US20230189888A1

US20230189888A1 - Elongated Heating Elements for an Aerosol Generation Device

Info

Publication number: US20230189888A1
Application number: US17/926,422
Authority: US
Inventors: Claude Zominy
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2020-05-28
Filing date: 2021-05-26
Publication date: 2023-06-22
Also published as: EP4156985A1; CA3170588A1; WO2021240395A1

Abstract

The present disclosure concerns a heater (10) for an aerosol generation device, which is intended to connect with a consumable article (20) of e-liquid. The heater comprises a plurality of elongated heating elements (12) configured to engage with corresponding grooves (22) arranged on a surface of a shell (21) of the consumable article at a time of connecting. The present disclosure also concerns a consumable article for an aerosol generation device, which is intended to connect with the heater. The consumable article is configured to contain an e-liquid and has a shell comprising grooves arranged on the surface of the configured to engage with corresponding elongated heating elements arranged on the heater at a time of connecting. The disclosure also concerns a system (30) comprising the heater and the consumable article.

Description

The present disclosure relates generally to heat distribution in aerosol or vapor generation systems and devices, in particular to a heater for aerosol or vapor generation devices with removable consumable articles such as capsules or other liquid-containing devices for removable connection to an aerosol or vapor generating device, to precise heat distribution in the removable consumable article and to clamping of the removable consumable article at the time of inserting the removable consumable article on the aerosol or vapor generation system.

BACKGROUND

The use of aerosol generating systems, also known as e-cigarettes, e-cigs (EC), electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS), electronic smoking devices (ESDs), personal vaporizers (PV), inhalation devices, vapes, which can be used as an alternative to conventional smoking articles such as lit-end cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, is becoming increasingly popular and widespread. The most commonly used e-cigarettes are usually battery powered and use a resistance heating element to heat and atomize a liquid containing nicotine and/or flavorants (also known as e-cigarette liquid, e-cig liquids, e-liquid, juice, vapor juice, smoke juice, e-juice, e-fluid, vape oil), to produce a nicotine-containing condensation aerosol (often called vapor) which can be inhaled by a user. The aerosol can be inhaled through a mouthpiece, which, in the case of aerosols formed from e-liquids which contain nicotine and/or flavorants.
In the conventional e-cigarettes described above, the liquid is put into contact with a resistance heating element after flowing through small channels, where it is heated and vaporized. The flowing is realized for example via a wick, a mesh or another type of porous element, which has a plurality of small channels that transport the liquid from a reservoir to the heating element. This heating element together with the porous element, a reservoir that contains the e-liquid, and a mouthpiece are usually arranged within a disposable capsule, cartridge or pod, that is discarded or refilled once the e-liquid has been consumed by the user, and usually removably connects to a main body that includes a rechargeable battery.
Enabling a precise distribution of heat inside the consumable article in order to bring heat to specific parts thereof, for example parts that carry a wicking element to be soaked with e-liquid allows to selectively vaporize substance to be delivered through the air channels. It also improves heating efficiency, e-liquid vaporization and reduces energy consumption at the time of heating.
Moreover, aerosol generation devices such as electronic cigarette are in a constant need for miniaturization, portability and construction optimization to provide devices that are the most convenient to carry without being less effective or less safe. A problem that arises with aerosol generation devices comprising a removable consumable article is to improve the hold of the removable consumable article in place on the device without increasing the manufacturing effort and complexifying the structure of the device so that the consumable article remains fixed on the device during for example manipulation, use or transport of the device.
EP Patent publication No. 3 456 213 A1, this reference herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses a heater element including a plurality of pins/needles fixed at the base of the heater element fixedly coupled with the power side of an electronic cigarette, the pins extending through corresponding perforations of a heating chamber holding the tobacco substrate for vaporization by the pins.
EP Patent publication No. 2 519 122 B1, this reference herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety, shows a heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate comprising a plurality of elongate heating elements arranged in an elongated array arranged to heat the substrate to form an aerosol.
The systems described in these publications may not effectively distribute heat in a precise manner to specific parts of the consumable article.

SUMMARY

It is one aspect of the present disclosure to provide a heater for an aerosol generation device, and a system comprising the heater and the consumable article that overcomes the above challenges.
Preferably, the heater for an aerosol generation device, which is intended to connect with a consumable article of e-liquid, comprises, a frame, a plurality of elongated heating elements extending substantially perpendicularly to a horizontal plane in which lies the frame, wherein the elongated heating elements are configured to engage with corresponding grooves arranged on a surface of a shell of the consumable article at a time of connecting.
In embodiments of the present invention, the elongated heating elements are configured to slide into the corresponding grooves and hold the consumable article.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the elongated heating elements are further configured to hold the consumable article by form-fit.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, a number of elongated heating elements is smaller or equal to a number of grooves.
In embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the elongated heating elements comprises a heating material, the heating material comprising a first zone at a first extremity of the at least one of the elongated heating elements and of a second zone at a second extremity of the at least one of the elongated heating elements.
In embodiments of the present invention, the first zone is different from the second zone in that it enables to reach a first temperature different from a second temperature that is reached in the second zone.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one of the elongated heating elements is further configured to deliver a heat gradient comprising a first temperature at the first extremity of the at least one of the elongated heating elements and a second temperature at the second extremity of the at least one heating element.
In embodiments of the present invention, the heat gradient is configured to selectively vaporize substances from the e-liquid when the heater comes in contact with it.
In embodiments of the present invention, the heat gradient is configured to generate at least one heating site located on the at least one of the elongated heating elements to heat a specific location in the consumable article.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one of the elongated heating elements comprises a heating part comprising the heating material and a diffusing part comprising a diffusing material configured to transfer the heat produced by the heating material and diffuse the heat by conduction hence generating a heat gradient.
In embodiments of the present invention, the at least one of the elongated heating elements comprises at least one patterned zone configured to have a higher electrical current density.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the patterned zone comprises at least one serpentine and/or at least one pattern of holes and/or at least one pattern of slots.
In embodiments of the present invention, the frame comprises the heating material and at least one of the elongated heating elements comprises the diffusing material configured to transfer the heat produced by the heating material.
In embodiments of the present invention, the heater is configured to generate at least one heating site located on the at least one of the elongated heating elements (12) to heat a specific location in the consumable article (20).
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one heating site is further configured to heat a wicking element arranged in the consumable article.
In embodiments of the present invention, the at least one heating site is further configured to heat a specific part of the wicking element.
In embodiments of the present invention, the at least one heating site is located adjacent to an air channel arranged on the consumable article.
In embodiments of the present invention, the first temperature T1 is different from the second temperature T2.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to providing a consumable article for an aerosol generation device that overcomes the above challenges.
Preferably, the consumable article for an aerosol generation device, which is intended to connect with the heater according to the present disclosure, is configured to contain an e-liquid and has a shell comprising grooves arranged on the surface of the shell, wherein the grooves are configured to engage with corresponding elongated heating elements arranged on the heater, at a time of connecting.
In embodiments, the grooves are configured to receive elongated heating elements from the heater.
In embodiments, the consumable article is further configured to be held by the elongated heating elements by form-fit.
In embodiments a number of grooves is equal or bigger to a number of elongated heating elements.
In embodiments the consumable article further comprises at least a wicking element configured to be in contact with the elongated heating elements when these are engaged and thereby present e-liquid to be heated and transformed into aerosol.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a system for an aerosol generation device comprising the heater and the consumable article according to the present disclosure that overcomes the above challenges.
Preferably, the system for an aerosol generation device comprises the heater according to the present invention comprising a plurality of elongated heating elements. The system further comprises the consumable article according the invention having a shell comprising grooves arranged on the surface of the shell, wherein the elongated heating elements are engaged in the grooves to secure the heater to the consumable article.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention and the manner of realizing them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will best be understood from a study of the following description with reference to the attached drawings showing some preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain features of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a two-part schematic view of a heater for an aerosol generation device comprising elongated heating elements;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic top-view of a heater for an aerosol generation device comprising elongated heating elements;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a heating element;

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic view of a consumable article for an aerosol generation device comprising grooves arranged on a surface of a consumable article shell;

FIG. 5 shows a top schematic view of a consumable article for an aerosol generation device comprising grooves arranged on a surface of a consumable article shell;

FIG. 6 depicts a schematic view of a consumable article for an aerosol generation device surrounded by a plurality of elongated heating elements, according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of the consumable article depicted in FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8 depicts a single elongated heating element indicating opposite zones that may heat at different temperatures, according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 depict a heater element with a plurality of elongated heating elements, as used in FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of an unconnected system comprising a heater comprising elongated heating elements and a consumable article comprising grooves arranged on a surface of a consumable article shell;

FIG. 11 depicts a schematic representation of a connected system comprising a heater comprising elongated heating elements and a consumable article comprising grooves arranged on a surface of a consumable article shell;

FIG. 12 shows a schematic top-view of a connected system comprising a consumable article comprising grooves arranged on a surface of a consumable article shell and a heater (visible in transparency below the consumable article) comprising elongated heating elements;

FIG. 13 shows a preferred embodiment of the consumable article and heater from FIG. 12 , further comprising a wicking element according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 shows a simplified view of FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 15 shows a preferred embodiment of the consumable article and heater from FIG. 12 , further comprising a wicking element according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 shows a simplified view of FIG. 15 ; and

FIGS. 17 to 20 show a plurality of examples in which the elongated heating elements and/or the consumable article are configured to releasably hold and maintain the consumable article on the heating element.

Herein, identical reference numerals are used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. Also, the images are simplified for illustration purposes and may not be depicted to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS

It is a first object of the invention to provide a heater 10 for an aerosol generation device according to FIGS. 1 to 3 , which is intended to connect, in use, with at least a battery part of the aerosol generation device on the one hand and with a consumable article 20 of vaporizable material according to FIGS. 4 and 5 on the other hand.
The term vaporizable material is used to designate any material that is vaporizable at a temperature up to 400° C., preferably up to 350° C., for example aerosol generating liquid, gel, wax and the like.
The consumable article 20 may be in the format of any of a capsule, a cartridge, a pod or other liquid-containing devices for removable connection to an aerosol generation device and for intended connection with a heater 10 for an aerosol generation device. The consumable article 20 may be discarded or refilled once the vaporizable material has been consumed by the user.
As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the heater 10 comprises a frame 11 and a plurality of elongated heating elements 12 extending substantially perpendicularly relatively to a horizontal plane in which lies the frame 11.
The heater 10 may be an electric heater working on the principle of Joule heating in which the passage of an electric current, for example, in at least one of the elongated heating elements and/or in the frame 11 produces heat.
The frame 11 may be for example a ring, a plate or any suitable element that may carry the elongated heating elements 12.
The frame 11 may alternatively be an electric heater configured to produce heat when an electric current is flowing in the frame 11.
The elongated heating elements 12 may be welded on the frame 11 in a way to extend substantially perpendicularly relatively to a horizontal plane in which lies the frame 11.
Referring now also to FIG. 4 , the elongated heating elements 12 are configured to engage with corresponding grooves 22 arranged on a surface of a shell 21 of the consumable article 20, at the time of the intended connection between the heater 10 and the consumable article 20.
The elongated heating elements 12 are positioned on the frame 11 to correspond to the grooves 22 arranged on the surface of the shell 21 of the consumable article 20.
The engagement of the elongated heating elements 12 with corresponding grooves 22 arranged on the surface of the shell 21 of the consumable article 20 further enables to hold the consumable article 20 onto the heater 10, for example by a clamping effect implemented through a mechanical friction effect applied by the heating elements to the shell 21, and/or by a spring effect between the heating elements that then may possess either protuberating parts that engage in corresponding cavities of the sheel. or cavities that engage with corresponding protuberating parts of the shell.
The elongated heating elements 12 are further configured to slide into the corresponding grooves 22 of the shell 21 of the consumable article 20 to hold the consumable article 20.
Distances between each of the elongated heating elements 12 and a center of the frame 11, or among each other on a circumference defined by the frame 11, may be smaller than distances between corresponding grooves 22 of the consumable article 20 and a center axis A of the consumable article 20, or the corresponding grooves among each other on a circumference defined by the outer periphery of the consumable article 20, enabling the elongated heating elements 12 to hold the consumable article 20 using the clamping effect when the heater 10 engages with the consumable article 20.
The elongated heating elements 12 may be flexible to engage in the grooves 22 of the consumable article 20 and exert the clamping effect by spring forces of the elongated heating elements as exerted on the consumable article 20, enabling to hold the consumable article 20 at the time of the intended connection between the heater 10 and the consumable article 20.
The elongated heating elements 12 may also extend from the frame 11 slightly inclined toward the center of the frame 11 in order to exert a pressure on the grooves 22 of the consumable article 20 when the heater 10 is connected to the consumable article 20 enabling the holding of the consumable article 20.
The elongated heating elements 12 may also hold the consumable article 20 by form-fit.
The number of elongated heating elements 12 may be smaller or equal to the number of grooves 22 arranged on the shell 21 of the consumable article 20.
As depicted in FIG. 3 , at least one of the elongated heating elements 12 further comprises a heating material 13.
In another embodiment, the frame 11 further comprise the heating material 13.
The heating material 13 may comprise metallic material such as kanthal, nickel, nickel-chromium, titanium, nichrome, tungsten, stainless steel or any material having required heating properties working on the principle of Joule heating for example, in which the passage of an electric current produces heat. In one embodiment, at least one of the elongated heating elements 12 comprise the heating material 13 having the same density along the at least one of the elongated heating elements 12 enabling to provide a constant heat along the least one of the elongated heating elements 12.
The diffusing material may comprise metallic material which exhibits appropriate thermal conduction properties.
In another embodiment, the heating material 13 comprises a first zone of heating material 13 at a first extremity 14 of the at least one of the elongated heating elements 12 and a second zone of heating material 13 at a second extremity 15 of the at least one of the elongated heating elements 12.
Preferably, the first zone of heating material 13 is different from the second zone of the heating material in that the first zone enables to reach a first temperature T1 different from a second temperature T2 that can be reached in the second zone.
As a consequence, the at least one of the elongated heating elements 12 is further configured to deliver a heat gradient comprising the first temperature T1 at the first extremity 14 and the second temperature T2 at the second extremity 15.
The first temperature T1 may be different from the second temperature T2. For example, the first temperature T1 may be higher or lower than the second temperature T2. Preferentially, the second temperature T2 is higher than the first temperature T1.
In another embodiment, the heat gradient may be obtained, for example, by creating at least one patterned zone on at least one of the elongated heating elements 12 configured to have higher electrical current densities thus generating locally higher temperature.
The at least one patterned zone may comprise serpentine or an appropriate pattern of holes/slots distributed along the at least one patterned zone, wherein the distance between two holes/slots is reduced compared to the remaining part of the elongated heating element 12. Each zone with reduced distance is subject to higher current density in such a way that when current flows through the at least one of the elongated heating elements 12, the temperature is higher these zones. As described above, components of the vaporizable e-liquid will be therefore selectively heated. Lower temperature's components will vaporize first while the vaporizable material propagate through the elongated heating elements 12.
In another embodiment, at least one of the elongated heating elements 12 may comprise two different parts: a heating part comprising the heating material 13 and a diffusing part comprising a diffusing material. The heating part enables to generate heat when the electrical current is flowing. The diffusing part enables to transfer the heat produced by the heating part and diffuse the heat by conduction hence generating a heat gradient. The area of the diffusing part which is the most distant from the heating part receives less energy (i.e. less heat) than the area of the diffusing part which is the closest from the heating part of the at least one of the elongated heating elements 12. Hence components of the vaporizable e-liquid will be therefore selectively heated. Lower temperature's components will vaporize first while the vaporizable material propagates through the second part of the at least one of the elongated heating elements 12.
The heat gradient may be further modulated by defining a specific shape or form of the diffusing part of the at least one of the elongated heating elements 12.
In another embodiment, the frame 11 may comprise the heating material 13 and be configured to generate heat. At least one of the elongated heating elements 12 may comprise the diffusing material and be configured to transfer the heat produced by the frame 11 and diffuse the heat by conduction hence generating a heat gradient along the at least one of the elongated heating elements 12 as the first 14 and second 15 extremities of the at least one of the elongated heating elements 12 received different amount of energy or heat.
In another embodiment, the density of the heating material 13 of the frame 11 around the elongated heating elements 12 may be different in order to provide different levels of heat to the different elongated heating elements 12.
The heat gradient is configured to selectively vaporize substances from the e-liquid that comes in contact with the heater 10.
The heat gradient is further configured to generate at least one heating site located on the at least one of the heating elements to heat a specific location in the consumable article 20.
The at least one heating site may be further configured to heat a wicking element (not represented) arranged in the consumable article 20. The at least one heating site may also be configured to heat a specific part of the wicking element.
In a further embodiment, the at least one heating site may be generated on the at least one of the heating elements in a way to be located adjacent to an air channel 24 arranged on the consumable article 20 when the heater 10 is connected to the consumable article 20.
In another embodiment, at least one of the elongated heating elements 12 may also be used as a transportation means of the e-liquid.
The at least one of the elongated heating elements 12 may further comprises a wicking element or a mesh arranged on or in at least one of the elongated heating elements 12 configured to transport and deliver a controlled quantity of the e-liquid from the consumable article 20 or from the reservoir to the at least one heating site generated on the at least one of the elongated heating elements 12 enabling the vaporization of the e-liquid.
It is a second object of the invention to provide a consumable article 20 according to FIGS. 4 and 5 for an aerosol generation device, which is configured to contain an e-liquid, and which is intended to connect with the heater 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 3 .
The consumable article 20 may comprise anyone of the list comprising a capsule, a cartridge, a pod or other liquid-containing devices for removable connection to an aerosol generation device.
The consumable article 20 may be discarded or refilled once the e-liquid has been consumed by the user.
The consumable article 20 may comprise a reservoir (not represented) arranged inside the consumable article 20 and intended to contain the e-liquid.
The consumable article 20 further comprises a shell 21 comprising grooves 22 arranged on the surface of the shell 21.
The grooves 22 may comprise recesses arranged on the surface of the shell 21 having dimension and shape enabling to receive the elongated heating elements 12 arranged on the heater 10.
The grooves 22 may also comprise openings arranged in the shell 21 of the consumable article 20 having dimension and shape enabling to receive the elongated heating elements 12 arranged on the heater 10.
The grooves 22 arranged on the surface of the shell 21 are configured to engage with corresponding elongated heating elements 12 arranged on the heater 10, at the time of intended connection between the consumable article 20 and the heater 10.
The grooves 22 are further configured to receive elongated heating elements 12 from the heater 10.
The grooves 22 are positioned on the shell 21 of the consumable article 20 to correspond to the elongated heating elements 12 arranged on the heater 10 in order to enable the intended connection between the consumable article 20 and the heater 10.
The number of grooves 22 arranged on the surface of the shell 21 of the consumable article 20 is equal or greater than the number of elongated heating elements 12 of the heater 10.
The consumable article 20 may comprise at least one airflow channel 23 arranged on or in the consumable article 20. The at least one airflow channel 23 is intended to collect and receive vaporized e-liquid, i.e., e-liquid which is heated and hence aerosolized by the elongated heating elements 12, and directs the aerosolized e-liquid toward an intended mouthpiece to be inhaled by an intended user (mouthpiece and user not represented in FIG. 4 ).
The consumable article 20 may also comprise at least one air channel 24 arranged on or in the consumable article 20.
The at least one air channel 24 is in connection to the at least one airflow channel 23. The at least one air channel 24 is further configured to receive e-liquid which is aerosolized by the elongated heating elements 12 and to direct the aerosolized e-liquid toward the at least one airflow channel 23.
The consumable article 20 may further comprise at least one wicking element such as a porous material piece and/or a mesh (not represented) configured to capture and transfer the e-liquid from the consumable article 20, for example from the reservoir of the consumable article 20 to the at least one of the elongated heating elements 12, preferably to the at least one heating site. The wicking element further enables to control the quantity of vaporizable material transferred from the consumable article 20 to the elongated heating element.
The at least one wicking element may be located on the of the consumable article 20, for example on the shell 21 of the consumable article 20, in at least one of the grooves 22 arranged on the consumable article 20.
The at least one wicking element may be further positioned in a way that at the time of connection between the heater 10 and the consumable article 20, at least one of the elongated heating elements 12 is positioned between the shell 21 of the consumable article 20 and the wicking element.
The at least one wicking element may be also positioned in a way that at the time of connection between the heater 10 and the consumable article 20, at least one of the elongated heating elements 12 is inserted into the at least one wicking element.
The wicking element which has the function to transfer the e-liquid from the consumable article 20 to at least one of the heating elements, preferably to the at least one heating site.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an example embodiment in which the consumable article 20 comprises the shell 21, which in this example is surrounded by a cylindrically shaped wicking element 60. A heater element 62 comprises a plurality of elongated heating elements 61. The consumable article 20 is connected to the heater element 62 with the elongated heating elements 61 at the periphery of the consumable element and in mechanical contact with the cylindrically shaped wicking element 60. The elongated heating elements 61 may for example hold the consumable article 20 by means of mechanical friction with the wicking element 60. The elongated heating elements 61 may be configured to heat e-liquid in the mesh, for example with a homogenous temperature over the whole surface of the respective elongated heating elements or with a differential temperature from T2 at one extremity of each the elongated heating element 61, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 , to T1 at an opposite extremity of the elongated heating element 61, with T2 being greater than T1. By heating the e-liquid in the mesh, the aerosol is generated inside the wicking element 60. FIG. 7 contains a top view of the assembly from FIG. 6 , in which 3 elongated heating elements 61 are distributed around the cylindrical wicking element 60 distant at substantially equal angles among each other, i.e., at 120°. In the present example, the elongated heating elements 61 avoid penetrating inside and/or piercing the consumable article 20. Hence the elongated heating elements 61 do not interfere with a consumable article's sealing mechanism and allow for a simpler technical construction.
It is to be noted that the main function of the elongated heating elements 61 is to transfer heat. As an auxiliary function, the elongated heating elements 61 may be used to hold and/or maintain the consumable article 20.
It is to be noted that the elongated heating elements 61 may be wear parts, and this need to be periodically changed in the heater 62, or together with the heater 62.
FIG. 9 shows the heater 62 with the 3 elongated heating elements 61 extending perpendicularly away from the horizontal place of the heater 62. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated heating elements 61 may comprise a mechanism configured to open and close the elongated heating elements 61 away and toward the wicking element.
As depicted in FIGS. 10 to 12 , it is another object of the invention to provide a system 30 for an aerosol generation device comprising a heater 10 according to the present description and comprising a plurality of elongated heating elements 12 and a consumable article 20 as described in the present description, having a shell 21 comprising grooves 22 arranged on the surface of the shell 21, the elongated heating elements 12 being engaged in the grooves 22 to secure the heater 10 to the consumable article 20.
At the time of inserting the heater 10 in the consumable article 20, the elongated heating elements 12 are received by the corresponding grooves 22 arranged on the shell 21 of the consumable article 20. The elongated heating elements 12 slide into the grove and allow to hold the consumable article 20 in place, for example by form-fit.
As obvious for a skilled person in the field of aerosol generating devices, the heater 10 shall be mounted in electrical connection with a power delivery component of an aerosol generating device such as a battery to allow it to heat e-liquid in the consumable article 20. Such mounting is not represented in the attached drawings for the sake of clarity.
As shown in FIG. 12 , when the heater 10 is connected to the consumable article 20, the elongated heating elements 12 are positioned next to the at least one air channel 24.
Preferentially, the at least one heating site generated by the heat gradient of the elongated heating elements 12 is located adjacent to the air channel 24 arranged on the consumable article 20 hence allowing the air channel 24 to receive and collect the aerosolized e-liquid and direct it to an intended mouthpiece and eventually to an intended user for inhalation (mouthpiece and user not illustrated in FIG. 12 ).
FIG. 13 shows a preferred embodiment of the consumable article and heater from FIG. 12 , further comprising a wicking element 130 inside the shell 21. The wicking element 130 contacts the elongated heating elements 12, which are respectively engaged between the grooves 22 and the wicking element 130. The heating element 12 may exert a mechanical friction with the wicking element 130 (and optionally with the grooves 22) which enables to maintain the consumable article 20.
FIG. 14 is a simplified view of FIG. 13 , in which the proportions of sizes are not necessarily respected, showing only the wicking element 130, represented as a ring in this view, and running at an outside of the elongated heating elements 12, outside meaning on the side away from the center 140 of the consumable article.
FIG. 15 shows a preferred embodiment of the consumable article and heater from FIG. 12 , further comprising a wicking element 150 inside the shell 21. The wicking element 150 contacts the elongated heating elements 12, which are respectively engaged in the grooves 22 and externally to the wicking element 150. The heating elements 12 may exert a mechanical friction and pressure onto the wicking element 150 at the circumference of the consumable article, which enables to maintain the consumable article 20 in place on the heating element (not illustrated).
FIG. 16 is a simplified view of FIG. 15 , in which the proportions of sizes are not necessarily respected, showing only the wicking element 150, represented as a ring in this view, and running at an inside of the elongated heating elements 12, inside meaning on the side showing towards the center 140 of the consumable article.
FIGS. 17 to 20 show a plurality of examples in which the elongated heating elements and/or the consumable article are configured to releasably hold and maintain the consumable article on the heating element.
In FIG. 17 , a wall 170 of a groove 22 comprises a protuberating part 171. The left-side part of the figure illustrates an elongated heating element 172 being slid relative to the wall 170 in direction 173 at a time where the consumable article is positioned on the heating element (both not illustrated in FIG. 17 ). The right-side part of the figure illustrates the elongated heating element 172 having a cavity 174 corresponding to the protuberating part 171, engaging with the protuberating part 171 by spring force exerted from the elongated heating element 172 once the consumable article is positioned on the heating element.
In FIG. 18 , a wall 180 of a groove 22 comprises a cavity 181. The left-side part of the figure illustrates an elongated heating element 182 being slid relative to the wall 180 in direction 183 at a time where the consumable article is positioned on the heating element (both not illustrated in FIG. 18 ). The right-side part of the figure illustrates the elongated heating element 182 having a protuberating part 184 corresponding to the cavity 181, engaging with the cavity 181 by spring force exerted from the elongated heating element 182 once the consumable article is positioned on the heating element.
FIG. 19 is a frontal view of a shell 21 with a groove 22 formed in the wall of the shell 21. An elongated heating element 190 is configured to be inserted into the groove 22 at a time where the consumable article is positioned on the heating element (both not illustrated in FIG. 19 ), and form-fit with it. The form-fit designates the interaction between the individual groove 22 and the corresponding elongated heating element 190. The geometrical shape of the elongated heating element replicates the geometrical shape of the groove with a relative small difference, whereby the width 191 of the groove 22 is large enough to allow to engage the elongated heating element 190 with a width 192, but small enough to generate a friction to maintain the consumable article in place.
FIG. 20 is a further frontal view of a shell 21 with a groove 22 formed in the wall of the shell 21. An elongated heating element 200, preferably of flexible nature such as that of a spring, having a cavity 201, is configured to be inserted into the groove 22 at a time where the consumable article is positioned on the heating element (both not illustrated in FIG. 20 ), and form-fit with it. The groove has a shape complementary to that of the elongated heating element 200, i.e., it comprises a protuberating element 202, or locking pin, that engages with the cavity 201. This type of form-fit may be called bayonet style locking.
The details and embodiments described above for an aerosol generation device are applicable to an electronic cigarette comprising a heater 10, a consumable article 20 or a system 30 comprising a heater 10 and a consumable article 20.
While the invention has been disclosed with reference to certain preferred embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described embodiments, and equivalents thereof, are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments and be given the broadest reasonable interpretation in accordance with the language of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heater (10) for an aerosol generation device, which is intended to connect with a consumable article (20) of e-liquid, comprising:

a frame (11);

a plurality of elongated heating elements (12) extending substantially perpendicularly to a horizontal plane in which lies the frame (11);

wherein the elongated heating elements (12) are configured to engage with corresponding grooves (22) arranged on a surface of a shell (21) of the consumable article (20), at a time of connecting.

2. The heater (10) as defined in the preceding claim, wherein the elongated heating elements (12) are configured to slide into the corresponding grooves (22) and hold the consumable article (20).

3. The heater (10) as defined in the any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated heating elements (12) are further configured to hold the consumable article (20) by form-fit.

4. The heater (10) as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a number of elongated heating elements (12) is smaller or equal to a number of grooves (22).

5. The heater (10) as defined any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the elongated heating elements (12) comprises a heating material (13), the heating material (13) comprising a first zone at a first extremity (14) of the at least one of the elongated heating elements (12) and a second zone at a second extremity (15) of the at least one of the elongated heating elements (12), the first and second zone enabling to reach respectively a first temperature (T1) and a second temperature (T2) different from each other.

6. The heater (10) as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the elongated heating elements (12) comprises a heating part comprising the heating material and a diffusing part comprising a diffusing material configured to transfer the heat produced by the heating material and diffuse the heat by conduction hence generating a heat gradient.

7. The heater (10) as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one of the elongated heating elements (12) comprises at least one patterned zone configured to have a higher electrical current density.

8. The heater (10) as defined in the preceding claim, wherein the patterned zone comprises at least one serpentine and/or at least one pattern of holes and/or at least one pattern of slots.

9. The heater (10) as defined in claim 6, wherein the frame (11) comprises the heating material and at least one of the elongated heating elements (12) comprises the diffusing material configured to transfer the heat produced by the heating material.

10. The heater (10) as defined in any one of the preceding claims 5 to 9, wherein the heater is configured to generate at least one heating site located on the at least one of the elongated heating elements (12) to heat a specific location in the consumable article (20).

11. The heater (10) as defined in the preceding claim, wherein the at least one heating site is further configured to heat a wicking element arranged in the consumable article (20).

12. A consumable article (20) for an aerosol generation device, which is intended to connect with a heater (10) according to claims 1 to 11, the consumable article (20) being configured to contain an e-liquid and having a shell (21) comprising grooves (22) arranged on the surface of the shell (21);

wherein the grooves (22) are configured to engage with corresponding elongated heating elements (12) arranged on the heater (10), at a time of connecting.

13. The consumable article (20) according to claim 12, wherein the grooves (22) are configured to receive elongated heating elements (12) from the heater (10).

14. The consumable article (20) according to any one of claims 12 and 13, further comprising at least a wicking element configured to be in contact with the elongated heating elements when these are engaged and thereby present e-liquid to be heated and transformed into aerosol.

15. A system (30) for an aerosol generation device comprising

a heater (10) according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of elongated heating elements (12);

a consumable article (20) according to claim 12 having a shell (21) comprising grooves (22) arranged on the surface of the shell (21);

wherein the elongated heating elements (12) are engaged in the grooves (22) to secure the heater (10) to the consumable article (20).