the tube 42: Linear cam element 43: Fastening member 44a, 44b: detent 45: Spring plunger 47: opening/recess 48: Pressable member 49: shell 50: Adhesive/adhesive layer 51: box 53: Pedestal 55: The first sealing element 57: The second sealing element 59: Outrigger 59a: tip 63: Hinge 71: heater 73: Heater end 75: stainless steel support tube 80: Assembly 81: recessed part 82: Panel 83: first end 85: Magnet/Fixed Magnet 86: male component 87: door magnet 88, 90: recess 88a: Mother member 89: Screw 91: protrusion 92,93: Force/Magnetic Force 95: spine P1: first pole P2: second magnetic pole α: first angle β: second angle

The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings only by way of examples, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of a device for heating an atomizable material to volatilize at least one component of the atomizable material, wherein the device shows a consumable article containing an inserted atomizable material; Figure 2 shows a schematic front view of the example device of Figure 1 with consumable products inserted therein; Figure 3 shows a schematic right side view of the example device of Figure 1 with consumable products inserted therein; Figure 4 shows a schematic left side view of the example device of Figure 1 with consumable products inserted therein; Figure 5 shows a schematic front cross-sectional view of the example device of Figure 1, in which consumable products are inserted through the line A-A shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a schematic front cross-sectional view of the example device of Figure 1 with no consumables inserted therein; Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of a door assembly of an apparatus for heating atomizable materials, wherein the door assembly includes a latch configuration and the door is shown in an open position; Figure 8 shows a schematic perspective view of the example door assembly of Figure 7, wherein the door is shown in a closed position; Figure 9 shows a schematic exploded view of the example door assembly of Figure 7, wherein the door assembly includes a mechanical latch configuration; Figure 10 shows a plan view of an example door assembly of an apparatus for heating atomizable materials, where the door is shown in a closed position; Figure 11 shows a side cross-sectional view of the example door assembly of Figure 10 through the line T-T, where the door assembly includes a mechanical latch configuration and where the door warp is shown in an open position; Figure 12 shows a side cross-sectional view of the example door assembly of Figure 11, where the door is shown in a closed position; Figure 13 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of a door assembly of an apparatus for heating atomizable materials, wherein the door assembly includes a magnetic latch configuration and wherein the door is shown in an open position; Figure 14 shows a schematic perspective view of the example door assembly of Figure 13, wherein the door is shown in a closed position; Figure 15 shows a schematic perspective view of the lower side of the example door assembly of Figure 13; Figure 16 shows a schematic perspective view of the top panel structure of the example door assembly of Figure 13; Figure 17 shows a schematic perspective view of the underside of the door of the example door assembly of Figure 13; Figure 18 shows a schematic perspective view of the lower side of the door of Figure 13, where the door includes a door magnet and a track assembly; Figure 19 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of the example door assembly of Figure 10 in the closed position passing through the line T-T, wherein the door assembly includes a magnetic latch configuration; Figure 20 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of the example door assembly of Figure 10 in the closed position through the line U-U when the door assembly includes a magnetic latch configuration; Figure 21 shows a simplified schematic side cross-sectional view of the example door assembly of Figure 19 in a closed position; Fig. 22 shows a simplified schematic plan view of the example door assembly of Fig. 13, with the door warp shown in a closed position, an intermediate position, and an open position.

4: door

17: Top panel structure

18: Female part

20: opening

22: Porosity

24: Public part

33: collar

80: Assembly

82: Panel

83: first end

84: second end

Claims (28)

An assembly that can be used in a device to heat an atomizable material to volatilize at least one component of the atomizable material to produce an inhalable aerosol, the assembly comprising: A structure that delimits an opening through which the atomizable material can be removably inserted into the device; A door coupled to the structure and movable between an open position where access to the opening is not restricted and a closed position where access to the opening is restricted; and A latch configuration that is assembled to hold the door in one of the open position and the closed position when the door is in at least one of the open position and the closed position, until a External force to release the latch configuration. Such as the assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch configuration includes a first part in the structure and a second separate part in the door, and wherein the first part is configured to interact with the second part to When the door is in the one of the open position and the closed position, the door is held in the one of the open position and the closed position. Such as the assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the latch configuration is further configured to be in the middle of the door between the open position and the closed position and the open position and the closed position Between the positions, the door is biased toward the one of the open position and the closed position. Such as the assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, which further includes at least one guide for guiding the movement of the door relative to the structure. Such as the assembly of claim 4, wherein the guide includes at least one of a male member or a female member for engaging with one of the male member or the female member corresponding to the other of the structure. Such as the assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the latch configuration is a mechanical latch configuration. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the mechanical latch configuration includes a cam, the cam includes a cam element disposed in one of the door and the structure, and the other disposed in the door and the structure At least one follower in it. Such as the assembly of claim 7, wherein the door defines the cam element, wherein the cam element includes one or more detents, and wherein the at least one follower is assembled to be in the open position and the closed position of the door The one of the positions engages the one or more detents to hold the door in the respective open or closed position. Such as the assembly of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the assembly is configured such that the at least one follower is biased toward the cam element. Such as the assembly of claim 9, wherein the at least one follower is biased toward the cam element by a spring. Such as the assembly of any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein a surface of the cam element is configured to engage with the at least one follower to press the door when the door is between the open position and the closed position At least one follower. The assembly of any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the assembly includes a spring plunger, the spring plunger including a depressible member held in a housing in a movable manner and biased toward the cam element , And wherein the at least one follower is the pressable member. Such as the assembly of claim 12, wherein the depressible member is configured to roll relative to the cam element when the door moves relative to the structure. Such as the assembly of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the pressable member is spherical or cylindrical. Such as the assembly of any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the one or more detents include at least two detents located at opposite end portions of the door in a direction of movement of the door. Such as the assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the latch configuration is a magnetic latch configuration. Such as the assembly of claim 16, wherein the magnetic latch configuration includes at least one fixed magnet disposed in the structure and at least one door magnet disposed in the door, wherein the latch configuration is assembled to be in the door One of the open position and the closed position magnetically holds the door in the one of the open position and the closed position. Such as the assembly of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the magnetic latch configuration is assembled with: When the door is in the open position, magnetically hold the door in the open position; and When the door is in the closed position, the door is magnetically held in the closed position. Such as the assembly of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the at least one gate magnet has a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole, and the at least one fixed magnet has a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole, and wherein: The first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole of each magnet have opposite polarities; The first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole of each magnet are oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction of movement of the door; and The first pole of the door magnet and the first pole of the fixed magnet face in substantially opposite directions and have the same polarity. Such as the assembly of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the at least one gate magnet has a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole, and the at least one fixed magnet has a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole, and wherein : The first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole of each magnet have opposite polarities; The first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole of each magnet are oriented in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the door; and The first pole of the door magnet and the first pole of the fixed magnet face in substantially opposite directions and have the same polarity. The assembly of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the at least one door magnet and the at least one fixed magnet are substantially cubic, each having a longer edge in the direction of movement; Wherein the center of mass of the at least one door magnet is equidistant from the end of the door in the direction of movement; and The center of mass of the at least one fixed magnet is equidistant from the open position and the closed position in the direction of movement. Such as the assembly of any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the door has an upper side adjacent to an upper side of the structure and a lower side, and wherein: The at least one door magnet is arranged in one of the corresponding recesses of the lower part of the door so as not to be visible in use; and The at least one fixed magnet is located on the upper and lower sides of the structure so as not to be visible in use. Such as the assembly of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the door is substantially flat and elongated in the direction of movement. Such as the assembly of any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the length of the door in a direction parallel to the sliding direction is preferably between 14 mm and 15 mm, and the length perpendicular to the direction of movement is preferably 11 mm And 12 mm, and the thickness is preferably between 1 mm and 2 mm. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the structure includes a recessed portion having a shape and size complementary to the door, the recessed portion being configured to accommodate the door in use and permitting The door moves between the open position and the closed position. Such as the assembly of claim 25, wherein a surface of the concave portion further includes the opening, and the opening is positioned toward an end of the concave portion corresponding to the closed position. Such as the assembly of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the material of the structure and the door is polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS). A system comprising a heating device and an assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27 used together with the heating device, the heating device being configured to heat atomizable materials to make at least one of the atomizable materials The components are volatilized, and the heating device includes: At least one heater element is arranged in a heater housing, and the heater element is assembled to heat the atomizable material in use.

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